We are looking for a getaway with our 7 yr old son for our next 07 summer vacation.
We Would like accommodation on a beautiful beach, where the back doors open right on to the beach or even just steps from the beach where our son can have an very easy access to the beach from the room with no currents or no rough waves, very tropical green island, rustic small but very nice with a kids club. Not looking for a large hotel type but something (again very nice) with open shower area in the room. Just to give you some ideals where we have been with our son -we went to the Ocean Club Bahamas last summer and have been to the Ocean Club in Mauritius the year before that (only because we were living in London at the time) The Islands without our son have been:
St. Johns, Caneel Bay, we have sailed the BVI’s , Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao (which we do not plan to return to the ABC Islands again), Belize, Cabo a few times. Long Bay Tortola. We Would love to go back to the BVIs or even a private island getaway that would have all that we are looking for.
This is what we have been looking at: Guana Island, Little Dix Bay, The Bitter End Yacht Club ,The New Almond Resort Smugglers Cove on St. Lucia that does not open until February 2007 or the Almond Morgan Bay in St Lucia, Peter Island and maybe Cayman.
Help any ideals any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
This message board helped is book our Spring ski trip(this March)to Steamboat Springs. So I appreciate any suggestions.
Liz

Almond resorts do give you a nice kids club, but the beaches in St. Lucia may disappoint, and the new resort would certainly be a larger resort-type experience. I've been to Almond Morgan Bay and like it, but the beach is mediocre and the resort is sprawling (plus, it's not nearly as deluxe as the other places you're looking at).

I think you might appreciate Little Dix Bay, which has just been renovated, or even Jumby Bay in Antigua. I"m afraid, though, that you're not going to be satisfied with the kids clubs at some of these resorts, though I can't speak from experience. Small and rustic rarely goes with a good kids club.

You might want to take a look at Guavaberry Spring Bay on Virgin Gorda; this is a much more modest kind of experience and I think there is no organized kids club, but the small villas open up onto Spring Bay, which is very much like the baths and might offer a unique beach experience for your son.

Peter Island might also be a decent choice. But if you want to really get away and have an excellent beach and a rustic atmosphere, there are some small hotels on Grand Turk and Salt Cay in the Turks & Caicos, but you won't find any kids clubs there.

What about going back to Caneel Bay?

what about Almond Resorts in Barbados? They have a great kids club there too and Barbados is a wonderful island

Thanks for you suggestions, we are thinking about Caneel Bay and maybe doing a 2 day island cruise, and really like LDB, but have read they have gone down hill with service and food. I think we are going to pass on the Almond resorts. Friends have been to T&C and loved it. Also T&C is so much closer. We live N of Houston.
I will check into Guavaberry Spring.
Thanks again.
Liz

well, Guana is a great place but unless you choose to stay at the North Beach Cottage, they don't have any accommodations on the beach. With all of the walking, sometimes on fairly rough paths, it's not the ideal place to be with a child. Keep it for a romantic getaway.

Bitter End is a very unusual property but I don't think it has quite the same type of ongoing kids club like some of the other places do - it depends on the week you go. It's really fun though, and has tons of boating. Little Dix is great for luxury and quiet beaches.

Is Hawaii too far for you? The big island has some fabulous places -- Kona Village, an amazing 4 Seasons. You might want to check out familytravelforum.com for more ideas and details about loads of Carib and Hawaiian resorts that cater to families.

Since Peter Island has a minimum age for children (@9 or 10?) they don't have much in the way of kids programs-therefore he might get a bit bored.