By Candyce H. Stapen
Planning a multigenerational family vacation can feel as challenging as correctly aligning all the squares in a Rubik's Cube. Although we agreed on the Caribbean, the puzzle was how to satisfy everyone's wishes.
At Carlisle Bay, Antigua, we found our solution — a resort with an all-inclusive meal option for my son-in-law, a room big enough for two adults and two kids for my daughter, good food for my husband and onsite activities for the grandchildren. All of us craved a beautiful beach, calm water for swimming, plus an island with interesting activities. I ruled out megaresorts, places where somebody — likely me — would have to rise at 6 a.m. to plunk towels down on lounge chairs to claim them. I wanted low-key, comforting and Caribbean.
Antigua and the Carlisle Bay Resort more than met our collective wishes. A large koi pond with a fountain at the resort's entrance began our transformation from weary travelers to stress-free vacationers. The fish swarming the railing, popping their mouths open for food, charmed the 7- and 9-year-olds. To reach our rooms, the restaurants and the kids' club, we walked a long path edged by lush sea grapes and tall palms whose leaves rustled in the breeze, relaxing us even further.
Situated in the eastern Caribbean, Antigua served as a strategic port for the British in the 18th and 19th centuries. Nelson's Dockyard, the only continuously operating Georgian-era shipyard in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A pretty place to visit, it features a yacht marina and historic buildings turned into a museum, hotels and restaurants.
To travel seamlessly to attractions, we booked Roger Taxi Tours. As Roger Roberts drove us, he told us about the island, whetting our interest in Antigua Black Pineapple, touted as the world's sweetest.
As an animal-loving family, we appreciated Stingray City and Laviscount Island. Both create safe encounters for critters and visitors. Since we could stand on the shallow sandbar, we easily saw the southern stingrays. When we held squid just below the surface, the diamond-shaped rays, free to go anywhere, swam toward us, vacuuming up their treats.
At nearby Laviscount Island, a sanctuary for giant Aldabra tortoises, we offered carrot sticks to the prehistoric-looking creatures known to live to 200 years and weigh 600 pounds. Touching their mammoth shells and their scratchy necks delighted us and the kids. Seventy-year-old Jeffrey is the island's oldest and biggest at 200 pounds. James and Charlotte also liked the colorful macaws. We listened carefully to Harley, who says "Hello" and then an unprintable phrase that made us laugh. Afterward, Roger drove us to Loose Cannon Beach Bar, a waterfront eatery he recommended for lunch that served tasty pizza, salads and jerk chicken.
James and Charlotte took advantage of Carlisle Bay's complimentary Cool Kids Club, divided into three groups for ages 2 to 12. During the camp's Hobie Cat outing, the budding sailors learned about rigging and tacking and felt the rush of wind power. Since nonmotorized activities are free, we followed up with a sailing outing captained by the watersports staff.
With only 87 suites, the resort never felt crowded. Ample lounge chairs and umbrellas ribbon the half-mile-long beach. We managed to leave that soothing perch for excellent spa massages.
All Carlisle rates include an ample breakfast plus afternoon tea that servers bring to guests. We indulged while savoring the panorama of white sand, turquoise sea and green hills. Among the four restaurants on property, we favored East, a mix of Asian flavors, plus Indigo's Caribbean buffet and extensive breakfasts. We mentioned to the Indigo staff that we'd like to sample Antigua black pineapple. Mostly grown by locals for their own use, the delectable treat is difficult to buy. But the next morning, Jim Lafraichere, Indigo's manager, surprised us with a plate. The staff at Carlisle Bay Resort is like that.
On our last evening, our family walked together on the beach, admiring the glowing stars and listening to the lapping waves. The puzzle pieces had fit.
WHEN YOU GO
Visit Antigua and Barbuda: visitantiguabarbuda.com
Carlisle Bay Resort: carlisle-bay.com
Roger Taxi Tours, Rogertaxitours.com
Stingray City Antigua and Laviscount Island: stingraycityantigua.com
Loose Cannon Beach B: loosecannonbeachbar.com.
Candyce H. Stapen, greatfamilyvacations.com, is an award-winning travel writer, editor and author. Follow her on Instagram @CandyceStapen, on X @familyitrips, and on Facebook @Familyitrips and Candyce.Stapen. Discover HennysKids.org, Stapen's non-profit that brings educational materials to rural schools in Africa.
A child feeds a carrot to an Aldabra tortoise at Laviscount Island in Antigua. Photo courtesy of Stingray City.
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