Beaches on "Top Resorts 2003" List
Jul 15th, 2003, 11:59 AM
#21
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Donna:
Excellent post. Had me thinking. I guess in my heart, I know that my husband will probably hate Beaches, but he also says he "hates" Disney World, yet we go there every year in November. And each year we have a great time. We do the same stuff over and over each year and it doesn't bother us!!!! This is the first year we are doing something different (aside from Grand Canyon, Sedona and the shore).
I am looking for private time with my husband...getting away from the kids for a few hours would be great. We are a very close family...I am your typical soccer mom....I see enough of my kids all of the time. My main goal is to introduce my kids to the Caribbean (I've been to Aruba, Bahamas, Jamaica, PR, Cancuun...but that was 20 years ago). Why did I choose T&C? The water.....simply the water...so I think in my heart, I don't care if I stay in a hole in the wall...I only want that gorgeous Grace Bay. I've traveled to extremely top shelf resorts through work, and eat only at the best of the best...again through work. I'm not expecting to do "gourmet dining" on this vacation...heck...even when we go to Disney World we don't eat that the fancy restaurants every night.
I guess I am trying to convince myself that Beaches will be better than a two-bedroom unit at say the Sands. My teenagers can't wait for the non-stop eating (by the way, they are very thin, fit, athletic kids...not couch potatoes).
I am going to stick with my reservations and hope for the best.
I do wonder how crowded it gets in November. And I wonder, where do most of the people with toddlers go during the day at Beaches...which pools should my kids avoid?
Excellent post. Had me thinking. I guess in my heart, I know that my husband will probably hate Beaches, but he also says he "hates" Disney World, yet we go there every year in November. And each year we have a great time. We do the same stuff over and over each year and it doesn't bother us!!!! This is the first year we are doing something different (aside from Grand Canyon, Sedona and the shore).
I am looking for private time with my husband...getting away from the kids for a few hours would be great. We are a very close family...I am your typical soccer mom....I see enough of my kids all of the time. My main goal is to introduce my kids to the Caribbean (I've been to Aruba, Bahamas, Jamaica, PR, Cancuun...but that was 20 years ago). Why did I choose T&C? The water.....simply the water...so I think in my heart, I don't care if I stay in a hole in the wall...I only want that gorgeous Grace Bay. I've traveled to extremely top shelf resorts through work, and eat only at the best of the best...again through work. I'm not expecting to do "gourmet dining" on this vacation...heck...even when we go to Disney World we don't eat that the fancy restaurants every night.
I guess I am trying to convince myself that Beaches will be better than a two-bedroom unit at say the Sands. My teenagers can't wait for the non-stop eating (by the way, they are very thin, fit, athletic kids...not couch potatoes).
I am going to stick with my reservations and hope for the best.
I do wonder how crowded it gets in November. And I wonder, where do most of the people with toddlers go during the day at Beaches...which pools should my kids avoid?
Jul 15th, 2003, 07:09 PM
#22
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davzas,
I wanted to clarify my previous post, if there was any miss understanding of what I was trying to say. I think you understood. Just in case anyone else felt I was putting the quality of a Disney Vacation in the same category with a Beaches resort. I am NOT! I was meaning that sometimes we do what we do because of our kids or what we think they want for a vacation (or their Mom, me)! Just the whole idea of certain vacations and what they may entail. I guess I shouldn't have used bad food as an example either (Disney) as we really never had anything there we thought was bad. I love Disney! Great Company as far as I am concerned, no false promises.
I hope you didn't think I meant we aren't able to also spend quality time at home with our children.
I and my husband also have been very fortunate to basically be able to be with are children 24/7 at home. Having our own business affords us great time and flexiblity with the kids. I just have always felt the time together away from the daily grind of (homework, sports, friends,chores,cooking,cleaning,TV,music,phone, comp., jobs, etc.)home was a great reconnect with, just us time on our best vacations. This is just our favorite kind of family trip.
I also see great things in a Beaches TYPE vacation/trip for a family, as being an incredibly fun trip also. I think you will be more bothered if you changed, you would be always wondering and thinking what it would have been like. Remember there's always next year.
Oh man, should I stop while I'm a head/behind.
Anyway, I would think November shouldn't be to bad for occupancy levels, but you never know. Have you tried putting in your dates of travel on the Sandals site? It will give you a pretty good idea of what is sold out or not at this time, for Nov.
Again, good luck to you, I hope you will post a report when you return.
Donna
I wanted to clarify my previous post, if there was any miss understanding of what I was trying to say. I think you understood. Just in case anyone else felt I was putting the quality of a Disney Vacation in the same category with a Beaches resort. I am NOT! I was meaning that sometimes we do what we do because of our kids or what we think they want for a vacation (or their Mom, me)! Just the whole idea of certain vacations and what they may entail. I guess I shouldn't have used bad food as an example either (Disney) as we really never had anything there we thought was bad. I love Disney! Great Company as far as I am concerned, no false promises.
