Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort & Spa

Nestling on its own private hillside and overlooking the shallow, calm waters of Labrelotte Bay on St Lucia's North West coast, this friendly 4-star villa hotel combines a beautiful setting, great facilities, quality childcare and a brilliant range of accommodation options including apartments with private hot tubs and villas with private pools.

On first sight, it has something of a Greek village feel about it with pretty white-washed villas scattered across the hillside and amongst very well maintained tropical gardens. Although a large property, the fact that the accommodation is well spread out and most of the villas and apartments have their own private pools (2-3 bed villas) or hot tubs apartments), means that the beach, pool, bar and restaurants are rarely crowded, plus the warm and friendly staff give it a homely, small resort feel.

The standard of accommodation is generally very high all the 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and 1 – 3 bedroom villas are air-conditioned and spacious, usually with several terraces or balconies. Apart from the 1 bedroom villas, each has its own hot tub or pool. The interiors of most are recently refurbished boasting white-washed walls and good quality colonial-style furnishings, huge, sumptuous beds, luxurious limestone-effect bathrooms (most bedrooms have ensuites), flat-screen TVs in all rooms and DVD players each property (there's a film library on site), plus exceptionally well-equipped kitchens. The twice-daily maid service is a huge boost to relaxation when travelling with little ones, as is the kids club, run by every over 3 year old's favourite staff member, Gayle. Officially, the free kids club is from 4 years up but 2-4s are accepted in quiet periods and there's a good quality, well-priced ($7ph) professional nanny service for younger guests, who can be taken to the kids club or cared for at their accommodation.

The fact that the kids club has evening activities such as Caribbean dancing lessons and movie night, means its often most popular from 6.30-9pm, when, fresh from a day playing in the pool or on the beach with their little ones, parents can enjoy some quality time and a relaxed meal without the need for babysitting, whilst mini guests are very happy not to be forced to sit bored in a restaurant. That said, all but one of the resorts’ five restaurants welcomes children and two offer a good kids menu with popular and healthy options.

BFB TIPS – We consider the single-storey, 2-bedroom, Estate Villas, which come with private pool and a chef, or the spacious, 2-bedroom Hibiscus Suites with their large terraces/balconies and walk-in wardrobes large enough to fit in a travel cot, probably best suited to those with babies/toddlers. The villas higher up the hillside, which ensures stunning views but requires use of the 'on demand' shuttle bus service to get to the beach and main restaurants (other than nearby Papa Don's Pizza/Med bistro). These can be tricky with large pushchairs, so take a lightweight stroller. Families booking Hibiscus Suites should request first or second floor apartments as some on the ground level have unenclosed terraces leading onto a pool area but they all overlook the bay and are very handy being just a minute or two's walk of the beach, main pool, and restaurants via some tiled steps/small steep hill.

Independent Advice & Booking Service: Baby-Friendly Boltholes specialises in small, stylish family-run hotels and rentals, however, for those looking for long-haul resort destinations we have partnered with booking.com for immediate access to best rates and live availability. You can view that here, or contact us for concierge style hotel bookings with BFB's specialist service.