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.

Dare to be Bare

When we visited St. Martin in the Caribbean 3 years ago, we visited a little isle off the shore named Ile Pinel. A sort of large sandbar, it had a beach restaurant or two, with lounge chairs from each restaurant dotting the shores. Children ran up and down the calm beach, enjoying the almost total lack of surf. It was great fun watching them, particularly since many of the tots were naked and completely carefree. And being on the French side of the St. Martin, in many cases, the moms were topless too.

While we'd never done the topless thing before, given that our 9-month old daughter was still nursing, all of a sudden it seemed like a fabulous concept. Instead of trying to be inconspicuous and looking all the more obvious for covering a baby in 90-degree weather, we were able to feed her in peace. No one looked askance or seemed to notice, and we're sure D appreciated being able to fall asleep with a sea breeze caressing her face instead of a blanket.

Thanks to Kelly Amabile over at Gadling, we've just learned that there's a guide to nude beaches for your, ahem, perusal. Aptly titled Bare Beaches, this book was originally published in Great Britain (who said the Brits were prudes?), and the authors also penned Bare Britain - interesting, because we would never have thought there was enough to fill a book about Britain alone.

While Ile Pinel was only topless, perhaps you're looking for even more freedom, and even if you may not feel that nude beaches are for young ones, many families visit them - and the beaches to accommodate them are out there. The book includes a list of the most family-friendly spots, and other cool lists include celebs who like to bare it all (which we rather figured was all of them, so it should be interesting to see who made the cut...) There's also a blog that posts continual updates, should your quest for a nude beach be so urgent as to demand immediate attention.

How's that for a family vacation idea?


Bare Beaches, $32 (including postage)
available at barebeaches.com

We Had Joy, We Had Fun, We Had Seasons in the Sun

Unless "we" included your baby, of course.

When we were growing up, sun protection consisted of our parents slathering on the same oily coconut-scented concoction that they were using to protect themselves. That was if they remembered to put anything on us at all.

Times have changed. Now, parents don't feel they're doing a good job of protecting their kids from one of the evils of the world - skin cancer - if the little ones aren't lathered in 100+ sunblock before the slightest hint of sun touches tender skin. To that we've had sun hats, bathing suits that hide shoulders and backs (and sometimes legs), and sun shades in the car. We have to admit, we're not as rabid about this as perhaps we should be. We put on the sunblock, to be sure, and we keep dear daughter shielded from the sun in the car, mostly because she yells "I can't SEE!" if it's in her eyes. But we no longer buy a separate kids' sunblock for her (she's 3) - and now we've learned that perhaps we never needed too.

We came across some advice from Babycenter's pediatric dermatologist, who had these points to make about applying sunblock to baby skin:
-keeping baby out of the sun altogether is preferable to applying any sunscreen
-you should look for sunscreens that have zinc oxide or titanium oxide, which provide physical barriers to the sun as opposed to chemical ones. Chemical blocks may cause allergic reactions and irritation.
-If you have to use chemically-based sunscreens, look for PABA-free ones. PABA has been linked with skin irritation.
-If you're concerned about blocking both UVA and UVB rays, definitely go with the physical barrier sunscreens, which block both.
-You don't really need to go above an SPF of 30. The added protection is minimal and doing so with the chemical sunscreens just means more bad stuff on baby's skin. Go lower and reapply as necessary.

In short, many of the sunscreens for kids with the super-high SPF's and chemicals are not advisable or even necessary. Buy a physical-barrier sunscreen for the family, and baby can use it too.

Next: Adding style and sun protection to your stroller

Villa Rental of the Week - Los Cabos

Casa Duckett, copyright Sun Cabo Vacations



One of the hallmarks of an excellent vacation rental villa is outside space that is just as lovely to bask in, if not more so, than the indoors. Casa Duckett, in the Palmilla section of Los Cabos, delivers that handsomely, with shaded courtyards and stairways, magnificent deck space, an infinity pool overlooking the Sea of Cortez, and even a putting green.

Casa Duckett, copyright Sun Cabo Vacations


On the pool level, you'll find the master suite which holds a king-size bed and comes with full bath including a sunken bathtub and dressing area. A large terrace offers a stunning views. A children's room is also on this level, with two twin beds and an ensuite bath.

Up one level are three more suites, each with ensuite bath. Two of these bedrooms have double beds and share an interior connecting door as well as a large terrace, while the third bedroom is queen-bedded and boasts its own private terrace.

The main living area includes a dining area and commercially equipped kitchen including a 6-burner gas stove. The comfortably-furnished sunken living room has direct access to the pool area, and also includes a wood-burning fireplace.

