OctoberBrideNYC

sue_bride

Where did you and the family go on vacation?   I think I asked you this once, but I am trying to find a place to go that is warm, beachy and kid friendly i.e.  childrens or zero entry pool and a playscape nearby.

OctoberBrideNYC

Hey there!  We went to West Palm Beach, FL and had a blast.  We stayed at my parents' place in West Palm for the first part of the trip and then in Ft. Lauderdale for the second part at another condo they own on the beach.  I would highly recommend Ft. Lauderdale - a lot more casual there is tons to do.  I would recommend going - it's great for kids and families.  Think about staying here http://www.pelicanbeach.com/  It is GREAT for families - RIGHT on the beach and close to eveything.  There are parks, shopping, great streets to stroll, tons of restaurants and cafes that are kid friendly.  This is not an island vacation by any means, but if you're looking for a really nice beach and a lot to do, you will love it!    Let me know if I can give you any other info. . . .

sue_bride

We are torn.  One of our fall back places is the Aruba Surf Club.  Has great pools and a playground on site.  1Walkway to lots of local eats.    We are just not sure we want to pay to go to Aruba (2000k hotel and (3) $500 plane tickets) 

We are looking at FL and Grand Bahama.  WE were thinking the Lago Mar in Fort Lauderdale and Our Lucaya resort in Grand Bahama.  

We would really like something new and not just go to Aruba since we were there in the fall.   Also, my husband is ready to stay at all these nice hotels and I have to explain why each one is not appropriate for a 20 month old.   He wanted to go to the Ritz in Coconut Grove.   I was like - "are you kidding me?  with a 20 month old?'

OctoberBrideNYC

This is exactly why when we go away now it's to FL or somewhere not extravagant.  I just can't see spending the money when you're not going to enjoy it (not like you did pre-kids, you know?).  It seems liek a waste to me - if we were going away just the 2 of us, great.  But with Ava?  no way.  That said - when she was 7 months old, we went to the Ritz Key Biscayne and they literally cater to kids and families.  I would go back there in a heartbeat - I think we're planning another trip back there with friends and their kids.  SO fun, deluxe, and they really do a lot of the work for you. . . 

sue_bride

If you are up for a great vacation i would recommend aruba surf club hands down.  We have a timeshare, so we trade for it each year.   They have great pools with a lazy river and a playground right on site.   You can walk to all the other hotels.   The beach is near a dock, but it doesn't hurt the experience.  Island is safe and food is imported from FL to a full grocery store.  Gosh, I am talking myself into going.  

Anywho.....do you know if pelican beach has a playground or one you can walk too?

sue_bride

I just read this tripadvisor.com review on the Pelican from 4/5

A TripAdvisor Member

Apr 5, 2008

The mattresses are crawling with bed bugs. BEWARE It looks clean, but we were ate up as we laid in bed and took the sheets off to find our worst nightmare!

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.

This TripAdvisor Member's Summary

Date of Stay: March, 2008

OctoberBrideNYC

The Pelican also has a lazy river and a zero entry pool (no scary steps - the kids can play in shallow watter at the pool).  They have an old fashioned ice cream parlor and lots of other stuff - very kid friendly.  I'm not sure about the playground at the property (I've never actually stayed there - but friends have), but there is a playground walkable to the hotel - DH and I took ava to Birch park - there on this last trip (you may remember my sig with her going down the slide).  It's a great walkable state park - you can picnic by the intercoastal and walk the trails, see the incredible trees and there are a couple of parks in there - we loved it!  Good luck with your decision!

OctoberBrideNYC

Oh come on!  Was that the only bad review?  Or did others agree?

sue_bride

the one before that on 4/1 was not fantastic, but the ones prior to that are pretty good.