I need HELP! trying to plan a family vacation for Dec. 14-24, 2002, for my husband, myself, and our 2 sons ages 10&2. Looking into Renaissance Grand Beach Resort or Marriott Frenchmans Reef, or whatever anyone can recommend. We DEFINITELY want to travel to the BVI for snorkeling. And we want activities for my oldest as well as babysitting for both kids. Also, do you need birth certificates to get into BVI? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!!!

By the way we will be traveling from Colorado.

Melinda, we went to the Renaissance this year, and it was nice. The location is PERFECT for going to the BVI; easy access from Red Hook.<BR><BR>I'd HIGHLY recommend getting passports for everyone to do the BVI. Birth certificates are cumbersome, especially for the excursion/charters to the BVI. Take some sweatshirts for the charter out there; you ship out like 8am and on the water, it's pretty chilly. <BR><BR>With a toddler and 10 year old, I'd recommend Frenchman's Reef. The Marriott Hotel is more conducisve for the babysitting / family activities. There's a spa for you to get pampered too, if you want (much better than the Renaissance). We LOVE Frenchman's, but we stay at the Morningstar property right on the beach. You might want to consider that too, but it IS pricier than the hotel. You can use any of the 3 pools on the Frenchman's property, but the 2 pools at the hotel are better cause they're only like 4 ft. tops. There's a mini mart store at the Hotel that has a deli and snacks in case the kids don't want to dine in the restaurants or want snacks while at the pool / beach. Please know the beach is a little rougher at Frenchman's than at the Renaissance cause it IS the Atlantic - definitely hold onto the kids while at the beach.<BR><BR>For the charter to the BVI, I would not encourage you to do the Limnos charters if you're taking the kids. This is one partying company, and the drinks start at like 11a.m. I do encourage you to take the kids to the BVI and visit the Baths at Virgin Gorda, but for snorkeling/diving, it's not for the kids (unless they snorkel).<BR><BR>Frenchman's Reef I believe is offering their 'Sand Dollars Promo' with dollars off during your stay. Frenchman's Restaurants are better than Renaissance, but Renaissance has a 'kids-club' kinda thing at the property near the beach with swings, etc.<BR><BR>As you can probably tell, I'm steering you more in the direction of Frenchman's Reef. We don't have kids, but if we did, that's where I'd stay, especially when entrusting your most valuable 'possessions' to babysitters.<BR><BR>Hope this helps.

Hi and yes that was helpful...just one thing...I don't think we have enough time to get passports, so will birth certificates work?? Thanks again!!

Hi There,<BR><BR>If I were going again with my kids (I did when they were 8 and 10) I would once again return to Sapphire. Really nice rooms, right on the beach. Easy to sit on the front porch in the shade sipping a cold one while you watch the kids playing on the beach.<BR><BR>Lots of other families at Sapphire....offers a kid's club.....kids eat free in the restaurant with adults. Nice open air bar...entertainment on certain nights...and of course the Sunday beach party.<BR><BR>IMHO, much nicer and more convenient for families than Frenchman's.<BR><BR>

Birth Certificates will work, but I agree with the previous respondant - Passports are easier. Typical, non-expedited time frame is 6 weeks (you're right on the edge), but the Fall is typically one of the less busy times so you may get them quicker.<BR>You can also pay the extra fee to have the passports expedited - extra fee for each, plus overnight shipping in both directions. I would recommend you do this as it's simply easier to carry passports. Go to the US State Department Web Site at www.travel.state.gov for more information.<BR>Trevor

We stayed at the Renaissance Grand Beach a few years ago and then found out about the condos there. They are privately owned and have the full use of the resort. On our second trip to St. Thomas we stayed at the condos and it was wonderful. We were closer to the beach since we had a hillside room on our first trip. The condos gave us so much room which was wonderful with our 2 kids. It was like a home away from home. The kitchen allow us to have breakfast in which saved us a lot of money and time. My kids like to eat right when they get up. We did some lunches in and made drinks as well. Was a very affordable vacation. What I 'saved' on the condo I spent in town on jewelry!! So I have very fond memories from St. Thomas. The condo we rented was from amazing-villas.com, since you are looking to go around Xmas would suggest you finalize your plans soon. Many places may be booked, especially with the cool weather starting to arrive. P.S., as guests of hotel or condo you can check out snorkel gear at no charge, just need to give them a credit card as a deposit. The best part is you can keep the gear in your room or condo for the length of your stay. No need to return daily and then re-check out, can take the gear if you go to St. John or BVIs for a trip too. Just another little savings to put towards other purchases. Whatever you decide, have fun. The hotel has a Kids Club and conceirge can arrange for babysitters as well, again we had the same privileges as the hotel guests.

Actually, the website is blazingvillas.com. My husband and I stayed there for a week in March 2002 and loved it. It's not fancy, but clean and comfortable. The manager is on site and is very nice and accommodating. It is recommended by Fodor's which is a plus for us. And like Gretchen said, it's nice to have the kitchen to make breakfast and snacks to save money. There is a full grocery store in Red Hook that we used to stock up. We don't understand why anyone would pay the extra $$ to stay in the Renaissance rooms when you get to use the same amenities by staying in the less expensive blazing villas. We would stay there again in a heartbeat! Check out the other reviews for the hotel on fodor's St Thomas hotel section.

For Kelye, we went to the Renaissance same time as you folks, this year. We met a Dr. and his family from Albany, NY that owned one of the condos onsite there. His place was clean, comfortable and convenient to the pool by the Renaissance restaurant. For their family, the place was an investment and with their kids, and now grandkids, it was pretty much paid for after owning it for after so many years and they definitely saved money by having their own kitchen and washer/dryer there.<BR><BR>The main reason I stay at a hotel like the Renaissance there is so that I get taken care of, not making meals or washing towels and clothes, and cleaning up around the house. However, we are childless and so that does make a difference, I realize. The Renaissance offered $400 in Amex Travelers cheques when we stayed there, so with that money I got a gorgeous, heavy Byzantine gold matching necklace/bracelet that is double the price (never mind minus the tax) in the U.S. But we had a gorgeous suite with a jacuzzi (but P.S. we went to that same store you mentioned in Red Hook and I let it cycle thru with Clorox a few times before getting in there; I guess I DID do some housework after all, LOL!). It was 112 steps up to the suite where we stayed, but what a view and a nice time. I hear the pool by the condos has been rennovated, and all new chaises/patio furniture.

Just wanted to correct info that Kelye posted, we did in fact stay at Amazing-Villas.com, NOT Blazing Villas. They are 2 different mgmt companies on the same property. But, Amazing-Villas.com was just remodelled. The rooms really look like their website, we saw some of the units managed by Blazing Villas and they were not as nice as the unit we had. Whatever you decide hope you have a great time.

My advice to you, would be to take the spoiled rugrats to Disney World. The VI'S are more adult oriented and not for snotty little kids.

to Kelly Deal--<BR>Why is it that people like you have to ruin a serious thread with your obnoxious opinions? If you don't have any thing positive to add, then just keep quiet!!!

<BR>My husband &amp; I just got back from 4 nights Frenchman Reef (morningstar location &amp; 4 nights at caneel (St John)<BR>Beach at Marriott is very nice.For addditional snorkeling (one of the best in our opinion take a tour to St John (it can be arranged by the hotel)<BR>Have fun