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Hotel for a Family with an almost-2 year old
#48997
04/02/2015 07:07 PM
04/02/2015 07:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 38 Los Angeles, CA
scottsteg
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 38
Los Angeles, CA
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Good day my fellow travelers! I've been a regular visitor to SXM since 2008 (5 trips so far) and they've all involved either a friend or girlfriend. Now, as I'm now happily married with a lovely daughter, I'd like to bring the family to the island around Thanksgiving to get out of the cold USA for a week. I have some good flight options on JetBlue to consider My previous stays have all been at apartments (mostly the Mount Vernon hotel condos), but since I'll be traveling with my wife and a 22-month old (that'll be her age when we visit), I'm thinking I'd like a proper hotel this time with some kid-friendly amenities and a little more "control" as my wife would say with regards to daily maid service, on-site activities etc. Also, my wife walks with a cane after an injury so a spot with easy access like a proper hotel would be helpful as opposed to the "rough" access with steps/hills to get in and out of Mount Vernon. As I've been looking into the larger/expensive brand-name hotels (Westin, Sonesta, Riu, etc) where I see they have proper kids clubs, but the age minimum starts at 4 years old, so I started looking into other hotels that may not have kid programs, but kid-friendly amenities nonetheless like a crib or maybe even a pool or a safe play area. So this is where I ask the experts of TTOL-SXM, as I'm looking for an under-$1000 price (7 night stay) in SXM, and I've narrowed it down to a few hotels that look promising: 1. Simpson Bay Resort & Marina 2. Flamingo Beach Resort 3. Festiva Atrium 4. Summit Resort I'm wondering if anyone knows how these four hotels measure up to the kid-testing? I'll even hear suggestions outside of the list. Is there a post already related to this question? I know some of the good kid-safe beaches and attractions to hit up thanks to previous postings and am looking into some occasional day-nanny service from http://www.stmaartennannies.com as well. Any nanny suggestions or reviews? Thanks to everyone.
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Re: Hotel for a Family with an almost-2 year old
[Re: scottsteg]
#48998
04/02/2015 07:28 PM
04/02/2015 07:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,654 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,654
Brookfield, CT.
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Scottsteg,
Can't speak for most of the properties you've mentioned though I think almost all would be relatively child friendly, but personally speaking, as pleasant as the Summitt is for so many, you need to know there are a lot of stairs involved in this property. It might or might not be okay for the two year old but remembering the walkway down to the pool and restaurant, it might be uncomfortable navigating the steps while using a cane. I do seem to recall Royal Islander la Plage does have a kiddy pool if you were lucky enough to rent a unit there.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Hotel for a Family with an almost-2 year old
[Re: scottsteg]
#49001
04/02/2015 09:31 PM
04/02/2015 09:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,145 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,145
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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From your list, I would suggest the first three would be best. The Atrium Resort is very child friendly with a shallow pool and a nice calm beach area which is excellent for children. Also The Buccaneer Beach Bar is right there and they encourage children to be there with their parents if they desire. Friday nights are family nights and you will see lots of little ones having a fun time there. They also have a fire ball on the beach which is fun to see. The Greenhouse Restaurant is only a few steps away with Happy Hour every day from 4:30 to 7:00 P.M. with half price drinks and special prices offered for appetizers. The Simpson Bay Resort and the Flamingo are close by and also have a good choice of restaurants in the area. The beach is nice at these resorts too with lots of sand for children to play.
Another suggestion would be Beachside Villas in Beacon Hill close to the airport. The cost there would be slightly over $1000 for the week, but right on the beach and there is a very nice pool. You can park right at your door so easy walking for your wife. We have stayed in all of these places and can recommend them all.
Hopefully you will be able to find that perfect spot to enjoy the island with your family!
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Re: Hotel for a Family with an almost-2 year old
[Re: scottsteg]
#49005
04/03/2015 09:25 AM
04/03/2015 09:25 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,976 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,976
Central Florida!
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Scott--I really can't address the 'kid' part of your question directly, but are you talking about Thanksgiving WEEK? You said "around Thanksgiving", so I'm not sure what you mean, exactly. As far as the hotels you mentioned, have you confirmed that they are available for your price range of $1000 per week? If you are talking TG week per se, that is one of the highest occupancy weeks of the year. The places you mention are all timeshare resorts. You could probably get a t/s rental from a t/s owner for your target price of $1000 a week at any of those resorts. However, if you are renting as a t/s, then there is NO daily maid service, unless you pay for it. I think at most places, it is a midweek cleaning only, unless you pay for extra cleaning. If you rent directly from the RESORT, yes, you get hotel amenities and you should get daily cleaning, although you need to confirm that when you book. But if you rent as a hotel, not sure you can meet your price point, especially if you want Thanksgiving week?
As far as the particular resorts, as far as walking around with a cane, Simpson Bay Resort has MANY different levels in many different buildings and I don't think would be that conducive to someone with a cane. As Pat said, I think Summit has a lot of steps also. Flamingo and Atrium would be better choices from that standpoint. Someone mentioned Beachside Villas. That would be a lovely choice, with many of your criteria, but I fear, especially if you are looking at Thanksgiving WEEK, it will be way over your price point.
Carol Hill
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Re: Hotel for a Family with an almost-2 year old
[Re: scottsteg]
#49011
04/03/2015 06:39 PM
04/03/2015 06:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,145 Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,145
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Great choice! You will love the Atrium Resort. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
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