Sorry, pp...I obviously struck a chord with you (and your inability to afford a vacation you are obviously jealous of). But I used the disney example for a specific reason: the disney cruise is known for it's fabulous kids clubs. They even send staff to pick up kids from the dining rooms so parents can enjoy dinner alone. Yet we didn't use the clubs. You really don't have to leave your kids with strangers in order to have a relaxing vacation...as long as everyone is having a good time. The op's kids are older school aged kids...not toddlers. Given her budget, I just don't think she needs to kill herself trying to find a resort with a kids club...especially since many of them are subpar at best. She and her DH could easily take turns with the kids to allow the other some free time. But I truly believe families can have a relaxing and fun vacation with their kids.

And not sure what your gripe with the disney cruise is. We toured Mayan ruins, zip lined, snorkeled, played basketball, swam, sailed, etc. We never set foot in a store or shopped, so I'm not sure what materialism you are referring to. Sure there were disney characters out and about, but that's really meant as entertainment for young kids.

PS - We went to the beach this summer as well (4 times)...with our kids...and had a blast!!!

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a kids club? Why isn't a cool beach with a pool enough? Do you really need a babysitting service? Try hanging out as a family...you might enjoy it.

Signed,

Just did a disney cruise and our kids never set foot in the kids club

Why do you need a Disney cruise? Why isn't a cool beach with a pool enough? Do you really need a Disney cruise? Try hanging out as a family...you might enjoy it.

Signed,

Just spent a family week by the beach, hiking and playing tennis, and our kids never set foot in a materialistic, superfluous and overpriced Disney cruise

OP Travel in the US is very expensive. The cheapest thing overall is a cruise.

Hilton Squaw peak, Phoenix. FDR Pebbles in Jamaica.

earlier mexico poster here: we went to the Catalonia riviera maya. Our kids are young, so they were totally free (under 6 I think). We had a 'family suite' and went over xmas, which is generally more expensive than other times. Our 5 year old did the kids club a couple hours a day, our 3 year old was too young. The club was good for kids 4-8 I would say--older than that probably not.

OP, you might want to look into Sunspree resort, Jamaica. We did not go there last year, but came very close. It is not a fancy resort, but gets generally fine marks and has lots of activities for kids. Check prices on expedia, I found sunday april 11 to sat the 18th at 213/night (you will want 2 connecting rooms though, probably, depending your kids ages) and this is all inclusive. Flights to jamaica on SW or airtran direct from BWI, can get under 400.

good luck.I totally get it. We both work a lot, have young kids, no family who has ever babysat (or lives nearby). We have never both spent a night together away from them, which is fine, but we have also experienced "vacations" which are more work than staying put. This one was the first time we could actually relax a little bit. One kid playing in the kids club, one parent swimming with the little one, and one parent getting 2 hours to herself. aah.

Go to Nemacolin in PA. You can drive, they have a good kids club and a great spa. There is plenty to do besides ski. You can rent a two-bedroom town house, rather than get a hotel room, and make your own breakfasts and other meals, if you want to save money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sea island. It is prob around 500 a night. Can be a lot more and sometimes a little less. Great kids club and tons to do.

Not the OP but another parent looking for spring break ideas.

Will it be warm enough to swim during spring break (1st week of April)?

No

It could be but it could not. It is near Jacksonville. I would call and ask for the average temperatures.

Maybe. We go to St Simons (next to Sea Island) each Spring Break, and the past two years the weather has been cold and not good for the beach or swimming. Last year (mid April), it was in the 60s! That said, we have been going for 8 years and the past two have been an anomaly. Usually it's in the 70s/80s. I would not rely on warm weather though - and would keep that in kind if you are paying $500/night!

.

Yes, to us, Sea Island is a summer place. That's when the maximum activities are available. I wouldn't "waste" a trip there in the spring with iffy weather.

How about inviting friends or family? Then you can trade off on babysitting.

Spring break is challenging, because the prices get so jacked up. You could do a non-Disney cruise, as those all have kids clubs too and tend to be more reasonably priced on Spring Break than DCL.

I've used Sitter City to get baby sitters around the U.S. and have had good luck.

Thx everyone, OP here, I have looked in to most suggestions and it is just too expensive, and yes we would like to steal away a few hours basically. I am Leary about getting a babysitter, it seems it takes me so long to find a good one here, let alone in another location. I am just looking into renting a house for a week at the beach, or going to Disney, these are always fun for us. Thanks

Hilton Head - I think the Marriott resorts might have clubs?

Amelia Island Omni and the Amelia Island Ritz Carlton, Ritz Beach and Ritz Golf Resort in Naples Fl. Nemacolin in Pa. Woodloch, Homestead, Greenbrier. Sandpiper. Jupiter Beach Resort. Many kids clubs at Disney hotels in Orlando. Claremont Hotel in Berkeley Calif.

Anonymous wrote:Why do you need a kids club? Why isn't a cool beach with a pool enough? Do you really need a babysitting service? Try hanging out as a family...you might enjoy it.

Signed,

Just did a disney cruise and our kids never set foot in the kids club

god forbid the parents want to steal away a few hours for themselves during their vacation.