Maldives, Thailand or Barbados with a tween

[Bedroomdilemmas113]

I’m going round and round in circles.

She wants to do Barbados. I’m struggling to find a hotel that makes me want to go and book.

The cost is in line with the Maldives and it just feels more ‘wow’, I feel like the cost is more justified but I equally can’t explain why.

The outlier option is Thailand.

Can anyone help me unpick this to come to a decision? Please note tongue is firmly in cheek, she’s not being a brat or ruling the roost or anything else. We are just attempting to come to a decision and not succeeding.

If everyone comes along and tells me Barbados is amazing even if I don’t think I fancy any of the hotels particularly, I’ll give in gracefully 🤣

Thailand, there’s a lot more to do, it’s more interesting than Barbi & Maldives, & a lot cheaper than both of them. Barbi & Maldives are more for people who like to lie on the beach all day.

February

I have been to Thailand and Barbados and loved both of them. Barbados was shorter flight, easy to get around and not long drives, beautiful beaches and water activities, interesting history and an interesting mix of peoples. Thailand has more cultural sights, is more challenging to visit, great food and beautiful places. Thailand has an edgier side that I didn't notice in Barbados.

I would maybe go for Barbados now, and Thailand when she is a bit older. Maybe the Maldives surpasses them, but I haven't been and know nothing about it.

Thailand 100%. Great cultural appreciation to be had. Thai's very friendly. Good service sector. Hotel/resorts great value. They look after animals-they are very aware of Western cultural sensitivities around elephants etc.

Thailand, absolutely. And there's a lot too see in Bangkok - the temples are quite something, and markets are fun. It is very busy though.
We have been many times, and have learned to find small hotels away from the main tourist attractions. There are indeed some areas you do not want to take your teen to, and explain what exactly they do with the pingpong balls. But it's easy to avoid.
Otherwise the country is beautiful, beaches are gorgeous, very child friendly and super easy to navigate. You can go to any tour operator sitting behind a little desk in the middle of the street, tell them what you want, and they will put together an amazing program for you. Never had any issues.

Thailand

there is so much to do and see. Thailand caters for independent travellers so excursions, buying tickets etc is all made very easy and it’s cheap no need to hire cars or book through expensive travel agents

plus amazing food, service is great and the people are very friendly

I have never been anywhere else (and travelled to many countries) where they manage service and cater to everyone’s needs so well and without fuss. They just have a great knack of doing this so well often the costs are very reasonable too

The west coast of Barbados.
We stayed at the Crystal Cove in March every year. A great water sports team on the beach right in front of the hotel. Our DD was between 15 & 20 when we went.

Further up the beach, we stayed at the Colony Club which was wonderful, but with a tween, I’d go Crystal Cove.

West coast is just more upmarket, great beaches and calmer waters and some great restaurants.

I've been to Thailand and dd loved it. Would only spend the first night in Bangkok and then travel around.

How about Malaysia if your dd is passionate about animals? We went when dd was young and visited a brilliant orang utan sanctuary.

@Bedroomdilemmas113 I’ve landed in Bangkok on previous travels to Thailand and found it a fun place to explore. For about one day. One day has been about enough because it is intense. Crazy busy but also interesting and vibrant. Some amazing sights like the Giant Buddha. Not for everyone though.

I hope you enjoy your trip wherever you go!

Are you keen for a one stop shop? If not you could consider a few nights at Universal Studios Florida and then hop down to an island?

I've not been to Barbados or the Maldives. And the Maldives sounds like my idea of Hell. But I love Thailand and a few days in Bangkok is magic. Have been many times.

Have you considered Costa Rica - particularly if you love wildlife it is amazing for this, you can also get the beach, volcano/hot spring or jungle experience depending on which area you visit. All the wildlife experiences we had were either natural or very respectfully led by a guide and they seemed to be on it in terms of animal welfare and sustainability. There is lots to do for teens.

Can you remember the name of the elephant sanctuary in phuket? We're visiting at easter and there's a few different ones around. We were leaning more towards the "green elephant sanctuary" as they aren't ever chained or rode on, and it seems like it would be a great experience for the kids. They get to walk through the woods with them, prepare their food for them, and bathe with them in the mud baths. There are some others but it's hard to tell as, some people just seem to want to get them all shut down, which I'm not sure is the best way to protect the elephants, and the tourism obviously pays for the upkeep of them. Just want to make sure we don't end up paying into anything unethical.

