It’s ever so easy in this day and age to book a fabulous holiday somewhere on an island, check in and hang by the pool for a few weeks and then return home, tanned and relaxed but having engaged little, if at all, in the community outside the doors of said resort. And when you’re somewhere culturally inviting, loaded with lovely locals and a society that is as interesting as it is relaxing (thanks to its climate and lovely accommodations), that is a real shame. So it’s fantastic to hear about the latest venture from Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort in Saint Lucia.
Why Saint Lucia?
Nuzzled just northwest of Barbados in the Caribbean, Saint Lucia is a gem of an island that ticks every holiday box. There’s gorgeous weather, pristine beaches, and stunning, luxury family hotels galore. Even better, the time difference is less than the east coast of the US. From London it’s just four hours behind, making it slightly more tolerable when flying with small children used to a strict time schedule.
Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, Saint Lucia
A particularly good choice if heading to this lovely Lesser Antilles island is Windjammer Landing. An all-inclusive, very luxurious villa-only family resort, this will delight families of all ages and sizes. Located on hills that tower across 60 acres above the sea and directly over the beach, the villas of this immaculate resort offer views right out across the ocean into the horizon. There are sensational three and four bedroom villas available which are ideal for those with children. You’ll enjoy your own private plunge pool or swimming pool and either a kitchen or a private chef (depending on which villa you choose), so you needn’t do much and you’re guaranteed space, comfort and privacy.
The resort’s Jacquot Fun Club offers tonnes of well thought out activities for children aged 4 to 12, as well as a separate programme for teens. Everything from limbo and reggae dancing to beachside cricket, watersports to coconut bowling, Patois language lessons to lizard hunts, crab races to movie nights and karaoke are on offer, and there is a dedicated children’s buffet in the Dragonfly restaurant during peak holiday time.
And starting from this month, the resort’s younger guests will have the opportunity to experience contemporary ‘island life’ through a new partnership with a local school, allowing children to meet their Caribbean counterparts and see how school life compares in this part of the world. So not only do they get to windsail, swim and enjoy some family time on holiday, they get a fascinating look into life for children their age in other countries, and make new friends.
Every Friday at 2pm during peak holiday season, the resort’s Jacquot Fun Club will organise visits to nearby The Grande Riviere Primary School just moments from the resort. While there, they will have the opportunity to participate in school lessons with the local children and see how these differ to their own back at home. They will also have a chance to let off steam alongside local pupils during break time, make new friends and learn how different, and sometimes similar, life is in Saint Lucia for their contemporaries. Young guests are encouraged to pack storybooks, stationery or toys to take with them to help replenish the school’s limited resources. And what’s really fantastic is the older students from the local school are invited to spend some time in the resort to understand the variety of careers available in hospitality and tourism.
To book this hotel click here.