Casa Duckett Kitchen, copyright Sun Cabo Vacations


Casa Duckett living room & terrace, copyright Sun Cabo Vacations

Heading down a few steps past the infinity pool, you'll find a huge palapa with sea views and a hammock, just perfect for napping. Steps on the other side of the pool lead to a jacuzzi and the putting green. Just a few more steps past the jacuzzi leads you to the glistening white sands of the beach.

Casa Duckett palapa, copyright Sun Cabo Vacations

Casa Duckett has 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths. Rates start at $7000 a night. For more information or to book this villa, call Sun Cabo Vacations at 800.710.CABO(2226)

Resorting to "Resort Wear"

Somehow the concept of "resort wear" for young children strikes us as being extremely amusing. Maybe it's just us, but the term "resort wear" always makes us think of expensive clothing made for the express purpose of lounging on the beach and looking fabulous. While we want our children to look and feel as pampered as we do, we know it doesn't take much for them. Really, give them a shovel and a pail and they'll be fine, right?

But resort wear for children does exist by that name. You may have thought you could get by with just riffling through the summer catalogues of Land's End or Boden and buying "summer clothes", but we are here to tell you that that just will not do. If your child is going to grow up needing only a minimal amount of therapy, he must be outfitted with his own resort wear. Why should you have all the fun?

In case you weren't aware of this major difference between regular clothes for the beach and resort wear, we can point you to a few places that have collections specifically labeled as "resort wear". Now you can outfit the darlings in appropriately-titled clothing for those trips to - well, to the resort, obviously...

Recurrent Dreams Baby & Children Boutique
Their brick-and-mortar location is in Long Beach, CA, but you can browse their small but precious selection of "cruise and resort wear for baby and child" online.

Boys Surfer Tee Shirt by Tiki Baby Resort Wear, $22.99

Sand Pail Kids
Everything you need for children at a beach, you can find here. Resort wear, beach toys, sunscreen, you name it. But we especially love their sunglasses, which will look surprisingly chic on little faces.

Julbo Noa Sunglasses, $25

Kangaroo Korner
Their slogan is "children's wear with a downunder flair". Although we're not really sure what that is, the clothes here are cute in a rather prim sort of way (which, now that we think of it, is not at all how we think of Australia...) We suggest calling their store in Huntington Village, NY, since the online order form is a tad strange.

Skort set, $42

Mymiraclebaby.com
This is not just resort wear, this is boutique resort wear. And we have to admit, the outfits are precious. The small resort collection is all about little girls, but other parts of the site sport non-resort boys clothing.

Gecko Boutique Capri Set, $39.95

Leaps and Bounds
Even this catalogue has gotten into the act. We don't normally think of them as high fashion but we might have to revisit that, given that they do have a section titled "resort wear." (It's all in the name...) While much of their selection looks less like resort wear and more like NASA-wear, given their admirable concern for sun protection, you'll find some hats that fairly scream "summer resort", and some basic but adorable coverups.

Sun Smarties Reversible Sun Hat, $14.95


Lilly Pulitzer
Of course, for many, this is the ultimate in resort wear. We must admit, we're not huge fans of the Lilly - we think more "uptight socialite" as opposed to "South Beach hipster", no matter how much their catalogue tries to convince us to the contrary. But we're not opposed to a Lilly or two for our little girl - the romper below, from the 2006 resort collection, is far from stuffy.

Cealey Infant Romper, $48

Special Offer of the Week - Carlisle Bay, Antigua

Suite, Carlisle Bay


Tiny but beautiful Antigua is home to several resorts, including the cozy and contemporary Carlisle Bay, a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, and sister hotel to London's One Aldwych. The hotel offers a special "Chill Out" package, valid from April 14th - November 2nd, that includes:

-accommodation for 2 adults and 2 children for 7 nights in a Beach Suite
-full breakfast daily
-afternoon tea daily
-a 3-course dinner and coffee daily from the a la carte menus at either of the two restaurants

In addition to the package details above, you'll be able to take advantage of such complimentary amenities as non-motorized watersports, daily movie viewings in the hotel's screening room, 9 tennis courts, and yoga classes. There's also the Cool Kids Club, which accepts children starting at 6 months. Children 3 and up are free.

Special touches include what Tatler called "the funkiest library on earth", a modern reading room with hip touches like fiber-optic lighting that changes colors in the evening, and WiFi access.

The Library at Carlisle Bay



Rates for the Chill Out Offer for a family of four (2 adults + 2 children) are $5610. Rates are also available for double and single occupancy. For more information or to book this package, call the reservations department at 268.484.0000. Note that the hotel is closed from September 1st to October 12th.

Somewhere, The Sun is Shining...

