The Spread:

Find the best rate at the: Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda

The Fairmont Southampton boasts more than one superlative—it's the island's largest hotel, with 593 rooms; it sits atop the island's highest point; offers the island's premier tennis facility, with 11 courts; and features the island's biggest spa, the 31,000-square-foot Willow Stream. An 18-hole executive golf course stretches across the grounds, the place for older grade-schoolers and teens to learn the sport. Your kids will have a blast splashing in the calm waters of the sheltered beach, or in one of the hotel pools. The indoor pool is a plus for rainy days or for off-season vacations when it may be too cold to swim outdoors (the indoor pool is reserved for Willow Stream Spa guests from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., then open to all others until midnight, children should have a supervisor).

Why Families Like It:
Explorers Camp operates year-round, separating children into age-appropriate groupings of five- to six-year-olds, seven to nine, ten to 12, and 13 and older. Activities change daily and include playing basketball, croquet, and cricket (counselors teach the rules), going on treasure hunts, and enjoying beach bonfires and a kids' disco.

Youngsters go off site to visit the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (441-293-2727; www.BAMZ.org), the Maritime Museum and Royal Naval Dockyard (441-234-1333; www.bmm.bm), and to explore Crystal (441-293-0640) and Grotto (800-582-3190) caves and go helmet diving (older kids). The cost is $14 per child, per day, plus a nominal fee for excursions.

The Explorers Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily April through September, and noon to 5 p.m. from October to March. At the 7 & Up Club, Tuesday through Saturday, ages seven and older watch movies, create crafts, and play games from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. October through March, except for holidays, both the Explorers Camp and the 7 & Up Club must be requested 72 hours in advance. ($15 per child)

To get into Hamilton, Bermuda's capital, the hotel offers a shuttle bus and a ferryboat that docks at the resort's sister property, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

Special Events & Activities:
In summer, on Friday nights watch the free "dive-in" movies while floating in the outdoor pool. Popcorn included.