So What Is This Anyhow?

(photo by Rodolfo Nunez)

We like to travel. Correction: we love to travel. And we love to travel with our children. However, while we appreciate places such as Beaches for creating havens where kids can be, well, kids, we really applaud and love places where stylish pampering for adults is complemented with catering to the littlest ones in the group. It's certainly to the property's benefit: after all, today's babe in swim diapers is tomorrow's paying guest. And why should the adults have to forfeit all sense of style to stare at Elmo all day while on vacation? Who's paying for this trip anyhow?

What you'll see here: reviews of properties including what special amenities are available for the master and miss, what keeps it attractive for adults, and any unique qualities of the property. We travel incognito so if we ever receive upgrades or any special treatment, we'll tell you and let you know why (we'll hope it's just because we're so charming?)

One word of advice: we hope you know that it's up to you to see to it that the young ones are well-behaved at appropriate times. We're constantly surprised at how often we see parents who are still checking their Blackberries but are somehow on vacation from minding their children. No, we're not interested in shushing our offspring every minute either - they are, after all, on vacation too. But there's a time and place for everything, and if you feel you are powerless to prevent Sophie and Alex from running through the restaurant or shrieking in the hallways, then maybe these properties aren't for you. (Or maybe you'll just be ordering a lot of room service.) You'll get not-so-nice stares from other guests and the staff may be none too pleased either. So be honest with yourself about how well-behaved your children are, and plan accordingly - it'll make for a better vacation for everyone.