Looking for warm-weather destination for milestone family trip winter break 2016

[Anonymous]

My mother will turn 70 next December (2016) and both because her birthday falls during winter break and because winter break is the only time other than summer vacation that my husband, children, and I are all off of work/school at the same time, we would like to go somewhere that week, but within the 10 days or so of break, we are flexible.

Here are the requirements:
*We will be 7 people, including my mother (70), DH and I, our kids (8 and 11 at the time), and my brother and his wife, who will be newly married.
*We need to go somewhere warm/beachy; my mother hates cold weather.
*We need at least 3 rooms (one for us, one for mom, one for brother/SIL; kids will stay with us or mom or one with each).
*We would prefer to go somewhere that is either all inclusive or would include a kitchen to make meals easier.

Here is the catch:
My mother is somewhat disabled and we are very concerned about her mobility now and in a year's time. She will not acknowledge her limits, but she has had multiple back (and other) surgeries, can't walk very far, and falls frequently. Several of the places we have looked involve more stairs than we think would be safe for her (a house rental) or more walking than she can do (large resorts or even house rentals that have very long walkways to the beach). She has suggested a cruise, but my brother is adamantly opposed to a cruise, I don't know much about family-friendly cruise lines other than Disney, which we did with the in-laws, and the reality is that while my mother would be fine on the boat itself, she would be very limited in taking advantage of the excursions, we would feel bad leaving her on the boat to go exploring ourselves, and at the end of the day, nothing makes her happier than sitting on the beach, which would be only a small part of a cruise, depending on the ports of call.

I know this is a complicated situation but for a variety of reasons, this would mean a lot to my mother, and I would like to make it happen, but we need to make it happen in a way that is safe and fun and not insanely stressful.

Thanks for any suggestions you might have!

[Anonymous]

Maybe look into a rental home in Tryall Club or Round Hill in Jamaica. They come with a staff and golf carts, so you could drive your mom to the beach.

[Anonymous]

Florida? I bet they're super accommodating to disabled elderly since so many live down there.

[Anonymous]

I've been many places in the Caribbean and my favorite was Grace Bay in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos. We did not stay in an all-inclusive but I think there are some.

[Anonymous]

I second the recommendation for a house rental in Jamaica. Short direct flight, houses come with staff and most with a tiny private beach that is steps away, and, if a need arises, there are some decent medical professionals there. I've had to seek medical help a couple of times while on vacation.

[Anonymous]

The viceroy in Anguilla. You can rent a house and/ or add on a meal plan.

[Anonymous]

Club Med Sandpiper Bay. Small resort.

[Anonymous]

We rented a house in Lanikai, Hawaii over Christmas break last year that would have fit your bill. Best vacation ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe look into a rental home in Tryall Club or Round Hill in Jamaica. They come with a staff and golf carts, so you could drive your mom to the beach.

This.

[Anonymous]

We did that too and my dad was in his late 80s and loved it.

Anonymous wrote:Club Med Sandpiper Bay. Small resort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did that too and my dad was in his late 80s and loved it.

Anonymous wrote:Club Med Sandpiper Bay. Small resort.

While we LOVED this resort, it will likely not be hot over Christmas break--we were there the first week in Nov and it was chilly in the mornings and overnight, so the pools didn't stay very warm. It also isn't "beachy"--it is a small river beach, though we did drive one day just 15 min to a great beach with lots of shells, waves, and not crowded. Kids didn't want to leave the resort but then they didn't want to leave the beach!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We rented a house in Lanikai, Hawaii over Christmas break last year that would have fit your bill. Best vacation ever.

Can you link to the rental? Tx!

[Anonymous]

I'd go for an accessible elevator type resort (or low rise with an oceanfront suite for Mom) with direct access to a nicely landscaped beachfront garden/pool. We rented a house at Lake Tahoe (obv. would not work for you at that time) with a fantastic view and an elevator from the ground floor and my parents spent most of the time on the deck, napping, and playing cards while the rest of us ran grocery runs & cooked. They came out for a boat cruise, the easiest access beaches and waterfront restaurant dining and to go to a casino. Our together time was focused on dinner since we were wrangling the kids all day.

[Anonymous]

https://www.vrbo.com/3879114ha#reviews

This house in St Thomas. The house has essentially three components. The owners live there. There is a 2BR-2BA unit and a 1BR-1BA. All are one house, with a private pool. The 2Br-2Ba is handicapped accessible in terms of no stairs, but since it's the lower level the driveway is a bit steep. The 1BR unit is level with the pool and driveway.

Beautiful views.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd go for an accessible elevator type resort (or low rise with an oceanfront suite for Mom) with direct access to a nicely landscaped beachfront garden/pool. We rented a house at Lake Tahoe (obv. would not work for you at that time) with a fantastic view and an elevator from the ground floor and my parents spent most of the time on the deck, napping, and playing cards while the rest of us ran grocery runs & cooked. They came out for a boat cruise, the easiest access beaches and waterfront restaurant dining and to go to a casino. Our together time was focused on dinner since we were wrangling the kids all day.

OP here, yes, this is exactly what we are looking for, but can't find.