Antigua's perfect for kids. What more could they possibly want than the sea, the sand and the sunshine? But just in case your little ones are a little more demanding, why not whisk them off to a resort with a kids' club? These holiday havens usually come with built-in playmates, not to mention dedicated staff trained to keep them entertained all day long. Leaving you free to head to the beach. Or even the bar...
Carlisle Bay • Old Road
Situated on our scenic south coast, Carlisle Bay combines a beautiful beach setting with contemporary luxury. Yet it's totally family-friendly, offering activities from tots to teens. Babies can start off in the Cool Kids Club (6 months to 6) before graduating to the Crew Blue and Crush Programmes for older kids and early teens. Opening hours are currently 8:30am to 4:15pm with a break for lunch.
Curtain Bluff • Old Road
A legendary resort with a dramatic seaside bluff setting. Yet youngsters have long been welcome here, the Cee Bee Kids Camp offering everything from crafting and tennis to snorkelling and crab races. There's also a jungle gym for the little ones, as well as computer games and a wide-screen TV for the older ones. Family-friendly dinners are served on the Tamarind Terrace at 6pm.
Hodges Bay Resort & Spa
Overlooking our stunning north coast, this relatively new resort offers versatile family-friendly accommodation including oceanfront villas and apartments. There's a pool for the little ones to splash about in, as well as a kids' club offering organised activities like sandcastle competitions and jewellery making. Teens have their own space with the requisite games consoles and table football.
Royalton Antigua Resort & Spa
This 294-room all-inclusive looks out over beautiful Deep Bay Beach. Kids are encouraged to interact with each other in the Clubhouse Kids Club. They can have a quiet time watching cartoons or a more boisterous couple of hours in the playground. Watersports, ping pong and dance classes are also available, with games consoles waiting in The Hangout Teens Lounge.
Jumby Bay Island • Long Island
Set on its own 300-acre island, the suites, villas and residences of this deluxe hideaway are tailor-made for families. Camp Jumby Pavilion is the HQ for kids, the activities on offer including events like Little Chefs and Pirates of the Caribbean. There's plenty for teens to do too, and at certain times of the year, youngsters can even take part in the Hawksbill Turtle Programme.
St. James’s Club & Villas
This all-inclusive lies on a 100-acre peninsula, its informal club-like vibe as suited to families as its spacious 2-bedroom villas. The Kids' Club overlooks Coco's Beach and has a fenced-in play area, as well as a covered games area. Open from 9:15am to 11pm, the staff run a varied schedule of activities throughout the day. A kids' menu is also available for lunch and dinner.
The Verandah Resort & Spa
This all-inclusive oasis not only enjoys a breathtaking setting above Dian Bay, but it’s got everything you need for an activity-filled family vacation. The Kids Club (pictured below) is open from 9am to 10pm and offers beach games, art classes, a splash pool and guided nature walks. There's also disco, movie and karaoke nights for teens.
For further information on Antigua's hotels see The Antiguan Travel Guide www.theantiguan.com