Round up the troops and retreat to a destination that guarantees fun for all the family.
BLUE WATERS RESORT & SPA, ANTIGUA
Blue Waters is a long-time Caribtours favourite, family-owned and family-friendly, set on a lovely secluded cove just 10 minutes from the airport. The staff here are great with kids, and they’re well versed in making parents feel pampered too.
You have a number of different accommodation options to choose from, including the lavish Cove Suites, almost a resort within a resort. The two beachfront villas are perfect for multi-generational families; Turtle Cottage has four bedrooms, a fully-equipped kitchen and a private pool, while Pelican House consists of two three-bedroom villas with a shared pool that can be combined to create a six-bedroom villa for larger groups. And the luxurious Rock Cottage is set on its own peninsula, jutting out into the sea; it features up to five bedrooms, indoor and outdoor living and dining areas, a plunge pool and an infinity pool.
There’s a crèche for infants from 14 mths-3 yrs, and an excellent kids’ club for 4-12 yrs that organises activities including football, cricket and arts and crafts. During school holidays there’s even more going on, with kids’ yoga, a weekly party and educational sessions on the natural environment and sustainability. Other cute touches include mini bathrobes in the spa and non-toxic nail varnish for kids’ manicures. Early dining is available in the restaurants from 6pm for families with small children, and a special children’s buffet is served nightly at the Palm Restaurant at certain times of year.
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SEA BREEZE BEACH HOUSE, BARBADOS
In 2018 Sea Breeze Beach House emerged almost unrecognisable from a $15 million refurbishment, re-imagined as a fresh and contemporary beach house-style retreat. Separate adults only and family-friendly areas mean everyone can have fun on their own terms, and the accommodation options include a selection of spacious two-, three- and four-bedroom suites.
There’s a great kids’ club and a teen lounge equipped with a pool table and video games, while down on the beach a host of non-motorised watersports are included in the all-inclusive programme. Four excellent restaurants keep meal times interesting, and there are three swimming pools, including one geared specifically towards families.
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OCEAN TWO RESORT & RESIDENCES, BARBADOS
Ocean Two Resort & Residences is one of the most stylish places to stay on the south coast, and it’s an appealing choice for families with older kids.
The One and Two Bedroom Suites have a fully-equipped kitchen, and you can take advantage of the pre-arrival grocery service to make sure your fridge is fully stocked and ready to be raided! There are supervised activities for kids aged 4-14 yrs during school holidays, and the sheltered beach is great for swimming and snorkelling, unusual on the south coast.
The fresh coconut station on the beach is a nice touch, as is the three-times-daily Happy Hour! Other plus points include an on-site restaurant with themed evenings, a large beachfront pool, super friendly staff and the many restaurants of the St Lawrence Gap just a short walk away.
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THE GRAND AT MOON PALACE, MEXICO
Set within the Moon Palace complex, this fabulous all-inclusive resort offers a fantastic array of activities. Make a splash at the waterpark, with a wave pool, slides and lazy river, or go head-to-head at the bowling alley. There are also bumper cars, an arcade and three-fl oor labyrinth within the kids’ playroom plus superb evening entertainment.
Accommodation options include family suites where the kids’ room features an Xbox, L’Oréal Kids bathroom amenities and a mini bar stocked with milkshakes, soft drinks and chocolates. There’s plenty for parents too, including a huge spa, 27-hole golf course and a beautiful beach.
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CURTAIN BLUFF, ANTIGUA
Active kids can let off some steam at Curtain Bluff , with plenty of beach space to enjoy a whole variety of land and watersports. The CeeBee Kids’ Club occupies its own shaded seafront pavilion, and organises fun activities for children aged 3-10 yrs including creative local art and craft work, movie nights with popcorn, and mixing up delicious mocktails.
This is an especially good resort for teenagers, with tennis, basketball, squash, snorkelling, windsurfing, waterskiing and more all covered by the extensive all-inclusive programme. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy some peace and quiet on the two beautiful beaches, relax by the pool or treat themselves to some time at the fabulous spa.
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SUGAR BEACH, A VICEROY RESORT, SAINT LUCIA
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, set on a beautiful white-sand bay between the iconic Piton mountains, is proof that a family holiday doesn’t have to mean compromising on luxury and style. The rainforest surroundings and colourful marine life just off shore create a real sense of adventure for younger guests; the snorkelling here is fantastic, with turtles, rays and a whole host of tropical fish. The Sugar Club for kids aged 4-12 yrs lays on all manner of fun activities, from board games and treasure hunts to fish feeding and sandcastle building down at the beach.
There’s plenty to keep teenagers busy too, with a teen programme including table tennis, video games, kayaking, paddleboarding, tennis and off-site excursions. The varied accommodation at Sugar Beach caters to just about any family permutation, with a mixture cottages, bungalows and villas. The Residences are a particularly good choice, each with their own private infinity pool and up to four bedrooms.
