We stayed at Beaches when my kids were young, loved it and always felt I got my monies' worth because they are eating machines. When my oldest turned 15, we had to look for something else since the price for her then went up to the price of an adult. We never stayed at Grand Pineapple (back then it was called something else), but we then started going the non-AI route. Found rooms with refrigerators to stock up on drinks and food. The places the kids liked the most - then - were Crystal Waters Villas and CocoLaPalm, for different reasons. Coco had the breakfast vouchers, pools, big beach, great location and Crystal Waters is located next to Margaritaville (noise never an issue) and they liked hanging out on Margaritaville's water trampoline and we all loved the food that was freshly prepared by the staff there (I paid for groceries). Water activities can be arranged through the motels or on your own. Of course, I had to pay and they couldn't go as often as they wanted, but the snorkeling adventures and boat trips were much better and more customized. As they got to be older teens, they stopped missing Beaches and loved these other places as much as - or more - than Beaches. Now they are grown and two are beach lovers and two are cliff lovers, but I'm glad we got away from the AIs.
Originally Posted by melicaru
