Racing the Hurricanes

The 2007 hurricane season is predicted to be especially active, with a forecast of 17 named storms; 9 of them are expected to become hurricanes, with 5 blossoming to intense hurricanes (although we thought hurricanes were, by nature, already intense). Of course, these are just predictions: the 2006 season was also expected to be unusually active and it ended up being, as these things go, pretty ordinary. The truth is, until the season ends on November 30 (it begins on June 1), there's just no real way to know what will happen.

Which is why now might be a good time to take a Caribbean getaway. Many hotels have already lowered their rates from the winter season highs, and are either using low summer season rates or not-as-low but still favorable shoulder season rates. Spring weather can't be beat - you'll definitely feel some heat while avoiding the blistering rays - and possible storms - of summer.
Where to go? The possibilities are endless, but here are just a few places of interest that we've ferreted out for you.

Harbour Village Beach Club, Bonaire
One of the newest members of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Harbour Village Beach Club is often touted as the best hotel for stays on Bonaire. Accommodations range from simple guestrooms to the more luxurious one and two-bedroom suites. Bonaire's Marine Education Center hosts a Sea & Discover program on the property for families, which includes classroom activities as well as snorkeling and diving options.

Harbour Village suite patio
copyright, Harbour Village Beach Club

Summer rates began on April 12. Courtyard rooms are $265 per night; beachfront suites are $460 and $645 a night for one and two-bedrooms respectively; premier suites, which come with fully-equipped kitchens and Bosch appliances, are rented weekly, beginning at $3,325 for a one-bedroom. Children under 16 in the same room as their parents stay free.


Bluff House Beach Hotel & Yacht Club, Abaco, Bahamas
With only 32 accommodations, Bluff House is an intimate resort with activities centered around the water: the hotel will connect you with well-known local guides for snorkeling, diving or fishing lessons. Split-level suites, villas and the Yachtsman Cottages provide the best options for families, with villas and cottages offering kitchens.

Bluff House accommodation
copyright, Bluff House Beach Hotel

The Silver Season runs from January 1 to September 5th: rates begin at $170 per night for a split-level suite and go to $650 per night for a 3-bedroom Yachtsman's Cottage.


Cuisinart Resort & Spa, Anguilla
Boasting a hydroponic farm and organic gardens that are used in the resort's cuisine, the Cuisinart Resort manages the triple feat of being luxurious, health-conscious and child-friendly. The delicious meals here feature the freshest ingredients flavored with local flare. Another dining plus: daily complimentary breakfast, served poolside. The farm can be toured 3 days a week, and a children's playground is complemented by special activities planned around the usual school vacation periods. The smallest of rooms here is spacious, and all rooms feature a 24-hour air purifying circulation system, although your doors will most likely be open for the stunning ocean views.

Cuisinart Resort room copyright, Cuisinart Resort & Spa Starting April 22, rates start at $400 a night for a luxury guestroom. The resort also features suites.


Montpelier Plantation Inn, Nevis
Children 8 and over can stay at the 17-room Montpelier Plantation Inn, where a full breakfast and afternoon tea are included in the room rates. While the Inn itself doesn't have special activities for children, the 30-acre estate and private beach beg to be explored. Off the property, a lush botanical garden is a mere 5 minutes from the inn while mountain biking, horseback riding and golf provide more active entertainment.

The Great Room at Montpelier
copyright, Montpelier Plantation Inn

Spring season is from May 1 to May 31; rates start at $390 per night for a Premier room.


Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands
For all its focus on tranquility and relaxation, Little Dix Bay still manages to provide children and their parents with quite a bit to do. The Children's Grove is the center of activity for little ones, with counselors leading children in dress-up, arts and crafts, and other playtime fun. Tennis clinics, snorkeling and spa treatments keep adults busy. Of course, there's always the fallback - snoozing on the patio, with views of the beach and barrier reef below. Accommodations, which range from garden-view rooms to full villas, are nestled in nooks and crannies off of paths that wind throughout the property.

The beach at Little Dix Bay
copyright, Rosewood Hotels

Spring rates, valid from April 10 to May 31, begin at $550 per night for a garden-view room. The resort does not charge for one child under 11 staying in the same room with parents.

