Happy Friday, ladies!! I’m so sorry this post has taken me so long, but it has been a busy week around here. I’ve felt like a chicken with it’s head cut off all week long…ha!
Todd and I finally decided on Beaches Turks and Caicos for our family trip this summer and we couldn’t be more excited!! So excited that I’ve already started looking up resort attire for myself and the kids! And I feel like I can justify it because we do live in Charleston and during the summer it’s always dresses, shorts, and swimsuits around here!
Now, moving along to some of the tropical places that we have traveled and loved.
This trip was hands down our favorite trip! I can’t even begin to describe how amazing this place was. If you want to see my full recap then you can read that here.
PROS:
* Large Beautiful Rooms with large bathrooms and they all have a furnished balcony. And 99% of them have stunning views.
* AMAZING food.
* The most gorgeous property with the prettiest plants, palms, and lagoons.
* 5 pools, including an adults-only pool, a kiddy pool, and a 10,000-square-foot free-form pool.
* Kids Club with daily activities; kids 5 and under eat free.
* High-end Willow Stream Spa with several treatment rooms and a lovely pool.
CONS:
* It’s expensive
* The property is huge so you have to do a lot of walking. We didn’t mind because the property is so gorgeous, but wanted to add that just in case some of you do.
This trip is second on my list and we had the best girls trip ever here. You can read my full recap and see all of my pictures right here.
One Piece // Flip-flops // Hat // Sunglasses // Straw Tote
This was definitely a girls trip for the books. You can read my full recap and see all of my pictures here.
PROS:
* Wonderful food, and the friendliest locals
* Two beachfront restaurants
* Safe to leave the resort
* Fun for couples, girls trips, and family vacations
* 24 hour room service (this was awesome)
* Large Villas all complete with a full kitchen
*Beautiful water and soft white sand
CONS:
Pricy food and drinks (at the resort)
A lot of walking (the resort here is large as well)
Small spa and pretty basic
We took this trip with a bunch of our friends and we had an absolute blast!! That being said, if you’re going with your family or just your significant other, I would probably recommend a different resort.
PROS :
* Huge gorgeous modern rooms. All with balconies and whirlpools on them.
* Lots of entertainment and nightlife.
*Hotel right on the beach and beach was never over crowded.
* Beautiful full spa with a pool and a salon.
CONS :
Terrible food.
Gets pretty loud and wild at night.
Unfortunately, I have zero digital pictures from this trip. Todd and I went when Carson was a baby and it was before iphones and social media were all the rage…ha! I have some old school printed photos somewhere, but I didn’t have time to dig those up this week.
PROS:
* Large property with tons of amenities and activities
* Good food and drink that are all inclusive
* Resort is close to the airport
* Large pool as well as whirlpools overlooking the ocean
*Beautiful crystal clear blue water
CONS:
* Not safe enough to leave the resort
* Rooms were okay but nothing like the online pictures
Todd and I have been to Key West as well (we didn’t really like it), but that was a long time ago and maybe they have cleaned the island up a bit now??
Now your turn!!! I would LOVE to hear where all you guys have traveled and where your favorite places are? Next year we would like to take the kids to either Hawaii, Costa Rica, or maybe even Italy. Todd wants to go to Alaska, but I told him he better call a friend because this mama has no desire to go there and freeze her ass off!
Mexico is by far our favorite vacation! Which shocks people. There are no nicer resorts, friendlier staff and amazing food. We have traveled extensively ( for us!) to the Caribbean. We still love Mexico! We went to Barbados and stayed at The Crane and that was another amazing vacation! So many islands and they are all nice. Italy was, by far, our best trip to date! I think it’s a lot to try to do with kids though. We were there three weeks and we walked a ton. I cannot imagine doing it with my kids. I always say sometimes the “ where” in the vacation doesn’t matter it’s the “who! Making memories is priceless. Whether with family or friends. I’ve had amazing vacations to Florida and curaçao because of the people I’m with. So sometimes location doesn’t matter. Beaches is amazing you’re all going to love it. Put Hawaii next on your list. My favorites are Maui and Kauai. So much beauty! We are headed in April to the grand residences in Mexico. My absolute favorite resort ever! It’s food and service is top of the line.
I have to agree with your husband on Alaska! Do a cruise in July or August. I did one in late July, early August and it was in the 60s-70s the entire time. We even went snorkeling in Ketchikan! The water temperature was about the same as Lake Michigan at that time of year. I would totally go again just because it is so beautiful and so much to do and learn!
An Alaskan cruise is a great way to see parts of Alaska (which is AMAZING) while still having lots of fun. We did Royal Caribbean with lots of excursions and it was awesome. Hawaii is a must too.
Don't blame you at all for nixing the Alaska option — I don't do cold either! Our favorite vacation destination was Excellence Riviera Cancun in Mexico. Punta Cana was pretty. I hated Jamaica (but that was because it was an excursion in the jungle and nothing beachy — the water was super blue when we drove by, though!), but I maintain Turks & Caicos were the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life. GAH I miss the Caribbean!!!! We're going back to Excellence this June and I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!
Costa Rica is wonderful. My husband and I spent a year living there for his job..: it’s become our home away from home. It’s great for kids too!
I am curious which of the resorts at Beaches you have chosen to stay at? We have that place on our radar as a possible trip, but I am having a hard time choosing between the resorts. Thanks! BTW, love your blog. I have been following it for years!! 🙂
I would love to go to Alaska. I was born there but haven't been back since I was five. I think one day we will plan for a summer cruise, I've heard a lot of good things about doing it that way. This trip looks amazing, I need some beach time in my life!