I am hoping to get some information on where to go in the Bahamas.
My family has suffered a great loss. My 5 year old daughter has recently passed away from cancer.. I am at a loss as to how to ask for some help on getting some suggestions for a place for us to stay. Some place warm, and peaceful, during a holiday, that will be too hard to bear. Our other daughter is 3, but I think she is still young enough to go with the flow, (Santa etc). I have tried using Travel agents, and have told them of our situation, and have received little or no help... they just never return your calls. Which only makes things harder for me...I really don't have the strength to think about any of this... But I am told that it might help me... Get through the days...one at a time. So, I have read some of the postings on this site, and find that people are so nice, and very helpful... It's really wonderful..I am hoping this will work for me as well. We have only stayed in the Bahamas... That is my security, I guess. We live in Chicago, so I didn't want to have to spend too long of a time traveling.. We are not sure about staying at a hotel, or renting a villa... There is just so much information out there, I have become overwhelmed... I have looked up the hotels in Eleuthra. Pinks Sands etc. all are booked for Christmas..and New Year. It makes me nervous to think about booking a villa, over the internet, without really knowing what you're getting.. I hear so many terrible stories, of families renting a place, and finding that when they get there, it's a disaster. We are open to suggestions, and think that maybe a new adventure would be a good thing for us. Please excuse how personal this message is.. I really don't know much about all of this, and could really use some help for my family. Thanks.

Let me first express my deepest sympathy to you and your family.

You certainly have not been too personal here. There are many who will be anxious to help and share with you.

Speaking for myself, I want to take some time to reflect and think about what to advise.

Some of my initial thoughts are that a new destination might be a good idea. Although I'm a villa fan, it might be too isolated for you at this time.

A small, intimate resort might be a better choice... but again this is just an initial thought.

Trust that many here will help you.

I hold you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Take care...

Marion

I am so, so sorry to hear of your loss.
I can only imagine how difficult each day must be. I'm sorry, I can't help regarding Bahamas, but wanted to offer my support and any help I can.

My first reaction is the same as Marions' , that perhaps a villa might be too isolated. Also keep in mind that no matter where you go, there will still be Christmas celebrations.

I was on my own last Christmas for the first time and I decided to go to New York City. I wanted to be really busy on Christmas Day. I went to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall and then to the theatre in the evening.
I was so glad that I had things to do on the 24th adn 25th.

As difficult as it is, you might want to give some thought to doing something on Christmas Day. Although a villa may be peaceful, it can be a very long day . YOu could perhaps plan to do something totally unrelated to Christmas.

My very best wishes to you and your family. and good luck with your plans.

I, too, wanted to add my words of sympathy. It is a wretched thing, and outside the natural order of things, when a parent has to say goodbye to a child.

I agree with the others that a small hotel or inn might be a better option for you than a small villa. With a hotel, you would have the option of keeping to yourselves, or mingling with other guests--at times, you might find yourself welcoming the distraction of making small talk with other folks and the next moment treasuring privacy.

As others have said, most hotels do have some kind of Christmas celebration, some of which involve a Santa visitation. It will also be a good time of year for your 3 year old to meet other kids, as the Christmas week is the busiest time of year and you'll be able to find families with many small children.

If you think you might consider someplace other than the Bahamas, ask around about other places you can fly to nonstop from Chicago--in the winter there are many charter flights that open up all kinds of options.

And just as a side note so that you're prepared for it, many villas and hotels have minimum rental periods for that time of year, anywhere from 7-14 nights.

I wish you the best in finding a place where you and your daughter might find a little peace and restoration for your first holiday without your other little girl, as well as finding a way to honor her memory.

If you would consider another destination, I was going to suggest EJ's favorite Long Bay in Antigua. A small, family -owned resort that I'm sure would be sensitive to your family.

Another family-owned resort, is Rendezvous Bay Hotel in Anguilla.

Both would offer calm beaches for your three year old...and a sense of the old Caribbean that is so peaceful.

You can read reviews for both at www.tripadvisor.com



Marion

I really have nothing to offer, except for my sympathy!! Marion always offers great and sound advice. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy and nothing but a great trip.



Karen

smolder, My heart aches for you at this extremely difficult time for your whole family. I volunteer at a cancer center and I have seen the toll cancer takes on each member of the family. Take very good care of yourself . Mothers tend to think of everyone else first.