Note: Many hotels offer lower rates during hurricane season. Should you decide to book for the summer, be sure to acquaint yourself with the hotel's policy on dealing with hurricane issues, both for guests already at the hotel as well as those who need to cancel before arrival. And as always, purchase independent travel insurance.

The Land of Make-Believe

Talk about having your vacation inspired by your children…

Our daughter is – how do we say this – very imaginative. We've recently learned that, formerly unbeknownst to us, she has a whole other family, including parents, a brother and a sister, all of whom live in a big house. Every now and then we are told that if we behave, we will be allowed to visit this house. Conversely, when we are doing things she disapproves of – like reminding her for the 5th time to brush her teeth – the prospect of a visit is whisked away from us, as she informs us that she will not be taking us to Citia.

Because apparently, that’s where this estate, complete with secondary – or, depending on her mood, primary – family, is. In Citia.

We’re not sure if that’s how it’s spelled, because she's just now learning that her name starts with D. So for fun, we decided to do a search on Citia. After all, it is possible that somewhere on the planet there exists a place with that name, and wouldn’t it be funny if we found it and went there?

Lo and behold, there is a Sitia, on Crete. Furthermore, online you can find an amusingly earnest travel guide to Sitia with a rather sketchy view of its history and tourist attractions, which are mostly in the form of taverns and beaches – which is absolutely fine with us.

We were thrilled to find that there is actually the possibility of a luxury family vacation, at the Elounda Gulf Villa & Suites. The 18-villa & 10-suite boutique hotel is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. While there isn’t very much here that is geared towards children aside from the children’s pool – which is often enough - your young ones are welcomed, and either very young children or those old enough to not to need constant “kiddie” entertainment should be fine here.


Spa Villa
copyright Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites

The hotel’s accommodations consist of a mix of suites and villas, with the smallest suite ideal for a couple with one child. The villas here are real stunners – each has its own pool and a large terrace with teak lounges that look out over the Gulf of Mirabello. European-style kitchens make in-house relaxation easy, or the Argo Restaurant will feed you an authentic Greek lunch and dinner, with a special menu just for the little ones.


Elounda Gulf Suite bathroom
copyright Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites


We don’t know exactly when we’ll be visiting Sitia. If we were to go anytime soon, it might be more than her 3-year old imagination could bear: we don’t want to traumatize her by robbing her of her special world, although she probably wouldn’t accept that it was Sitia anyhow. But maybe when she's left her personal Sitia behind, we’ll make a visit to the Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites, with a special thanks to her for leading us there.


Elounda Luxury Villa pool
copyright Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites


Rates for the Elounda Gulf Villas & Suites start at 240 Euros per night for a Luxury Senior Suite; Villas with private pools start at 575 Euros per night. Rates for suites include continental breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. Children under 12 stay free of charge in the suites, and the hotel provides complimentary baby cots, high chairs and playpens. To book, click here or call the hotel's reservation line at +30 2810 227132.

Special Offer of the Week - The Chester Grosvenor and Spa

The entrance to the hotel
copyright, The Chester Grosvenor and Spa


If your children are fascinated with fish, sharks and aquatic life in general, this family package from The Chester Grosvenor and Spa, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, will delight them. The hotel is located in the heart of Chester and is a mere 15 minutes from the Blue Planet Aquarium, with whom they've partnered to create this package.

-Two interconnecting rooms for two adults and up to three children
-A family pass to the Blue Planet Aquarium
-An adoption certificate and commemorative photograph for your child's adopted fish (kids get to choose from a Caribbean Leopard Shark, a Clownfish ("Nemo fish"), a red-eared terrapin and a Piranha!)
-An Information pack about the adoptee's species
-Full English breakfast
-24 hour car parking


The Aquatunnel at Blue Planet Aquarium
copyright, Blue Planet Aquarium

Chester is located in the northwestern part of England and the area is well-knowned for its Roman history and striking architecture. Other sights to take in around Chester: the Norman cathedral, the Roman amphitheatre, and the Chester Zoo, Britain's biggest. Take advantage of shopping at Chester's famous 'Rows' and in the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet Village.


A Classic Room at The Chester Grosvenor and Spa
copyright, The Chester Grosvenor and Spa

Rates for this package are approximately $750US a night per family and the package is available until further notice. To check availability or to book this package, visit their website or call +44 (0)1244 324024.