Winter Caribbean family holiday?

[oranges]

I've never been to the Caribbean and NEED tropical sun this winter. Can anyone recommend places? I don't even know which islands to go for We have a 7 and 3 year old. Want all inclusive and kids clubs if possible, for around £5,000 for 10 days-2 weeks. Around New Year, but after Xmas, ideally.

I would recommend this - some friends stayed at Bourganvillea hotel in Barbados and said it was great. Not stayed there myself but have been for the day (to visit said friends) and it was great. Lots of different pools, lovely beach nearby etc.

We love Barbados - there is lots to do (apart from all the beautiful beaches!) wildlife reserve, rainforest walks, amazing boat trips where you can swim with turtles etc. really great island and good for kids. Everywhere is child friendly and welcoming.

You might struggle with that budget over the Christmas period, but I would say they're all good really. Depends what you want specifically?

Oh that place looks lovely but I really don't want to cook. I could stretch the budget a bit if needed but can't go above 7,000 I think. I want proper heat, so not a place that cools in the winter months. Nice food, a pool - not too bothered about loads with slides etc. Just one, by a beach is fine. I really am flexible.

Do you want lively/quiet?

Transfer times important?

Kids club?

Activities?

Let us know more so we can help

Turtle Beach in Barbados is lovely and should meet all your needs (not sure about the budget though)

Make sure you've got plenty of anti mozzie stuff though, they're a bit rife from dusk onwards.

You need all day DEET there, like all tropical zones it has dengue.

I highly recommend Caribbean Warehouse, caribbeanwarehouse.co.uk/ i've booked my holiday with them for about 7 years in a row. They've beaten every quote. You call them for a quote, then go away and get a better one elsewhere, then email them back and they'll beat it...repeat until they're in tears and you can't find a better quote anywhere else for love nor money! Seriously though, they are a great company.

Their phone operators are fountains of knowledge. they send them all out to the hotels so you can speak to someone who has been there and if you describe what you want they will tell you where to go!

Some islands are poorer than others, and therefore can be a bit more 'dangerous' leaving the resort (ie the resorts have big barbed wire fences round them). St Lucia is quite poor. Antigua is very wealthy. Barbados was nice.

i've never taken mozzie stuff or been bitten? maybe depends if you're tasty or not!

this is the link to turtle beach that BIWIZ recommended. Never been there myself tho so cant comment. You're making me want a holiday :( caribbeanwarehouse.co.uk/hotels/barbados/turtle_beach.php

Thank you. Turtle Beach looks fab, as does link to CAribean Warehouse. Pesto - I'd like quiet, but not so quiet that kids feel cowed. Not too worried about activities or evening entertainment. Some sort of kids club or playroom would be nice. Ideally a resort we can get out of quite easily to explore a bit by car. We were also thinking of Jamaica. Any thoughts on that?

Had you thought about florida keys rather than Caribbean? we went over New Year and just after it and the weather was perfect. mid 20's and no mozzies. Loads for the kids to do as well. we flew into Miami with a satnav and drove down. well within your budget if you want to pm me I can pass on details. You might struggle now to get booked in anywhere though as this is a really busy time. have you checked out any flights yet just to see?

If you want somewhere quiet with lovely beach I can highly recommend the Rex in Grenada. It's 5 mins from the airport, beautiful setting with a lake and the island is beautiful and known as the Isle of Spice. Do hire a car or get a trip round to visit the fab waterfalls, rum distillery, chocolate factory - it is amazing! But low key which we rather liked.

St James Beach club in Antigua is just what you want and a direct flight from the UK. Fantastic place, have a look. You might get it in budget after New Year.

St Lucia's beautiful too, but most resorts are situated in the north of the island which means a rather tedious one and a half hours' drive through banana plantations along very winding and not that good road. My DD2 was sooo sick by the time we arrived it spoilt the start of the holiday. We took the helicopter back on our return journey. Well worth it for the sight-seeing alone - best part was flying over the Pitons!

Barbados is lovely but rather commercialised. St Kitts is small and quiet (apart from the rather brash Marriott). We went to Antigua this summer, loved it stayed in Jolly Beach Resort which has 2 fab pools and the most beautiful beach of white sand and turquoise water.

oh my rex in granada looks dreamy. we had thoughtof florida keys, but the weather there can be cold in December and my daughter is a rain goddess. if there is a chance that it could rain, it will once she arrives.
I know its very late notice. We couldn't book anything before as dh changed jobs and had to wait to get time off confirmed. We can also fly out of Germany, or the UK, so I am hoping something comes up at the last minute! We are reasonably adventurous and I wouldn't mind renting a car and staying in smaller places too if need be. I just need heat!

It is peak season in the Caribbean during our winter, because it is hot and dry. Unlike during our summer when it there is more rainfall and it is more humid.

I've taken DC to the following hotels/places and found them all family friendly.
A twin centre holiday in a town house near Reduit Bay in St Lucia which was an excellent base for exploring the island and then onto Almond Smugglers Cove.
Playa Costa Verde in Cuba and then flew to Havana for four days.
Holiday Inn Sunspree in Jamaica.
Cayo Levanto, Samana, Dominican republic and a hotel in Punta Cuna, Dominican Republic but I have forgot the name.

If you avoid the actual New year prices will be a lot lower.

oh the holiday inn sunspree is just what we are after, and is affordable and has rooms! Thank you so much.