The Spread:

Find the best rate at the: Little Dix Bay, British Virgin Islands

Set on a crescent bay protected by a reef, secluded and serene Little Dix Bay is at the end of a five-year makeover that has included adding a children's activity building, a spa, and new junior suites. Nearly every one of the boutique resort's 100 guestrooms is within 20 steps of the beach. Spanish Town is a 15-minute stroll away and Tortola's international airport is just 20 minutes by boat. Most activities center around the famous Visine-clear waters of the British Virgin Islands, but guests can hike along two trails on the 500-acre property, play tennis, and get pampered at the spa.

Why Families Love It:
New three- or four-bedroom hilltop villas let families spread out in paradise. The Children's Grove (open daily 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) offers activities for ages three and up, including Caribbean crafts, nature walks, shell collecting, and treasure hunts. Teens have a separate area with CDs and videos, books and board games. The cost: $40 for a full day, $20 for a half-day, $30 for evenings. When families want to play together, they can sail, kayak, and discover the region's underwater wonders. Snorkeling equipment is provided to guests for the duration of their stay, to be used right off the beach or on complimentary snorkel tours to local reefs. And while there may seem little reason to leave the idyllic setting of the resort, Boston whalers and a trimaran transport guests to any of the dozen or so local beaches and to nearby islands, picnic lunch included.

Special Events & Activities:
Each Thursday, boat outings go to Spring Bay, adjacent to Virgin Gorda's most famous site, The Baths. At the bay, guests snorkel, swim, or relax under beach umbrellas. Along with a gourmet barbecue lunch, there's a steel band and requisite limbo contest so everyone can answer the age-old Caribbean question: How low can you go?