So, we're going to Montserrat (& via Antigua)
 

After much info searching & some trepidation we are finalizing our plans for our trip to Montserrat (via Antigua). I am still actively searching for information but now the emphasis is on Antigua as it is the easiest place to access Montserrat. So, family of four w/two youngsters one will be 3 1/2 & the other 10 months at time of departure. Any family friendly places on Antigua ? Any info is appreciated I am just starting the research process. Thanks to all

Hi. One place my husband and I (with our 4-year-old) are thinking about staying at next August is the Dickenson Bay Cottages. Looks like a good value and has good reviews on Trip Advisor.
Are you planning to actually stay in Montserrat? We're mulling doing a day trip with Caribbean Helicopters.
When are you going? Enjoy the trip and I hope to read your report when you're back.

I was also looking at the Dickenson Bay cottages. We are planning our trip for March & I have been trading correspondence w/the owners of Gingerbread Hill on the island. It looks very interesting & of course, has very few people. Our trip will be somewhere between 7-10 days (depending on flights) & we'll spend at least 5 days on Montserrat. Stopping in Antigua on the way, for a few days. I'm wondering if we'll need a car in Antigua ? I don't quite have Antigua figured out yet, but I believe the cottages you mentioned are also in a good location which may allow you to walk to many things. Please share any info you obtain in the interim...happy travels.

The Long Bay Hotel is quite family friendly, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're planning to be there for at least a few nights. It's on the east coast and pretty isolated from activity. It's set on a peninsula with the Caribbean on one side and a large bay emptying into the Atlantic on the other side. The beach side is very calm and perfect for small children and the hotel offers a children's menu and dining hour in the evenings. Try a cottage with kitchen facilities for keeping sodas, juices, bottled water, and snacks.

I believe Long Bay to be an excellent value, but it is more expensive than the Dickenson Bay cottages. They are in an excellent location for being in the middle of things. If you don't intend to rent a car and you don't want to stay put, Dickenson Bay Cottages would be a better choice.

Thanks for the input, I don't mind isolated (hence the Montserrat trip) but I would like to avoid a car (in Antigua). A plus is we always seek out kitchen facilities as I like to experiment w/local cuisine if I have a chance. I will check both out in more detail.

We are actually now going via St. Maarten. Any family freindly places to stay that folks can suggest ? Already have Montserrat taken care of. A place where a car will not be needed is preferred. Thx.

SAnParis, try Royal Palm in Simpson Bay on St. Maarten. It's a good location to stay without a car since you can walk to nearby restaurants. It's a family friendly resort on the beach and it's also not far from the airport for your continuing journey....that is, if you are only overnighting there.

Be sure to request a room "off" of the first floor if you decide to go with them, though. We stay there often and the only time we didn't care for our room was when we had one on the first floor and noticed a "sea smell" from previous hurricane damage. They are currently renovating some areas of the property so this might be fixed, but it's better to be safe than sorry, IMO.

Thanks Statia, I'll check it out. I just booked the flights & had planned to go via Antigua but couldn't get a return trip (using miles). So now I'm looking @ St. Maarten. Do you know anything about Divi Little Bay ? We'll be staying in St. Maarten for 3 nights on our return from Montserrat. Beach access & the ability to walk are my primary concerns.

I don't really know anything about Divi myself, so I'm afraid I can't help you there. I have seen posts on it, though, so maybe a search here might be fruitful.

Just so that you know, St. Maarten/St. Martin is not really a walking island and it's always recommended to rent a car there if you plan to see anything outside your hotel/resort. It IS possible to stay there w/o a car, just as long as you prefer to stay in the immediate area of your hotel/resort and not venture any further.

You might also want to check out Maho Resort and Royal Islander, both in the Maho area near the airport. They are also in walking distance of some restaurants and shopping.

I would not recommend staying in Phillispburg due to the crime rate in that area. But, that's just my opinion.

The French side is another idea since you will be there for a few days. Grand Case Beach club is nice and has restaurants and shops in walking distance.

Let me know if I can be of further help. :)

Actually I got the Divi idea from here. I have a friend that visits down there anually buthave not had the chance to catch up w/him yet. Good to know about Phillipsburg...I don't need that concern. Most hotels do offer car rentals so if I need one, I'll go that route. Just trying to avoid it if at all possible. Thanks again, where's your next trip Statia ?

SAnParis, I can highly recommend Best Deal Car Rental located right there at the airport if you need one. I've used them for years and their service, cars and prices are excellent. Just another idea if you need it.

I can appreciate your not wanting to drive on the island, but do want to add that it's really not bad. If I can do it, anyone can do it. :D

My next trip? Rome in March. My sister and I are taking my mother there for her birthday. Mom's never been to Europe, so it's going to be a really special trip for her. :)

Divi is ok, but service isn't always up to standard. The beach is a little pebbly, but it's ok. My only concern here is that there is absolutely no way you can walk anywhere from here. There's no way, for example, you could get to off-property restaurants without a car. It's too far from town (I think there's a shuttle though). Maho has the benefit of being near shopping and nightlife that's within walking distance, though I'm not as keen on the resort itself. Basing yourself near Orient (lots of hotels and dining withing walking distance) or Grand Case (loads of good restaurants within walking distance) might be a better option. It's very difficult to get by on St. Maarten without a car.

hey sanparis*
i am glad you took up my recommendations on montserrat - gingerbread hill is fantastic i suppose ;o) since we will only start our trip beginning of march and end it on montserrat by mid-may, i would be very thankful if you had some information for us- after getting back ;o)
ursi from cold swizz

Since there is so little info on Montserrat I will certainly share as much as I can when we return. Thanks to all (including Fodors) for the suggestions. It looks like I'll need a car on St. Maarten as well. Thx to Statia, as always.

The fun has already begun as Win-Air has changed our flights so we have also had to change our reservations. The folks @ Gingerbread Hill in Montserrat have been a huge help in preparing us for the trip. Win-Air (which I know is a necessary evil) changed our flights by more than 2 hours (even though they code-share w/US Air) even though they knew we would be unable to make connections. I'll keep everyone posted.

Sorry to hear about your flight changes, SAnParis, but at least you are aware of what to expect with WinAir. I can relate since they are the ONLY carrier who can get me off my island, so I have to fly them very, very frequently.

I hope they don't change your flights again, but be sure to stay on top of it because as you know....it is still a possibility before your departure date.

are you going to see the volcano up close?
I hear it is making some unpleasant rumblings!

I will leave the volcano excusrsions to those on the island that know what is best. Keep in mind I'm traveling w/two little ones (nearly 4 & 11 months) at the time of the trip, so that may have some impact or it may be such that I go it alone, since that is more my interest than my spouses. At any rate, we will certainly not engage in any dangerous activities. If I have to spend the week on the beach, so be it...