Q - Christine M. of Blacksburg, Virginia wrote: We are planning to spend a week in the Caribbean. Our airfare is covered, but we need to find the right accommodations for our family in the $3-$4,000 range. We would enjoy a beach or pool, hiking/biking and eating well. Our 6-year-old daughter would love a kid's program (and so would we!) We took a cruise once, and never again -- the boat was crowded and the food was terrible.

A - With your airfare covered, you have a pretty generous budget for your accommodations.  I have selected some stories from our site about two of our favorite resorts which are smaller and more intimate than the large all-inclusives.  Each has a kid's club, will never feel "crowded" and both have very good restaurants.  Read FTF to see our reviews of:

Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia:
"Top 10 Getaway for Tiny Travelers - Windjammer Landing, St. Lucia"
"Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort"
"St. Lucia's Windjammer Landing"

Round Hill Hotel and Villas in Jamaica: 
"Top 10 Getaway for Tiny Travelers - Round Hill Hotel and Villas, Jamaica"
"Round Hill: A Classic Family Resort" 
"Round Hill"

Please feel free to e-mail back if these don't seem to have the ambiance you are looking for, and we can suggest some livelier options.   Also, would you consider going to Cancun?  Here your dollars will stretch farther and you might be able to stay in a high-end resort such as the Ritz-Carlton.