Family carribean vaca - opinions/ Experience

[jewels]

Hi!
I know some hate the crowdsource, but I have been researching for days and want some personal experience.  Here are my criteria:

• Direct/not too pricey flight, which seems to narrow it down to Cancun/Punta cana airport areas, but open to something else if I can get there easily
• Nice water park (kids' # 1 requirement)
• Decent food (I know it won't be excellent but still...)
• 2 bathrooms (family suite or adjoining rooms fine)
• looking for more luxury vacation - don't want to spend a million but willing to spend for the right trip

Looking heavily at Hyatt Ziva CapCana 
4 years ago I went to Melia paradisius playa del carmen at brux recommendation and we had a great time.  Looking for similar or better.  

HELP!!!

[brux]

This January, we went to Hilton Rose Hall in Montego Bay Jamaica. I would say it meets all your criteria except for the luxury vacation aspect.  We had a really nice week there with our 10yo plus extended family with babies.

They offer adjoining rooms, plus we got the room type that had two queen beds plus requested a rollaway bed, and there was plenty of space for us.
www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mbjrhhf-hilton-rose-hall-resort-and-spa/rooms/

Other options:

• Hyatt CapCana has been on my list, but it's always SO pricey, I haven't committed to it yet.
• Beaches brands are priced like they're luxury, but I wouldn't say they are, so I'd skip those.
• What about Xcaret? I don't have any personal experience, but it's on my radar. www.hotelxcaret.com/en/hotel-xcaret-mexico/

[brux]

Remind me the ages of your kids, again?

[jewels]

brux I should have mentioned that. 10 and 7. When we go (November), my oldest will be turning 11 and my little guy will have just turned 8. Both really good swimmers.

To answer your others,

Jamaica is tougher with flight options for us
Hyatt CapCana sounds amazing and I think I am ok with the price point for it. Only downsides are the reviews seem a bit mixed, mostly with people getting sick at an odd rate, so I was hoping someone had been there
Beaches is pricey and no good locations for direct flights
I had looked at Xcaret and ruled it out but now I can't remember why. I'm going to look at it again.

[brux]

Mar 20, 2024 12:15:58 GMT -6 jewels said:

brux I should have mentioned that. 10 and 7. When we go (November), my oldest will be turning 11 and my little guy will have just turned 8. Both really good swimmers.

To answer your others,

Jamaica is tougher with flight options for us
Hyatt CapCana sounds amazing and I think I am ok with the price point for it. Only downsides are the reviews seem a bit mixed, mostly with people getting sick at an odd rate, so I was hoping someone had been there
Beaches is pricey and no good locations for direct flights
I had looked at Xcaret and ruled it out but now I can't remember why. I'm going to look at it again.

if flights to Jamaica do become an option, the Hilton was about 15 minutes from the airport, which is lovely after a long travel day.  

But most Caribbean destinations include a layover for us, but Montego Bay is a direct flight, which is always my preference.

[kittyriot]

Is Bahamas a direct flight?

We went to Atlantis last year, it meets all your requirements. Coral - the tower we stayed in didn’t have two bedroom suites but did have adjoining rooms.

The friends we were traveling with stayed in the Reef tower and it had beautiful 1 and 2 bedroom suites.

We flew direct from Toronto. And my little family (3 of us) ended up spending just under $6000

i am unsure if the waterpark can be beat in my childs eyes (she was 9, the other kids were 6 and 3).

I have my eye on the Margaritaville AI in downtown Nassau for in the future.

I'll take another look at the list of AI's I'm considering for the future. 1-2 bedroom suites are always the issue.

[kittyriot]

I also really like the looks of the Paradisus Playa del Carmen. Have heard nothing but good things. And they have the right sort of rooms.

It can get pricey though…

www.melia.com/en/hotels/mexico/playa-del-carmen/paradisus-playa-del-carmen?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=directories&utm_campaign=google&utm_content=5924

[jewels]

kittyriot, That melia hotel is where we stayed 4 years ago, through Brux rec. And it was awesome. Which is why I came back here for advice again lol.

For some reason I had ruled out bahamas. But now I am not sure why. I'll check there too

brux I just looked at flights are actually good to jamaica. I think I had looked at a specific resort that was like 2 hours from the airport which is why I had ruled it out. I am now investigating that hilton

[sweptaway]

I'm not a very well versed traveller but I do believe there are some travel advisories for Jamaica right now that would keep it off my destination list for the time being.

[kittyriot]

Mar 20, 2024 13:04:01 GMT -6 jewels said:

kittyriot, That melia hotel is where we stayed 4 years ago, through Brux rec. And it was awesome. Which is why I came back here for advice again lol.

For some reason I had ruled out bahamas. But now I am not sure why. I'll check there too

brux I just looked at flights are actually good to jamaica. I think I had looked at a specific resort that was like 2 hours from the airport which is why I had ruled it out. I am now investigating that hilton

Oooops!!

