Meeting in the middle - family holiday in the Caribbean

I was just talking to my father (in Seattle) about the possibility of another meet in the middle vacation for next Summer.  This year we did a sailing vacation as it was all adults, but next year we would like to include my sister and her two children who will be 3 and 5, and didn't think it would be as easy or affordable as my parents will be paying for the five of them.

Anyway.  With all the time on my hands I was put in charge of finding a location that would be relatively easy and equally affordable (or not!) for us all to get to.  I'm thinking something all inclusive would be easiest, and if we did a resort (a concept very new to my family) then we could also extend the invitation to extended family.

Any ideas?  Suggestions? Websites?  I have been googling, but I wanted to hear some personal experiences.

Thanks!

We have considered the same thing for Xmas after this one - we were considering the Dominican Republic, but I've done no research about it whatsoever. I just know that the Dominican Republic seem cheapish. 

I'd look at Expedia, Thomas Cook or Ebookers to start.

My family does this every year, we all meet up in Florida for 2 weeks. Thats my husband and myself (and our two year old) my In Laws from the UK, my parents from NY, my sister, and my 94 year old grandma. Its nice, no one has to cook, no one cares about cleaning the house, no territorial pissings (if you will) We go to St Petes Beach, and last year we went to the East Coast of Florida.

I don't know anything about the Caribbean, but its a lovely idea!

For the Caribbean, I highly recommend Aruba. Its not the cheapest but its pretty easy to get to from the US but from the UK you have to fly through Amsterdam. I think First Choice were going to do package holidays from the UK but not sure if it ever took off. Its a lovely island, you wont get hassled to buy trinkets or get your hair braided (as you would do on several other islands), the food and weather are great.
Otherwise, Florida is always a good bet, especially with kids 

I'm considering this very thing!  My family wanted to meet up in France next summer, but other half has thrown his toys out of the pram and says he doesn't want to go there again, two summers in a row (plus Normandy - which is always iffy weather...) So Dad's dreams of Omaha Beach may have to wait..

but I was wondering if the Carribbean would/could be remotely affordable in the summer..  was also madly considering Hawaii 

Thanks all!  You know, Florida had not even occurred to me.  And I was looking at the Dominican Republic, particularly the Iberostar resorts, and it does look cheap(ish)! US$1,500 all-inclusive double room for 9 days!?!  Sign me up!  I would love feedback on their resorts though if anyone has been.  And I will check out Aruba too...  So many options!

Summer is the off season in the Caribbean I think, and people are always nervous about hurricanes, but there are ways around that.  There are places that have not had a June hurricane in recorded history, and with accurate weather reports and travel insurance I think it is worth it sometimes for the extremely low rates.

Oh, and StephanieLea, please don't drag yourself to Hawaii!  For one, thinking on the travel time makes me want to vomit, and it's just not as nice or predictable weather-wise as the Caribbean in my opinion!

turks & caicos.  there's a direct (one-stop in bahamas) from LHR (or at least there was a few years ago).

best caribbean island i've been to.

We just came back from the Caribbean...wot about a cruise?

Loved Tortola and also St Kitts...Pusser's Landing is kewl.

Didn't like Aruba or Grenada

Antigua is not to bad either.

I absolutely love love love love Trinidad & Tobago and just recently a lot of UK travel agents have started to do all-inclusives to the island. Its really amazing. Not as touristy as the other Caribbean islands, extremely lush and tropical rain forests everywhere, a large Hindu population with really pretty temples and shrines. Still a caribbean feel with steel band & reggea music to be had. And it is the most southernly carribbean country so it is almost always out of the path of any would be hurricanes

Other than that, I quite like Jamaica and Cancun is always family friendly- full of nice beaches, cool activities like snorkelling, awesome sights like day trips to Chichen Itza etc...

I still vote for T&T tho

http://www.gotrinidadandtobago.com/home/home.php

We had an amazing time in St Lucia (direct flights on Virgin!)...and there are lots of all-inclusives on the island.

We had an amazing time in St Lucia (direct flights on Virgin!)...and there are lots of all-inclusives on the island.

Caribbean tends to be a little cheaper in summer as its very hot and so its not the high season. The big cruise lines tend to shift to European routes in the summer but cruising is a great family vacation too.

We went to St Lucia for a wedding last summer, at the Almond Smugglers Cove, very good resort, lovely staff and food and was not that expensive. The only thing in St Lucia is to mind the peddlers in Soufriere but the sulfur pits there are something to see.
I also hear good things about Barbados.

Didn't like Aruba or Grenada

Oh no, why didnt you like Aruba, MeShell?

I second Kayla's recommendation for Trinidad and Tobago...but then again, I might be biased    The home of steel pan and calypso, yummy food and amazingly friendly people...and no hurricanes!

We went to St. John for our honeymoon and stayed here: http://www.gibneybeachvillas.com/beach_cottage.htm
Not an all inclusive, and not big enough for the whole family. But there are few other lovely all inclusive resorts on the island.

However, now we are completely spoiled and want every beach we go to to look like this.

Guadeloupe! Guadeloupe! Guadeloupe!

Barbados...!