This will be the first time we're going to the beach with our kids over Christmas or possibly Thanksgiving, so any suggestions would be very helpful as I'm sort of at a loss as to where we should go. We'll have three kids with us under the age of 4, and a total of three families. We want a pretty sandy beach where the kids can have plenty of activities to do and nice accomodations but not outrageously priced as I know we're hitting the peak season. Snorkling would be cool too. Florida or the Caribbeans? Resorts or vacation homes?...so many options that I don't know where to start. Let me know if you have any personal recommendations! Thanks!
Port Aransas is a great family oriented town. I would go with the recommendation for a house rental or at least a place with a kitchenette. One house I liked when I was down there can be found at http://villagewalk13.com. It really had a fun seaside feeling about it.
My family went to Disney World the week before Christmas. There was 4 of us (my mother in law joined us) as my husband and I only have 1 child, our daughter. We went to the beach one day the entire 7 we were there and it was great fun, however the weather wasn't that warm to swim (could w/wet suits on however). Also, my husband and I just got back from Cancun and stayed at at awesome hotel that was VERY kid friendly (have their own kiddie pool and play area and there were kids everywhere). The hotel was called Le Meridien and is apart of the Sheraton hotels. We have time share w/Sheraton so the place we stayed at in FL was a Villa (apartment style place) but the hotel in Cancun was just a hotel.
I HIGHLY recomend Le Meridien as it's extremely nice, the staff is very helpful and nice, and they check who each person is at the entrance of the hotel so I felt safe too!!!
Have a great trip!
Since y'all are going during November or December, I would look at Florida beaches where it is a bit warmer. With that many adults and children, I HIGHLY suggest looking at renting a vacation home.
My family has rented two vacation homes in the past two years (one on the North Carolina coast and one down in the Rockport, TX area) and we REALLY enjoyed them.
The houses we stayed at are:
* Very roomy so my two daughters (7 and 3) were able to run around and play;
* Had regular, full size kitchens so we saved $$ by eating breakfast, some lunches, and some dinners in;
* Had washer and dryers so it was easy to do laundry (which means you don't have to pack as much);
* Had fabulous intra-coastal waterway views and our own private piers to go fishing;
* Had internet access so my husband and I were able to still do some work (we own our own business);
* Close to local attractions, stores, and restaurants;
* Plus a whole bunch more.
We never felt confined like you do in a hotel room. The weekly cost may seem expensive but if you divide the cost amongst three families, it really isn't expensive at all. Especially, when you look at all the amenities that you get.
The best website to look for vacation homes all around the world is http://www.homeaway.com This is the site that I have used for the homes that I rented. We have had great success with this approach.
Hope this helps!
K.
Dripping Springs, TX
the SeaGull condos at Port A. We go every year with 12-15 adults and at least as many kids. They have a big meeting room, a kids arcade and lots of great amenities. It's the most reasonably priced for the services we found...and we've stayed a lot of places.
I enjoyed "Atlantis" in the Bahamas when our daughter was 2, but it is a little far to go and the food is expensive.
We go to Hawaii every 2 years. Last August, we had our 2-3/4 year old son and 4-1/2 year old daughter. As much as they wanted to go to the beach, once we got there, they hated it and only wanted to stay a little while. They would rather be in the hotel swimming pool. The waves can be a little intimidating, and the sand can be hot and hard to manuever in for little ones! Just be prepared for other activites!
My husband and I go to Mexico, the resort we frequent has a family resort as well. It may look expensive but everything is included. I know they also have nannies if the adults want to have some grown up time. Make sure you check out aerobus airfare if you go, less than 200 round trip a person. The url for the resort is http://www.karismahotels.com/azul/index.html
Hey D. make sure you and your family have gotten passports if you decide to go out of the country like Mexico. It does take a while. Destin, Florida is beautiful!! White sand and very pretty blue water. Hope this helps. Dreams Resort in Cancun. You can get a room facing the Dolphin pool and the dolphins jump right out of the water. Its so cool check it out!!O.k. I'm done, Bran
A came across this website in a magazine. This gives you reviews of kid-friendly resorts all over.
