The Verandah Resort & Spa – All Inclusive

Guests will sense the relaxed vibe of The Verandah Resort & Spa as soon as they step into in the breezy, open-air lobby. From the wicker furniture with colorful cushions to the porch with vibrantly painted Adirondack chairs, there’s a sense of fun about the place. The playfulness ends there, though. It’s not that the resort is drab by any means, it just lacks any distinct personality or the touches of local charm that can be found at some of the other resorts on the island. The most charming aspect is the garden and cluster of banana trees where the resort grows ingredients to use at its own restaurants. For the most part, though, guests come for the activities and beach more than the decor.

As one of the most family-friendly resorts on the island, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of kids around. The wide range of kid-friendly activities and amenities, including a kids’ club, an 18-hole mini-golf course, calm water for swimming, and non-motorized water sports keep families coming back year after year. It’s not exclusively about the kids, though -- there are designated adult-only sections of the property, and the resort counts plenty of younger and older couples among its guests. The resort’s 30 hilly acres can feel spread out, but there are convenient "bus stops” where the staff will pick up guests and shuttle them around the property in a golf cart. For guests seeking a mixture of activities and opportunities to chill out, The Verandah Resort & Spa might be the ideal spot.

Tucked on the shores of secluded Dian Bay in the quiet northeastern corner of the island, The Verandah Resort & Spa offers beautiful sea views and sheltered waters for swimming. The property borders on Devil’s Bridge National Park, home to the impressive Devil’s Bridge rock formation that sees spectacular sprays from the crashing sea waves. Nature and hiking trails start right from the edge of the property for those who are feeling adventurous. For guests who would rather drive, the famous rock formation is about five minutes away. Stingray City, a popular attraction where visitors can swim and snorkel with stingrays, is a 14-minute drive away. The town of English Harbour to the south and V. C. Bird International Airport to the northwest can be reached by car in 35 minutes. The capital City of St. John’s is a 40-minute drive from the resort.

In keeping with its family-friendly vibe, The Verandah Resort & Spa is made up entirely of 186 suites and villas designed to accommodate groups. They’re set in a collection of whitewashed Caribbean-style cottages facing the sea, each housing two adjoining suites with a shared front porch. The suites themselves are clean and bright, but rather nondescript, with light tile floors and plain furnishings made of warm wood, wicker, and rattan. Air-conditioning, king-size beds, flat-screen TVs, and living areas with queen-size sleeper sofas come standard, as do kitchenettes with wet bars, mini-fridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Note that there are no minibars and that there's an extra charge for Wi-Fi in all the rooms. . Closets some equipped with robes, safes, irons, and ironing boards. Fairly standard bathrooms include shower/tub combos, double pedestal sinks, Elite Botanica toiletries, and hairdryers. Sliding glass doors lead to private furnished balconies in the back. At the entry level are the Hillside Suites, which offer views of the resort’s lush tropical gardens. Upgrading to Waterview or Waterfront Suites adds partial to full sea views, depending on the suite’s exact location on the property.

For guests seeking more space, the resort offers six Two-Bedroom Villas. Featuring the same general decor scheme as the suites, they also come with separate living rooms, dining areas, larger kitchenettes that add toasters and small cooktops, and private terraces. One bedroom features a king-size bed, while the other offers two twin-size beds. Combined with the queen-size sleeper sofa in the living room, the villas can sleep up to six guests, making them popular with families or larger groups. The nearby family-friendly Villas Pool is an added attraction for visitors with kids.

The resort’s top-of-the-line rooms are its six Two-Bedroom Plunge Pool Villas. They feature slightly more updated furnishings and cool, sea-inspired color schemes. As the name implies, the terraces of these villas feature private plunge pools. The rest of the layout is the same as in the Two-Bedroom Villas. 

Guests get to choose from two different white-sand beaches, both sheltered by reefs, meaning they’re a safe place for the little ones to swim. Both beaches feature plenty of sun loungers and palapas for relaxing, as well as bars that serve up drinks and light bites during the day. The Main Beach has Pelican Bar, and also offers non-motorized water sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing. Rasta Beach, featuring the reggae-themed Rasta Bar, is more about relaxation than activity.

Seabreeze is the resort’s main restaurant, serving buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a large dining room with soaring vaulted ceilings, air-conditioning, and expansive views of the property. The menus vary from day to day and offer a range of international options. For an a la carte dinner alternative, there’s Buccaneer restaurant, a casual, open-air Caribbean/international eatery (reservations required). The resort’s fine dining option is Nicole’s, a warm, romantic restaurant offering a Caribbean-fusion menu with French and Italian influences. Dinner reservation are also required, and it’s not covered by the resort’s all-inclusive plan (the rest of the restaurants and bars are). There's no room service at the resort.

In addition to the two beach bars, there’s a Main Pool Bar beside the large pool at the center of the property. Free afternoon tea is served there daily. The resort also offers nightly entertainment, ranging from karaoke, to DJ nights, to steel drum band performances, along with a weekly managers’ cocktail party.

The Main Pool is a freeform freshwater oasis with a large fountain in the center. It's lined with sun loungers and thatched palapas and has a convenient poolside bar. Smaller family-friendly and adult-only pools are also available.

While the resort’s name might imply that the spa is a major focus, it’s really not. A small, but inviting, spa features a handful of treatment rooms, including one that’s open-air and offers views of the garden. Massages, wellness treatments, facials, and salon services are offered for a fee. There’s also a modern fitness center with Cybex cardio and weight machines and free weights, as well as two tennis courts.

A kids’ club offers a variety of games and activities for the little ones, while a whimsical 18-hole golf course is popular with younger and older guests alike. For an extra cost, guest can arrange scuba diving, catamaran tours, and excursions. Parking is free, as is Wi-Fi, but only in certain designated public areas.