The Hyatt Ziva Riveria Cancun is on my list due the recommendation of friends. It might be a better alternative to the Hyatt in DR.

[brux]

Mar 20, 2024 12:40:00 GMT -6 kittyriot said:

I also really like the looks of the Paradisus Playa del Carmen. Have heard nothing but good things. And they have the right sort of rooms.

It can get pricey though…

www.melia.com/en/hotels/mexico/playa-del-carmen/paradisus-playa-del-carmen?utm_medium=organic&utm_source=directories&utm_campaign=google&utm_content=5924

We went there two years in a row back in 2015/2016 because we liked it so much!

[jewels]

Mar 20, 2024 13:53:03 GMT -6 kittyriot said:

Mar 20, 2024 13:04:01 GMT -6 jewels said:

kittyriot , That melia hotel is where we stayed 4 years ago, through Brux rec. And it was awesome. Which is why I came back here for advice again lol.

For some reason I had ruled out bahamas. But now I am not sure why. I'll check there too

brux I just looked at flights are actually good to jamaica. I think I had looked at a specific resort that was like 2 hours from the airport which is why I had ruled it out. I am now investigating that hilton

Oooops!!

The Hyatt Ziva Riveria Cancun is on my list due the recommendation of friends. It might be a better alternative to the Hyatt in DR.

the cancun location doesn't have a water park, which is my kids biggest request!  

[flojo]

Mar 20, 2024 13:10:21 GMT -6 sweptaway said:

I'm not a very well versed traveller but I do believe there are some travel advisories for Jamaica right now that would keep it off my destination list for the time being.

This. Same with the Bahamas. It’s why they’re less expensive right now. Costco travel has amazing deals, specifically to Atlantis and Baha Mar.

[kittyriot]

Mar 20, 2024 14:03:45 GMT -6 jewels said:

Mar 20, 2024 13:53:03 GMT -6 kittyriot said:

Oooops!!

The Hyatt Ziva Riveria Cancun is on my list due the recommendation of friends. It might be a better alternative to the Hyatt in DR.

the cancun location doesn't have a water park, which is my kids biggest request!  

This is the Riveria Cancun, there’s two in the area. This one does have a waterpark! A sizeable one!!

www.hyattinclusivecollection.com/en/resorts-hotels/hyatt-ziva/mexico/riviera-cancun/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=soci

[SweetPotato]

We stayed at the Hard Rock in Cabo and didn’t hate it. We fell for a scam at checkout and prepaid for another stay. We’re going to the Riviera Maya location in a couple months because the beach/water park situation looks good.

Not really luxury, but definitely nice enough

[brux]

Mar 20, 2024 15:35:36 GMT -6 SweetPotato said:

We stayed at the Hard Rock in Cabo and didn’t hate it. We fell for a scam at checkout and prepaid for another stay. We’re going to the Riviera Maya location in a couple months because the beach/water park situation looks good.

Not really luxury, but definitely nice enough

oh yeah, I agree that Hard Rock Cabo is nice too!

[tallb]

Mar 20, 2024 15:35:36 GMT -6 SweetPotato said:

We stayed at the Hard Rock in Cabo and didn’t hate it. We fell for a scam at checkout and prepaid for another stay. We’re going to the Riviera Maya location in a couple months because the beach/water park situation looks good.

Not really luxury, but definitely nice enough

Omg that's a surprise on the checkout bill! I'm following all these recs since I need an all inclusive in my life after booking a last minute spring break vacation to Florida that is not as exciting and is decidedly not all inclusive..

[adelbert]

If you read more about Jamaica and the improvements that have been made and the actual danger to tourists (basically 0.01% of tourists experience violent crime)I personally wouldn't keep it off my list.

Would I go backpacking and hitchhiking there, hanging out in unsafe neighborhoods? No. Would I go to a hotel and stay within the hotel grounds only doing boating tours or private tours? Absolutely.

But that's just me. I read a bit more about it last night. But for us it's so far that it doesn't really matter. This is one of the articles I read.
time.com/6693349/us-jamaica-travel-advisory-pushback/

[coolbeans]

jewels I have been to a few places in Jamaica and always love it there. I have never been worried or had a reason to worry about crime.

On the other hand, I would stay far far away from Dominican right now.

[flojo]

Mar 21, 2024 2:49:32 GMT -6 adelbert said:

If you read more about Jamaica and the improvements that have been made and the actual danger to tourists (basically 0.01% of tourists experience violent crime)I personally wouldn't keep it off my list.

Would I go backpacking and hitchhiking there, hanging out in unsafe neighborhoods? No. Would I go to a hotel and stay within the hotel grounds only doing boating tours or private tours? Absolutely.