If you're anywhere in the Northeast or Midwest parts of the US, you've probably seen enough snow this winter to last you a lifetime. Just when you thought winter was over...

If you're like us, one of the ways to beat the winter doldrums is to daydream about - or even take , if you can do spur of the moment - a warm-weather vacation. So it's the perfect time to point out that Travel + Leisure Family has come out with its list of Top 10 Family Resorts in the Caribbean. What we love about this list besides the whole "Caribbean" aspect? The fact that all of these places are great for kids while maintaining some kind of adult sophistication. (Although Beaches might be the only one we would pass up - you know our rule about Elmo on vacation.)



Royal Beachfront Villa
Four Seasons Great Exuma, #3 on the list



In short, here is the list:
1. Las Casitas Village and Golden Door Spa, Puerto Rico (we had the best massage we've ever had right at this spa)
2. Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa
3. Four Seasons Great Exuma at Emerald Bay, Bahamas (haven't been yet but if it's Four Seasons you can bet we will get there)
4. Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas
5. Paradisus Puerto Rico Resort (we've heard fab things about the Costa Rica property of Paradisus too)
6. Four Seasons Resort Nevis (again, Four Seasons - enough said)
7. Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
8. Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Jamaica
9. Beaches Negril Resort & Spa
10. Westin St. John Resort & Villas, USVI (a personal favorite over here so we're glad it made the list)

Grab a cup of cocoa - or a shot of brandy - and then check out the full list, along with descriptions and pricing for the properties, here.

Following Dubya

Regardless of what you think of the man's politics, the man has definitely got one thing right: Latin America is worth a visit.

When a friend asked for recommendations on a beach hotel recently, we rattled off a list. Then it occurred to us that, without trying to, we seemed to be aiming for Latin shores. While many Spanish-speaking destinations have not pursued their tourism marketing to the extent of say, Hawaii or the Canary Islands, that may be to your advantage: you'll find relatively lower rates at some properties that offer attentive service and more to do than just bask on the beach (although personally we love basking). Below, a varied group of suggestions for getaways a la playa, with rates for the end of April:


Paradisus Playa Conchal, Costa Rica - This all-inclusive resort, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World that's sprawled out over 2400 acres, is noteworthy for catering equally well to adults and children. Family Concierge suites feature child-specific amenities such as mini-sized bathrobes, minibars stocked with drinks for kids and adults, and nightly turndown service with milk and cookies. Their Kids' Club will welcome your infant as well as older children, leaving you free to explore the golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, the spa, casino or the adult-only pool. Of course, there's a pool the kids can enjoy with you, and specific events designed just for families.

Rates are $718 night for the Family Concierge Suite (all-inclusive)

Sivory Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - This member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World is not overflowing with child-specific amenities, but it's a breathtaking property that caters to all of its guests with style. The focus here is on relaxation and cuisine, with a spa that offers up a Vichy shower and numerous body treatments, and restaurants featuring Mediterranean, French and Asian-fusion cooking. If that's not enough to help you relax, an 8,000 bottle wine cellar and a private beach should do the trick.

Rates start at $480 a night for a deluxe junior suite, and go to $850 a night when including their meal plan. Note that children ages 2-6 are charged a nominal fee, and children over 6 are charged as adults.




Early evening in a Morgan's Rock guestroom

Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge, Nicaragua - Morgan's Rock is just one facet of a large reforestation and conservation program that stretches out over 1000 hectares. The owners take their commitment to ecotourism seriously: furniture in the rooms and bungalows was made from wood left over from construction of the lodge, lamps were made using leftover metal, and the pool uses natural salt instead of chlorine. The staff protects the sea turtle eggs laid on the lodge's private beach, and the owners have reintroduced native flora and fauna to their property. None of this means sacrificing the good life, however: wonderfully fresh and delectable meals are made on property (and included in your room rate), and all bungalows feature king-size beds, sofas, private outdoor showers, and westward-facing decks from which to view the glorious sunsets. The lodge actively encourages your interest in the surroundings with tours of the property, and you can also go mountain biking, kayaking or fishing.

Rates begin at $225 per person for a double, with children paying $115, and include 3 meals, local non-alcoholic drinks and a limited choice of 2 daily tours.

Pueblo Bonito Rose, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico - This resort is rated #1 by TripAdvisor's travelers for family hotels in Cabo San Lucas. Perhaps a little over the top with the attempts at Mediterranean decor, the property nonetheless features nicely-furnished rooms with full kitchenettes (we'd go for the Luxury Suites, which include the sofa bed that Junior Suites don't). There's also a calm-water beach, a kids' club for the 4 and up group, and daily activities including lessons in Spanish and salsa.

Rates start at $299 a night for a Junior Suite, $374 for a Luxury Suite

Hasta la vista!