Would you consider Mexico? We went to the Fairmont Mayakoba on the all-inclusive program and thought it was excellent, and it was under $800/night during December.

Anonymous wrote:DP-- also thinking of going to Aruba with similarly aged kids (plus a teen-- all girls) this summer. What sorts of non-beach activities are there on the island? Is there anywhere to hike? Good shopping? We would enjoy the pool and the beach but not all day everyday.

Rent a car and you can drive all over the island including the national park. I went with a 3 and 7 year old -- they loved the Gold Mine hike, and also the Gold Mine that is older and close to the road, the caves, hiking around the north of the island where there is a blowhole, going down south to Baby Beach area and Boca Grande (good kitesurfing beach and usually small waves for a different adventure, sometimes the waves can be too big for little kids but we are like 3/4 good condition days). You can also ride horses.

It's a really fun and safe island if you like to explore.

We also like Bonaire for exploring though most people who go there are older and dive. They have an even cooler National Park and a lovely kid beach at Lac Bay, but very few white sand beaches outside the park. It's great for snorkeling if your kids are old enough for that.

Depending on time of year you may be able to stay at the Ritz in Aruba for around $500. It is very nice and much less crowded than the other resorts. We've stayed at the Hyatt and Hilton too and found the Hilton stretch of beach to be much nicer. It is also right across the street from very good restaurants.

DP-- also thinking of going to Aruba with similarly aged kids (plus a teen-- all girls) this summer. What sorts of non-beach activities are there on the island? Is there anywhere to hike? Good shopping? We would enjoy the pool and the beach but not all day everyday.

The Marriot vacation club resorts tend to have really nice beaches and pools. I know there's one on Aruba, and one on St. Thomas. Haven't been to either, but I've heard good things about them. I've been to other Marriot vacation club resorts and the rooms have been nice, and they have some kids' club activities (things like beach-themed crafts, bingo by the pool) but not the kind of kids club where you just dump the kids while you go out for a few hours. At the three I've been to, I was really impressed with the quality of the rooms, the quality of the pools, and the beach access.
The downside to them is that they don't tend to have really extensive restaurants. (Usually more like just a pool bar with stuff.) I heard the one in Aruba is very convenient to a lot of restaurants, though.

Anonymous wrote:Beaches T&C is out of our price range, plus even if we splurged the reviews are really mixed.

My 2 daughters will be 11 and 8 when we go. Here is what I'm looking for:

-Looking to spend $800/night all-inclusive or $500/night if we pay separately for food (I'm budgeting roughly $5k excluding flights)
-Pretty white sand/turquoise water beach, not needing to wake up at 6am to reserve seats
-Access to kayaks and SUP's
-Kids club or kids activities, do not need to be available all day or in the evenings
-I think I would prefer a smaller or mid-sized resort
-Don't need giant waterslides or lazy river, just a nice pool
-Above average food quality

Am I looking for a unicorn?

I have no suggestions other than to tell you that Beaches is soooo overrated. We spent over 8k last year and the food is average and there is no poolside food/drink service which is nuts. We just did a few nights at Hyatt Regency in Bonita Springs florida and thought it was way better actually.

The Buccaneer on St. Croix might fight your needs.

https://travel.usnews.com/hotels/family-Aruba/

Here you go.

OP here. I have actually been to Grace Bay, Anguilla, and Aruba without kids. I know that Grace Bay is tough to beat but I’m not sure we can afford it with kids. Maybe condo but then we give up resort amenities. Loved the other two islands as well! Where would be good for kids on Aruba? Hilton or Hyatt?

Four seasons Nevis or Ritz Carlton grand cayman.

I agree with Aruba.

Also, I love Anguilla, but not sure if anything is open until November or so bc of the hurricanes.

Aruba has a ton of great options. Eagle or Palm Beach.

St. James Club, Antigua

Aruba has Marriotts with two bedroom condos (probably more busy than St. James Club)

I'm in the same boat - 7 stars might work for you but other than that, it'll be hard. Grace Bay Club is my fave place on Turks with a Kids Club but it's more about $1k/night and not all inclusive. The thing is that beach is killer! It's really hard to find another beach like Grace Bay. I've been to some of the best beaches in the world and that's premium. I'm trying to find an island to go to as well and this Dec it's extra hard with the dates - Christmas week gets $$ so our travels will have to end before the weekend of 22nd and there's less islands to choose from with Cancun/Puerto Rico/BVI/Dominica excluded. Good luck! I still wouldn't do Beaches even though it looks great with so much activities - I want more ambiance

An amazing place is Rosewood Mayakoba where we were last December with a kids club but that's in Playa De Carmen. If we get desperate, we may opt for it again or even Fairmont Mayakoba.

Beaches T&C is out of our price range, plus even if we splurged the reviews are really mixed.

My 2 daughters will be 11 and 8 when we go. Here is what I'm looking for:

-Looking to spend $800/night all-inclusive or $500/night if we pay separately for food (I'm budgeting roughly $5k excluding flights)
-Pretty white sand/turquoise water beach, not needing to wake up at 6am to reserve seats
-Access to kayaks and SUP's
-Kids club or kids activities, do not need to be available all day or in the evenings
-I think I would prefer a smaller or mid-sized resort
-Don't need giant waterslides or lazy river, just a nice pool
-Above average food quality

Am I looking for a unicorn?