Kamalame Cay (Courtesy Kamalame Cay)
A family vacation in the Bahamas has a certain dreamy ring to it and the good news is that thanks to these family-friendly all-inclusive resorts, it needn't be complicated or expensive. By booking with a family-friendly resort or hotel that offers an all-inclusive rate with all the amenities you and your kids will need for a relaxing and fun Bahamian vacation, you can escape to the sunny Caribbean totally stress free.
We've handpicked the best all-inclusives for families in the Bahamas for you, so all you really have to do is relax with sand between your toes.
Kamalame Cay, Andros
For an exclusive yet understated experience without compromising on style, Kamalame Cay is a chic 96-acre private hideout with all the trimmings and extraordinarily friendly staff. Pristine pastel-coloured Bahamian cottages nestle amongst the coconut palms, hibiscus and bougainvillea. Inside the rooms, rustic meets colonial chic. There's a three-mile private beach and surrounding water where one can try bone-fishing, fly-fishing, kayaking, snorkelling or even go diving along the world's 3rd longest barrier reef. Although there is no kids club, there's a $15/hour for two kids babysitting option and the island is super kid-friendly as it's totally safe and offers plenty of kid-friendly entertainment from hermit crab races to sand castle making, nature walks and scavenger hunts. Each guest has his own villa offering great independence and privacy, the beach, their very own golf buggy to get around and even better, a daily delivery of fresh cookies to the room!
Small Hope Bay Lodge Andros Town, Andros Town
Small Hope Bay Lodge Andros Town (Courtesy Small Hope Bay Lodge)
With just 21 beachfront cottages, Small Hope is the perfect, cozy family-friendly hotel in the Bahamas. With two beaches to choose from, it's just the place for shell collectors or simply lounging in the sun... The all-inclusive package covers all meals, drinks, bar drinks, hotel taxes, use of bicycles, sea kayaks, windsurf, sailboat, access to a beachfront hot tub, self-guided nature walks and introductory dive or snorkel lesson! What's not to love? You'll even get free WIFI in the lounge and free VOI calls to the US and Canada! This is the ideal place to try diving, snorkelling or bone-fishing with daily trips organised the night before by the friendly staff. The cute cottages are rustic yet clean and comfortable, made of native Andros pine and decorated in Androsia batik fabric. Each comes with a private bathroom with stand up shower, a safe, complimentary sports bottle, filtered drinking water and daily maid service. In the evenings, you can enjoy board games, ping-pong, a few drinks by the bar or impromptu live music! Rollaway beds, cribs and babysitting are other kid-friendly amenities available for families.
Riu Palace Paradise Island
Some say this all-inclusive hotel is set on Paradise Islands' best beach! The kid-friendly hotel has all the necessary luxuries on a budget. There's a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, solarium-terrace and the Renova Spa & Beauty Center and several restaurants: Atlantic with its terrace, Krystal for a fusion menu, Tengoku for Japanese, Sir Alexander for a gourmet meal and the Bahamas grill and steakhouse. As well as the food outlets, there are several bars and lounges, from the Colony lobby bar to the Calypso lounge terrace, the poolside Soca with its swim up bar and the Sports bar open 24 hours. Did we mention there is also 24-hour room service? The 379 rooms feature air-conditioning, free WIFI, minibars, coffee makers, satellite tv, in room safes and ironing equipment as well as balconies and most, have a partial sea view. Great family-friendly local activities include swimming with dolphins, hitting the waterparks or visting the old colonial city, its museums or the zoo!
Andros Beach Club
South Andros Island, the Nature Island of the Bahamas is a dream escape with 4 miles of private, secluded white sand just steps away from your room. There are all the usual Bahamas-family friendly activities like diving, fishing, collecting shells and bone-fishing or even kayaking and bird watching, as well as beach sports, or simply lying in a hammock! The family-run hotel also provides childcare and activities while Mum and Dad take some time out. Other useful services include massage, manicures and pedicures or facials, as well as a local taxi or scooter hire. You can get self-catering too but the all-inclusive package includes accommodations, all meals, soft drinks, airport transfers, housekeeping, bicycles, kayaks, sunfish sailboat, snorkel gear, WiFi, satellite TV and a bottle of wine nightly. What more could you ask for?
Grand Lucayan Resort, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Grand Lucayan Resort (Courtesy Grand Lucayan)
Although not an all inclusive resort per se, this family-friendly hotel offers all inclusive packages so you can get the best of both worlds. On the fourth largest island in the Bahamas, it's an elegant resort with a clean, modern look, all light wood tones and a floral palette in the main building, while the two-story villas have a distinct Bahamian flavor with darker woods and fabrics in shades of blue. The 372-acre resort is set right on the Bahamian water with a 7.5-acre pristine white sandy beach to play on! In the 740 guest rooms, families will be glad to find kitchenettes, including a microwave and rollaway beds or cribs available on request, as well as babysitting! There are two championship golf courses, a senses spa, fitness center, 8 restaurants and lounges, 4 grand slam tennis courts, casino, kid's club and four pools (one for kids) to keep you busy. Just the place for a family vacation in the Bahamas!
Rowena Carr-Allinson contributed this to MiniTime. Since the arrival of her son in 2011, she has taken him everywhere from Bangkok to NYC, writing family friendly articles en route.