Grown-up Family Getaway Destination?
Oct 14th, 2013, 07:04 AM
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Grown-up Family Getaway Destination?
Hi everyone! My in-laws are celebrating a big birthday next year and have requested that for their birthday all they want is to go on a family (mini)vacation. I am hoping to get some destination suggestions?
-There will be 6-8 of us (4 rooms would be needed)
-It would just be for 4 days (probably Fri AM-Mon PM including travel).
-We will be traveling from Philly, so we'd like something that is a short/direct flight (PHL goes to Aruba, Bermuda, Cancun, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Turks & Caicos, Punta Cana, St. Thomas, St. Martin, San Juan, Santo Domingo).
-Parents would like a relaxing beach and possibly spa-services? The "kids" (between 25-32yrs) would like the same as well as something more active (hiking/water activities).
-A good town/shopping area to walk around would be nice, but not a necessity.
-No preference on AI...we don't drink (or drink minimally) so not sure if AI would make sense? Or perhaps something that includes just meals?
-We're all going to be doing our own things during the day, but then we're all getting together for dinner somewhere in the evening. We're not foodies, but do appreciate good food over touristy restaurants.
-Budget about $200-$300/night per room
I know they went to Aruba on their honeymoon...might be cool to return there? I've vacationed in St. John & Grand Cayman and loved both, but would like to go somewhere new.
I apologize in advance for being such in the beginning stages of planning...hopefully I've been specific enough in my info to help narrow things down. I really appreciate all your help!
-There will be 6-8 of us (4 rooms would be needed)
-It would just be for 4 days (probably Fri AM-Mon PM including travel).
-We will be traveling from Philly, so we'd like something that is a short/direct flight (PHL goes to Aruba, Bermuda, Cancun, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Turks & Caicos, Punta Cana, St. Thomas, St. Martin, San Juan, Santo Domingo).
-Parents would like a relaxing beach and possibly spa-services? The "kids" (between 25-32yrs) would like the same as well as something more active (hiking/water activities).
-A good town/shopping area to walk around would be nice, but not a necessity.
-No preference on AI...we don't drink (or drink minimally) so not sure if AI would make sense? Or perhaps something that includes just meals?
-We're all going to be doing our own things during the day, but then we're all getting together for dinner somewhere in the evening. We're not foodies, but do appreciate good food over touristy restaurants.
-Budget about $200-$300/night per room
I know they went to Aruba on their honeymoon...might be cool to return there? I've vacationed in St. John & Grand Cayman and loved both, but would like to go somewhere new.
I apologize in advance for being such in the beginning stages of planning...hopefully I've been specific enough in my info to help narrow things down. I really appreciate all your help!
Oct 14th, 2013, 07:39 AM
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Ok, in February skip Bermuda and the Bahamas as those island are too far north and could be cool in February. The Turks & Caicos is a possibility but because they are still fairly far north you are flirting with cooler temperatures. They are also on the expensive side (unless you stay in one of the more moderately priced condo style resorts.
Aruba is the furthest south (and thus probably the warmest) of the destinations you are considering but since you are only going for 4 days you'll spend a significant time getting to/from the islands. I'd save that destination for a trip when you have more time.
Grand Cayman is the most expensive destination on your list and while you'll probably be able to find accommodations in your $200 to $300/night budget range they will be pretty basic.
Both Cancun and Punta Cana are noted for being two of the most budget friendly destinations in the Caribbean. They are both relatively short flights from Philly yet far enough south to have warm temperatures. There's also an abundance of both All inclusive and non-AI resorts to choose from in both destinations. You have a relatively low accommodations budget and of all the destinations on your short list you travel dollars will go the furthest in either place.
St. Thomas is a good bet because it's a short flight and ticks off everything on your wish list.
I'd skip San Juan unless you want to stay in an urban environment and St. Martin can be a bit crowded.
I can't comment on Santa Domingo because I've never been there.
Hope this helps.
Aruba is the furthest south (and thus probably the warmest) of the destinations you are considering but since you are only going for 4 days you'll spend a significant time getting to/from the islands. I'd save that destination for a trip when you have more time.
Grand Cayman is the most expensive destination on your list and while you'll probably be able to find accommodations in your $200 to $300/night budget range they will be pretty basic.
Both Cancun and Punta Cana are noted for being two of the most budget friendly destinations in the Caribbean. They are both relatively short flights from Philly yet far enough south to have warm temperatures. There's also an abundance of both All inclusive and non-AI resorts to choose from in both destinations. You have a relatively low accommodations budget and of all the destinations on your short list you travel dollars will go the furthest in either place.
St. Thomas is a good bet because it's a short flight and ticks off everything on your wish list.