But that's just me. I read a bit more about it last night. But for us it's so far that it doesn't really matter. This is one of the articles I read.
time.com/6693349/us-jamaica-travel-advisory-pushback/

I agree with the caveat that you have a reliable car service to take you to and from the airport. My friends just got back from Jamaica and said they got a random taxi at the airport and they were a little nervous.

[jewels]

coolbeans, why would you stay away from the Dominican Republic now? B/c of the Haiti stuff? The resorts are 7-8 hours away from the border. I think, like adelbert said about Jamaica, as long as you are on the resort, in either Jamaica or Dominican, I'd feel safe. Both places, I would get airport transfer through the hotel so I didn't have to worry too much about it. Our whole reasoning for wanting to go to an AI is that we want to just sit at the resort, do their activities, eat their food, and never leave. I'm exhausted, and don't want to think once I am there lol

[flojo]

I would check out Hotel Xcaret and Dreams Playa Mujeres.

[bubblehape]

If you want to do Hyatt, have you ever considered travel hacking? I follow 10xtravel on facebook/their course and have about 800k hyatt points - we used them on Hyatt Zalara Cancun last year and had a great time. That would cut down on costs and I think you just pay a cash price to add the kids per day!

[brux]

The latest Jamaica advisory came out while I was there. Based on what I saw and where I went, I wouldn't hesitate to go again.

[soiree]

You’re not looking for all inclusive, are you? We went to Baha Mar for Thanksgiving, and it was freaking amazing. I am not a big resort/inclusive person and I loved it. I would go back in a heartbeat. Food was great at the restaurants on site.
Huge waterpark. HUGE.

[coolbeans]

Mar 21, 2024 7:15:40 GMT -6 jewels said:

coolbeans, why would you stay away from the Dominican Republic now? B/c of the Haiti stuff? The resorts are 7-8 hours away from the border. I think, like adelbert said about Jamaica, as long as you are on the resort, in either Jamaica or Dominican, I'd feel safe. Both places, I would get airport transfer through the hotel so I didn't have to worry too much about it. Our whole reasoning for wanting to go to an AI is that we want to just sit at the resort, do their activities, eat their food, and never leave. I'm exhausted, and don't want to think once I am there lol

Yes, because of the Haiti situation. Unfortunately I can’t give details but someone I know has more intel than the general public is aware of and travel to DR is a firm, solid, concrete harder than hard no at the moment. And this comes from someone who has been deep in Kingston, Jamaica at various points and felt completely safe.

That being said, I love AIs and both DR and Jamaica have great ones. I’ve never had a bad experience and personally I love Jamaica.

[kittyriot]

Mar 21, 2024 9:11:54 GMT -6 soiree said:

You’re not looking for all inclusive, are you? We went to Baha Mar for Thanksgiving, and it was freaking amazing. I am not a big resort/inclusive person and I loved it. I would go back in a heartbeat. Food was great at the restaurants on site.
Huge waterpark. HUGE.

We love the Bahamas, and have been a few times. H says next time he wants to do Baha Mar. The friends we travelled with feel the same.

[jewels]

Mar 21, 2024 9:11:54 GMT -6 soiree said:

You’re not looking for all inclusive, are you? We went to Baha Mar for Thanksgiving, and it was freaking amazing. I am not a big resort/inclusive person and I loved it. I would go back in a heartbeat. Food was great at the restaurants on site.
Huge waterpark. HUGE.

I do want an all inclusive.  I literally want to not think the whole time lol.  Baha Mar seems almost a bit too big.  I want something where I can relax, and maybe let my 10 year old have a bit of freedom to wander about.  I think the midsize resorts, with a water park (doesn't have to be super huge, just enough for the kids to get lost in for an afternoon or 3) are perfect.  I am really leaning towards that Hyatt Ziva CapCana, now that I have confirmed the suites have 2 bathrooms.

[kittyriot]

Mar 21, 2024 12:24:38 GMT -6 jewels said:

Mar 21, 2024 9:11:54 GMT -6 soiree said:

You’re not looking for all inclusive, are you? We went to Baha Mar for Thanksgiving, and it was freaking amazing. I am not a big resort/inclusive person and I loved it. I would go back in a heartbeat. Food was great at the restaurants on site.
Huge waterpark. HUGE.

I do want an all inclusive.  I literally want to not think the whole time lol.  Baha Mar seems almost a bit too big.  I want something where I can relax, and maybe let my 10 year old have a bit of freedom to wander about.  I think the midsize resorts, with a water park (doesn't have to be super huge, just enough for the kids to get lost in for an afternoon or 3) are perfect.  I am really leaning towards that Hyatt Ziva CapCana, now that I have confirmed the suites have 2 bathrooms.

I don’t think this is a bad call! H and I did an adults only in Cap Cana and it was such a nice resort and it was a beautiful area of DR. I didn’t know when we booked it, but it’s a gated area of the DR. I have a lot of mixed feelings about gated communities, but it does help keep the area clean and safe(r).