LUVvacation

Hi frank444,

From the info you have posted my vacation suggestion is Beaches Turks & Caicos. They have lots of big pools. The beach is absolutely beautiful, with a coral reef for snorkeling in walking distance that is right on the beach. Of course snorkeling from a boat is also included. They have loads of kid activities, including a special pool area and snack bar. They include kids in the night time entertainment on stage. There are plenty of food choices, in case you have picky eaters. The staff at Beaches T&C was the friendliest of any place we've ever stayed. I truly believe that your children (and you and your wife) would have a wonderful vacation at Beaches. This all-inclusive resort really has it ALL. We've already booked our spring 2005 trip.

Don't forget to get passports to travel out of the USA. It is my understanding that many islands are now requiring passports for entry.

Dreamer2

Hi Frank!
I can't believe no one has recommended Atlantis in the Bahamas! (Paradise Island, Nassau) Is that excluded from your consideration? While it may not have all the natural beauty of St. John, it certainly is a kid's dream resort. Incredibly themed grounds, a fantastic aquarium, and terrific water slides. It's not a place I would choose to go alone with my spouse, unless I enjoyed gambling, but it is impressive, and so much fun! The Royal Tower is the closest to the pool complex, and has the majestic lobby and themed restaurants you see in the ads. The Ocean Club is the same owners, so you can use their beach as well, or have dinner there charged to your Atlantis room. Atlantis also has kids' activities where they could meet others children their age. And you can book excursions for any type of outdoor activities that interest you. There are many opinions on this board about Atlantis (both positive and negative!), so I'd do a search to get more information. But I'm sure your kids would be enthralled.

frank444

girlonthego,

Great location suggestions and related subject matter. Regarding the water in Mexico. I travel to Mexico on business at lest 110 days per year. I travel all over from Guadalajara to Monterrey; from Leon to Culiacan; from Mexico D.F. to Puebla. I have also been to Cancun via Merida Mexico. However, my son keeps asking me if I would take him to Mexico because he wants to see were "Daddy" goes all the time. I too am worried about the water problem, however, if we stayed at a 5 start hotel and made sure the kids stuck to bottled water and juices while at the pool, beach and reataurants, do you think it would be all that terrible of a vacation?

I really want to show my kids Mexico. We are now considering Cancun during spring break. Also, we would stay at The Fiesta Americana Coral Beach. They have big pools, beaches, first class rooms and service. I've stayed their on business and was quite impressed. Although I never got sick, I too am very careful.

What do you think?



Dear Luvvacation,

I have also heard that Atlantis is great for kids. I am also very suprised nobody mentioned this destination, however, I'm not sure if the latest hurricanes caused any significant damage that prevented the forum from mentioning it.

Thanks in advance.

Frank

girlonthego

Frank, First Atlantis is great and we just went this past Oct after the hurricanes and it was fine. Pricey vacation though!
I am a ninny about Mexico. I brushed my teeth with bottled water and made sure I never opened my mouth in the shower. No coffee, etcc... We stayed at the Meridian and most of our group stayed at the Ritz. No one I know got sick. I just think it would be hard to stay all over the kids not to drink this or that.And I would be all over them. So, it is not a first choice for me. Now, you have been there many times. You would know better than anyone. I also think Cancun could offer some great deals in great hotels. I just feel when traveling with children, clean water, feeling safe, and hopefully not getting too much rain are key factors. The last one you have no control over! We pick family friendly places and have always had fun. I also found wherever we took our kids, as long as there was a pool, they were happy. We have taken them to Bermuda where there is not a lot of activities for young kids. They had to dress up for dinner. They loved Bermuda. Going from the pool to the beach and back was our daily chore. The Atlantis was fun for them. Lots of pools, good food, etc.. Have fun deciding.

meta

Many years ago, I went to Cancun and came home very sick. I swore, I'd never go back. That said, I can't even imagine going with my son and worrying about whether or not he may put some of the water in his mouth.

Dreamer2

Hi again, Frank!
The thing with kids, is the fewer variables the better! That's one of the reasons I'd never take young kids on a cruise. (The possibility of seasickness.)
I'd check out the Atlantis website before you decide for sure. I really think your kids are at great ages to just love it there!

frank444

girlonthego and dreamer2,

Atlantis does sound great. If not this time, we will be going in the next few years.

girlonthego, agree 100% on Bermuda!! Love it!! Wife and I went for Honeymoon but, may still be a little chilly in Spring.