This hotel has everything. Hands down the best place we’ve ever been. Could be combined with Thailand or Malaysia. Wildlife abundance.

Elephant Hills in Thailand is pretty Meh. You get about an hour with them and it’s a tourist conveyor belt.

I took my 17 and 19 year olds to Barbados at Easter and we've loved it. Agree on the hotels (which is usually our preference) so we booked two AirBnBs with sea views (one was in a resort complex).

I've had some lovely holidays but I really liked Barbados. Felt very safe and they drive on the left so it's easy to explore the island. We did lots of snorkelling and boat trips, watched the polo, went on the rum tour, caves, fish fry.

It was also something like 7 hours on the way back due to the tailwind. Only minus is that the supermarket food was crazily expensive (£20 for a tiny pack of ham and £15 for milk). It's probably cheaper to eat out in some cases and there's some amazing restaurants by the sea.

I'd go back again in a heartbeat (and quite a different vibe to Antigua and St Lucia where you can feel a bit exposed outside the hotel).

I've been to all three and liked them all. Maldives is amazing but I think a tween or teen would be bored unless you picked a family resort.

Thailand is brilliant and cheap. We took both DC when they were 10 and 12 and they loved it. Probably one of our best holidays. Stayed at a Marriott in Khau Lak and stayed bed and breakfast so we could eat out cheaply in the main town.

I took DD to Barbados on a mother daughter week away when she was 12 and I really liked where we stayed ( Hastings) and we went to St Lawrence Gap for an evening for a change. We also did a couple of trips (monkey sanctuary/zoo type place and some deep underground caves). We also got up at sunrise on a Sunday to see the local race horses paddling in the sea. Hotel wasn't amazing but we still had a great holiday.

Same. Had many lovely holidays there with dds from very small to teens. Mind you they were water babies very early on, and very keen on water sports when a bit bigger.

We have done Florida and onwards from Florida so many times - we are trying to branch out!

If she’d like to learn to dive, Maldives. The diving is superb and if she does her certification it will keep her occupied. Otherwise, I’d choose one of the other two. There’s really not much going on in the Madives other than beaches & diving/snorkelling.

Thanks so much to you all.

I have done a real U-turn as a result of the overwhelming responses here and have just booked Thailand 🙌

Of the three I've only been to Thailand, but I think it would be great for a tween. As it's a very popular destination for yoga-loving vegan hippie types (not to be too stereotypical haha) it's easy to check reviews to find out about any obvious human or animal exploitation at tourist attractions. The only downside I can think of is if any of you are particularly sensitive to dirt or smells - it's generally pretty clean, but it is still a hot country where rubbish is left at the side of the road for collection and durian is a favourite snack!

Definitely wouldn't pick the Maldives, that sounds like a boring holiday to me and I'm an adult

Oh, x-post! Hope you have an amazing time

I've been to all 3 and for me Thailand wins hands down. So much to see, lovely people, amazing food and excellent value for money. I agree with others that the Maldives is great to chill and very Instagramable but if it's photos your daughter is after check out the Phi Phi Islands for a day trip from somewhere like Khao Lak. From Khao Lak I'd recommend trips to Surin or Similean Islands for snorkeling, turtle conservation centre, bamboo rafting, temples, etc. Do your research on the elephant sanctuaries as very few are ethical. Enjoy, wherever you go!

The west coast has the best and safest beaches on Barbados. Lovely to swim in and sunbathe on. East coast is directly off the Atlantic so unless you are an Olympic level surfer - not good for swimming in the sea ! But the scenery is great, quite rugged.

West coast also has the “vibe” lots of bars / places to eat and the best hotels tend to be on the West coast ( unless you go to The Crane). Plenty to explore and there are plenty of boat trips to snorkel / swim etc. Plenty to see on Barbados and different scenery depending on whether you are in St Lucy, in the “Highlands” or on the coast.

I’ve been to all 3 and on balance IMO probably more for a tween in Barbados than the Maldives and Thailand.