nevis
Setting: Embraced by a golden-sand beach, coconut palms and the Caribbean Sea, the AAA five-diamond Four Seasons Nevis (fourseasons.com/nevis) is heaven on Earth—families can go on an afternoon golf cart monkey spotting tour; hang out at the two family-friendly pools; go horseback riding; kayaking; play beach cricket; go tubing or even take a 2-day, 8-hour sailing class. Or they can spend a day at the beach while they make themselves at home in the 200-sq.-ft. beach house retreats, with special kids’ amenities such as sand castle tools, beach pail/bucket and toys plus snorkeling gear sized to fit for kids. There’s also the option of taking a catamaran day sail with picnicking and snorkeling at a secluded beach. Of course, there’s also golf, spa delights and herb hiking tours.
Family-friendly accommodations: Oceanview connecting rooms; 2- to 6-bedroom villas with private pools.
Kid fun: The Kids For All Seasons program for children 3 to 9 includes a variety of indoor and outdoor activities such as lizard hunts, beach Olympics, nature walks, crafts and vacation scrapbooks,
treasure hunts, and Sea Turtle Camp (note that turtle sea nesting season on Nevis is June to October).
Extras: A welcome amenity for the youngest guests; child-sized bathrobes; baby proofing of rooms; children’s menus in the
restaurants and babysitting service.
Book it: The resort offers a Stay Longer-Third Night Free
promotion with every two consecutive paid nights. Starting rack rates for an oceanview room are $645 per room, per night.
Getting there: American Airlines offers nonstop flights from JFK to St. Kitts Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw Airport (SKB) and daily flights from Miami. All guests are met by Four Seasons staff at the airport and transferred by private launch directly to the resort pier.
usvi
Setting: Caneel Bay (rosewoodhotels.com/en/caneelbay) is nestled within the Virgin Islands National Park on St. John, with seven secluded beaches—including Scott, where the family can go turtle watching—all bordering 170 lush acres. The beauty is astounding, but what we love most about this resort is that there are no telephones or TVs in the individual guestrooms—how’s that for creating the perfect setting for quality family time. Because the resort is completely intertwined with nature, it’s not surprising to see donkeys, deer, mongoose and iguanas roaming the property. On site, families can enjoy kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, and paddle boarding, as well as play tennis, with new kid-sized courts, and they can go offsite to go exploring amidst the ruins of sugar mills and churches.
Family-friendly accommodations: Beachfront accommodations; rooms south of Cottage Point have been set aside for families with children 7 years of age and younger.
Kid fun: Rose Buds’ Turtle Town offers kids ages 3 to 12 an ideal way to explore the island as they identify new plants and animals and learn about the area’s ecosystem. Each day is a different theme, and children participate in pirate tales, make treasure maps and dance to Caribbean beats, and also get creative with arts and crafts. There’s also an artist in residence program that offers children’s art classes.
Extras: Nannies and babysitting services; special items such as wireless baby monitors, in-room baby proofing, and changing tables.
Book it: With the Greatest Generation Offer, you can book three rooms at full published rates (rates from Nov.1-Dec. 14 start at $450 per night) and receive a fourth room in same room category on a complimentary basis (or the lowest priced category where multiple categories are booked). This offer, available through Dec. 20, 2012, is valid when three generations of one family book and the eldest generation will then receive a complimentary room; additional charge for third person in room.
Getting there: Flights are available to Cyril E. King Airport (STT) on St. Thomas via American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and others, and transportation to the resort is offered via ferry.
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