Just as an aside, what the hell happened to The Marriott Castle Harbour Hotel? We stayed there in 1993 and it was great! Then, it was just gone. They had their own tournament, golf course, private beach and multiple restaurants. Perfect place to vacation. We also ended up meeting Sarah Michelle Gellar on this Honeymoon.

Where did it go???

girlonthego

Frank, I was surprised to hear the Marriott was gone also. We never stayed there. We stayed on the south hampton side. I still think if not Atlantis, why not Aruba? We stayed at the Marriott there and had a great time. Also there is a very nice Hyatt (more luxurious than the Marriott) and I hear Raddison there is great too. We loved the Marriott and Aruba. It is a dry arid island, but the hotels are tropical and lush. The sand is white and the water is the light green!! The food is good and the water you can drink from the tap. Now, I also do think the Virgin Islands sound good. I am thinking of a future trip there in the next couple of years.

LUVvacation

frank444
I know a lot of people really push Atlantis. We've not stayed there, however we did stay at the hotel that sits right next door to Atlantis (Sheraton at the time). We walked through the resort and it was very big and ritzy. But we still prefer Beaches T&C. For us, the all inclusive factor of Beaches is a MUST. I'll try to give you some comparisons.

Atlantis is very expensive, and as far as I know no extras are included. The restaurant prices are out of sight. Yes, you can walk to some restaurants that are fairly nearby, but what about when your children want a soda or a snack when it's not meal time. Shell out those bucks at Atlantis for every little thing. Don't forget the tipping, that can really add up too.

At Beaches, the food and drink are there for the taking at all times of the day and night. Tipping is not permitted at Beaches, if the staff gets caught accepting tips they can be fired. When you get to your room you lock your money in the safe and buy what ever you want with only a smile. The staff at Beaches was the friendliest I've seen anywhere. Our experience was that they were happy, and they wanted to make you happy too.

At Atlantis, the open ocean beach has a sandy bottom, some patches of sea grass, but no coral. I know they have a beach area inside the resort, but I don't know what there is to see in it. Of course they do have a very nice aquarium.

At Beaches, snorkel and scuba trips are included, they have a boat to take you out to the barrier reef. You can also use their snorkel gear. There is plenty of coral to see right in front of the resort. When facing the water, there is some young coral just to the left of the resort. The young coral is sparse, but there's a lot of fish in it. There is also a large beautiful reef about a 15 minute walk down the beach (also to the left). This reef actually starts at the shoreline, and is known as the Coral Gardens reef (amoung other names). It is as pretty a reef as I've seen anywhere. There is every kind of fish, and an ocassional sea turtle or ray. We really love the beach on T&C.

Since T&C is a little farther South than the Bahamas, the water temp can be a couple degrees warmer. That's the reason we started going to T&C in the first place. We've been to both islands in the spring and T&C was a tiny bit warmer. Both beaches have calm water in the spring.

Both Atlantis and Beaches have a pool with a water slide. Beaches has 5 big pools I believe. The one with the slide is in the "kid's area" with their own special snack bar.

Beaches has stage shows at night where they include the kids in the acts on stage. They have supervised kid's activities in the day, if the parents would like some alone time. I honestly don't know what activities Atlantis has. I do know that both resorts have plenty of kids staying there.

I could go on and on about how much we enjoyed Beaches. They truly are all inclusive, right down to the fact that they provide the ground transportation to and from the T&C airport. I'm fairly certain that you find your own transportation to Atlantis.

Everything you (and the children) will want, you will find at Beaches for one price, and in one location. I believe you would be pleased.

LUVvacation

I forgot something...As far as hurricane damage, Beaches only sustained minor damage. The resort actually closed for a while so they could make all the necessary repairs. I understand it is just fine now.

One additional selling point for Beaches...the rooms have refridgerators in them. Ask the front desk to have it stocked with all kinds of drinks (juice, water, sodas, beer). Of course, it's all included.

We never had any problems with the tap water in either the Bahamas or T&C. But, it does have an odd taste.

I think Beaches was not mentioned because so many people think it is out of their price range. You mentioned that money was no object, so I didn't hesitate to tell you about it. We humans are so funny...I feel I get my money's worth at Beaches, but feel the price to stay at Atlantis is outragous. Go figure????

I already have our spring 2005 trip to Beaches T&C booked.

frank444

Tks. Luvvaction, I will certainly check it out!