I echo all the previous posts regarding a villa. Pain won't be erased no matter what your choice, but your young daughter would have other children at a small resort.

Owa

smolder, my deepest sympathy. one of my extended family members just lost a 16 year battle with muscular dystrophy so i understand your experience somewhat.
some general advice: use expedia to search for your flights. scroll through all the options, pick what suits you and then have a local agent book it for you to avoid worrying about dealing with internet. i agree that a villa might be too isolated.
i have 3 specific ideas that may be useful for you.
1)like ej, i have a favorite small resort. it is www.secretharbourvi.com on st. thomas. all condos, but resort has wonderful restaurant that serves 3 meals daily. extremely peaceful spot on a busy island. excellent beach for kids, but Not a "kids" resort like say beaches. most flights from chi to STT are under 7 hours with stop in charlotte or atlanta.
2) turks and caicos (airport code PLS). a wonderful, peaceful island. very quiet (ie. next to no nightlife or shopping) with beautiful resorts all directly on stunning grace bay beach. good calm shallow entry to ocean. good off beach snorkeling. prices range from $150-1300. check out www.provo.net a/or www.wherewhenhow.com for loads of info and pics and links to hotels, etc. air is through atlanta or charlotte, also, with 6-8 hour flights. the "belongers here are lovely, soft spoken people and as this island is new to tourism they do not yet have that hardened to tourists attitude that you find on some islands. plus t&c were originally part of the bahamas (politically) - they are on the very southern end of the chain so the topography is about the same so would feel familiar.
3) a cruise. friends of mine took a xmas cruise last year. ages 21-75. some like xmas, one in particular just doesn't enjoy the celebration. point being the ship had enough xmas for those that wanted but you could ignore the day completely if you choose to.
i truly hope the information you are getting here will help you.
i would book this as soon as you can to retain your options at a very busy travel time and to get it settled in your mind and create something to look forward to.

smolder, I wish I could help you with your travel plans, but I know nothing about the Bahamas.
I wanted to post though and tell you how sorry I am that you lost your daughter.

I can only imagine the pain you and your family are feeling!

I hope ,wherever you go, that you find the peace and quiet you desire.

Hello, so sorry to hear about your lost. May God continue to keep you in His care.

Go to www.freeportbahamasvilla.com. Give the owner a call, I sure you would be able to use something like this.

Be Blessed.

My heart aches for you and your family. I wish I had words to help you heal. May your faith give you strength.

May I add my deepest sympathies to you. As a parent of three young children myself, I cannot possible imagine what you are going through, but I wish for you great strength and positive things for your future.

For your Xmas break I would first ask if you would like a kitchen facility to make it easier to travel with your three year old (ie you can prepare some easy meals for her there), or if you prefer the all inclusive route.

If you are in favour of having your own cooking facilities, then I would recommend a condo in a resort, as some others have already posted.

We still have some room at The Reef Resort in Cayman for Xmas, so I would be happy to host you and your family here, feel free to contact me directly should that interest you.

Please also note that Cayman Airways flies non-stop from Chicago to Cayman, check www.caymanairways.com

Thanks so much to everyone. There really aren't words to express..... It feels good to keep busy, and reading my messages from everyone, and planning this trip.. I almost with that we were going away now... Being home is hard...But looking forward, I must.. Our 3 year old has been our little angel.. She makes us laugh, just when things are getting too heavy. Thanks again for your support. And I will continue to keep working at this.

Our wonderful next door neighbors just lost their 33 year old son after a long, excruciating battle with lung disease. He was a terrific person and had no vices which played a part in his demise. We've known them for 8 years and feel like there is nothing much anyone can say except "we know you are in unbearable pain and we are here..." I don't know what your budget is but one suggestion comes to mind: the Gibney Cottage on St. John USVI. It is set on one of the most idyllic beaches imagineable, and it is a place where many people have gone to be healed and to be reminded that life can still be beautiful. It is a peaceful place but still surrounded by life. St. John has as much or as little socializing and conveniences as you wish. Check out these websites: www.caribbeandays.com www. caribbeanway.com and www.suitestjohn.com just for starters. I have found just researching these villa possibilities a wonderful diversion from stress and distress. I hope this forum can be of help to you... and I think I can speak for the many kind posters... we are here... my deepest sympathies.