Bahamas with young kids? Need recs! Where to stay?

[jhawks482]

We are in the beginning stages of planning a vacation this winter and are looking at the Bahamas. We will have a 5 year old and 3 year old in tow, and I'm mainly looking for a family friendly resort or area to begin planning our stay. I've been to the Bahamas before, but it's been 15 years and things have likely changed!

Ideally, I'd love a condo style hotel with separate rooms as my mom will be joining us. Budget isn't an factor right now (we have lots of hotel and airline perks.) What part of the island should we stick to?

Also, I am not opposed to other islands in the caribbean and am open to any and all suggestions.
Thank you!

[Deleted]

What about renting a house on one of the out islands?

[mdgirl]

I've had family members stay at a villa at the One & Only with their kids a couple times and they really liked it.

[frlcb]

Atlantis

[jhawks482]

Aug 1, 2013 19:21:27 GMT -5 frlcb said:

Atlantis

We thought about that. I did go to the resort the last time i was there, but I feel like I heard (on here, or back on The Nest) that it has become SO overpriced, and SO crowded that it's not enjoyable. Is there any truth to that?

[Deleted]

DO NOT stay at Atlantis. it is over priced and not worth it AT ALL!!!

[frlcb]

I haven't been to Atlantis but have several friends who have, with young kids, and they all loved it. No idea on cost.

[mcfelix]

I think Atlantis is overpriced but I think it is fantastic for kids. There are so many things to entertain them. Not nearly as many activities at One and Only, although that is a nicer resort, IMO.

[jhawks482]

Aug 3, 2013 2:35:33 GMT -5 mcfelix said:

I think Atlantis is overpriced but I think it is fantastic for kids. There are so many things to entertain them. Not nearly as many activities at One and Only, although that is a nicer resort, IMO.

I just checked out the One and Only and wow! That resort looks SOO amazing. But you're right, I'd have to look into a lot of activities off the resort for kids since there isn't as much there.

[sushi]

I'd look into the out islands. Kids can be entertained with just beach and ocean, right? Try a place like this www.seasprayresort.com/welcome.html My cousins are from the out islands, so I grew up visiting them, and I have so many fond memories that I don't think I'd have had at a big resort.

There's also Harbour Island which is incredibly beautiful. www.harbourislandguide.com/hotels-resorts.htm

I haven't been to this place in over a decade, but I still make bluff house punch
www.bluffhouse.com/

[spankswife]

When DD was 1, we stayed here www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3067 and it was great! It was in a clean, safe area, and the bus ran out front. There is also a small (less overwhelming) straw market right across the street, so that was nice. IT was also walking distance to a grocery store, so we were able to grab some things for the room.

We did the pool/beach/kayaking (included) at the hotel, and then we did some awesome excursions with her (can book in hotel lobby) - the snorkeling catamaran trip, and the dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon. She loved the boat rise, and we just put a life vest on her, and took turns snorkeling and playing with her in the water. Then the dolphin "encounter was awesome. You basically stand on a platform in the pool with them, and give the dolphin a kiss, and watch him do tricks. It is all ages. Both excursions had transportation from the hotel and back. Then another day we took the city bus to the Ardastra zoo. It was small, but was a good little half day trip. Basically we alternated beach/pool day with excursions. The restaurants at the hotel were kid friendly, and a few days we took the bus to Goldie's (conch shack type place).

www.dolphinencounters.com/
ardastra.com/

[jhawks482]

Aug 6, 2013 11:14:23 GMT -5 spankswife said:

When DD was 1, we stayed here www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3067 and it was great! It was in a clean, safe area, and the bus ran out front. There is also a small (less overwhelming) straw market right across the street, so that was nice. IT was also walking distance to a grocery store, so we were able to grab some things for the room.

We did the pool/beach/kayaking (included) at the hotel, and then we did some awesome excursions with her (can book in hotel lobby) - the snorkeling catamaran trip, and the dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon. She loved the boat rise, and we just put a life vest on her, and took turns snorkeling and playing with her in the water. Then the dolphin "encounter was awesome. You basically stand on a platform in the pool with them, and give the dolphin a kiss, and watch him do tricks. It is all ages. Both excursions had transportation from the hotel and back. Then another day we took the city bus to the Ardastra zoo. It was small, but was a good little half day trip. Basically we alternated beach/pool day with excursions. The restaurants at the hotel were kid friendly, and a few days we took the bus to Goldie's (conch shack type place).

www.dolphinencounters.com/
ardastra.com/

Oh wow, this looks awesome!! I feel like snorkeling might be out of the question for us with two kids, but I'll see what my hubby thinks. That dolphin encounter sounds like a blast.

There's a lot of info here, so thanks everyone! I feel like I have a good jumping off point to start resasrching.

[spankswife]

Thanks!! We had a really great time!!

As far as the snorkeling - the majority of the trip was a boat ride, so if they like boats, it could be a good choice. Also you can stay on the boat during the snorkeling, so you and your H can take turns staying on boat (for example, 30 min, then switch - 30 min). Not that you have to, but just wanted to put that out there...

And - it is connected to the Crystal Palace, so if you and your hubby want to go out one night, leave the kids w g-ma, and go to the casino/nice restaurant, they have a hallway that actually connects the 2 hotels. Very convenient.

[thebulldog]

We stopped in Bahamas on a cruise....google dancing flamingos and there is this hilarious zoo on the island that does this flamingo show. I don't have kids but the kids there loved it.

i be typing from me phone. typos and grammer dont count.