I'd skip San Juan unless you want to stay in an urban environment and St. Martin can be a bit crowded.
I can't comment on Santa Domingo because I've never been there.
Hope this helps.
Oct 14th, 2013, 08:47 AM
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Thank you so much RoamsAround! This is why I love the Fodors forums 
Officially have checked off Bermuda/Bahamas/San Juan/St. Martin from the list. We may end up going in March so I'm going to leave T&C on the list, and the flight to Aruba looks like it gets in at 1:15 pm...might still keep it on the list of choices to present to the group for the sake of nostalgia
I'm being conservative with the budget. I think we could go a little higher if we found somewhere we loved. I just know it can be annoying to give suggestions without any numbers at all. Your feedback on that was perfect! Thank you!
I'm not sure if this makes sense, but do any of these destinations tend to lean more towards a caribbean feel than a resort feel? It could be all in my head, but I feel like when I picture T&C I think of hammocks and sand and when I picture Cancun all I imagine is MTV's Spring Break...forgive me if this is really newbie of me! The tip on St. Martin was perfect, is St. Thomas crowded at all too? I vaguely remember it being somewhat crowded when we drove through to take the ferry to St. John...I do understand though that the more crowded the destination, the more things there probably are to do though...
So, the choices remain - Aruba, Cancun, Grand Cayman, Turks & Caicos, Punta Cana, St. Thomas. Any of these lean towards crowded, resort-packed destinations that we should check off the list? I'm ultimately looking to choose 3 of these destinations to present my in-laws for them to make the final call.
Officially have checked off Bermuda/Bahamas/San Juan/St. Martin from the list. We may end up going in March so I'm going to leave T&C on the list, and the flight to Aruba looks like it gets in at 1:15 pm...might still keep it on the list of choices to present to the group for the sake of nostalgia I'm being conservative with the budget. I think we could go a little higher if we found somewhere we loved. I just know it can be annoying to give suggestions without any numbers at all. Your feedback on that was perfect! Thank you!
I'm not sure if this makes sense, but do any of these destinations tend to lean more towards a caribbean feel than a resort feel? It could be all in my head, but I feel like when I picture T&C I think of hammocks and sand and when I picture Cancun all I imagine is MTV's Spring Break...forgive me if this is really newbie of me! The tip on St. Martin was perfect, is St. Thomas crowded at all too? I vaguely remember it being somewhat crowded when we drove through to take the ferry to St. John...I do understand though that the more crowded the destination, the more things there probably are to do though...
So, the choices remain - Aruba, Cancun, Grand Cayman, Turks & Caicos, Punta Cana, St. Thomas. Any of these lean towards crowded, resort-packed destinations that we should check off the list? I'm ultimately looking to choose 3 of these destinations to present my in-laws for them to make the final call.
Oct 14th, 2013, 10:26 AM
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Hi kalikiana,
RoamsAround gave you great advice already, so I'll just add a few short notes.
I used to think Cancun was like "MTV's Spring Break", until we visited there several winters in a row. We stayed at LIVE AQUA, an adult AI which I'd highly recommend except that it won't come in anywhere near your stated budget.
However, The Westin next door is quite nice, too. It shares the same beach as LIVE AQUA, which is a wide, uncrowded stretch of sand.
Both properties are across the street from a very upscale mall with all kinds of shopping and restaurants, and within easy taxi distance of downtown Cancun. There's also an unbelievable Argentinian steakhouse about five minutes from both hotels. I still dream about that food!
I know that LIVE AQUA could arrange almost any trip clients wanted to take to the Mayan ruins, etc., so I imagine THe Westin could do the same.
The only slight downside is that sometimes the beach was red flagged for undertow. There are lifeguards on site at all times, and when that happens, you simply walk down the beach to another area for a swim.
In Playa Del Carmen,(Mayan Riveria) you could look at a condo property called EL TAJ, which has its own beach club, and is just a few minutes away from a nice stretch of beach. It's very close to Fifth Avenue, which is a street full of wonderful restaurants and shops.
The benefit of staying in Playa vs Cancun is, of course, easier access to Tulum, Cozumel, etc. There's a wonderful waterpark/event/ cave snorkeling place called IXCARET very close to Cozumel which our kids really enjoyed. ( I probably spelled that wrong.)You take the ferry across from Playa, and can spent the whole day there.
About the other places on your list: We are going back to Aruba next month with my elderly MIL. We always stay at The Radisson, which I think has the best beachfront of any hotel on Palm Beach. The Westin is next door, and while it doesn't have the tropical/Caribbean feel of some of the other resorts, it is often way cheaper. Check both those websites for specials.
Lastly, yes take Grand Cayman off your list. We used to go every winter, but it is definitely one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean.
