All-Inclusive Resort for Families

[nathajw]

Any suggestions for a family with 3 boys ranging from 5 to 13? We want one with a lot of water park and water sports type things for the boys. Caribbean, Mexico, DR, Jamaica, overseas, don't care, give em' to me.

I've done my share of all-inclusive but haven't been to any that would be fun for an 11 and 13 year old. They last about 10 minutes just sitting at the beach. They eat like horses and daddy tends to drink like a fish to get through family vacations, hence the all-inclusive requirement. I get tired of pulling my wallet out every 30 minutes because one of them "needs a snack."

 

[100TonsofOrangeFury]

Are those places in the Bahamas AI? Like Atlantis and the newer one?

 

[SquinkY5786]

Had a friend take their family to Beaches Turks and Caicos. They seemed to like it.

 

[nathajw]

Are those places in the Bahamas AI? Like Atlantis and the newer one?

No idea, I just started to look into it. Unfortunately, from my early searching a lot of the all-inclusive places seem lower end.

 

[Renegade Bullet]

We have a membership with Karisma resorts. Very happy with them and the quality...

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

Beaches is the family friendly version of Sandals. Go to their website to see what all resorts they have. Haven’t been but have heard good things about Turks & Caicos.

 

[100TonsofOrangeFury]

Beaches is the family friendly version of Sandals. Go to their website to see what all resorts they have. Haven’t been but have heard good things about Turks & Caicos.

The Mrs will want to know if it's topless friendly?

 

[Marshal Jim Duncan]

The Mrs will want to know if it's topless friendly?

I do not believe so.

 

[100TonsofOrangeFury]

I do not believe so.

I like that you took this question seriously.

 

[Cowguy]

We took the kids to beaches Negril ten or so years ago and it was great. Water park and lots of stuff for parents and kids.

 

[SquinkY5786]

We took the kids to beaches Negril ten or so years ago and it was great. Water park and lots of stuff for parents and kids.

I don’t think I could let my kids go to Jamaica.

 

[Cowguy]

I don’t think I could let my kids go to Jamaica.

Why?

 

[BluegrassPoke]

Hedonism in Jamaica is top notch OP.

 

[The Duke]

We took our kids a couple years ago to Grand Residences Cancun (it’s actually in the fishing village of Puerto Morelos about an hour south of Cancun).

Wonderful staff, great amenities on and nearby the property and very good pricing for what you receive IMO.

 

[nathajw]

We took the kids to beaches Negril ten or so years ago and it was great. Water park and lots of stuff for parents and kids.

A few questions:

Any reason you chose Negril over Ocho Rios in Jamaica? From early research it appears that Beaches Turks and Caicos is more expensive than the two Beaches Jamaica establishments so if we go Beaches, Jamaica is most likely going to be it. Plus, Turks and Caicos is something the wife and I wanted to do just the two of us and not filled with water slides, Xbox lounges, finger painting, and whatever the hell else they offer for kids at Beaches resorts.

We've looked at even going back to Thailand or Vietnam because the American $ goes so damn far but none of the places there have the amount of kids activities that Beaches do. Did you do anything off the resort? I think seeing part of the local life is one of the best parts of international travel, not just being stuck at a resort all day.

 

[Cowguy]

A few questions:

Any reason you chose Negril over Ocho Rios in Jamaica? From early research it appears that Beaches Turks and Caicos is more expensive than the two Beaches Jamaica establishments so if we go Beaches, Jamaica is most likely going to be it. Plus, Turks and Caicos is something the wife and I wanted to do just the two of us and not filled with water slides, Xbox lounges, finger painting, and whatever the hell else they offer for kids at Beaches resorts.

We've looked at even going back to Thailand or Vietnam because the American $ goes so damn far but none of the places there have the amount of kids activities that Beaches do. Did you do anything off the resort? I think seeing part of the local life is one of the best parts of international travel, not just being stuck at a resort all day.

We’ve been to Negril several times. It’s very, very chill and safe. Ocho Rios is where the cruise ships come in and it’s just got more of a touristy feel. This trip was the last all inclusive we ever did, that wasn’t a work trip, because we too like absorbing the local culture - which is another reason we love Negril. We’ve walked all over and never felt uncomfortable. To answer your question, yes we got off the resort several times to shop, eat, sight see. We did the resort so there was plenty to keep the kids interested and contained so we could have some adult time too.

There is a Negril forum that’s really good on TripAdvisor. Check it out.

As an aside - my daughter and son in law did Thailand for their honeymoon. Stayed for about 25 U.S. a night and ate for about 10 a day. Agree that it’s not probably the best place for kids though.

Big big fan of Negril Jamaica. If I suddenly got rich, it’s a place I would consider being an expat.

