Anguilla, St. Barts, St. Maarten, St. Vincent?
 

Hi,
I've been to a few Caribbean islands and prefer Barbados and Grand Cayman but I have two little kids (under two) now so I'm wondering if anyone knows where I can go that is as luxurious as the Four Seasons with great snorkeling but that accepts kids. I'll hire a sitter so my husband and I can go out occasionally. I don't want a Sandals or Breezes all-inclusive thingy. Any thoughts would be great!

There is nothing on the main island of St. Vincent that would meet your needs. The resort islands in the Vincentian Grenadines (Young, Palm, PSV) accept children but are definitely adult-oriented. Travelling to the Grenadines can be a chore even for grown-ups. I think it would be hard on you and your young children.

Thank you for that info, I wondered about that.

On Anguilla you might check with Malliouhana. Definitely a service-oriented luxurious and beautiful hotel. Snorkeling isn't the best in Anguilla but the hotel does have a pool with a water slide and a children's program, although your children may be too young to participate.

In St. Martin try Le Meridien. It's a large hotel with lots of amenities, again including a kid's club. Baby-sitting services are available so you can take advantage of the many wonderful restaurants in Grand Case. There is pretty good snorkeling off of several beaches on the island.

In St. Barts the only hotel I can think of that might work for you is Guanahani (sp?). When we toured the property we saw a few children so I know the hotel accepts families. We stayed at Eden Rock and there was fairly good snorkeling right off St. Jean beach in front of the hotel.

I haven't stayed at any of the above properties but I've been to each of the islands and am somewhat familiar with the hotels. I've never been to St. Vincent so I can't help you there.

Anguilla has quite a number of luxurious resorts. St. Martin has La Semanna on the French side. St. Barth is really not a good choice at all for a vacation with kids, and it has lousy snorkeling.

The new Raffles Resort Canouan Island opens in July and they are going to have a wonderful children's programs I understand, along with an 18 hole championship golf course, small gaming facility and spa. The first Raffles in the Caribbean. Canouan is a very pretty island in the Grenadines (just south of Mustique) with wonderful sailing, diving and snorkeling - definitely a lot to do, and they are very close to the Tobago Cays, which is a very pristine marine park. I think you get there with through San Juan on American Eagle or fly to Barbados and across to Canouan Island. Let us know if you go there would love to have a trip report. There appears to be quite a buzz about it in the various newspapers and magazines recently.