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From Away.com

Caribbean Family Resorts
Club Med La Caravelle, Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe Family Resorts

By Candyce H. Stapen

The Spread:
Following $29 million in renovations, Club Med La Caravelle returns as the most family-friendly lodging on Guadeloupe. Situated on Grand-Terre, 12 miles from Pointe-à-Pitre, the 326-room property fronts one of Guadeloupe’s best beaches. Couple that with an all-inclusive policy that bundles meals, lodging, children’s programs, activities, sports, and evening entertainment, and you’re guaranteed a no-stress family vacation. Along with a new air-conditioned dining room, the recent refurbishments created 35 ocean-view suites, each with a living area and pull-out sofa suitable for kids.

Why Families Love It:
Club Med is known for its creative activities for tots through teens. The Mini Club, for ages four to ten, and the Junior Club, for ages 11 to 13, are complimentary and available from 9 a.m. till 9 p.m., with a short break for meals. Usually there are enough participants to break up into age-appropriate groups of four and five year olds, six and seven year olds, eight to ten year olds, and 11 to 13 year olds. During major school holidays—Christmas, Easter, summer—Caravelle also offers a teen program for ages 14 to 17. Along with beach activities, pool play, and kitchen science, kids as young as four (as well as older children and adults) learn to fly through the air on a trapeze at Circus School and get down with some funky moves at Hip Hop Kidz dance fitness sessions.

The island breezes make Caravelle a good spot for windsurfing and sailing; lessons for ages eight and older will make you and your kids masters of the waves in no time. Other activities include archery, tennis, inline skating, and petanque (a typical game in southern France).

As part of Club Med’s new Baby Welcome program, the resort offers strollers, baby bathtubs, bottle warmers, potty seats, and safety kits upon request. Reserve ahead as these are limited in quantity.

Special Events & Activities:
At the end-of-stay kids’ show, admire your child’s transformation from shy guest to accomplished circus performer.
Visit Club Med La Caravelle's website for more info.






Away.com's resident family expert Candyce Stapen has written the book on family travel, having authored some 1,400 travel articles and 27 books, 26 of them on family travel. She is the winner of the 2004 "Caribbean Travel Writer of the Year for North America" award and a three-time winner of the Society of American Travel Writers' Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism award. Her articles have appeared in publications including Nick Jr, FamilyFun, Parents, Better Homes & Gardens, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, and the Family Travel Network, among others. Her book, the National Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations is available from Amazon.com.