We are fortunate enough to have a Fall Break during the school year, and this year my family (including my 13 year-old son and The Sandals Dude) led a group of 7 families to Beaches Turks and Caicos all inclusive resort. Kids of all ages had a blast, and the parents had some much-needed relaxation and social time. It was definitely a week of fun in the sun! Here are some of the ways that our group spent their time at Beaches Turks and Caicos.
When we arrived, the Beaches Turks and Caicos staff met our group at the airport and drove us to the resort together. We had a private group check-in, which was welcome after the day's travel. Then everyone was off to their rooms to change into beach attire and explore the resort. The kids were so anxious to see it all!
Each family chose how they wanted to spend their days. Most of the kids were between ages 6 and 13. The older kids would buddy up some days and play at the water park together. Some of the younger kids took part in the Kids Camp program activities such as beach volleyball, baking cookies with Cookie Monster, beach soccer, scavenger hunts, Elmo's birthday party, glass bottom boat rides, and pizza making. Some of the adults were found relaxing by the pool or on the beach, sipping cocktails and spending time reading alone or catching up with one another. Others went sailing and SCUBA diving around Turks and Caicos's world-famous coral reefs. All of the adults enjoyed the water slides at the water park, and some were even seen attempting the surf simulator. Each of the families spent time having fun together and making memories in paradise.
Some evenings families would enjoy the time together alone. Other nights we would see the families getting together and enjoying each other's company over dinner. One night we made reservations for our family and two others to have dinner at Kimono's the Teppanyaki-style Japanese restaurant. The kids loved the silly jokes and songs that our chef told while he cooked dinner at our table.
One of the girls even got to try it out herself!
After dinner most nights the tweens of the group would meet up at Club Liquid or the XBOX® Game Garage. Club Liquid is a "night club" for teens and tweens before 10pm. A DJ plays music, the lights spin and no alcohol is served. At the XBOX Game Garage, kids of all ages get to play the most popular XBOX and Kinect™ for XBOX360 games - or even test some games prior to release - on one of dozens of game systems.
Some nights the adults would meet up in one of the bars or lounges on resort to hang out or even sing Karaoke. One night was family Karaoke night in Cricketer's Pub - the Irish Pub on-resort. This was a huge hit with the kids and adults! The Pub also hosted a Texas hold 'em tournament during our stay.
One day I scheduled a group snorkeling trip for any of our travel buddies that wanted to snorkel an off-shore reef. The Beaches water sports desk setup a special trip for our group, and off we went in search of the gorgeous fish living in the reefs of Turks and Caicos. Some of our group had not snorkeled before, and the Beaches staff took special care to show them how all of the equipment worked and encourage them as they got in the water to try it out. One of younger members of our group had some trouble coordinating the mask and snorkel, so one of the Beaches staff dove in and let him hitch a ride on his back. The staff member swam all around the reef letting Lee tag along and look at the fish. Everyone snorkeled for about 30 minutes, then we headed back to the resort.
At the Beaches resorts, every group is offered a group photo session and private group dinner. We chose to do both of these in the same evening. Just before sunset, our whole group met on the beach. The Beaches photography department sent several of their professional photographers. Each family had a family photo shoot with one of the photographers. Then, we took one big group picture. Each family received a complimentary 5x7 group photo to commemorate the trip, and several families chose to purchase pictures from their individual photo shoots.
After the photo shoot, we reconvened for a private group dinner. The Beaches staff went all out! They chose the perfect location. It was a large wooden deck-area over-looking the ocean. There were several tables set with white linen, fine china and crystal. Tiki torches were lit around the perimeter of the area, and a bar was set-up on one end where a bartender was mixing cocktails and drinks for the kids. The sounds of the ocean, the mood reflected off the calm waves, and the starlight above were the perfect setting for great conversation and an amazing plated steak dinner. There was also a kids menu for the children to pick from should they not want the steak. But the steak was SO good!! We had our own, very attentive waitstaff that served dinner, poured wine and cut an amazing cake for dessert. The group lingered for a long time talking and taking in the perfect Caribbean evening.
When we returned home from our trip, I received notes from several of the families about how much fun they had. We will definitely do this again! Here are some of their comments:
"This vacation was WAY better than paradise!" - Lee (age 6)
Lee's mother also shared that when they got home Saturday night and pulled into the garage, Lee wouldn't get out of the car. He was crying. She asked him what was wrong and he said, "I want to go back to Turks and Caicos."
"The time of our lives… Nothing could compare." -The B Family
"This is the best fall break ever!" - Brooke (age 12)
"This is by far the best family vacation we have ever taken. I felt so relaxed and pampered all week. The food was amazing with such a wide variety. The resort grounds, including all pools and beach areas, were so beautiful that we took tons of pictures before we left. My kids loved the waterpark and water sports available. We are saving now for our next trip to Beaches! We will definitely be back!!" - The S Family
"We had an awesome time, but it went by way too fast!" - The L Family
The Beaches resorts love to host a group, and they offer many special amenities to groups of 5 rooms or more. Whether your group is a family, a social group, guests of a destination wedding, or even a corporate meeting or incentive group, Beaches is the perfect place to convene, relax, and catch up. If you have a group that would like to travel together, click below to request your complimentary consultation with The Sand Lady.
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Several agents from The Sand Lady team were named to the 2016 Chairman’s Royal Club. This is an elite group of top Sandals agents who have exhibited sincere commitment to and knowledge of the Sandals Resorts brand. Sandals notes: This elite status provides agents the opportunity to offer the best service possible to consumers in their area, and travelers who book with a CRC agent will have access to the most prominent deals and up-to-date information on the resort properties. 
What's included:
The vow renewal + family reunion group travel package is also very popular. Gathering the family for a beach vacation to celebrate a 30th wedding anniversary is a great way to reconnect with each other. If your group books 5 or more rooms, the Sandals Resort or Beaches Resort will add special group amenities to the ReTie the Knot package. Groups may receive a private group dinner, complimentary room upgrade and spa services for the bride and group, commemorative photos, and more. During certain times, Sandals has also offered free rooms as a group promotion. (Ask us if this is currently available!)