I hope you didn't think I meant we aren't able to also spend quality time at home with our children.
I and my husband also have been very fortunate to basically be able to be with are children 24/7 at home. Having our own business affords us great time and flexiblity with the kids. I just have always felt the time together away from the daily grind of (homework, sports, friends,chores,cooking,cleaning,TV,music,phone, comp., jobs, etc.)home was a great reconnect with, just us time on our best vacations. This is just our favorite kind of family trip.
I also see great things in a Beaches TYPE vacation/trip for a family, as being an incredibly fun trip also. I think you will be more bothered if you changed, you would be always wondering and thinking what it would have been like. Remember there's always next year.
Oh man, should I stop while I'm a head/behind.
Anyway, I would think November shouldn't be to bad for occupancy levels, but you never know. Have you tried putting in your dates of travel on the Sandals site? It will give you a pretty good idea of what is sold out or not at this time, for Nov.
Again, good luck to you, I hope you will post a report when you return.
Donna
Jul 16th, 2003, 12:35 AM
#23
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liza,
What a great report, so heart warming to imagine.
You'll like this one.
http://www.tropictravelonline.com/kf...ort_72002.html
Donna
What a great report, so heart warming to imagine.
You'll like this one.
http://www.tropictravelonline.com/kf...ort_72002.html
Donna
Jul 16th, 2003, 06:00 AM
#24
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Donna:
Don't worry. You and I are on the same brain wave. I love Disney vacations...and get rather miffed when people say to me, "Oh, Disney World again???". Bottom line...we have fun!!!
You know, I think you are right about the fact that if I change my reservation, I will always wonder what I missed. On that...and that is going with my gut feelings...I will keep my reservation at Beaches as planned. If it's a dump, it's a dump...it's only one week out of our lives. (you should see some of the shore houses we rent!!!With teenagers, I need to book at the last minute each summer because of their conflicting schedules...and only have a choice of what's "left-over"Ugh!!! But we're down the shore and we have fun at the ocean.
So.....since in just a blink of an eye my kids will be off to college, I am going to enjoy the time with them...even though it's not a Ritz!
Best,
Davsaz
Don't worry. You and I are on the same brain wave. I love Disney vacations...and get rather miffed when people say to me, "Oh, Disney World again???". Bottom line...we have fun!!!
You know, I think you are right about the fact that if I change my reservation, I will always wonder what I missed. On that...and that is going with my gut feelings...I will keep my reservation at Beaches as planned. If it's a dump, it's a dump...it's only one week out of our lives. (you should see some of the shore houses we rent!!!With teenagers, I need to book at the last minute each summer because of their conflicting schedules...and only have a choice of what's "left-over"Ugh!!! But we're down the shore and we have fun at the ocean.
So.....since in just a blink of an eye my kids will be off to college, I am going to enjoy the time with them...even though it's not a Ritz!
Best,
Davsaz
Jul 18th, 2003, 04:10 PM
#25
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Bottom line...Beaches if fine for familes. For couple young and old - Beaches is not for you. If fact, I would probablly never stay at a super resort like that...but if had children, I would consider it. Beaches is the type of resort that when you are on a family vacation you want. It keeps the kids busy and lets the adults have some "ME" time. When traveling on vacation, what more could you ask for (?) children having a blast and not up your a$$. Simply put...
Jul 19th, 2003, 11:02 AM
#26
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Thanks for the link, Donna! Very nice report. Runaway Bay has become pretty touristy, I saw last trip, so the ganja sellers and such are expected there now I guess.
Now a villa in Port Antonio or Treasure Beach or Port Maria or Oracabessa.....you can walk around without that company on the way to the store....though the writer of the report certainly seemed to have the right attitude to enjoy Jamaica.
Now a villa in Port Antonio or Treasure Beach or Port Maria or Oracabessa.....you can walk around without that company on the way to the store....though the writer of the report certainly seemed to have the right attitude to enjoy Jamaica.
Sep 9th, 2003, 07:21 AM
#28
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I am off to Turks in 15 days. Woohoo!!! While I specifically steered away from Beaches there this time because I will NOT be taking children and I don't want a ton all over me the advise given by some here is really weird some days. She has a toddler, she wants all inclusive, seems to me Beaches would be the only logical choice to me. I am not knocking anyone but for a mid 40's or 50's person or younger DINKS to giver her advice to stay at some smaller quaint and probably awesome place makes no sense. She has different wants and needs she clearly stated.
