Caribbean Resort
 

We are planning a Caribbean vacation with our children, ages 9 & 12, and we are looking for a resort similar to the Grand Wailea on Maui, but not as action packed as Atlantis. Any suggestions? We are open to any location in the Caribbean and we like fine accomodations. Thanks!

For those of us who are *not* familiar with the Grand Wailea on Maui, it would be helpful for a few descriptors.

Also, was there anything particularly about the island itself that you enjoyed and wish to duplicate?

Try The Buccaneer on St. Croix

ejcrowe's insight, as always, is right on: more information would help as to what you are looking for as resorts - and islands - vary. The Buccaneer is a good place (we were there a few years ago). Just got back from St. Lucia, where we stayed at the Windjammer Landing and had a great time. FYI, my kids are 10, 9 and 7 and they (and their parents) enjoyed both of the latter reorts and their respective islands as well. Both of these resorts are on hills and have nice beaches that have natural boundaries, so they are not shared with a row of other hotels. You may also want to explore the 4 Seasons on Nevis, depending on your taste. Good luck and I'll be happy to provide more info as need be.

The Grand Wailea on Maui is known for it's over-the-top pool area. It has water slides, waterfalls, caves, rope swing, swim-up bar, water elevator, etc. The hotel also has a separate adult pool area.

Oh... there's also a river that connects the various pool areas.

Yikes--then it sounds like Atlantis might be the only thing that *does* come close in comparison!

sweege, I'm looking forward to reading your impressions of Windjammer, especially vis a vis Buccaneer.

Here's a thread I happened to run across (it's called "Which Resort has the Biggest and Pretties Pool Area" (here on the Caribbean forum)).

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1275079

It is a bit old, but might be a thread of interest to you.

Carole

Oops! That would be "... Prettiest Pool Area".

Carole

I'd recommend El Conquistador in Puerto Rico. Other high-end places include the Four Seasons on Exuma or Nevis, as well as the newly renovated Ritz on St. Thomas. (disclosure - I'm a Caribbean expert travel agent).

harris: I can't think of anything that looks like the Grand Wailea. The Atlantis comes close with all of the pools and slides. They have some good restaurants as well. The rest of the island is nothing great in my opinion. If you go, the Royal Towers are the nicest accomodations. You pay a lot for a simple room at the Atlantis. We went for the Suite which was very spacious and nice. There is construction going on there right now. I have read on other posts. You may want to call and see how long that is expected to go on. I also don't think the Atlantis was so action packed. I thought it was a great trip for about 5-6 days. It is an easy flight from most east coast cities. It is very over the top (gaudy looking) in a way, but fun. Your kids will love it.

I can not imagine any other resort being so large and self contained as that(and entertaining for kids).

There is a new Ritz on the Grand Cayman. Caymans have beautiful beaches and good restaurants. We are going in June to the Marriott there. The Ritz is brand new, but I am not sure of the kids activities or the pool areas.

I have heard good things about the Four Seasons Nevis.

In summer, Bermuda is a beautiful island with lots of activities. I would look at Elbow Beach Resort for nice accomodations.

Aruba has lots of watersports and activities, great restaurants and gambling. The nicest hotels are the Hyatt, Marriott, and Radisson. We stayed at the Marriott. The Marriott in Aruba is not on the same scale as the Grand Wailea, but it is a large resort property. There are two timeshare properties attached. So, there are multiple pool areas.

There are a number of luxury hotels in the Caribbean, but water parks aren't something you generally see. The Grand Wailea has nine pools on six levels, and a water elevator. Those are things that you see in Hawaii. The Caribbean tends to be more about the beaches. Nevis Four Seasons is my favorite place in the Caribbean, but it is not in the same category as GW. I think Atlantis is going to be the closest to what you are looking for.

The Rosehall Resort in Montego Bay has a waterpark.

A couple Punta Cana resorts have a "lazy river", but nothing as expansive as the Atlantis....