Family focused Caribbean holidays

With warm, clear seas, and many gently shelving, sandy beaches from which to enjoy a wide variety of watersports, the Caribbean makes an excellent choice for a family holiday.

No fewer than 26 of our featured hotels offer families the option of booking villas, apartments and suites with more space, private kitchen facilities, and living and dining areas. More than a dozen of these feature private swimming pools or plunge pools, or shared pools in addition to the main hotel pool facility. Below we highlight just a small selection of our tried and tested family-friendly properties across a selection of Caribbean islands.

Dominican Republic

At Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, one and two bedroom Elite suites provide ample space for a family. Luxurious, fully staffed villas are also available and range in size from three to ten bedrooms. There is an almost endless array of things to do and learn: Spanish, tennis, horse riding and snorkelling. Visit Altos de Chavon, an impressive replica of a 16th century Mediterranean Village. There are spacious suites and villas at the luxurious Eden Roc Cap Cana. Luxury pool family suites, with a second bunk-bed room and private pool, or two bedroom Family Residences, are ideal for families. Many have private gardens. Koko Kid’s Club for 4 to 12 year olds is designed as a huge tree house equipped with mini spa, video gaming area, and mini kitchen and buffet. Children can play safely at the supervised artificial sandy beach and paddle their own lagoon in a midsized kayak. Scavenger hunts, arts and crafts and other activities entertain and educate in equal measure. Other facilities include a lifeguard-supervised children’s pool at the Beach Club, children’s menus and babysitting. Children aged three and under stay free.

Blue Waters Resort & Spa offers easy, stress-free family dining, with children’s menus available, restaurants opening for early sittings and a pre-ordering service at the main restaurant. There is plenty of space at this property with deluxe beachfront rooms available as interconnected rooms, and there are also three, four and mfive bedroom villas available, some with private pool.

Barbados

The complimentary Lil Dipper’s Kids Club at Sea Breeze Beach House is open daily for 4 to 11 year olds and there is a chill-out lounge for teenagers up to 16. Two bedroom ocean view suites sleep up to six. This all-inclusive hotel features a popular weekly beach barbecue and families can dine across four different restaurants.

At Colony Club by Elegant Hotels the complimentary watersports and safe swimming are particularly appealing to families. Children are very well catered for with supervised activities such as movie nights and trips to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve, organised by the seasonal Kids Korner Club, in addition to child-friendly menus. Suites here can easily accommodate a family of four.

At Sandy Lane younger children are welcome to participate in The Treehouse Club programme where daily themed activities encourage youngsters. Children may play tennis, create a work of art, go sailing or learn a new skill. At The Den, teens can enjoy their own lounge with an adjoining games room and computer stations. Additional activities for teenagers include island tours, sports clinics, watersports, and coastal cruises. Children’s menus and dinner is included in the summer for children under 12.

St Lucia

There are rooms to suit families of all sizes at Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort; with two, three or four bedroom Residences, as well as a four-bedroom Beachfront Collection which boasts an impressive infinity pool, private patio, direct beach access and even a games room for the kids to enjoy. The children’s club provides for those aged 4 to 12 years, plus there are plenty of activities for teens and a youth sailing club for 10 to 17 year olds. This is a laidback, family-friendly resort with a children’s club, a spa, stunning views and seven restaurants and bars.

Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is great for families. Of the six swimming pools two are exclusive to children. Children will want to spend time at Jacquot Fun Club, which offers activities, sports, diving and arts for 4 to 12 year olds. Supervised pyjama parties and discos allow parents some free time in the evenings. Teens enjoy a variety of land and sea activities as well as themed on-site and off-site events in the evenings. Villas with two, three, or four bedrooms are perfect for families, offering a large kitchen, dining area, living room, outdoor space, and even a private plunge pool. Suites are spacious too and have more accessible price points.

Antigua