Has anyone been to a Beaches resort w/ an infant?

[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

We are seriously in need of time away somewhere with a facility for childcare. Anyone have any recommendations for somewhere tropical, or better yet, a review of Beaches?


Susan

#1 Nick 11-18-04

[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

We are seriously in need of time away somewhere with a facility for childcare. Anyone have any recommendations for somewhere tropical, or better yet, a review of Beaches?


Susan

#1 Nick 11-18-04

[Wife_and_mommy]

I've never heard of Beaches but spent a week at a Club Med just before getting pregnant with dd. It was *beyond* heavenly. The one I was at has child/daycare and a separate pool for adults only. Okay. You're making me want to go back. I want to go back!

Seriously, look into it. The summer prices are much better than in-season and I felt like I was in another world completely.


Elizabeth

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

http://lilypie.com/days/060228/3/21/1/-5/.png

[Wife_and_mommy]

I've never heard of Beaches but spent a week at a Club Med just before getting pregnant with dd. It was *beyond* heavenly. The one I was at has child/daycare and a separate pool for adults only. Okay. You're making me want to go back. I want to go back!

Seriously, look into it. The summer prices are much better than in-season and I felt like I was in another world completely.


Elizabeth

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

http://lilypie.com/days/060228/3/21/1/-5/.png

[bostonsmama]

I went to a Sandals/Beaches resort on my honeymoon and I hated it. But I have to qualify my review, because I have really high standards for my travel & leisure. I've vacation all over Europe (Germany, France, Austria) and South America, Asia and all across the US (NY, LA)....and here's what I thought of "Beaches" all inclusive resorts:

First off, it's expensive. Even though "everything" is included, it's still a million times more money upfront than you might normally spend for a nice hotel at a decent beachfront resort with good weather and meals out daily. It was nearly $4,000 to fly to Jamaica and eat/swim for a week for 2 adults. Then, once you get there, anything that's actually FUN to do costs extra (horseback riding, site seeing, coffee mill tours, swimming with dolphins, clubbing, boat cruises, deep sea fishing, etc....all cost $80-$120 EXTRA PER PERSON PER OUTING). It just seemed unfair. Then, it rained the ENTIRE time we were there, so there was only 1/2 one day to swim in the ocean...plus, all the rain washed the contaminated pollutants on land to run off into the ocean, ruining snorkeling b/c the water was cloudy, smelly, and debris-filled. The icing on the cake was the average-boring food, unless you made reservations at a nice restaurant, which was hard to come by b/c no one had anything to do b/c of the rain.

I juxtapose this trip with our anniversary vacation to Hawaii, where we spent maybe $3,000 and got airfare from the east coast, oceanfront hotel room on 30th floor w/ free breakfast & parking-and a panoramic view of Diamond head, Pacific Ocean& Pearl Harbor, rental car & gas, luau tickets, dinner & lunch out at very fine restaurants daily @ $40-$80/day, a guided hike in the mountains, skydiving tickets, zoo & aquarium admission, plus tons of clothes and souvenirs to bring back. Plus, if we had brought children, they would have stayed free at the hotel, whereas Beaches doesn't do that. There are tons of places & hotels that offer affordable vacation babysitting in almost all cities.

Sorry so long, i just really think the average consumer can do a much better job arranging a trip to a beachfront that will make their heart swell with happiness than what Beaches can provide.

[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

Thanks for your replies. I was a married at a Sandals ( like Beaches with no kids) and it was adequate for the dollars we spent. Before I was married I spent a lot of money on travel, Europe, Bora bora, Amazon, Club Med Haiti ( is that even still there?) Now I want something on an ocean, affordable, with childcare, that I don't have to arrange, something where you just get on a plane. Unfortunately, I am rather sour on Hawaii, my last trip there were during the coldest Feb on record, and the trip before that I found Waikiki to be just like NYC on the beach which is not relaxing to me at all.

Susan

#1 Nick 11-18-04

[Wife_and_mommy]

After Larissa's post, I can add a little more. My BIL/wife had a Sandals Jamaica honeymoon and they weren't happy with it either.

The Club Med is all-inclusive and includes several activities. I'm not sure of the pricing at this time of year. We scheduled around my school schedule and went in July which happens to be their slower time although the Europeans take their vacations at this time too so there were a lot of them there. We debated between the Club Med in Bahamas and Port St. Lucie in Florida and ended up in Florida. I thought I'd be disappointed that we weren't on a tropical island but it *really* felt like a tropical island!

I hope you're able to get away and have some relaxation!


Elizabeth

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

http://lilypie.com/days/060228/3/21/1/-5/.png

[bostonsmama]

That's soooooooo funny! I really think weather plays such an important part in how we determine the success of our vacations. :) I live in a resort city and have to say that I was really happy we had such nice weather for Memorial Day b/c that makes tourists happy and want to come back. Our city is kind of boring unless the sun is shining, too.

I had a bad encounter with a local Polynesian when in Hawaii (the guy tried to run us off the road and stalked us until my DH threatened him). So, although it was great up until that point, I don't know if I'll go back to Oahu anytime soon.

Try Club Med! I've heard nothing but good things, and since I've heard the alcohol isn't free, maybe you won't have a drunk on your hands like many wives do at Beaches resorts!

[psophia17]

Elizabeth - is that a new ticker I spy?

[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

The clob med I went to was definately not infant friendly, any ideas anyone?


Susan

#1 Nick 11-18-04

[amp]

Susan - I have no input at far as the resorts, but I wanted to tell you I've been thinking of you and hope that you are coping well. I hope a little time away will help you to heal. Hugs to you!

[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

Thank you Andrea! I am trying to figure out if I want to try again or be satisfied with one really good boy. I am very unclear as to the next step and this really bothers me as age requires that I move fast. I sure appreciate your post.

Susan

#1 Nick 11-18-04

[Wife_and_mommy]

Oh on the infant-unfriendliness. We didn't have dd when we went but it seemed great. Well, I hope you find a nice place to have some relaxation.

And yes, Petra, it is a new ticker. :)


Elizabeth

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_gold_12m.gif[/img][/url]

http://lilypie.com/days/060228/3/21/1/-5/.png

[nd93]

Dear Susan,

My oldest daughter is Susan!

I would start searching the big name hotels for a resort in an area you'd like. Nick is pretty young, so he wouldn't qualify for a lot of the camp items a resort may provide, but a lot of the big ones can help you with reputable babysitting. Maybe you should just pick a big resort so you guys can just arrive and stay in one place and relax? I know you said "no" to Hawaii, but for example here's what I found on the Hyatt Regency Kauai:

http://kauai.hyatt.com/property/hotelinfo/facilities/additional_services.jhtml

Kauai is nothing like Waikii, so you might want to reconsider! We honeymooned in Kauai (did not stay at Hyatt but ate there and know friends who did stay there. Heavenly.) I felt like I was in another world - I could not believe I was in the US. But there are lots of other places that would be similar, they have a link for all resorts (Grand Cayman, Aruba, etc).

I hope you are able to find a getaway for your family. My condolences on your loss. A girlfriend of mine had the same experience. My thoughts are with you.

[jamsmu]

Larissa,

At which Beaches did you stay?