Berkley

I have never been to the Caribbean and would like to plan a trip next spring break for my family, kids ages 16,10,5.......<BR>What island would you reccomend for the various age groups pros and cons. We are curious about both of these islands...<BR>Thanks

Berkley

Please......any thoughts

Michelle

May I ask first, why these two?<BR>A curious choice.<BR>What are your criteria for choosing, that is, what are you looking for specifically.<BR>We can give you better advice if we know that.

Statia

St. Kitts is less crowded, smaller, and has less crime than Curacao, but Curacao may have more tourist activities for kids. I have only been to St. Kitts, so I can't really comment on Curacao, but can only go by what I've heard.<BR><BR>St. Kitts does offer kayaking, diving, snorkeling, hiking, and other fun activities.<BR><BR>Perhaps do some research on both and what they have to offer.<BR><BR>Good luck!

beenthere

I have been to both Curacao (last May) and St. Kitts (x4 since 1996). I like them both, but for different reasons.<BR><BR>St. Kitts is green, mountainous w/sugarcane fields and rainforest. It is very laid back and not very touristy (Thank God!). It has nice beaches, not the soft powdery, miles-on-end kind, but nice anyways. There is not a lot of shopping, but there are lots of other things to do like: tour Brimstone Hill Fortress, Caribelle Batik factory, hang out at Turtle Beach or S. Friars Beach, go to Nevis for the day, take a snorkeling catamaran trip to Nevis, rainforest hikes, etc. I think there are lots of things that would appeal to children of your ages.<BR><BR>Curacao is the complete opposite of St. Kitts. It is flat, arid and covered w/cactus. It does have nice beaches as well, w/pretty good snorkeling. It is more "cosmopolitan" than St. Kitts, with a busy, bustling city (Willemstad)that has decent shopping. I liked Curacao for the European flavor added to the Carribean. There are things to do like visit the Seaquarium, the Hato slave caves, visit the Market w/the Venezuelen boats.<BR><BR>All in all, I would take my children to St. Kitts before Curacao. I never felt unsafe on either island, but I think there are more things that your children would like to do in SK. Where are you looking at staying? We stayed at the Breezes in Curacao. It was going through corporate changes from the Princess beach hotel to Breezes at the time, so there was a lot of disorganization, but I understand it is better now.<BR><BR>We stay at Jack Tar Village in SK. This is a place people either love or hate. We like it. It's a decently priced all-inclusive, but not overly-priced so that we would feel we had to stay on the resort for all meals (which we don't). There are two pools, food all day, activities for kids, etc. We have made a lot of friends here, both with locals and other visitors.<BR><BR>Sorry to go on so long, but I hope I have helped!

Statia

Beenthere:<BR><BR>I have been told by Jack Tar in St. Kitts that they don't allow children. Maybe this is due to the time of year that I was looking at booking. I'm glad to know that they do allow kids at some point, though. I'll have to look into booking again.<BR><BR>Thanks.<BR><BR>

berkley

Thanks for the ideas. I actually did some research last night. I think St. Kitts sounds more appealing to me because of the lush green areas, mts.,monkeys(!) and less tourist traffic.<BR>I really do not know why I chose those two, maybe because they are so opposite.<BR>I also understand the Marriot is building a new hotel there that looks nice, and I think we have Bonus points for free rooms.<BR>Does anyone know about this area? I beleive it is Frigate Bay.<BR>Thanks

Statia

Frigate Bay is a nice area...that's where we stay, as well. I haven't seen much on the new Marriott, but I think it's slated to open in the fall, if all goes as planned. You might want to stay on top of that since things tend to take a little longer down this way.<BR><BR>There is also a golf course in the Frigate Bay area, if that interests you. If I were deciding between Curacao and St. Kitts for a first time trip, I would go with St. Kitts, as well.<BR><BR>A fabulous place for dinner is "The Patio." Check it out when you are there. Beenthere also gave some great ideas of things to do on St. Kitts.<BR><BR>Have fun!<BR><BR>

