two families - looking for advice

My family of four (two adults, 2 kids 15 & 10) and another family of four (two adults, 2 kids 15 & 12) are in the begining phases of planning a surpise trip for the four children for this summer......probably mid-June.....

To start with, based upon what's available on Abaco, where would you recommend we stay? A large house or villa, two smaller houses next door to each other, condo units next door? A large villa would need at least four bedrooms......

Any suggestions?

[Erin]

You may want to start with what island you want to stay on then go from there. I highly suggest Guana Cay. Its laid back and not as crowded as the other island and you cannot beat the beach anywhere in Abaco. Guana is also a good island for families. There are a few houses with 4 bedrooms on Guana and you'll want to reserve as quickly as possible. Mid June is a busy time in Abaco (as is most os all summer) and places book up fast. You may even want to consider August as places may be willing to discount as its the end of the season. On Guana Cay check out www.guanaridgehouse.com or www.guanashellhouse.com. The Ridge house is a great family house with 4 bedrooms and lots of space. The house is on the bay side and has a dock for a rental boat. The Shell House is also on Guana and has 3 bedrooms and a loft plus they have a 2 bedroom house right next door. So its good for big groups. They are right on the beach - oceanside. This house is close to town yet tucked away and still private.
Good Luck!!!

Look at www.abacoseaside.com there are large homes and smaller cottages that are could each family privacy. Lubbers is in a perfect location and is still unspoiled.

i am bias, and love Guana the best, but Hope town and Lubbers are also amazing

My Brother has stayed a few times at http://www.guanacayvillas.com/ and you can get to units besided each other, and the pool is great for kids. it is in the heart of the settlement, close to the harbour, & nipers

[L0NG L00K 2]

Dont just stay on one island. Rent a boat and visit some of the other Abaco beaches. Hope town is great for teens, as is Guana.

[DrRalph]

Check out Welcome/Overview of Abaco; you have some research to do before you start planning.

[momshell]

I agree with Long look. You must rent a boat, becuase each cay has it's own charm. Lubbers is my favorite place, but Guana and Elbow are both fantastic. We go with another family most years, and we find it best to each get our own house, usually next door, and go from there. Family schedules and preferences don't get in the way. You can do everything you want to do together, but you get your own space when you want it. It will be a wonderful trip. Book soon to get what you want, and get the boat at the same time. These places are hard to get once spring gets here.

[Motuiti]

Check out Sandy's Guide to the Abacos
http://www.motuiti.com/Abacos.html

[aligator al]

I agree about Guana. Look at www.guanaridgehouse.com

[dbowman]

If you were to choose Elbow Cay (Hopetown) try Turtle Hill. Their villas have two bedrooms each ( for each family) with a golf cart with each unit. Almost no matter where you stay in the Abacos, you need a golf cart to see all that is there to see. Also, Turtle Hill has a dock as a boat is also a necessity to get the full enjoyment of the Abacos. The kids (and adults) will love the island hopping and stopping to swim in the shallows or national parks along the way

[menegaux]

My two cents would be not to stay in Hopetown but to stay either on Lubbers or the southern end of Elbow near Tahiti Beach and go to Hopetown and civilization when you want/need it. There are a lot of rentals at the southern end of Elbow. You do need a boat regardless of where you stay. Wherever you stay though, the people are the same as on this board, nice as can be.

[Desert Rats]

We love Lubbers and agree with Watercolours about the island. We stay at Sealevel and those houses include a boat for your use and are right on the beach. Close to Hope Town, Man O' War, Marsh Harbor, etc. Lots to see and do. Where ever you go, your sure to have a summer to remember ! Have fun. Grammie D - Arizona

[Don]

Having stayed on many of the Islands we agree that Lubbers is probably the most convenient, it is really an easy trip to Hope Town, Marsh, Guana, etc. with a boat and has many great rentals. With a group your size, and wanting a lot of waterbourne activities, you might want to look at www.sailingshipcharter.com

[Alan Brown]

You don't mention what type of facilities you're looking for. This will have a big impact on what you should be looking at.

For example, if you're looking to stay at a "resort" facility with a bar, dining room (great food!), a pool, and a place to dock a boat, check out Sea Spray Resort's website. They offer villas to house large and small families and are within easy golf cart distance of Hopetown. Of course, you can always ask them to take you "downtown" in their van and save the expense of renting golf carts.

Another nice thing about Hopetown is Froggies Outdoor Adventures. They do daily dive and snorkel trips to some beautiful reefs. Also, one day a week they make an all-day dive/snorkel trip to Little Harbour and Pete's Pub. This is not to be missed!

Despite my love for Elbow Cay, I've also had some great times on Guana Cay. There are lots of great places to stay over there. Nipper's is a local landmark and is a great place to eat, drink, and swim. Dive Guana also offers most, if not all, the same trips that Froggies offers in Hopetown.

Tons of folks on this website sing the praises of Lubbers Quarters. I've been by it lots of times but never stopped. It appears to be a beautiful, tranquil spot where families can just chill out for their entire vacation. I may be wrong but it has been my impression that a rental boat is pretty much a necessary investment if you are staying on Lubbers. It may be that some of the rental homes include a boat for you to use during your stay.

If you're not boating people and don't wish to rent a runabout, the ferry service through Marsh Harbour to Elbow and Great Gauna, and several other cays is fast, efficient, and affordable.

Regardless of what you decide, you will all have a blast! I discovered the Abacos by accident and now don't ever want to leave.

Good luck with your search!

[LeeR]

www.getawaybahamas.com

You can go to the Abacos page and sort by # bedrooms

We put family up at the Calypso on Elbow Cay for our wedding 2 years ago. 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms. Great house. www.calypsobahamas.com