Question: Lisa from North Carolina Hi I need a little help. I am trying to decide where to take my children on spring break, which will be the last week in March.
Their ages are 5 and 3. I would like to go to a luxury family beach resort that caters to children. I would love it to have a great kids club and baby sitting or nanny service. All inclusive would be nice but I don't want to compromise luxury. Since I will be traveling with small children, the flight shouldn't be more than 3 hours. I live in North Carolina. I was thinking something in the Caribbean or maybe Florida. I would also like to able to do more than beach related stuff, just because I get bored with the sand and water after a few days. I hope you can help.
Answer: Will Begeny, Oyster’s Senior Editor
Lisa, you’re in luck. In truth, there are a lot of options–check out this page if you’d like to do a little more browsing–but to help you out, I’ve narrowed down a list of hotels that fit your criteria. (Also, as I’m sure you know, very few resorts in the U.S. welcome kids younger than four into their kids’ clubs. As such, Miami’s Trump International, Aqualina, Fisher Island, and Fairmont Turnberry are not on this list.)
Option 1: Jamaica
I’ve recommended the regal old Half Moon resort before, and I don’t suspect this will be the last time. Put simply, the place is amazing. Among its perks: two miles of gentle beachfront, incredible dining (opt for the all-inclusive plan), sincere service, its own dolphin habitat, horse stables, a golf course, full-time nannies, a brand new playground, a kids’ club, on-site shopping center, and so many thoughtful little extras—like beach toys for the kids. Also, if you upgrade to the private cottages, you get your own private pool and a private chef who can make just about anything to satisfy a picky eater.
Option 2: Bahamas
A beachfront Disneyland, the 4,000-room Atlantis is hard to beat (at least on paper)—an exceptional water park, a famous casino, three incredible beaches, 11 otherworldly pools, and 21 superb restaurants… but that’s just the tip of the ice berg. This place has a faux-archaeological dig, an aquarium, a model-car building and racing studio, a dolphin habitat, designer shopping boutiques, a pottery studio, and more. And that’s all on-site. Want more? Just take a 10-minute cab or a Nassau water taxi ride to downtown Nassau attractions like the Straw Market, Pompey Museum of Slavery & Emancipation, and Pirates of Nassau.
Option 3: U.S. Virgin Islands
It’s an unlikely contender—the place is mostly known for its quiet exclusivity—but Caneel Bay’s unique, back-to-nature luxury is a beautiful (yet expensive) alternative to the more conventional, hulking resort. No TVs, no phones, and it’s located inside the amazing Virgin Islands National Park, where wild donkeys still roam the grounds. But you’re not without things to do; there’s sailing, hiking, and just exploring the quaint, artsy shops of Cruz Bay. But before you gasp at the price tag, remember: day-long supervised kids’ activities—from treasure hunts to guided, educational nature walks—are free.
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