For a lot of families, the ideal winter getaway includes a long stretch of beach and a short flight from the continental US. For me, that means a Virgin Islands vacation.
I recently headed to the islands on a kid-free getaway. But it’s such an ideal family destination that I found myself scouting out family resorts, so I can return next winter with my twins.
I looked at both the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and found kid-friendly resorts for every budget, from an exotic private islands to a convenient, budget-friendly all-inclusive.
Here’s my scouting report, in case your family needs to take the chill off this winter.
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4 Virgin Islands Family Resorts: From Budget To Luxury
2 U.S. Virgin Islands Kid-Friendly Resorts
Best value resort with kids: Emerald Beach Resort
Our first stop was the Emerald Beach Resort, and all-inclusive resort on the sandy shores of St. Thomas’ Lindbergh Bay.
This affordable resort is on a beautiful beach with gentle waves, making it perfect for families with younger children.
It has a fun pool with a waterfall, plenty of water sports and a West Indian brunch buffet on Sunday, a kid-friendly way to get some local flavors.
The resort also happens to be directly across from the St. Thomas Airport, making it perhaps the most convenient property on the islands. (And making the car-seat or no car-seat question almost irrelevant if you are traveling with very little ones.)
I’m pretty sure my kids will love watching the planes come and go.
Best Resort With a Kids’ Club: Ritz Carlton St. Thomas
We took the ferry across to St. Thomas to check out the Ritz Carlton, tucked away on 30 acres of its own on the island’s east end.
The beachfront hotel is the only one of the four to offer a kids’ club, its well-known Ritz-Kids program for 5-to-12-year-olds, which will operate for even one child (handy for off-season travelers).
There is also the resort’s Ambassadors of the Environment program that families with kids ages 5 to 12 or 9 and up can do together.
While your kids romp in the you can enjoy some tasty food, splurge on a spa treatment or venture 20 minutes away to Charlotte Amalie for some power shopping.
Kids receive a VIK (Very-Important-Kid) welcome while parents are greeted with cool washcloths, cold bottles of water and rum drinks.
Prices can include breakfast or lunch if you like. If it’s in your budget, it’s worth it.
Update: The hotel reopened in June 2020 after an extensions. Expect stylish, updated rooms as well as a new inifity pool, a family pool with slide and four new restaurants.
The Ritz Kids Club wasn’t available for the reopening. But the plan is to have it operating again as soon as possible. Check before you book.
2 British Virgin Islands Kid-Friendly Resorts
Best low-keykid-friendly resort: Peter Island
Our first stop was Peter Island Resort. If you’re looking to get away from it all with your kids, this 1800-acre private island resort might just have a hammock with your name on it
It’s low-key environment where nature and the beach are the main highlights.
Indeed, the island has five private beaches to choose from, secluded by hillsides and tropical gardens.
The resort has tennis and water sports as well as opportunities to hike, bike and snorkel. The gift shop has toys, children’s books and beach gear. There is babysitting for a fee, but no kids’ program.
This is probably the best option for families who don’t need a kids’ club but want to to know their kids will be welcome and there will be things to do.
Tip: Rooms near the beach are bigger and offer more space to families that need it. Rooms near the harbor are a 5-minute walk to the beach but are closer to the pool and the restaurant where breakfast and tea are served.
All 32 rooms have a balcony or terrace. handy for hanging out and talking after your little one goes to sleep.
Best kid-friendly Luxury Resort: Long Bay Beach Club
Our next stop was Tortola, where we checked out Long Bay Beach Club. Set on a mile of white-sand powder beach, it’s easily one of the Caribbean’s most stunning hotels.
And this was before its makeover to a stylish upscale hideaway. There’s no longer a pool, but are cool hanging basket chairs for relaxing and taking in the view.
This is resort I’d choose with teens, who don’t need a kids club and will appreciate activities like surfing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking and mountain biking, all available at or near the resort.
I’d also consider it for a first getaway with a baby, too. You don’t need kids pools and activities just yet and you’ll feel well taken care of, which new parents need.
Take time out for a beachside massage or outdoor yoga and enjoy the outdoor restaurant that has its own vegetable garden.
•Expedia is my favorite tool for finding the cheap Caribbean flights and packages.
Use TripAdvisor to find the best rates USVI and BVI resorts.
Getting to the Virgin Islands
The best way to get to any of the U.S. or British Virgin Islands is to fly into St. Thomas. It has the biggest airport with the most non-stop flights from major US cities.
The main airport for the British Virgin Islands is on Beef Island, but count on having to connect through Miami or Puerto Rico.
There are frequent ferries between the U.S. and British Islands and travel time is about an hour. Schedules are unpredictable and change, though, so call ahead.
Don’t forget, while you don’t need a passport for the U.S. islands, you do for the British ones (though it’s always the best form of I.D. when flying these days).
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Monika Bialokur lives NYC and loves spontaneous trips with her twins. She specializes in PR and Social Media Strategy for lifestyle, travel and children’s brands. Follow her @MarketingMonika.
Photos courtesy of the resorts except where noted otherwise.