Marriott's Frenchman's Cove over the holidays next year? Other?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Time to think about 2013! Probably 2014 around here, but I can't roll that way any longer. Do you think Frenchman's Cove be a good choice for both younger and older kids? Is there a good golf course nearby? Beach/restaurants crowded? I'd prefer St John or St Kitt's, but too sleepy for older kids (and for me, I will need nightlife with the in-laws around). I fear Aruba will be too crowded that time of year.

Any top shelf AI places in the DR?

Mexico is out.

TIA and Happy New Year!

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I enjoyed my 2 week stay there. It is attached to the Marriott Frenchman's Reef Hotel so guaranteed night life. We enjoyed the bar scene at Havana Blue at the Morningstar Beach Resort (part of the Marriott property) Lots of nice restaurants, beautiful beaches, TS runs a ferry to STJ right from their dock so you would have easy access for day trips. If you wanted to go in the evening for dinner, ferry from red hook runs until after midnight. Mahogany Run is the one golf course I believe. Upside is they have 2 and 3 BR units. Rental will be costly thru Marriott, might want to check on the DC Point Exchange website or Redweek. Priority is to get a high floor unit, NOT to be near each other. Resort is small so being in different buildings is not a problem. There are only 8 3BR units (so I have read) they are only on the top floor, end unit....in the 2BR, the second bedroom has 2 queen beds, not sure of the configuration in the 3BR.

Edit - it will surely be crowded, Marriott sold those weeks as Platinum Plus hence the need to rent from an owner. I was in Aruba over New Years last year, did not bother us, did not seem super-crowded......just needed to plan your restaurant resies ahead.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Thanks, Pat. Sounds quite workable if the stars align properly.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

You're correcting my typos? Go out and have some fun!

[happymum Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close happymum]

I second the reccomendation. Loved the resort!

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

You're correcting my typos? Go out and have some fun!

It sounded so much better to read "stars" then "starts"!

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

I agree

Can see it working for all. Boys can take off by boat and explore the town, or walk to the hotel for more pools, beach etc. . MFC's Beach is good for all, little ones will love the pool too
Other great beaches a short ride away and of course there's St John - the ultimate draw for me.
Am thinking of crowds though. When we went to Magen's Bay (beautiful and large swim beach) we had 30 people sharing it... I asked the lifeguard what it is like when ships are in - he said 4-5,000....I would think holiday time would be very crowded... But of course you are ruled by the school calendar so nothing to be done about that.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Can see it working for all. Boys can take off by boat and explore the town, or walk to the hotel for more pools, beach etc. . MFC's Beach is good for all, little ones will love the pool too
Other great beaches a short ride away and of course there's St John - the ultimate draw for me.
Am thinking of crowds though. When we went to Magen's Bay (beautiful and large swim beach) we had 30 people sharing it... I asked the lifeguard what it is like when ships are in - he said 4-5,000....I would think holiday time would be very crowded... But of course you are ruled by the school calendar so nothing to be done about that.

Oh dear god, that is absolutely NOT for me. And that's why I've stuck to NE snow trips in the past. I was on St. Thomas 30 years ago and thought it was too commercial/busy but was wondering if this resort might be secluded enough so I could avoid that and I will want to spend as much time on St John as possible.
How is the resort beach? Also, I'm wondering how far the hotel is from the t/s - we may have some people at both, depending. Thanks.

[IreneLF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close IreneLF]

Resort beach is not huge, but plenty of chairs/umbrellas and nice beach bar.
Great snorkeling beach, even mentioned in guidebooks. Kids need proper footwear to get in easily.

ITA re crowds at Magen's Bay - a place 'everyone' must go to, - this is a cab ride away and a renowned beach- which is why I felt you needed a head's up. I'd ask someone more knowledgable than I as to what it might be like Christmas break, my lifeguard was talking #s of cruise ships ( 7 to 9 as opposed to 0 the day we were there in September) contributing to crowds-- maybe that is the crowd factor more than people staying on island. But Christmas is Christmas... I have no basis to know anything about crowds at either resort or beach at that time of year.
Hotel and t/s about a 5 minute walk, or a free van ride. Another resort that;s incorporated with them now is another minute after that. I;d consider them secluded in setting.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Resort beach is not huge, but plenty of chairs/umbrellas and nice beach bar.
Great snorkeling beach, even mentioned in guidebooks. Kids need proper footwear to get in easily.

ITA re crowds at Magen's Bay - a place 'everyone' must go to, - this is a cab ride away and a renowned beach- which is why I felt you needed a head's up. I'd ask someone more knowledgable than I as to what it might be like Christmas break, my lifeguard was talking #s of cruise ships ( 7 to 9 as opposed to 0 the day we were there in September) contributing to crowds-- maybe that is the crowd factor more than people staying on island. But Christmas is Christmas... I have no basis to know anything about crowds at either resort or beach at that time of year.
Hotel and t/s about a 5 minute walk, or a free van ride. Another resort that;s incorporated with them now is another minute after that. I;d consider them secluded in setting.

Ok, that is helpful for me. We would likely split our time b/t the resort and St John's, so should be ok. I need to really think about the Christmas week thing generally.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Ok, that is helpful for me. We would likely split our time b/t the resort and St John's, so should be ok. I need to really think about the Christmas week thing generally.

Honestly, St Thomas would be no more crowded then any other trop island at holidays and since the number of units at Frenchmens Cove is small (as oppose to Marriott Aruba Property) it should really work us - plus you can use all the hotel amenities and grand parents and others can stay at the hotel - nice spa in hotel

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Honestly, St Thomas would be no more crowded then any other trop island at holidays and since the number of units at Frenchmens Cove is small (as oppose to Marriott Aruba Property) it should really work us - plus you can use all the hotel amenities and grand parents and others can stay at the hotel - nice spa in hotel

Yep, that's the draw