A couple people asked about our whole experience of St Lucia with kids — where we stayed for our trip and how I’d recommend it and just how I’d recommend St.Lucia in general.  So I wanted to devote a post to it!

We stayed at The Landings in Gros Islet.  We picked this trip because the accommodations were larger than normal, since my parents were supposed to come with us.  My dad had a pacemaker put in the week before, and my parents weren’t able to come.  We missed them dearly but obviously his health is all I care about.  I could write a novel about all that has happened in the last month, but he is doing well, thank God.  We are beyond grateful he is on the mend.  He’s truly (always has and always will be) my hero.

Getting back to the post…

The Accommodations are HUGE.  Our place was 2300 square feet with a hot tub on the deck.  So it’s perfect for traveling with grandparents, or another family.  We spent a lot of time in the hot tub as a family.  At least once every day.  It also has a full kitchen, full dining area (indoor and out), four bathrooms … you get it, it’s probably bigger than my house.  

One thing I loved was the hobie cats, kayaks, and all water sports were all free to use.  Tuck and JB went out on the hobie cat one day, since the seas were too rough for wes ( so we stayed behind and built sandcastles).  I also loved that every day they had a huge bin of sand toys you could pick through … it’s so nice not to have to pack, or buy at a much higher price, once you are there.  The beach was beautiful, and the water was very calm.  We were in Rodney Bay, and just beyond that it’s not so calm.  

I generally loved the food.  A lot of it is indian inspired, and I found it to be delicious.  If you go, definitely try the chicken rotti!  We ate mostly at the resort, our favorite being the restaurant “The Palms” there.  It was delicious!  But we ventured to the naked fisherman off property (highly recommend!) one night, and also down the street for some street food.  There are a couple of little buildings just before you reach pigeon island.  JB, per his bday request, wanted street food.  He loved the local atmosphere.  I wasn’t a huge fan of sanitizing my kids hands all of the time because they kept picking up cig butts, or the man selling marijuana behind us, or the food. But we survived, and with no gastro distress (:  It was an experience.  Pretty much everywhere I go with JB, it will end up being an experience.  ha.  

The kids club was great.  We tried it out one day when JB and I went to the spa.  From then on, they kept asking to go.  I loved how structured and varied it was, plus it had a lot of st. lucian culture packed in there as well.  It is complimentary for resort guests.  Though we did tip a bit each time (though it didn’t seem like that was expected).  the boys made these bandanas there the first day, and wanted to wear them all throughout the trip!

The spa isn’t super expansive, but it is nice.  Plus the prices of things were excellent.  I feel like sometimes a massage is around $200 at a resort, this was like $85 (after a 15% discount our group had).  If you find yourself there, and you love a lot of pressure, Rachel is the girl for you.

the grounds are beautiful!  They have three pools, but we actually didn’t find ourselves in them.  We preferred the beach.

Location!  While you are close to the rainforest, you are also far from the pitons.  This is probably my only con from this trip.  The travel to get to the resort.  The location of the resort is actually great, in a very dry area compared to the rest of the island, but it takes an hour and a half to get there from the airport.  Tuck got sick on the way back on Saturday, and thankfully we were in our own car because we had to stop a few times though he never threw up.  Hated seeing him feel that way, as I totally understand car sickness.  I really wish I had packed some sea-bands!

It was a great time for family time + also being able to enjoy each other as a couple (with a good babysitter the night we went to the naked fisherman, and also utilizing the kids club a few times).   Traveling with kids is always a little nutty, but we had so much fun with them and made a lot of memories.  They are getting to be good little travelers!  We’re so thankful for JB’s company and the opportunities for our family that are available – through hard work!  If you have any specific questions that I didn’t answer feel free to comment or send me an email.

{I’ll do a more detailed outfit post soon — The boys are in Busy Bees (the whale swim trunks c/o) Bella Bliss in the rainforest (c/o) {affiliate links ahead –} and JB is in an old print of Vineyard Vines swim trunks – his favorite fit }

Everything else is linked below: