Bigger is better on the southwest shore of St. Maarten,
where you’ll find the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort,
the largest all-inclusive (395 rooms and five restaurants)
on the Dutch side of the dual-nation island and the first and only resort with a watery playground just for kids.
Coming in at 4,000 square feet,
Aqua Park features slides with water just 20 inches deep,
making it ideal for kids over 3 years old.
A water slide in the Aqua Park.
Kids of all ages are spellbound watching the big jets land at Princess Juliana International Airport.
Maho Bungalow Kids Club features an indoor slide that connects to a loft for dance classes and arts and crafts,
and a 2,500-square-foot outdoor funhouse.
Other kid-friendly features include treasure hunts and a tree house on the beach.
Kids under 12 stay, play and eat free at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.
Kids can enjoy a slice at Pizzeria Napoli.
"Magic" T-shirts for sale in the gift shop at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.
Loungers at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort.
On a 75-acre ribbon of prime Grace Bay oceanfront real estate,
Beaches Turks & Caicos is one of three Beaches all-inclusives in the family-friendly fleet (two are in Jamaica).
The 758-room, suite and villa resort is also home to a 45,000-square-foot Pirates Island Waterpark.
The Pirates Island Waterpark features a wave pool, water slides and lazy river.
Larger-than-life Sesame Street characters roam the sprawling resort posing for snaps and tucking kids in bed at night.
For kids on the go, there’s the Junior Golf Club, Kids Scuba Program,
tennis and a boatload of water sports.
The whole brood can splash around in six pools,
three with swim-up bars and one just for toddlers.
The first all-inclusive in St. Thomas,
Bolongo Bay Beach Resort offers unlimited water sports like kayaking,
windsurfing, aqua tricycles, snorkeling,
stand-up paddle boarding and scuba lessons in the pool.
For parents and teens older than 18,
Snorkel Booze Hunt is a 30-year-old resort tradition where snorkelers scour the bay for big bottles of Cruzan Rum distilled next door in St. Croix.
Those with energy to burn sign up for deep-sea fishing tours, golf at Mahogany Run, horseback riding,
day trips to sky-high Paradise Point and duty-free shopping in Charlotte Amalie where the cruise ships dock.
Making a big splash in Jamaica,
the Caribbean’s first villas built over the water are open at Sandals Royal Caribbean in Montego Bay.
The villas feature infinity-edge soaking tubs, rope hammocks above the waves,
gigantic teak beds and glass-bottom floors.
The 2,000-square-foot suites also come with butlers,
12-year-old Appleton Estate rum and Molton Brown amenities in the massive bathroom with a rainfall shower.
Built along a wooden boardwalk,
the sweet suites area is connected to the resort’s offshore island called Sandals Cay.
Marrying rustic with romance,
Nisbet Plantation Beach Club in Nevis is the only beachfront plantation-turned-resort in the Caribbean.
Across the channel from St. Kitts on the northeastern side of the smaller sister isle,
the 30-acre all-inclusive is home to 36 wicker-furnished cottages that sit on a palm-fringed 18th-century sugar and coconut plantation.
With a AAA Four Diamond rating and honored by TripAdvisor as one of the Top Resorts in the World for Romance,
the resort keeps the theme with a trio of fine restaurants including The Great House, built in 1778.
To kick-start the day, Coconuts is the breakfast go-to for
— wait for it — coconut pancakes.
The Sky Pool Suites at Sandals LaSource Grenada feature a soaking tub for two,
solar-heated ocean-view infinity-edge plunge pool,
premium spirits and a butler who arranges dinners on the beach and bubble baths pour deux.
The Sky Pool Suites at Sandals LaSource Grenada.
The view from a Sky Pool Suite.
Sprawling over 17 acres,
the posh 257-room and suite resort on the southwest coast is sweet on romance with swinging hammocks,
hanging chairs built for two, chocolate buffets, five pools and 10 restaurants.
Fronting a sugary swatch of Pink Gin Beach,
where the water is so clear it shimmers past the rocks, couples surf, dive,
explore down under on a glass-bottom boat or tie the knot on the waterfront pier.
A secluded pier is the perfect setting for weddings.
Add-ons worth the splurge include Scents of Love couples massage at the Red Lane Spa,
a Champagne and Seafood cruise,
and the Spicy Island tour which visits the Belmont Chocolate Estate and the picturesque waterfront capital of St. George's.
On a 300-acre island 2 miles off the northeast coast of Antigua, Jumby Bay,
A Rosewood Resort is AAA Five Diamond for those on an escape mission from the 9-to-5.
Eco-focused before it was trendy, the resort produces its own electricity,
the nursery houses thousands of trees and flowers and the only way to get around is on foot,
golf cart and bicycles (no cars allowed, guests get loaner bikes).
The beaches are protected areas for Hawksbill turtles and popular with nature buffs who come to see
the endangered sea turtles during nesting season and also during the summer Hawksbill Turtle Experience.
Other incentives to get active include three tennis courts (two lit for night play),
3 miles of hiking and biking trails, croquet lawn, a 25-meter lap pool,
lawn bowling, putting green and a fitness pavilion with a yoga deck.
In the water, there’s no shortage of calorie-burners like windsurfing,
kayaking, snorkeling and paddle boarding.
A seaside massage at Jumby Bay.
On the west coast of Barbados, all-inclusive at the 76-room Mango Bay comes with paddle boarding,
snorkeling, kayaking, water-skiing and pedal boating.
An oceanfront room at Mango Bay.
Sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean's swells,
this side of the island is the calmer side and favored for the pink and white sandy beaches and gentle surf.
A catamaran sail at Mango Bay.
For an afternoon on the water,
there’s glass-bottom boat cruises and cavorting with the turtles that call the west coast home.
Waterskiing at Mango Bay.
It truly is a holiday for the body at The Body Holiday on a secluded cove on the northwest coast of St. Lucia.
Surrounded by 40 acres of sweet-smelling gardens along Cariblue Beach,
the 155-room resort with five restaurants and one bar is a magnet for those who enjoy more exercise than it takes to balance a piña colada in the pool.
Keep moving with cycling along the coastline,
hiking in the mountains and sunrise power walking on the beach.
In the water, there’s plenty to choose from like swimming lessons, two-tank boat diving,
kayaking, sailing and snorkeling.
Activities include archery, spinning and yoga classes called Spoga in Tree House Spin Studio, golf and tennis.
Tai chi is a popular activity at The Body Holiday.
For those who like to plan ahead, the resort offers a customized activity schedule arranged prior to arrival.
Personal trainers are on hand for those serious about getting in shape.
A fitness class in the pool at The Body Holiday on St. Lucia.
Foodies give the thumbs-up to the curated culinary experiences at Spice Island Beach Resort on Grenada’s Grand Anse Beach at the edge of the Caribbean Sea.
With a AAA Five Diamond rating and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World,
the 64-suite resort is beachfront elegance with stellar service, superb dining and spectacular suites.
Dining choices include Oliver's,
where the five-course dinner menu changes every three weeks (herb-crusted lamb rack with coconut rice is a standout).
Spice Island Beach Resort is all about eating local.
Afternoon tea at Spice Island Beach Resort.
A Spice Island Classic cocktail.
The Seagrape Beach Suite at Spice Island Beach Resort.
Those who prefer their lobster and mango served with a side order of dramatic views are in for a treat in St. Lucia at Jade Mountain.
On the southwest coast coveted for vistas of the mighty Piton Peaks and the Caribbean Sea,
gourmands bunking in one of 29 suites with infinity-edge pools or Jacuzzis take their pick of haute cuisine at a quartet of restaurants.
High above its sister resort Anse Chastanet,
distractions are minimal in the upscale suites with no TV’s or phones
(there is Wi-Fi ) and no fourth wall,
leaving the impeccably appointed sanctuaries open to the warm breezes.
Dining venues include Jade Mountain Club wrapped around an infinity pool,
and the seaside Trou Au Diablo for a curry-filled West Indian flatbread called a roti and a frosty mug of Piton Beer to wash it down.
Michelin-starred executive chef Stefan Goehcke and James Beard-winning chef Allen Susser prepare works of art on a plate.
Chef Allen Susser in the resort's garden.
A locally sourced beet salad at Jade Mountain Resort.
Open-air dining at Jade Mountain Resort.
In Antigua, it’s all about coconut and codfish at the St. James’s Club on the southeast coast.
On 100 acres, 240-rooms, suites and villas are close to four restaurants and the seaside grill on Mamora Beach.
Rainbow Garden is where you’ll find chef Dave Ralph cooking up an island storm of delectable edibles.
Breakfast at Rainbow Garden.
Chef Dave Ralph shows off his fungee.
Fungee, a robust mash of cornmeal and okra that looks and tastes like polenta, and coconut dumplings.
Steamed snapper at St. James’s Club.
Shrimp creole at St. James’s Club.
For a sweet finish, rum balls infused with real rum hit a home run.