OT - all inclusive resort for family of 5

[casper_jj11]

DH called me today at work and said we should go somewhere warm with a beach for a week at the end of the month. I'm in shock. This is so unlike him. Anyway, I've started looking and I've only found 2 that can take a family of 5. Looking for all inclusive in Jamaica or Cuba. Found FDR and Beaches in Jamaica but Beaches is full. We wouldn't use the nanny at FDR so not sure if its worth the price without that. Haven't found a thing in Cuba.

Any advice or recommendations?

 

[candielips]

Check out the Sol Melia resorts. They have some in Cuba for sure but not in Jamaica. There is one in Punta Cana, DR called Melia Caribe/Tropical and it is an amazing property that can accommodate your family in one room. Plus they have tons of activities for kids, a big rock climbing wall, the Flintstones are there. We were there for our honeymoon and thought it would be awesome to return when we had kids, which is now
The prices are much better than Beaches. If the Melia's in Cuba are anything like the one in DR, you will thoroughly enjoy.
I know it is hard to get reviews from people as everyone has different tastes, so to help you understand us better, our last AI (non-Disney) trip was to Sandals Whitehouse Jamaica a year ago.

 

[casper_jj11]

Thanks! I'm having trouble getting info from the Melia website but I'll try again tomorrow. The Flintstone resorts look wonderful but there are none in Cuba or Jamaica. I'm a bit of a worrier and there's a malaria risk in DR and Mexico right now so I'm trying to avoid that if possible. The other resorts look nice though and some do allow 3 kiddos in a room so hopefully I'll be able to get mroe info in the morning.

Any other suggestions?

 

[ruthgator]

It's not where you want it to be, but Club Med at Sandpiper (FL) was FABULOUS last year (and it's been renovated since we were there)! The kids were at the kids camp all day (9 to 4) so DH and I got an actual vacation... we picked them up from camp, took them swimming, got them bathed, then went to dinner. Such a great time... Club Med has properties in the caribbean- just make sure they have kids programs!!!

 

[tyzzle]

We loved Beaches Negril in JA, but there are two (the other is in Ocho Rios), did you try both? We got married at the Sandals in Ocho Rios and liked it as well. There are two other family resorts I have heard of besides FDR, Breezes and Starfish Trelawny (sp?). I talked to people who stayed at the Starfish and said they liked it.

 

[happymommy]

Does it have to be all inclusive or the Caribbean? Or does your husband just want a warm beach vacation?

Just wondering, but I think all inclusives are mostly there or maybe Mexico. I have friends that went south of Cancun (Rivera Maya I think) and like it. I think they have reasonable all-inclusive resorts around there. I went to Cancun once, 6 years ago when my DH said he wanted to see it. We stayed at one of the nicest resorts (Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach), which did have nice service, but once we stepped foot into the town, we just wanted to go back to the resort! There are "Pharmacias" advertising things like viagra every block! We did enjoy a day trip to Isla Mujeres with the kids, though.

That being said, I've heard that a couple hours south is a very nice area, with all-inclusive resorts.

Good luck, as next month is Easter and a busy and expensive time to travel in the US at least. Hope you find something nice for your family!

 

[Perditamarie]

If you don't already have passports, you may need them for some of these locations.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

We are also a family of 5 and love to stay at this place.......everyone in the family enjoys it and we cant wait to go again. They even have family suites and with the kids stay free it is super affordable. We always stay at the Grand Caribe Real Cancun.........

http://www.realresorts.com/

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

This might sound stupid, but I thought we couldn't visit Cuba?

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

This might sound stupid, but I thought we couldn't visit Cuba?

OP is from Canada.

 

[wrighter]

I second the opinion of the pp who mentioned the Club Med family resorts. We never actually made it there, but I had done quite a lot of research on them last year and thought they looked fabulous. The kids programs, in particular, seemed really great. Especially if you wanted a chance to spend some time without the kiddos!

 

[Chokky]

We love Club Med as a family vacation!
We have been to the two in Mexico - Ixtapa and Cancun.
Ixtapa is better if you have babies and younger children.
Cancun is better if you have kids over the age of 4 and tweens/teens.
Both of them are recently renovated and the kids programs and food/drinks are amazing!

 

[bekkiz]

I just read a review of this place, and it seems amazing

http://bluefieldsvillas.com/reservations.php

The blog (www.amalah.com) has a discount code even:
15% rate reduction with $100 spa credit for new full-week reservations with rental dates between now and November 1, 2010. Code is AMALAH

 

[casper_jj11]

We finally booked this morning. After reviewing YouTube videos and tripadvisor reports til the wee hours of the morning, we decided on the Grand Sirenis in the Mayan Riviera. Looks beautiful, within our price range and not fully booked which is the case for many this time of year.

We are also a family of 5 and love to stay at this place.......everyone in the family enjoys it and we cant wait to go again. They even have family suites and with the kids stay free it is super affordable. We always stay at the Grand Caribe Real Cancun.........

http://www.realresorts.com/

This place looks really nice. I hadn't found this one before. Definitely one to consider if we go next year.

I just read a review of this place, and it seems amazing

http://bluefieldsvillas.com/reservations.php

The blog (www.amalah.com) has a discount code even:
15% rate reduction with $100 spa credit for new full-week reservations with rental dates between now and November 1, 2010. Code is AMALAH

Beautiful but way beyond our price range for this trip.

Thanks so much everyone for the help!