Bill

I have been involved with St. Kitts for 14 years. Just to clear up a couple of points, The Marriott is hoping to open 500 rooms this December and the rest (400) sometime next season. It is across the road from Jack Tar on the Atlantic beach. They will shuttle guests to the Caribbean beach next to Timothy Beach Resort and South frair's Bay. Jack Tar Village tried the no kids thing 3 years ago and it was a bad choice for them. The kids came back the following year and the golf course has been taken over by The Marriott. It has been closed for a year under reconstruction and hope to reopen in December. Also, The Patio has been closed for years.

Statia

Thanks for the info Bill. Glad to know the status of Marriott and Jack Tar. Also, sorry to hear The Patio closed. We really enjoyed their food.<BR>

Sandy Feet

I haven't been to Curacao so can't comment on that. but we visit St. Kitts quite often with our children and they love it. Can't help you with hotels because we stay with friends. My family's list of fun things is similar to "been there's" post above.<BR><BR>Every time we go, we visit Brimstone Hill taking a picnic lunch with us. There are picnic tables under trees. There is a snack shop but it didn't look that appealing. <BR><BR>Another favourite spot is Turle Beach, a restaurant located down the Penninsula Road. Argh!-Can't remember the exact name of place right now, but the place is well known. They do a nice lunch, are very friendly, usually other kids around to play with, and the kids will love feeding the not-so-wild monkeys. They roam freely around the property.<BR><BR>The drive down the Penninsula is very pretty with lots of twists and up and down around the mountains. The views are incredible.<BR><BR>It is possible to take a day trip to Nevis on the local ferry from St. Kitts. You can arrange with the rental car agency in St. Ktts where you turn in your car there for the day and pick up one in Nevis for the day at no additional charge. Sort of an exchange thing. <BR><BR>In Nevis we visited the Botanical Gardens, all the kids loved it. There's a nice restaurant to have a snack or lunch before continuing on. After the gardens we drove around the island, stopping at Oualie Beach for lunch and a swim, before driving around some more.<BR><BR>The rain forest hikes are great, but ask whether they are suitable for the 5yr old.<BR><BR>In the town of Bassterre, have lunch or a cold drink at the Ballahoo, overlooking the Circus, the centre of town. Visit the market early on Saturday mornings.<BR><BR>

Statia

I just read an article in today's local paper that includes the following about Marriott on St. Kitts:<BR><BR>-Will welcome first guests on December 26<BR>-Mariott will take control of hotel on November 15<BR>-They will start with a partial takeover of the hotel including 237 rooms, 33 of which are suites; one of the three swimming pools; and the outside restaurant<BR>-The hotel will be loaded into the system with 471 rooms<BR>-There is an opportunity to allow Marriott to expand the entire capacity of the hotel to 800 rooms.<BR>-Other amenities include a 35,000 sq. ft. casino, 15,000 sq. ft. spa, and 18-hole championship golf course.<BR><BR>

curious

Bill,<BR>The shuttle thing worries me. You cannot walk out of the hotel directly to the beach? I don;t think I like that.<BR>Also, Am I to understand it is an existing hotel that is being "taken over" by marriot?<BR>I imagine it will be a construction mess with remaining structures to be built?<BR>Does anyone know more about this?

Statia

Curious:<BR><BR>From what I understand from today's article, it's an existing timeshare being taken over by Marriott...or rather partially taken over, at this time. I am not gathering whether or not there is consturction going on.<BR><BR>Bill can probably answer your other concerns. Maybe you could also contact Marriott directly, or go to the Off-Shore Resort Network website, whom I am reading is a good site to get info on this particular hotel.<BR>