I mighself am staying at Allegro. Yes I know the Sands is nicer as is the Grace Bay Club. However I do not want the hassle of thinking about drinks, charge slips, renting a water mat, spending half an hour deciding where to eat dinner. I don't like meat period and am not big on so called vegetarian meals either. This puts a huge crimp in our dining plans most of the time as most places have just chicken,steak or seafood and maybe if you are lucky one vegetarian dish that sounds nasty. Anyway back to my point, different people have different wants and needs. If I go back to Turks with my kids I most likely would pick beaches for the kids club alone. My kids love them and it is a nice break for us parents.
The only negative thing I have to say though is unless you are from Wisconsin that time of year may be on the Chilly side. I have had several friends go in December and January and say it was sort of nippy. One from Mass even.
I mighself am staying at Allegro. Yes I know the Sands is nicer as is the Grace Bay Club. However I do not want the hassle of thinking about drinks, charge slips, renting a water mat, spending half an hour deciding where to eat dinner. I don't like meat period and am not big on so called vegetarian meals either. This puts a huge crimp in our dining plans most of the time as most places have just chicken,steak or seafood and maybe if you are lucky one vegetarian dish that sounds nasty. Anyway back to my point, different people have different wants and needs. If I go back to Turks with my kids I most likely would pick beaches for the kids club alone. My kids love them and it is a nice break for us parents.
The only negative thing I have to say though is unless you are from Wisconsin that time of year may be on the Chilly side. I have had several friends go in December and January and say it was sort of nippy. One from Mass even.
Sep 9th, 2003, 10:04 AM
#29
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I have to agree with MoniqueU. When I added up all the cost of the things my family likes to eat, drink and do (including watersports) I saved a LOT when I went to Beaches Negril. I know you can get some meals that are good off resort for a decent price, but I am talking about a week full of activities. Beaches was really worth the $. (We did not stay in a "top" level room.)
Sep 9th, 2003, 01:48 PM
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Its just a matter of taste...what suits one person or family may not suit another.After researching(didnt take long)I wouldnt get within a 100 yards of the place..but thats just me.I have found that what is paradise to one might be a living hell to another..regardless of income level.Thats a huge hoot!!!Income level has nothing to do with taste...Anyway, to each his own and may be all have great travels.I know I will if I can ever figure out the difference in all the points of ferry departure to Anguilla from St. martin!!
Sep 10th, 2003, 07:04 AM
#31
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Blair - I thought there was only 1 point of departure for the standard ferry to Anguilla from St. Martin: from Marigot harbour. Or am I missing something?
(BTW I agree with you - you wouldn't catch me within 10 miles of a Beaches, Couples, Breezes etc., I can't imagine why anyone, with or without kids, would want to go to one of those places...)
(BTW I agree with you - you wouldn't catch me within 10 miles of a Beaches, Couples, Breezes etc., I can't imagine why anyone, with or without kids, would want to go to one of those places...)
Sep 10th, 2003, 07:18 AM
#32
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Blair,
Go here www.news.ai/ref/ferry.html this should give you the info you are looking for.
If you have decided on going to Cap, you should get the executive arrival and departure service. Besides breezing you & your luggage thru customs, it includes a bus to the ferry........no worries.
Go here www.news.ai/ref/ferry.html this should give you the info you are looking for.
If you have decided on going to Cap, you should get the executive arrival and departure service. Besides breezing you & your luggage thru customs, it includes a bus to the ferry........no worries.
Sep 10th, 2003, 12:30 PM
#33
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I would always pick the plane over the ferry from SM to Anguilla. The ferry was a pain to get to (continuous moving of luggage), takes time, and doesn't cost much less. Plus, the ride can be rough.
The flight is beautiful and a great literal overview of Anguilla.
The flight is beautiful and a great literal overview of Anguilla.
Sep 15th, 2003, 05:30 AM
#35
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Blair9535, it's sounds quite offensive when you say you can't imagine how ANYONE could go to one of THOSE places. Well, there are PLENTY of people who go to these places and that's why they are so popular. Keep those annoying snobby comments to yourself!
Sep 15th, 2003, 07:18 AM
#36
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rlt:
Besides a suggestion that you chill out just a little, it would be advisable that you not chastise the wrong person for a comment you don't like. That quote is not attributable to Blair9535.
Further, I'm sure the real author did not intend to offend, but was using that rhetoric somewhat metaphorically and was not commenting negatively on thos who do choose to go to Beaches.
Besides a suggestion that you chill out just a little, it would be advisable that you not chastise the wrong person for a comment you don't like. That quote is not attributable to Blair9535.
Further, I'm sure the real author did not intend to offend, but was using that rhetoric somewhat metaphorically and was not commenting negatively on thos who do choose to go to Beaches.
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