Accomodation With Kids, Advice needed Options

[strathstag]

I visited Grenada on honeymoon over a decade ago and would love to return with my wife and three kids.

Does anyone have any recommendations for family accommodation.

[Martinor]

Hi

Likewise we got married on Grenada some 12 years ago and returned a couple of years ago with kids to revisit. We stayed at Lance Aux Epines Cottages and can recomend it for kids - seperate rooms safe beach watersports TV and games room ( for when it is too hot !) and close to reasonable restaurants. The Boatyard was walking distance but not sure if it is still open. The only downside is that there is no swimming pool on site.

We enjoyed it so much we are returning again in a couple of months but this time we are staying at True Blue which has also come recommended for kids. There is a pool but I believe no beach.

If you need any advice on trips or what else to do with kids whilst in Grenada let me know.

Cheers

Martin

[strathstag]

Hi Martin

thanks for the info.

We have also thought of True Blue in a couple of months time.

How did you like returning to Grenada after so long?

Some advice on what to do with the kids would be great.

Contact me directly if you like.

Thanks

[Anse]

The overwhelming majority of places in Grenada are kid friendly. We always travel with our 2 boys, and have never had a problem. They like the Grand Beach Resort because of the excellent pools they have, but we have also stayed at the Maripos and enjoyed their pool and the short walk to Morne Rouge Beach.

The boys enjoyed seeing the forts, Concord and Annandale Falls, the River Antoine distillery, Pearls Airport, and many oter sightseeing trips

You did not mention what age kids, or what they like, so it is hard to make anything other than general suggestions on what to do with them. (IMG:http://grenadatravelforum.com/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[Martinor]

Hi

It felt like we had never been away. Whilst in places the island seemed more developed especially around the airport and Marquis complex it was pretty much as we remembered.

Our kids at the time were 4 and 7. We took a private tour of the island with Mr Mac - the kids still talk about him now. I thought it better to take a private tour as this gives more flexibility and means we were not tied to a tour schedule. The kids enjoyed the nutmeg processing plant but not the Dougleston Estate (excuse spelling) which they were bored with. I would have thought it the other way round. They were fascinated by the banana plantations for some strange reason. We also saw various waterfalls which again kept them entertained.

The highlight for them was the whale watching trip - no whales but lots of dolphins and an afternoon on a boat.

We generally spent mornings exploring or on trips when it was cooler. We would get a taxi into St Georges and wander around the market and town or go to the Spiceland Mall (to stock up on Carib!) so the kids could get an ice cream fix.

Afternoons were spent on the beach swimming or messing around in the kayaks. It is worth getting some simple beach games from the shops such as bat and ball to play cricket on the beach as this is hugely entertaining.

Simple things also kept them amused - watching landcrabs chasing frogs seeing diferent birds and butterflies. From a UK point of view all these things were so different that the kids were fascinated.

This time we hope to go to Tobago Cays to take the kids snorkling but I would welcome suggestions on whether it is easier to go to Hog Island for an afternoon. I know the kids will be fascinated by the fish as they enjoy aquarium wherever else we go so nothing beats the real thing - ideas would be welcome.

The island is not a place for organised kids clubs and activities found in resorts on other islands. You need to make your own entertainment. However there is plenty of different cultural sightseeing and wildlife experiences to keep kids amused and if all else fails there is a KFC at Spiceland Mall which we managed to avoid. I only hope that Grenada stays civilised and does not get invaded by McDonalds !

Cheers

Martin

[strathstag]

Martin,

How did you find self catering with kids in Grenada or did you eat out a lot?Can you recommend any restaurants to visit with kids.

Did your kids get any immunisations before you went?Our Doctor doesnt seem too bothered about them,only hep a.I do remember getting a few injections before our first visit and feeling terrible with them.Think it was probably the typhoid one which we are being told shouldnt be required.

Who are you travelling with in a few months and how did you keep the kids amused for so long on your last flight?

I am sure we will take in many of the activities you have mentioned.Our kids are 8,9,and 11.They are all very interested in nature and it will be a joy to share such a wonderful place with them.

Cheers

[Martinor]

Hi

As we were on holiday we eat out a lot. There are plenty of good restaurants many recomended in this forum and all were kid friendly. The Boatyard now closed in Lance Aux Epines was good. I believe this has moved to Bananas. True Blue was the favourite with a kids menu small play area and great ambience. Other favourites included the Aquarium and Castaways.

Self catering was not a problem - we stocked up daily at the supermarket in Spiceland Mall. We did not bother with a car and got Taxis everywhere which was entertainment in its own right.

We did not bother with any jabs - the kids were all upto date with their usual jabs so the doctor wasn't concerned. We were not even bothered by the mossies - sandfly were a bigger issue so we just stayed in the sea !

Last time we flew BA and the kids were great. Seat back videos kept them entertained with games and a childrens channel so no problems. They slept on the way back. We are going Virgin this time which will be a new experience for us but I have heard they are just as good if not better than BA. As long as there are seat back videos and good IFE then we have never had a problem.

Have you any dates to travel yet ? We go mid October.

Cheers

Martin

[strathstag]

We are also looking at mid October,probably going on the 13th.

We are still to book though.

Did you book through Virgin directly?This seems to be the cheapest option?

[Martinor]

Hi

Booked through Air Miles as I had plenty to get rid of so was able to save on the Virgin Brochure price. Worth checking out Just Grenada as they had offers as well for True Blue and LAE Cottages

Cheers

Martin

[strathstag]

Martin,

how did the holiday go?

We ended up moving house and job so never got round to going to Grenada.We hope to go now in May so your thoughts on your trip would be great.

Thanks

[Martinor]

Hi

Great trip - extra 2 days as well thanks to Virgin cancelling our return flight.

Thoroughly recomend True Blue for families especially the villas. However the beach is poor and the sea is murky so not very good for swimming in. The kids were just happy playing by the 2 pools all day and basically doing nothing which suited us.

I have posted a brief report elsewhere on the forum.

Would recomend flying Virgin especially with kids.

The kids really enjoyed the whale watching trip although we saw no whales - lots of dolphins. It is also worth getting a private guide to look around the Island.

If you have any specific questions let me know. I would love to return in May - who knows ?

Cheers

Martin