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 🤣

This sounds amazing! Thank you so much for the information

Some of them are like that however the one I went to was entirely ethical (Phuket elephant sanctuary) you just need to do plenty of research

Try this @Bedroomdilemmas113

https://spinthewheel.app/1rdH1UiV7D

The one I went to is Phuket elephant sanctuary. Look it up. Bathing with elephants is not encouraged and the elephants don't get anything out of it, it's more for the pleasure of the humans. This elephant sanctuary taught us that and that bathing with them isn't actually ethical, the best thing for the elephants is to avoid lots of human contact, you get to feed them but that's it.

www.phuketelephantsanctuary.org

Thailand. Maldives is stunning but not much do unless they’re into scuba diving.
Barbados is fine but basically a beach holiday. Thailand has more options to keep a tween busy.

I would echo how amazing this hotel is. The only place I’ve ever been that is better is the Maldives but I like doing nothing on one of my holidays a year!

Had this place booked in combination with Song Saa in Cambodia over Covid but obvs had to cancel.

Song Saa in Cambodia is very Maldivian so if you wanted to combine Thailand and the Maldives, do a week in Thailand (or the Datai) and a week at Song Saa.

if money is no object, have a look at Iniala near Phuket. Depends what you are looking for but for supreme luxury I’ve never been anywhere that compares to one of their original villas.

Thailand. My twin teens would be bored in the Maldives.

The Maldives is beautiful but boring. Thailand is absolutely amazing and one of the best places I’ve ever been. I haven’t been to Barbados so no comment!

Barbados is heaven if you like animals. We rented a villa and after a couple of days, we had the monkeys coming and eating from our hands. So many things to do and see and everywhere within one hour drive. The roads in land are...interesting, but people drive safely and very courteously.

It's about £5k per night? Or have l read that wrong?

I'm surprised that there weren't signs discouraging guests from doing that.

It's not good for wild animals to get so close to humans - they can pick up diseases, become over reliant on people to feed them instead of hunting or foraging and can lose their natural, protective fear.

Monkeys can also become a real nuisance if encouraged eg can pester people for food who don't want to feed them and are intelligent enough to be excellent thieves.

@Rubyandscarlett that Malaysian currency. Works out at about £1k a night I think. We went on a very good deal and paid a lot less.

Having said that I’ve got a feeling that February might be the end of the rainy season and I’d avoid that.

Have you considered Vietnam?

A vote for Barbados! Submarine trip, Harrison caves, animal sanctuary/flower forest, plenty of water sports, snorkelling to see turtles and ship wrecks,
plenty to do other than sit on the beach all day.
I don’t know what your hotel requirements are but I loved the rostrevor hotel.