turks & caicos for family of 6?
Jul 10th, 2005, 04:36 PM
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turks & caicos for family of 6?
I'm trying to book a vacation for next February or April for our whole family. We have 4 kids ages 13, 10, 5 and 3. They've never been to the Caribbean and all want to go. I think we're going to go with T&C, but I'm a little unsure of where to stay. My husband and I are both pretty particular about hotels we stay at. I'm thinking of the palms which just recently opened but it is a little pricy. I'm thinking a condo type of situation would be best with the kids. Any info on ocean club or OC west? Or, any other ideas. Private villa rental maybe? Then, I heard ST John's Westin was good for kids. Any suggestions would be great.
Jul 11th, 2005, 07:19 AM
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You may want to check out the Sands. Mid range in price...condos with washer/dryer/equipped kitchen. Has kiddie pool and a kid-friendly restaurant. Nice landscaping. Most of the hotels on Grace bay are condos. I was not impressed by housekeeping but other than that did not have many complaints.
Jul 11th, 2005, 01:30 PM
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You might look into Coral Gardens. They have a very nice three bedroom condo suite--4101-4102 and 4103 fully loaded with kitchen. If two of the kids can handle a sleep sofa there are two bedroom condos 4106, 4206 and 4306 on the first second and third floors respectively. With small children you might prefer the first floor. They have a nice Beach Cafe and great dinner restaurant Coyaba but if I went there I'd get the kids pizza and have a romantic dinner alone. Reef for snorkeling right off the beach. Beaches-about a 15 min walk up the beach-- has a kids club where I believe you can buy daily passes which might be fun for the younger ones. I don't think the Palms would be a very kid friendly place. CG web site is www.coralgardens.com--You can call Marcine in Vancouver BC at 1-800-532-8536 and ask for rates. Think they include a 30 min destress massage within 36 hours of arrival, airport transfers, daily breakfast etc Rental cars on site. I would go in April--weather can be a little cool and iffy in Feb. We normally go April May June time frame
Jul 15th, 2005, 11:30 AM
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Hi Suzah,
just posted our family T&C trip report today so maybe it will help. We've taken several Caribbean vacations with our kids (now 16 and 9, but started going when they were 12 and 5). Of all the 'kid friendly' places we've been in the Caribbean, the Caymans probably ranked #1, but since Hurricane Ivan last year, i know there is still some damage. We stayed at the Westin on 7 Mile Beach and it was wonderful, although we MUCH prefer condo/villa accommodations. That was the only downside. However, there are great condos on 7 Mile that we checked out while we were there. If we return, that's what we'll do next time (and 7 Mile was not directly hit by Ivan so I hear all is well on that side of the island). You might want to check out The Avalon Condominiums on 7 Mile. Great location, phenomenal beach...maybe just a tad better than Grace Bay T&C, although both are incredible. The water on both is so safe for kids; extremely calm and crystal clear with perfect sand. You can't go wrong. There is MUCH more to do on the Caymans than T&C, and while both are flat, the Caymans is prettier. While we enjoyed T&C, I'm not sure if we'll return. The water TRULY is fabulous and we had a wonderful time, but if you're looking for anything else to do, you might be disappointed.
Also, to help prepare your kids, keep in mind if you go to T&C or most Caribbean islands...when traveling from the airport to your destination, you will often see lots of poverty. Our kids weren't initially prepared for this, because all you see in magazines is perfection. Most natives live in small shack-like houses. Many areas are very, very poor away from the resorts. However, this is also the beauty of the islands, and something our kids have come to appreciate and take note of. It can be jarring for some kids initially (i.e., not what they see in their surburban neighborhood!).
Also, we just loved St. John's, though we didn't actually stay on the island. We rented a villa on St. Thomas and took a day trip there. We definitely want to go back!
At any rate, i hope you find what you're looking for. If you choose T&C, The Sands and Grace Point were two of my favorites. Unfortunately, i didn't get a chance to check out Ocean Clubs or Royal West Indies, both of which looked good on-line. My trip report has comments about The Palms.
Good luck!
just posted our family T&C trip report today so maybe it will help. We've taken several Caribbean vacations with our kids (now 16 and 9, but started going when they were 12 and 5). Of all the 'kid friendly' places we've been in the Caribbean, the Caymans probably ranked #1, but since Hurricane Ivan last year, i know there is still some damage. We stayed at the Westin on 7 Mile Beach and it was wonderful, although we MUCH prefer condo/villa accommodations. That was the only downside. However, there are great condos on 7 Mile that we checked out while we were there. If we return, that's what we'll do next time (and 7 Mile was not directly hit by Ivan so I hear all is well on that side of the island). You might want to check out The Avalon Condominiums on 7 Mile. Great location, phenomenal beach...maybe just a tad better than Grace Bay T&C, although both are incredible. The water on both is so safe for kids; extremely calm and crystal clear with perfect sand. You can't go wrong. There is MUCH more to do on the Caymans than T&C, and while both are flat, the Caymans is prettier. While we enjoyed T&C, I'm not sure if we'll return. The water TRULY is fabulous and we had a wonderful time, but if you're looking for anything else to do, you might be disappointed.
Also, to help prepare your kids, keep in mind if you go to T&C or most Caribbean islands...when traveling from the airport to your destination, you will often see lots of poverty. Our kids weren't initially prepared for this, because all you see in magazines is perfection. Most natives live in small shack-like houses. Many areas are very, very poor away from the resorts. However, this is also the beauty of the islands, and something our kids have come to appreciate and take note of. It can be jarring for some kids initially (i.e., not what they see in their surburban neighborhood!).
Also, we just loved St. John's, though we didn't actually stay on the island. We rented a villa on St. Thomas and took a day trip there. We definitely want to go back!
At any rate, i hope you find what you're looking for. If you choose T&C, The Sands and Grace Point were two of my favorites. Unfortunately, i didn't get a chance to check out Ocean Clubs or Royal West Indies, both of which looked good on-line. My trip report has comments about The Palms.
Good luck!
Jul 17th, 2005, 05:10 PM
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suzah,
If you really want to get away from it all try North Caicos. We flew into Provo and took a little plane to North Caicos. It is an island without commercialism. At least when we were there in March 04. We had a 7km beach pretty much to ourselves. We did see 1 or 2 people once in a while on the beach. It was beautiful. We travelled there with our 2 boys(4and 7 at the time.) We rented a car and explored the island. We snorkeled at the 3 Marys Cay alone. Visited a plantation as well. It was truly unlike any other trip we have been on. We actually had culture shock when returning to Provo for our flight home. It was very relaxing. Very few resturants on the island. And no commercialism. We rented a condo. There was a pool on site as well.
If interested I'll look up condo name.
Travelatte
If you really want to get away from it all try North Caicos. We flew into Provo and took a little plane to North Caicos. It is an island without commercialism. At least when we were there in March 04. We had a 7km beach pretty much to ourselves. We did see 1 or 2 people once in a while on the beach. It was beautiful. We travelled there with our 2 boys(4and 7 at the time.) We rented a car and explored the island. We snorkeled at the 3 Marys Cay alone. Visited a plantation as well. It was truly unlike any other trip we have been on. We actually had culture shock when returning to Provo for our flight home. It was very relaxing. Very few resturants on the island. And no commercialism. We rented a condo. There was a pool on site as well.
If interested I'll look up condo name.
Travelatte
