Almond Beach Village (246/422-4900) in St. Peter allows you to enjoy private luxury while your children are occupied with their own program.  The entire southern flank of this 32-acre beachfront resort in Barbados, West Indies, is designated for families -- the guest rooms, a cheery children's center, a playground, an attractive outdoor restaurant, a pizzeria, a bandstand, and ten fresh water swimming pools. An all-inclusive price tag covers meals, water sports, the kids program, and all activities.

Just because it's an all-inclusive doesn't mean it has a packaged bingo-by-the-pool feel.  A classy and comfortable atmosphere permeates the place and you can fulfill nearly any type of beachcomber fantasy, from quietly lolling with your spouse on the mile-long beach to exhausting yourself and your kids with a myriad of activities. The capable water sports staff is happy to teach new tricks to novice and seasoned sailors, windsurfers, kayakers, and water skiers, and snorkeling and Banana Boating are very popular with families, as is swimming in freshwater pools. Out of the water there's golf (9-hole), squash, tennis, aerobics classes, a fitness center, a nightclub, and fun diversions such as a beach picnic with volleyball and a steel band. At dinner time, select from four restaurants -- Italian, seafood, local Bajan cuisine, and continental.

The kids program operates on a drop-in basis so your children can participate as little or as much as they (or you) wish.  Infants under 2 have their own Nursery, which provides both indoor and outdoor recreation. Children ages 2-4 years can enjoy their own Mini Club with story time, video time, and nursery rhymes.  Groups of 5-7 year olds, and 8-12 year olds can join the Kids Club and engage in jewelry making, games, pool activities, and more.  The Teen Centre for 13-years and older is also available where teens can enjoy movies, music, and water sports. For a fee, you can arrange for evening babysitting.

The Village has a sister property, the adults-only Almond Beach Club a 10-minute shuttle away, where guests enjoy many reciprocal privileges.