Family Fun in the Caribbean Sun

Review by Jacqui Paterson

‘Coconuts... bananas... pineapples...’ the man’s voice wafted down the beach. A battered wooden speedboat bobbed in the clear blue shallows, piled high with tropical fruit. ‘I picked these this morning,’ the man grinned, slicing the mango into thick, juicy chunks.

My 22-month-old daughter took square of fresh coconut, and gave it a few tentative chews. ‘More? More?’ she insisted, holding out her hand.
It was our first full day on the Caribbean island of St Lucia, and we were in heaven.

We’d arrived at the Windjammer Landing resort the previous afternoon feeling ragged after an 8-hour flight. From the moment we stepped out of the taxi, we were treated like VIPs. While being quickly checked in, we were handed cool towels, and offered a frozen fruit punch (non-alcoholic for me, since I was 5 months pregnant).

There were regular shuttle buses dropping guests all around the resort, but we opted to make the short walk up the hill to our white-washed villa. Inside I was thrilled to find we had a spotless, spacious one-bedroom apartment overlooking the ocean. There was an open plan kitchenette and lounge area, with French doors leading out to a wide tiled patio. At one end was a wicker dining table, and at the other a jacuzzi. ‘Bubboooooz!’ Lucia squealed excitedly, pointing to the jet bubbles. A short path wound around to an infinity pool, fringed by palm trees. From there it was a two minute walk down to three of the resorts on-site restaurants, and the lapping waters of Labrolette Bay.

We live in London, so this was Lucia’s first time in the ocean. The sheltered cove was the perfect introduction, with its mild water temperatures, and gently bobbing waves. Within a day she’d gone from clinging nervously to my neck, to running in and out of the foaming surf, giggling wildly. We were wary of the strong Caribbean sun, but kept Lucia slathered in 25+ lotion, and a UV wetsuit. There were also plenty of palm trees offering shady spots to escape the heat.

I had been concerned about taking a toddler to such a lovely resort - as I wasn’t sure how tantrum-tolerant the staff and guests would be. But I needn’t have worried.

‘St Lucians love children,’ we were told when we first arrived, and they weren’t kidding. Everywhere we went, Lucia was fussed over, and she lapped up every second of it! When she threw a strop one evening there were none of the forced smiles and annoyed glances we expect to get in London. If anything, it made the staff even nicer. ‘What’s wrong little one?’ they’d smile, charming her out of her bad mood. One night our waitress even took a grumpy Lucia for a walk, to let us finish our meal in peace. It was these little touches that elevated our stay from great, to practically faultless. I’ve stayed in flashier hotels, but to be completely honest, I much preferred the more relaxed feel of Windjammer Landing. It felt homely, rather than imposing, and I didn’t have to worry about Lucia running wild, or damaging anything.

We felt completely at home, and genuinely welcomed. The staff remembered our names, and whether we had tea or coffee for breakfast. When rain threatened our catamaran sailing trip, our waitress Oswaldina dashed to the front desk to print out an up-to-date weather forecast. When we were running low on nappies, and the on-site minimart didn’t have Lucia’s size, the sales assistant, Melisha, bought us a pack on her way in to work. When our villa number was accidentally transposed during a room service delivery, one of the staff remembered my request for vinegar from a previous order, and knew exactly where to bring the tray.

It was a million miles away from what we were used to in London - where waiting staff act like they’re doing you a favour just by serving you!

With a beach, four restaurants, numerous swimming pools, a watersports centre, and a spa all on site, you don’t actually need to leave the comfort of the Windjammer Landing resort. But if you do venture further afield the team are on hand to book a variety of tours and trips.

Pregnancy put an end to my plans to go zip-lining through the rainforest. Still, we were able to take a Catamaran trip to see the famous Pitons mountain peaks, the island’s geothermal reserve, and the fishing village of Soufriere.

Even though we travelled out of peak season, the temperature never dipped under 30 degrees. There were patches of heavy rain, but they actually helped to break the tropical heat, and would clear up as quickly as they started.

Our week at Windjammer Landing resort went so quickly, and before we knew it we were flying back home to reality - but with amazing memories of our first family holiday.

Visit www.windjammer-landing.com for details of tariffs, special deals, and family packages.