My family's newest obsession is Turks and Caicos, but if you are very active and not interested in water sports only, you could find it boring. There's simply not that much to do other than relax on a glorious beach. However, if that appeals for a few days, look a THE SANDS, which has a great location in the middle of Grace Bay, and a lovely restaurant on site (HEMINGWAYS).
A final note, I promise: February and March are the most crowded and most expensive of almost the entire year in the Caribbean. If by any chance you could push this trip to end of April after all the holidays and spring break are over, you'll find much better pricing.
RoamsAround gave you great advice already, so I'll just add a few short notes.
I used to think Cancun was like "MTV's Spring Break", until we visited there several winters in a row. We stayed at LIVE AQUA, an adult AI which I'd highly recommend except that it won't come in anywhere near your stated budget.
However, The Westin next door is quite nice, too. It shares the same beach as LIVE AQUA, which is a wide, uncrowded stretch of sand.
Both properties are across the street from a very upscale mall with all kinds of shopping and restaurants, and within easy taxi distance of downtown Cancun. There's also an unbelievable Argentinian steakhouse about five minutes from both hotels. I still dream about that food!
I know that LIVE AQUA could arrange almost any trip clients wanted to take to the Mayan ruins, etc., so I imagine THe Westin could do the same.
The only slight downside is that sometimes the beach was red flagged for undertow. There are lifeguards on site at all times, and when that happens, you simply walk down the beach to another area for a swim.
In Playa Del Carmen,(Mayan Riveria) you could look at a condo property called EL TAJ, which has its own beach club, and is just a few minutes away from a nice stretch of beach. It's very close to Fifth Avenue, which is a street full of wonderful restaurants and shops.
The benefit of staying in Playa vs Cancun is, of course, easier access to Tulum, Cozumel, etc. There's a wonderful waterpark/event/ cave snorkeling place called IXCARET very close to Cozumel which our kids really enjoyed. ( I probably spelled that wrong.)You take the ferry across from Playa, and can spent the whole day there.
About the other places on your list: We are going back to Aruba next month with my elderly MIL. We always stay at The Radisson, which I think has the best beachfront of any hotel on Palm Beach. The Westin is next door, and while it doesn't have the tropical/Caribbean feel of some of the other resorts, it is often way cheaper. Check both those websites for specials.
Lastly, yes take Grand Cayman off your list. We used to go every winter, but it is definitely one of the most expensive islands in the Caribbean.
My family's newest obsession is Turks and Caicos, but if you are very active and not interested in water sports only, you could find it boring. There's simply not that much to do other than relax on a glorious beach. However, if that appeals for a few days, look a THE SANDS, which has a great location in the middle of Grace Bay, and a lovely restaurant on site (HEMINGWAYS).
A final note, I promise: February and March are the most crowded and most expensive of almost the entire year in the Caribbean. If by any chance you could push this trip to end of April after all the holidays and spring break are over, you'll find much better pricing.
Oct 15th, 2013, 12:15 PM
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Ooh, good advice all! Aruba and GC are off the list and Playa del Carmen is on. Live Aqua looks awesome!! Thanks so much for that.
I think I'm leaning towards T&C and Cancun/Playa del Carmen. Off to check the boards for threads on those! Thanks again everyone
I think I'm leaning towards T&C and Cancun/Playa del Carmen. Off to check the boards for threads on those! Thanks again everyone
Oct 15th, 2013, 04:21 PM
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One other property to add on T&C: OCEAN CLUB WEST. Won't be the most luxurious of the properties on Grace Bay, but it should suffice, and is on a very nice stretch of beach, close to many excellent restaurants.
Oct 16th, 2013, 03:46 AM
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A bit of advice about WINDSONG: It has an extremely narrow beach that can nearly disappear during high tide. Also some of the rooms in the lowest category have little or no view at all. It is however, right next to one of the island's prime snorkeling spots, and one of our fave restaurants, SOMEWHERE CAFE.
Lastly, a note about the airport: There's been a huge problem with long lines at departure. We waited just over two hours in a line this past January. You can pay for a very expensive service ( VIP FLYERS CLUB) that will escort you or your parents from the curb through the lines, and we did that out of desperation (!) for my MIL. But you have to set that up before you leave home.
Apparently, there are also heavy delays on departure some days in Aruba right now. But I think you took that off your list? Anyway, just a heads up!
Lastly, a note about the airport: There's been a huge problem with long lines at departure. We waited just over two hours in a line this past January. You can pay for a very expensive service ( VIP FLYERS CLUB) that will escort you or your parents from the curb through the lines, and we did that out of desperation (!) for my MIL. But you have to set that up before you leave home.
Apparently, there are also heavy delays on departure some days in Aruba right now. But I think you took that off your list? Anyway, just a heads up!
