Maldives, 22 mo, enough to do?

[choccybox]

Hi

I'm planning on going to Maldives in October and ds will be 22 mo. the resorts seem quite adult orientated, is there enough to do for children?

I've seen some good reviews for bandos but worried about only doing bed and breakfast as costs may spiral if only eating at resorts. Is food overly expensive?

It's our first long haul hol with DS and it seems there is so much to think about!!

Thanks

I haven't been to Bandos, but have been to the Maldives a few times. DH and I are keen to go again, but we're waiting until DD is old enough to appreciate it i.e. can snorkel a bit and swim properly, so probably at least 6 or 7 years old.

IME the resorts are adult, and I've rarely seen children there. Lots of couples and honeymooners. And the flights are a killer, especially the daytime 12 hour flight we've ended up on a few times. But on the positive side, there is lots of sand and the lagoons are lovely and warm (though you could get this a lot nearer and cheaper than the Maldives to be honest)

The other thing that would concern me about a 2 year old out there is that the islands are fairly remote if you needed medical attention.

Food and drink is expensive as most is flown in. And it usually priced in US $ too, so you need to think about the conversion.

I haven't been to bandos, but I've never seen young children in the Maldives. There's really only water based activities, diving, snorkelling, swimming. And playing in sand or beach combing I suppose but you couldn't do that all day!

Food and drink is expensive.

Too young, IMO. Sorry.

Oh that's what I was afraid of. We have been dying to go for few years but never got round to it pre DS.

Any other recommendations for somewhere hot in October and child friendly? Thailand? Mauritius?

Thanks for your advice

I'd think shorter haul if possible - obviously it depends on your child, but long haul flights can be just horrible at that age when they want to wander around, and can't be entertained for long sitting down. Maybe the Red Sea, Egypt, Canaries?

What type of activities were you thinking of for 22 mo DS?
That may help define locations.

Really looking to a long haul destination, love exotic destinations really and want to go somewhere special as kind of belated honeymoon.

Activities wise not 2 much really, DS will be easily pleased. Safe clear waters, kids club, hotel equipped for children so highchairs etc and maybe excursions that he can do, boat ride, animals etc.

I don't know really, a sort of romantic destination with kids activities and maybe some local culture too???

Well I've been to the Maldives, in fact Bandos 3 time and I think there is a lot for the kids to do. It obviously depends on which resort though. On Bandos there is a kids club which is FREE and open from 8am to around 5pm and then you can book babysitters in the evening. There is the kids play area and a kids pool. I last went when DD (now 5) was 5 months old and around 14 months old and she had a great time.

With Bandos in my opinion its best to book B & B as the half board meal in the evening is quite late, a buffet at around 7pm which was too late for little ones. There are 3 restaurants though that you can eat in and one is 24 hours which is great for kids. Not much by way of shopping there, just one very small shop so make sure you take enough nappies, wipes and any snacks that your little one might need.

Other bonus with Bandos is that it is one of the closest resorts to the airport, only 15 mins by boat compared to some which are 2 hours plus!

Oh, and if you do go to Bandos, pay a little extra for the deluxe rooms as standard don't have a bath, only a shower

And regarding the comment above about a medical centre, there is one on Bandos staffed by european doctors which I think is essential when you have little ones

Thanks mos, I have seen the reviews and it is listed as one of the family friendly resorts. Were there many children on the resorts? Are the restaurants child friendly? Did you find enough activities to do which could include baby?

Thanks for your advice

I have been to the Maldives and would take a little one who would be happy to play in the sand/swim/sleep but probably not an older child who might get more easily bored. I wouldn't go there unless AI as it is extremely expensive to buy food/drink in resort.

The Carribean has a lot of higher end and also child friendly hotels, romantic and lots to do for children. It is hurricane season in October, but personally that wouldn't put me off. It might you though.

I would also consider the Caribbean, many of the hotels are very family orientated. Definitely go for a 5 star with kids camps (all inclusive if you want to know your costs up front) and you'll get lovely food and drink, usually decent entertainment for everyone and gorgeous beaches.

There were certainly lots of children of all ages the three times I went to Bandos and it was very child friendly. The childrens play centre/nursery (which was free) had a lot of baby equipment and toys for little ones and all restaurants had high chairs. You'd need to book cots in advance for your room but they were always readily available.

Only one restaurant is not child friendly, the 'posh' fine dining one. There are two others which are not the half-board buffet one and both very child friendly, the coffee shop (24 hour) and Sundowners which is located next to the dive centre over looking the beach. Only thing I'd ensure if you go is to make sure you take plenty of snacks (I always took lots of bags/boxes of raisins, rice cakes etc) and of course nappies and wipes

That is actually really interesting about Bandos - I said upthread that DH and I were keen to go back to the Maldives but were waiting till DD was older as our experience was that the resorts and other tourists weren't geared up for children, but it sounds like Bandos might be different. Thanks for the tip.

I think it really depends on the resort. I guess a good guideline is if you look in a brochure and its advertised as fabulous for honeymooners you give it a miss if you have kids
Honestly, I'd love to go back there but these damm kids are so expensive I don't know when I'll be able to afford it. Feel bad as DC1 and 2 have been 3 times and number 4 has never been.

we have been to the maldives a few times, before DC. we had a fab time. there were older children once when we stayed (probably 12 upwards) and they were old enough to go off snorkelling etc. it is definietly couples orientated (or at least the island where we stayed was). we now have 2 children and apart from the fact that we have no money to go back, i dont think it would be suitable for them - they would be bored, and although they love the water i just wouldnt be able to relax.

we have also been to mauritius and that would be my preference to take the DCs when we win the lottery, although as others have said the flight is long. Caribbean is also lovely, and they have family based resorts / hotels which may be more interesting / have more things to occupy your DC.

i would go back to any of those places like a shot, though its incredibly unlikely now we have children. still. would i rather have them, or lovely holidays?!!

Joining this thread too as just started another asking for Maldives advice. On the back of this one, am going to research Caribbean though think hurricane season in July...

Camping in Cornwall anyone?!!

I live about three miles from the beach and my younger son has always been as happy as a clam at that age to play on the sand every day we have gone (well once he got over the feel of sand on his feet and sunscreen. An umbrella, floppy hat, shovel etc and they are good. My youngest spent his afternoons napping on my friend's shoulder after playing all morning while I took the older children swimming. We would often get there about 10-11 and stay till 6pm.

Thanks all for great advice.

I'm going to have a look at Caribbean, we have always had great time pre ds and know it is child friendly and hope October weather is ok. Glad to read good reviews for Bandos too, loved the pictures I've seen of it.

Well plenty of thinking for me to do.

Thanks again

If you fancy the Caribbean I would head for the Dutch Antilles as they don't really get affected by hurricane season and Aruba in particular is family friendly - lots of child friendly hotels, beaches, waterparks etc. Bonaire is more low key and really only any good for water activities, Curacao in between.

Acapulco also fab and has child friendly stuff and more cultural, authentic mexican vibe than other parts of Mexico but the flights a killer!

LUX resort in the Maldives is very geared up for little ones, so lots of families there and really charming activities for small children. See here. Anyone for teddy tennis?