Please recommend island(s) and or resorts for family trip to Caribbean. My husband, son (he's 12) and I will be traveling in either mid-March or early June of '07. Initially, we planned to go to 4 Seasons Nevis, but if I can find simliar or better experience for less $$, I certainly would rather.
Nevis appeals b/c, from what I've read, it seems to be lush & tropical, to have retained a very Caribbean, laid-back and friendly vibe and offers some outdoor/adventure activities like hiking the volcanos. Also, we enjoy dining at restaurants w/ tasty food & drinks and unique atmosphere; it seems that the food around Nevis/St. Kitts is better than average compared to most Caribbean islands. (Did not enjoy the food in Bahamas.) 4 S. appealed to us because it offers r-n-r, casual luxury, golf, and an uncrowded beach.
So, I guess our priorities are: atmosphere (casual luxury, Caribbean feel), activities (golf and uncrowded beach lounging) and dining (some dining w/ better than average food and drinks and unique atmosphere).

Since I'm looking to spend less $$, I should explain that June travel will cost 2160 for air and 3025 for ov room. March room rates are 2x or 3x as much.

well, March is still Peak Season in the Caribbean so rates are going to be higher than in June rates no matter where you go. Before you give up on Nevis check out Nisbet Plantation Beach Resort. It's an upscale property on a very attractive light sand beach on the Atlantice side of the islaand. It's substantially less cost than the Four Seasons and you can play golf at the Four Seasons Resort anytime after 11AM.



One other suggestion, if you have your heart set on the Four Seasons Resort consider getting a Mountain View Room, they are less costly than Ocean Front and you get spectacular views of the Golf Course with Mount Nevis in the distance - to top it off you are only steps away from the beach.

Thanks A_Traveler. Choosing the mountain view room may be our best option for saving money. I'm still curious about whether we've made the best choice for island and resort. We're looking to splurge, so I'm not looking for a cheap vacation, but I certainly don't want to experience buyer's remorse.

Nevis is a wonderful island with an old world Caribbean charm- very friendly locals, lush rain forests, many good dining options, plenty of attractive palm tree lined beaches (FYI - the sand has a brownish tint making the surrounding waters appear steel blue rather than bright torquoise) that stretch for miles - some where you are likely to be the only people at any given time so it seems to offer what you are seeking.

Whether or not you've selected the right island and whether you'll have buyers remorse is something only will only YOU can determin.

These travel forums are a source of good information but they've taken a lot of the spontaneity and mystery that use to come with traveling to an exotic local. Nowadays everyone wants to have a virtual certainty about what to expect in a new destination well before they ever leave their home. In there efforts to find the one "perfect spot" they miss the fun of discivering a place for the very first time. I started traveling the Caribbean 25+ years ago when at most you were able to read one article about a destination and if you were lucky you had a friend who's sister-in-law's cousin knew someone who once stopped on the island for a day. Today with the internet you don't even have to leave the comfort of your living room to learn almost everything about an island.

The beauty of the Caribbean is there always another island you can visit next year.

I'd like to second A-Traveller's suggestion of staying at the Nisbet Plantation. While the luxury factor might be a notch or two lower than the 4 Seasons, it is a still nicely furnished and a beautiful property with a friendly and helpful staff. You get a package with a full breakfast, dinner, and tea/scones. Beach is nice. Rent a car and explore the rest of the island. No TV in the room, but there is a big TV in the main house.

Well, so far, I've changed my 4S. reservation to a garden room (saving $100/nt.) and am proceeding to research Nisbet. Thanks.

ATraveler, I love your comments about travel to the Caribbean 25+ years ago. I have often thought of how little I knew about places beforehand, years ago compared to today. We were so daring! I kind of miss that mystery (and I can't believe I'm that old!).

Scoutjewel, I think you've made a great choice. Nevis has everything you're looking for. Have a wonderful time.

I have visited both Nisbet and Four Seasons and am returning to Nisbet this winter. Nisbet is charming and peaceful but there's not much to interest a 12 year old. No TV's and no organized activities, just relaxation and quiet. At the Four Seasons there will probably be lots of other children as well as organized activities and Pinney's Beach is more active. They are both wonderful resorts but if I was bringing my children I would choose the Four Seasons rather than Nisbet.

Are you set on the Caribbean? Costa Rica is a WONDERFUL hidden gem! It is still very rural and natural and the people there are wonderful! Comparatively, it is much less expensive as well. My fiance and I loved it b/c it provided the perfect mix of relaxation/beach (there is scuba, snorkeling, deep sea fishing, etc.) and adventure (hike a volcano, visit the natural hot springs, man-made waterslides, canopy tours through the jungle treetops). I'm not positive, but I believe that the 4S there has a gold course and the 4S is beautiful there. We found a great deal on a website called www.skyauction.com. we basically paid $1K each for airfare (direct from Austin) AND a 4-star all-inclusive resort for 7 days. The seafood there is also delicious!

desireepratt,
Love Costa Rica. My husband and I visited San Jose and Quepos before C.R. became so commercialized (around '93). Because we've been there, we'd like to try a new destination. Nevertheless, I think we're looking for some of the things C.R. offers, w/ a little luxury, in the Caribbean.

Scoutjewel:

I'll echo the others on Nevis. It's a charming, relatively quiet island that remains away from the touring masses. My wife, 3 kids and I spent a great week there last Dec. We stayed at Oualie Beach, which had good food and a great beach for the kids. Lodging was okay. We rented a car and it's easy to get around. Check out Top to Bottom for a great hiking experience. Enjoy!

We just spent 5 days on Nevis, four at the Nisbet. I would not stay there with a child. It is a very "adult" resort -- very quiet with nothing for a child to do. The swimming from the beach is also questionable. There were heavy waves while we were there and a big drop off. My husband went in once and not again.

When our flight home was cancelled, AA put us up at the Mount Nevis. While it is not on a beach, it really is a beautiful hotel. Rooms are very large with a full kitchen. Pool area is lovely and food was good.

If I had a family, I think I'd stay there and rent a car and visit the various beaches. Oallie Beach is less than 5 minutes away downhill.

We also spent a day at Pinney's Beach at the FS. Very nice hotel but the food was extremely costly. Stay somewhere else and go there for the afternoon to swim.

Thanks to all for your info. We're still considering 4S Nevis, but I'm on the lookout for other islands/resorts to make sure that I've chosen a place we all will enjoy.

If you are still interested in golfing (which I know is limited in the Caribbean), good dining and nice resort, I'd recommend considering the Buccaneer on St. Croix. It will be less luxurious than 4S but the prices reflect that. There will be kids for your son to hang with but it's not overrun with kids. The golf course is quite good and beautifully situated. And there's great dining off the resort (and a nice restaurant on site).

STX is not lush (I've never been to Nevis but would love to go one day) but there are some fun sights to see.

Just another to consider.

The Four Seasons Nevis is a fabulous resort for a family - they have a kids club which is really oriented toward younger kids, but it means that many families go to the resort and find it very welcoming and comfortable. It's on a beautiful stretch of beach, and Nevis is one of the very nicest island in the Caribbean. The food is very good - I'd go for it! Check out the familytravelforum.com website for more reviews of Caribbean properties that cater to families - many of the ones they cover are luxury resorts. But the Four Seasons on Nevis is really top rate.