Hi all,

Looking into a trip for 2015 for a family reunion and seeking ideas of where to go.
We are open to anywhere in the United States, Caribbean or Central America.

The group includes two women in their 70s, several 30somethings and 7 kids ages 10 and under all preferably staying in the same house. Right now the assumption is that we will go in the early summer to coordinate with summer vacations, but there is a small possibility that it could be scheduled at christmas break.

We are hoping for a destination that would offer safety and beaches. We would also hope for a variety of daytime activities - (ie, boat rental, kid friendly excursions). We would be staying in most nights and making a family dinner, so nightlife is not a priority. Also need somewhere that would be easy to get to from New York City, St Louis & Washington DC. Factor for a generous budget.

What's your generous budget?

Sounds like Turks and Caicos fits the bill. Resorts are all condos with full kitchens, etc. Many gorgeous villas too. Best beach in the world, many water activities. Easy from NY, connection from other 2 (which every island would require connection from other 2)

Thanks Blamona, I will spend some time looking into T&C.
Budget has not been 100% specified but the person paying has very good taste.

I just planned a trip with similar ages for a 75th bday.
Not sure your budget but we just booked Beaches All inclusive on Turks and Caicos.
I was against it at first (having been to the island before .....so many great hotels and restaurants) but Beaches really does offer something for everyone. Go to the beaches website and watch the 9 minute you tube video. The kids (teens, pre-teens and toddlers) are over the moon. Water sports scuba/snorkel are even included.
Also check out Carribean Club in Grand Cayman - villa set up right on seven mile beach. That was another favorite.

Car. Club, although lovely will probably not have any kid things going. I can't think of any kid club things on GC but who knows now..7 kids 10 and under are a pack of various critters and will require some extensive planning, watching,and entertaining..7 mile beach is outstanding, easy in and out and no drop offs that I can remember but that of course changes with storms. Look for kid club facilities!!!

ok, so after a few months of kicking around ideas Barbados was shot down. It seems as though the field has been narrowed down to two realistic choices and I wanted some opinions. We will more than likely be traveling in the second week of March.

1. 10 Bdrm house in Bahamas on French Leave Beach, Eleuthera
2. 9 bd house on Discovery Bay, Jamaica

So here are my questions.
1. Do we need to worry about Bahamas weather in March since it is in northern Caribbean?
2. Which island would provide the nicest atmosphere? Would either afford better opportunities to go to restaurants, etc.

Thats it for now! Thanks as always

Truthfully, although I love the out islands of the Bahamas, I would not chance the second week of March being beautiful. I also think that it can be very difficult to take large groups to out island restaurants without a lot of notice- beautiful beach though!
I have never been to Jamaica and it is not on my radar so I am no help there.
For the trouble you would go through traveling to Nassau or Miami and then flying into GHB to go to that part of Eleuthera, I would consider flying direct from the big cities to St. Thomas then ferrying to- or taking a smaller plane to Beef Island or VG (is the airport open again?) and checking out somewhere like Mahoe Bay area of Virgin Gorda- reef protected very calm and private feeling beach area, good snorkeling right there, this house has a pool for the kids, and you are 10 minutes away from quite a few restaurant choices and a larger grocery store than in the out islands.

http://www.vrbo.com/3214423ha

If that one doesn't suit you there are quite a few others to look at. I have not stayed there but on that same beach and thought it was wonderful.

I guess I should have been more clear- I am sure it would be beautiful in the Bahamas but I don't think you can be guaranteed of warm or calm water at that time. We hit one very rough, very windy mid April in Eleuthera one time with freezing cold water. Was it the norm- probably not, but it could be a gamble.

Thanks ishkribbl - I was worried that the Bahamas was too far north to guarantee great weather. We have a lot of kids in our group - so really want swimming weather.
Maho Bay is somewhere Ive always wanted to go - but our group is planning on renting a place with a staff so we can have the cooking/cleaning and all that taken care of. Thanks for the great info!

We've been going to Jamaica since 1982, and I absolutely love the island, but Discovery Bay is at least an hour from Montego Bay, and about 20 miles from Ocho. That seems rather isolated to me.

Maybe you don't mind a self-contained vacation, since you'll be in a villa with family members and full staff, but it is something to carefully consider.

I would also check out the beach to make sure it appeals to you. Some of the beaches don't match up with their online pictures.

Finally, just in case you're still looking for ideas, I second the recommendation for Turks and Caicos. Our most recent visit was this past January with several family members. We loved our accommodations ( The Venetian) and had ideal beach weather.

Good luck with your choice!

steviegene- Not Maho Bay as in SJ- Mahoe in Virgin Gorda- luxe for sure- take a look if you did not-

Didn't realize Discovery Bay was far from everything - good to know.

Our problem in finding a suitable place is threefold.
1. We want staff (a cook, laundry person, maid, etc).
2. We need at least 8 bedrooms beachfront
3. The St Louis contingent is balking at long travel times. So we are trying to find a destination that will be as easy as possible for them to get to. Barbados was shot down. They suggested Jamaica and Bahamas.

I'd keep looking, on Jamaica.

Did you consider a cruise? Something for everyone...

suze, where would be a better location on Jamaica?
A Cruise would most definitely not work for certain people going Thanks thou!

steviegene,

You might look at the villas at The Tryall Club, which is about 12-13 miles away from Montego Bay. My husband had a client who lived there in the most gorgeous villa. The beach is OK-not great- but the villa came w/ full staffing, and many hotel amenities at the club house near the beach. You could also look at Round Hill and Half Moon Club, which also offer villas. All of these places can arrange off-property excursions.

The reason I am not mentioning Negril which is my favorite spot on the island is that it might be too rustic for some or all of you. There are villas to rent, some on the beach, some on the cliffs, but you have to be ready for a less than perfect experience at times, which is also part of the charm. My family and I have been going there as I mentioned above for many years.

Again,for what you seek, I would highly recommend looking at some of the condo-style apartments in Provo, Turks and Caicos. You could take a few beachfront apartments at The Venetian, The Tuscany, or The West Bay Club and have very luxurious digs with a full kitchen and in-room laundry. I think it's possible to hire a cook to come in if you really want to do that, but if you rent a car you will find that there are many wonderful restaurants within a short drive.

A last piece of advice from me: Sometimes having a staff doesn't work out that well. The one time we did it thanks to a client, we weren't so crazy about the food, and felt really bad about it. Just something to think about! Also it can get very awkward having people constantly around your family serving you on vacation. It's just weird, is my take.

Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide. Hard to go too wrong on any of these beautiful islands!

I'm sorry I can't help. I've only been to Negril (which doesn't fit).

I just know there are lots of villas available in various parts of Jamaica, some which wouldn't be as isolated of a location as the one you were first considering.

Why was Barbados eliminated as an option? Can't believe that, considering the list of requirements, the very place meeting most of them has been discarded. Have you looked at any of the villas in Barbados?

wwk - I will look into Tryall club. Thank you for your suggestions.
The person paying for the trip wants to have a staff. We have 7 children under 10 years old, so having help really would allow us to enjoy the vacation more. Barbados is where the person who is paying wanted to go. But the family based in the midwest doesn't want to fly that far. Ah, the difficulties of coordinating family!

Thank you all for your help and suggestions!

steviegene,

I completely get it since it was only 20 years ago that my kids were small! On those trips long ago we sometimes took our kids' babysitter with us, which worked out well since the kids were already comfortable with her. We also had mostly good experiences using bonded babysitters recommended by certain resorts/villas. Good luck!