 

[nathajw]

We’ve been to Negril several times. It’s very, very chill and safe. Ocho Rios is where the cruise ships come in and it’s just got more of a touristy feel. This trip was the last all inclusive we ever did, that wasn’t a work trip, because we too like absorbing the local culture - which is another reason we love Negril. We’ve walked all over and never felt uncomfortable. To answer your question, yes we got off the resort several times to shop, eat, sight see. We did the resort so there was plenty to keep the kids interested and contained so we could have some adult time too.

There is a Negril forum that’s really good on TripAdvisor. Check it out.

As an aside - my daughter and son in law did Thailand for their honeymoon. Stayed for about 25 U.S. a night and ate for about 10 a day. Agree that it’s not probably the best place for kids though.

Big big fan of Negril Jamaica. If I suddenly got rich, it’s a place I would consider being an expat.

I think the first paragraph about the cruise ships made my decision for me and I'm going to check out the forum too. Thank you!

We went to Thailand on our honeymoon as well. Bangkok, Phuket (Kata Noi Beach), and Chiang Mai. Loved it and can't wait to go back. $300 equivalent dinners for less the $100 American with tip, locals are extremely friendly. We never really had a negative experience in Thailand other than the Phuket mosquitoes that could carry off small children (we went in July) and the rude and completely inconsiderate Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai.

 

[SquinkY5786]

Why?

The car ride alone. Swear to god riding in a taxi there is taking your life in your hands. Now we did cut through the mountains so it was a little more crazy. Hell we talked to a guy from India who said they drive like shit in Jamaica. And that’s saying something.

 

[Cowguy]

I think the first paragraph about the cruise ships made my decision for me and I'm going to check out the forum too. Thank you!

We went to Thailand on our honeymoon as well. Bangkok, Phuket (Kata Noi Beach), and Chiang Mai. Loved it and can't wait to go back. $300 equivalent dinners for less the $100 American with tip, locals are extremely friendly. We never really had a negative experience in Thailand other than the Phuket mosquitoes that could carry off small children (we went in July) and the rude and completely inconsiderate Chinese tourists in Chiang Mai.

They did almost the same thing. Loved Chiang Mai the most. Stayed at Airbnb and mostly ate street food.

The car ride alone. Swear to god riding in a taxi there is taking your life in your hands. Now we did cut through the mountains so it was a little more crazy. Hell we talked to a guy from India who said they drive like shit in Jamaica. And that’s saying something.

Lol. Yeah the ride from Montego Bay to Negril is harrowing. You get to Negril and can pretty much walk or short cab ride.

 

[BluegrassPoke]

The car ride alone. Swear to god riding in a taxi there is taking your life in your hands. Now we did cut through the mountains so it was a little more crazy. Hell we talked to a guy from India who said they drive like shit in Jamaica. And that’s saying something.

The cab rides in Nairobi were the biggest shit shows I have ever experienced. There were camels in the road and thousands of people walking right next to the road and everything was a roundabout. I thought I was going to die everytime I got in a cab.

 

[SquinkY5786]

The cab rides in Nairobi were the biggest shit shows I have ever experienced. There were camels in the road and thousands of people walking right next to the road and everything was a roundabout. I thought I was going to die everytime I got in a cab.

Jamaica was the same sans the camels. People walking on a highway with no shoulder. Our driver was going 55 with his mirrror literally a foot from hitting people. Passing on blind curves and honking. Also wasn’t a good sign everytime we stopped I heard him hit the auto locks.

 

[nathajw]

@Cowguy , looks like we're spending Thanksgiving 2020 at Beaches Negril. I know you're a food guy, how was the food there? I see they serve premium liquors but a couple all-inclusives I've been to the food was almost inedible. If you've got any other in-town recommendations for things to do or places to eat I'm all ears. Thanks!

 

[Cowguy]

@Cowguy , looks like we're spending Thanksgiving 2020 at Beaches Negril. I know you're a food guy, how was the food there? I see they serve premium liquors but a couple all-inclusives I've been to the food was almost inedible. If you've got any other in-town recommendations for things to do or places to eat I'm all ears. Thanks!

It was adequate. Some very good and some average. They change the themes of this places so I’m not sure what help I can give, but I remember the habachi place and the Italian place were very good. The breakfast buffet is stellar. So fresh. It’s not going to be fine dining, but you’ll enjoy.

Close walk for you is fireman’s lobster pit, best in the west, Niah’s Patties and Coletta’s. All really good. Again check out trip advisor and don’t be afraid to walk or cab. It’s terribly touristy but head over to ricks cafe on the cliff side and watch the divers. There are several great places over there - but try and get to rock house if you can.

Have a great time!