Between the beach, the many sports activities and the Children’s Center, my job was a piece of cake at the kid-friendly Jumby Bay Resort. Its “no key” policy sums up the attitude at this laid-back, exclusive getaway, which treats its guests like family and has to-die-for sunset vistas. Here’s how little Charles and I kept ourselves busy when we weren’t gazing at the pristine water.
The Beach:
The beach is literally perfect for children of all ages to fool around, regardless of their swimming ability. The resort’s beach is in a bay, so there are no waves. Charles found it hilarious to lie on the wet shore and make sand angels. We dug holes deep enough to bury each other in and found some beautiful shells for some art projects we did at night. Tip: The resort has sand toys available for the beach. And the gift shop is fully stocked with beach balls, kites, activity books, postcards and more to keep your kids busy.
The Pool:
The lap pool would get a little crowded in the afternoon, so we spent our mornings here virtually alone. There is no shallow end for younger children or non-swimmers, so come prepared with proper floating devices if needed.
Bikes:
My favorite part of the resort was our daily bike rides. The resort offered bikes to guests (Charles had a red bike with training wheels, I chose a blue beach cruiser), which we used to explore the entire island – riding on the sand, dirt paths, paved roads and grass. Tip: There are two other beaches that can be reached by bikes that provide for a change of scenery and small waves, so bring towels and snacks and make a day of it.
Sporting Activities:
We were in sports heaven! Charles learned so many new games (in his eyes, croquet was the best sport EVER!) and we had a blast making up our own rules. We also learned that it’s way more fun to fetch a runaway ping-pong ball than hit it over the net. There’s also tennis, fishing, and a putting green.
Children’s Center:
The jungle gym and swings area was always the happening spot for Charles to make friends. The Children’s Center is a shaded, open-air, wooden structure that has many scheduled and impromptu activities that will keep any kid engaged and entertained. There were also board games and toys, art projects and movies. A true kid paradise, this was, hands-down, Charles’ favorite place. They even served snacks!
Food:
The restaurants at Jumby Bay offer children’s menu for both lunch and dinner (Charles ate fresh grilled fish, grilled chicken, chicken fingers, hot dogs, French fries, buttered pasta, and steamed vegetables.) The chef also will prepare food specially catered to your child’s individual tastes. Our favorite meal was the BBQ on the beach, complete with white tablecloths, candles, and steel drum music. The selections were endless and the deserts were unreal – Charles and I both indulged in the decadent chocolate cake and the silky smooth mousse. Speaking of sweet treats, teatime at the Estate House was another highlight of our days as we sampled all the desserts that were baked fresh daily. Delish!
*Note: Jumby Bay is undergoing a massive face-lift. The 14-month renovation project started June 6th. This Rosewood Resort location is adding a full-service spa, an infinity pool (with shallow end) and redoing many of the rooms.
Resort Address: P.O. Box 243, St. John’s, Antigua, West Indies; Contact Number: 268-462-6000; http://www.jumbybayresort.com.