Mike

I stopped in St Kitts on two cruises and enjoyed it both times. Went on a horse back ride in the rainforest and the next time we went to "Monkey" Beach which is probably the same as turtle beach. The snorkling there was not great due to wind/wave stirring up sand. I wasn't real impressed with Basseterre itself, but the beaches on the handle of the racket looked nice. Pretty drive to the beach thru the mountains. You can also do a horse back ride on the beach, which might be better suited to younger children. I just did one in Puerto Rico with my youngest at 8 yo.<BR><BR>I also stopped in Curacao on a cruise, and I think the city is pretty. We went snorkling at the Seaquarium, which was awesome. They have a break water at the beach that keeps the water calm, which would be great for young ones. But if you go on the other side of the break water, the snorkling is clear as a whistle. Or is that a bell? <BR><BR>A quick cruise stop will not tell you much about the rest of the island or the accomodations for a week's stay, but I hope this helped. <BR><BR>Also, I think the shuttle to the Caribbean side someone mentioned is helpful because the atlantic side is rougher and may not be as good for swimming.

mark

The Marriott is directly on the Atlantic beach.<BR>The Marriott is an all new resort.<BR>The golf course is being rebuilt.<BR>You may take shuttles or taxis to other beaches.

Bill

The Marriott is completely new built on the once sand dunes across from JT. It has nothing to do with time shares owned by Marriott&Renaissance Offshore resorts. The complex is made up of a large 3 story central building with 15 or so villa's surrounding it. To curious, you can walk to the calm Caribbean beach in a short time or walk to the Atlantic beach behind the Marriott. (rough water with heavy undertows) The shuttle is just a convenience. You can walk to South Frairs but you had better be in good shape and it will take you awhile.

x

Aside from Marriots web site is there a way to find out more aobut the progress and what is actually happening.<BR>I did go to the web site and it offers a nice rendering of what it will look like, but if they do run behind schedule It would be no fun for hotel guests to put up with construction mess.<BR>I too am exploring this option as my husband has is part of Marriott rewards.<BR>I appreciate all the wonderful information thus far.......<BR>

mark

In front of the Marriott there is a man made stone reef which is just below the water surface. This affords nearly flat water swimming conditions.<BR>There is also a bit of snorkling to do around those rocks.<BR>As you face out to sea from in front of the Marriott to the right, about a hundered or so yards, maybe 200 yds, there is a very strong current identified by the sand stirred up in suspension. A plus on the Atlantic in front of the Marriott, is the fact that there is always a cooling breeze. The average wind is between 10 and 12 mph.<BR>The placid Caribbean is only a 5 or 8 min bike ride. Like a block or so if you are from the city.<BR>The construction is nearing completion as of May 1st when I was last down there. They were starting to plant the full sized palms and other gardens.I have watched the progress at twice a year intervals since ground breaking. When it is done, it will be a premier resort on a truly unique Caribbean island.<BR>If you are worried about the possibility of a "construction mess" then wait until you can get reports from people who have stayed there after it has opened.<BR>Who knows what it will look like on Dec. 26. <BR>This is the Caribbean.<BR>For more specific info try.........<BR><BR>http://www.geographia.com/guestbook/kittsnevis/<BR><BR><BR>

Statia

Wow...the local "Daily Herald" newspaper must be duping us here, because I quote from the news article, "Tuesday, July 9, 2002":<BR><BR>"The hotel will be loaded into the system with 471 rooms and as some of you know, the hotel was originally designed to be a timeshare. There is an opporunity which would allow us to expand the entire capacity of the hotel to 800 rooms. If you add on the associate housing and some of the villas, it's a nice even round 1,000 rooms."<BR><BR>Can't imagine why they would say that the hotel was "originally built" to be a timeshare, if it wasn't, but "hey", this is the Caribbean. Also, can't imagine why they would only use one of three pools and only one of the restaurants, but us locals are usally the last to know anyhow.<BR><BR>Guess the "Herald" isn't always up to par in their reporting.<BR><BR>Please keep us informed of updates. And, I'm not being sarcastic...as I said before, things aren't always as they seem here in the Caribbean.<BR><BR>Looking forward to more updated info. Thanks!<BR><BR>