For the apogee of exclusivity, take a look at the new Four Bedroom Beachfront Collection, arguably the most luxurious accommodation on the island. Excellent resort facilities include two beaches, a large pool, two tennis courts, a PADI dive centre and the magical Rainforest Spa, housed in treehouse-style gazebos hidden amongst the foliage.
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WINDJAMMER LANDING, SAINT LUCIA
Windjammer Landing has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best family-friendly resorts in Saint Lucia, with a laid back atmosphere, sheltered beach and plenty to keep guests of all ages occupied. You also get very good value for money here, whether you opt for breakfast only or upgrade to the all-inclusive plan.
Windjammer offers the best of both worlds - the independence and flexibility of a villa holiday, but with all the facilities of a fully-inclusive beach resort. Most accommodation includes a well-equipped kitchen, and the Premium Villas off er up to four bedrooms plus a private plunge pool.
There’s a mini mart on site for stocking up the cupboards, but if you don’t feel like self-catering there are five restaurants to choose from, along with our favourite, Toppers Ice Cream Shack! So what can you do while you’re here? Well, for starters there are four pools and two kids’ pools, plus a games room, PADI dive centre and complimentary watersports including sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling.
The Jacquot Fun Club organises activities for kids aged 4-12 yrs including puppet shows, tennis lessons and crafts sessions, and teens can enjoy a host of active pursuits on both land and water.
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ANANTARA IKO MAYRITIUS RESORT & VILLAS, MAURITIUS
Anantara’s first resort in Mauritius offers a fun-packed holiday for the whole family; enveloped within the picturesque setting of Blue Bay Marine Park, it’s the perfect place to bring the brood. The Ocean View Suites off er in-room pampering with a lush rain shower and deep-soaking tub, while separate living and bedroom areas ensure an equally restful stay for both parents and children.
The dedicated Kids’ Club offers plenty to keep the little ones happy, from cooking sessions to marine discovery, and for parents looking to unwind, there are meditation classes, a luxurious spa and even a leisurely tea and rum tour.
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CARLISLE BAY, ANTIGUA
Carlisle Bay’s stylish brand of low-key luxury was a game changer for the Caribbean when the resort opened in 2003, and has often been imitated, but never bettered. One of the keys to the hotel’s success is the subtle way in which the grounds are divided into two areas: one for families, one for couples.
The Beach Suites are the most popular choice for families, with a second bedroom for children, and the superb Cool Kids Club will take youngsters (6 mths-6 yrs) off your hands for a few hours while you sample the award-winning CARA Organic Beauty Spa. During school holidays there is also the Crew Blue programme for older children aged 7-12 yrs.
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OLHUVELI BEACH & SPA RESORT, MALDIVES
What you see on the surface at Olhuveli is only half the story. It’s the underwater world that makes this resort so special, with an incredible house reef that’s guaranteed to capture the imagination of even the most hard-to-please kids.
The calm waters of the lagoon are perfect for snorkelling and learning to dive, with a PADI and SSI centre on site that offers a 15-minute ‘try out’ session every morning for beginners who’ve never used scuba gear before. Creatures of the deep to look out for include reef sharks, turtles and manta rays, and the dive school organises trips further afield to look for whale sharks.
Even if you’re not a diver or a snorkeller you can still see some fantastic marine life on a dolphin-watching cruise, or you can take a kayak out onto the lagoon.
Back on dry land, there are three pools, a kids’ pool and play area, tennis courts, a great kids’ club and a two spa complexes – one of which has a hydrotherapy area set over the water. All accommodation sleeps up to two adults and two children, and the all-inclusive plan makes this a great value option for families.
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OZEN BY ATMOSPHERE, MALDIVES
Ozen is a relative newcomer on the Maldivian scene, welcoming guests since 2016, but the resort has quickly made a name for itself thanks to some eye-catching attractions and a comprehensive all-inclusive programme.
The stunning M6m underwater restaurant is arguably the jewel in Ozen’s crown, a place where you can enjoy sublime seafood while watching your main course’s cousins swimming past the window. The restaurant is off-limits to children under 15 yrs in the evening, but a twice-weekly family lunch means everyone gets to experience this extraordinary setting.
Other ways to catch a glimpse of the Maldives’ rich marine life include a treatment at the glass-floored spa or an excursion in SubZen, the resort’s semi-submarine. Standard inclusions range from parent-pleasing Champagne breakfasts to unlimited snorkelling excursions, and you also receive one complimentary scuba dive or 60-minute spa treatment per person as long as you stay at least four nights, with extra benefits the longer you stay.
Further plus points for families include a short airport transfer, just 50 minutes from Malé by speedboat, and an excellent kids’ club, with activities including face painting and movie screenings. There’s also a beautiful pool, tennis court, gym and a PADI-certified watersports centre.
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If you'd like to find out more about any of our luxury hotels and resorts, or to make an enquiry, give one of our expert travel advisers a call on 020 7751 0660 or fill out the form below.
