Luxury resort with young kids
Mar 10, 2022, 7:10 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 380
Oh yes - how could I forget about a FS Costa Rica - I was just there last year haha. Really great for kids, and they have a brand new "adventure club" in their rainforest that kids would love. They'll also love the Coati's on the beach - just don't feed them. May should be fine. I was there in August, true rainy season, and the rain typically rolls through in the late afternoon/evening. It's very heavy but also never lasted more than 15-30 minutes and on nights where we had dinner under one of the covered terraces it was actually kind of nice. That's an easy trip and it's a pretty short drive from Liberia airport. If OP is looking at villas, their new Prieta Bay villas are gorgeous (may be too big for your family at 3+ bedrooms, but they have tons of other villas and suites that would fit).
Mar 10, 2022, 10:25 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
I should add that Costa Rica is fabulous with kids of all ages! However late May will be the start of rainy season. If you can get there a little earlier, let me know and I will dig up my trip reports. If nothing else, consider it for a future trip. We stayed at the FS and the Peace Lodge. Both were perfection and so perfect for little ones.
Mar 10, 2022, 11:52 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
I definitely want to go there. But thinking of it as more of a shorter trip place. Maybe I'm being silly about that...
Mar 10, 2022, 12:38 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,737
I would not split FS and Cap Jaluca over 8 nights, especially with the FS stay 6 pay 5 offer.
While Jaluca's beach is better, it can be much more windy on that side in my experience and the pool isn't really family friendly and the staff don't excel with children
I would give the edge to FS for a family stay in Anguilla
In terms of Jumby Bay, what can you do besides sit around.....?
all the water sports is included (often an additional charge elsewhere for water-ski for example) spa, cooking classes, wine tasting and rum tasting, biking, tennis, excellent gym
Oetker Pearl could get you into a pool suite which comes with a nice sized sofa bed for the children
I don't often post about my personal experiences anywhere, but after my 9th stay at Jumby Bay recently I just can't say enough about it
While Jaluca's beach is better, it can be much more windy on that side in my experience and the pool isn't really family friendly and the staff don't excel with children
I would give the edge to FS for a family stay in Anguilla
In terms of Jumby Bay, what can you do besides sit around.....?
all the water sports is included (often an additional charge elsewhere for water-ski for example) spa, cooking classes, wine tasting and rum tasting, biking, tennis, excellent gym
Oetker Pearl could get you into a pool suite which comes with a nice sized sofa bed for the children
I don't often post about my personal experiences anywhere, but after my 9th stay at Jumby Bay recently I just can't say enough about it
Mar 10, 2022, 1:43 pm
#21
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Others have cautioned regarding travel from West Coast to Caribbean and I can not but agree, especially with young’uns. Not only burns energy and frays nerves but consumes time.
Cap Juluca over the 4S anytime. Although Anguilla is a particularly difficult location to reach from West Coast. So many opinions!
Cap Juluca over the 4S anytime. Although Anguilla is a particularly difficult location to reach from West Coast. So many opinions!
Mar 11, 2022, 10:34 pm
#23
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Mar 12, 2022, 10:14 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,431
I recommend booking a private car to drive you to Chichen Itza. Leave the hotel very early and have them pack you breakfast for the car ride. If you get there right when they open you will have Chichen Itza all to yourselves! (The buses stop at the hotels to pick people up so they arrive later)
I also recommend the lagoon boat tour for your littles to see all the wildlife.
Mar 14, 2022, 10:46 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Awesome!
I recommend booking a private car to drive you to Chichen Itza. Leave the hotel very early and have them pack you breakfast for the car ride. If you get there right when they open you will have Chichen Itza all to yourselves! (The buses stop at the hotels to pick people up so they arrive later)
I also recommend the lagoon boat tour for your littles to see all the wildlife.
I recommend booking a private car to drive you to Chichen Itza. Leave the hotel very early and have them pack you breakfast for the car ride. If you get there right when they open you will have Chichen Itza all to yourselves! (The buses stop at the hotels to pick people up so they arrive later)
I also recommend the lagoon boat tour for your littles to see all the wildlife.
Mar 18, 2022, 3:45 pm
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 13
Ok...not sure if anyone is reading this thread anymore, but figured I'll try.
Turns out Rosewood Mayakoba is probably not going to happen - very long story and nothing to do with the resort. Just have to rule out Mexico for this trip.
Sooooo, I'm sorta back to square one.
I'm open to suggestions again Can't do Cabo or Punta Mita (because Mexico...but definitely will be for a future trip.)
The Ritz Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico is definitely an interesting choice, but can only get it for 4 nights during our date. So, we'd have to do a split stay. Would a split stay Dorado Beach and St. Regis be worth doing?
Jumby Bay is still an option, I guess.
Otherwise, my guess is we end up in Hawaii....
But really was hoping for something different...
Turns out Rosewood Mayakoba is probably not going to happen - very long story and nothing to do with the resort. Just have to rule out Mexico for this trip.
Sooooo, I'm sorta back to square one.
I'm open to suggestions again
Can't do Cabo or Punta Mita (because Mexico...but definitely will be for a future trip.)The Ritz Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico is definitely an interesting choice, but can only get it for 4 nights during our date. So, we'd have to do a split stay. Would a split stay Dorado Beach and St. Regis be worth doing?
Jumby Bay is still an option, I guess.
Otherwise, my guess is we end up in Hawaii....
But really was hoping for something different...
Mar 18, 2022, 4:04 pm
#27
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 9
We've enjoyed Blackberry Mountain with our kids (ages 7 and under) last summer. They had a great kids club/camp where the kids spent the AM which gave us the chance to do some excursions on our own and family friendly excursions in the afternoon. Excursions we did as a family included: family rock climbing wall, canoeing, sporting clays and ziplining. As adults with my in-laws, we did more sporting clays, hiking and paddle boarding. They had a wonderful family pool with splash pad as well as lagoon area with two waterslides which the kids loved.