3kidsinablanket

Hi everyone! I'd really appreciate any insight you can give me on the 3 resorts my husband and I are considering for next June. Almond Village, Barbados (all-inclusive); Four Seasons Nevis (St. Kitts); or Caneel Bay. Our kids will be 8, 7 and almost 6, so we definitely want a place that has Kids Club, or other fun things to keep them interested. I've searched Epinions on the web for some solid reviews, but that proved to pretty frustrating. During the same summer/year, a couple people will give a particular resort an awesome rating, while 2 other writers say it was the worst place they ever stayed. How can there be such totally opposite reviews?

Anyway, I'm hoping some of you have first-hand experience at some of these resorts, and welcome any advice. Thanks!

kindra178

FS Nevis. Great for kids and for adults. Hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and snorkeling. Caneel Bay might be boring for kids. No tvs in the room.

Uni2

We just came back from FS Nevis two and a half weeks ago, after a week long stay. It was amazing- I highly recommend it and the kids that were there were having a blast in the dinining room, the pool and the beach- and also I stopped by to check out the kids club- and it looked fun for kids.

SSypniewski

I just came back from Caneel Bay, while its a beautiful place and laid back it may be a little boring for kids. By the 5th day there I could tell my husband was missing the tv! -Susan

pcw

May I suggest Bitter End Yacht Club on Virgin Gorda in British Virgin Islands. We did not have a tv and were too busy to miss it. Our son loved the place and we did too. Some of the rooms do have tv's if that's important.

scs

I can't give you any insight yet into those resorts, but we are headed to FS Nevis in January. I can't wait! I often go to tripadvisor.com to read reviews. Good luck planning!

Maggy

The three properties you mention are all so different so it's hard to compare. Four Seasons is the most luxurious for sure. They are known for their great service, luxurious accomodations and warm welcoming attitude towards children. They will probably have a gift waiting for the kids when you check in (make sure you tell them their ages and names and if they have a special celebration such as a birthday or whatever). Caneel Bay is a much larger property with drop dead gorgeous beaches, very private and relaxing but the rooms themselves are definitely more 'rustic' than Four Seasons; they don't have the added amenities but the price is as expensive. St. John is a charming island with great restaurants and drop dead gorgeous views. You really are paying for the 7 beaches and the privacy at Caneel Bay though. Almond Village is more 'middle market' in my opinion, probably great with kids but won't have the quality of the other two. What I have done before to ensure good service is call the hotel directly before you arrive and talk to the concierge, introduce yourself and tell them you're coming with your kids and ask for suggestions of things to do, maybe even set up an activity or two. Have fun!

beentherealready

Just got back from Almond Beach Club & Spa and I can give you some insight into why people who go to a place can have such varied opinions. My husband and I paid $4300US including air for a week. We met friends there who traveled from the UK. They paid about that for 2 weeks!!! Price influences your decision. I met people who LOVED it and go every year and others who HATED it and couldn't wait to leave. I thought it was OK but alot to pay for watered-down drinks and food ranging from not bad to aweful. We did go over to the Village a few times for meals and the property was very nice, much larger and newer than the Spa but meals proved to be the same. I agree with last post, comparing the Four Seasons or Caneel Bay with Almond Beach is not like comparing apples to apples..it's more like apples to lemons. : ) Enjoy the Four Seasons!!

eileen

If I may make another suggestion -- take a look at the Ritz Rose Hall in Jamaica, they have a great AI plan called Key to Paradise that is a wonderful value. Good family place (get an exec suite if you can -- extra bathroom and separate living area with pullout couch, a good set-up for kids)wonderful service, good food. A step below FS Nevis but also a lot less money, and definitely way above Almond Beach Village in quality (I stayed there years ago when it was Heywoods, the beach was not that great and the rooms were small. Caneel Bay seems to be one of those properties that gets tons of bad reviews, I know people like the grounds and the beaches, but it seems to me that for the money the service, food and rooms should all be nicer. For high prices people expect high value, and sometime you just don't get it. I can tell you that the Ritz Key to Paradise Plan in an Executive Suite is an excellent value for the price. And I am pretty picky.