Trip suggestion for Mother-Daughter(16) non-Disney, non-cruise

[familyfirsttimer]

My DD is turning 16 and we are going to take a mother-daughter trip. I am looking for suggestions as to some more family friendly type resorts that might be a great island getaway for us. I definitely want to leave US for this one and am thinking Bahamas. there are so many choices out there and I wish I had some boards like this I could trust....

Any suggestions are welcome.
TIA

BTW< cruises are not off the table yet and I had a thread a few months ago with some great suggestions there.

 

[ssawka]

How about Atlantis in the Bahamas? or, any of the Beaches resorts?

 

[MinnieForMe]

Tamarijn - in Aruba. Safe island, safe food and water. Lots to do or do nothing at all beachfront!

 

[Darcy03231]

Our family really likes the Iberostar resorts. We've stayed in several and have never been disappointed. We've found them to be very family friendly with lots to do (or not do if you prefer). Food and service are both very good.

 

[hockeygirl14]

In Bahamas, I would hit Nassau and go to the British Colonial Hilton. It's about a 15 minute walk from the cruise port and you can hit up Atlantis for the day if you want to. We went here for the day on our most recent cruise in Feb. Fab resort! I would check out St John USVI. Recently cruised to St. Thomas and went to St. John instead and absolutely loved it! I also really enjoy Grand Turk, Tortola and St Maarten. The Gran Bahia Principe in Jamaica gets wonderful reviews.

I would say check out a cruise if you are still considering it - we went on the Norwegian Getaway in February and it was WONDERFUL!! So much to do, especially for a 16 y/o!

 

[familyfirsttimer]

OMG, the prices to go anywhere warm in February I was not prepared for that part. I'd love to do Bahamas or Cancun or Riveria Maya but cannot find a package for less than almost $4K for 5-6 nights.
Am I naive to think I should be finding a better deal?? Let me say, I am look at top notch places because if I am spending that much already, I want the place to be great.

TIA for any advice

 

[crisi]

If you are looking at top notch places and wanting to book in advance, yes you are naive to believe you are going to do much better than $4k.

If you are willing to travel last minute and not be picky about the resort, you can often get last minute resort deals - sometimes at very nice places.

 

[distherapy]

Check out http://www.belovedhotels.com/

5-star, all inclusive in Riviera Maya. We have reservations there for Spring Break 2015 and I have heard great things.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Check out http://www.belovedhotels.com/

5-star, all inclusive in Riviera Maya. We have reservations there for Spring Break 2015 and I have heard great things.

Thanks, looks amazing but $4,600 for 6 nights for my time period

 

[distherapy]

Thanks, looks amazing but $4,600 for 6 nights for my time period

Bummer! When are you going? I keep getting $2,988 for 6 nights in Feb 2015 (doesn't include airfare, though)

 

[familyfirsttimer]

Bummer! When are you going? I keep getting $2,988 for 6 nights in Feb 2015 (doesn't include airfare, though)

Yes, airfare is running almost $600pp!!!! YIKES!!!!!

 

[distherapy]

Yes, airfare is running almost $600pp!!!! YIKES!!!!!

Ugh - that's the problem with trying to book airfare this far out. It's usually awful.

We have booked the resort and will watch airfare. Right now, it's twice what it usually is. If it comes down, we'll book the airfare. If not, we'll switch plans.

As much as I love to plan everything, it's hard to plan non-disney travel this far in advance.

 

[familyfirsttimer]

it's hard to plan non-disney travel this far in advance.

Guess I have not planned non-Disney travel in quite a while!!! LOL

I am crunching all kinds of numbers now and looking in to different resort options. Seems better to just book resort and wait on air...I always thought booking a package was a better deal.

Thanks for all the suggestions and info. I welcome them all(and more if you have them)

 

[Minnie404]

Cayman Islands-7 mile beach. We stayed at the Westin and loved it. Water is so clear, beach is beautiful. We also went to Stingray City and swam with the rays. Amazing experience. Good luck and have fun.

 

[DHSbutcher]

We have a timeshare through occidental resorts and have stayed at many of their properties throughout mexico and the caribbean. They are all inclusive which is perfect. Our favorite is the Occidental Allegro Playacar in Playa del Carmen, Mx. We fly into cancun and its about a 45 minute taxi ride to the hotel. From there you can enjoy the beach, visit the ruins, go into town for dinner, take the ferry to cozumel for the day, and the resort has plenty to offer too. It's not the fanciest in terms of American standards, its thatch roof, tile floors, and the beds are a little hard, but the atmosphere is absolutely perfect, the staff is wonderful, and it really is our second home. And the hotel is all you eat and drink which really helps budget and plan! Although the downtown area of playa del carmen has some great restaurants that are worth going to. Remember, this isn't america, you will definitely see people doing some not so legal things, and some areas are not as built up and pretty, but take it with a grain of salt and you will have an amazing trip with your daughter
Another place we enjoy is Puerto Rico. We fly into San Juan and either do a southern caribbean cruise or get a hotel in Dorado, a small town about 30 minutes away from San Juan. We relax at the hotel, go visit san juan, and other parts of puerto rico. We usually just stay in Dorado if it is a weekend trip, and if it is longer we do the weeklong south carib. cruises that are our absolute favorite!

 

[sheetz]

I know you said you wanted to leave the country, but would Puerto Rico be close enough? I've never been there myself but there are decent airfares from Philadelphia to San Juan ($329).