A self-described "two-star hotel with four-star service," the Club Colonna, operated by Sunsail (0870/428-4146) in Antigua is not a luxurious and pampering retreat under the Caribbean sun.... but those looking for a summer camp-like experience with activities for all ages may enjoy a holiday at this young resort. 

Why should folks come to a beach resort with less than a decade of operating experience? Originally a luxury hotel owned by Italian investors, the British-based Sunsail Sailing Vacations purchased and renovated this property in hopes of attracting vacationers from the United States.  Sunsail, through the Colonna Club, offers an affordable way to experience the Caribbean and all it has to offer, including calm blue seas (not as blue as the British Virgin Islands, but blue enough) swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, tennis, sailing and windsurfing. Since November 1998 they've hosted over 1,500 children.

Superb Sailing

As the name suggests, sailing is Sunsail's forte and they cater to everyone from the beginner to the expert, child to adult, with patient, highly skilled trainers (all full of energy and zest for what they do) and boats ranging from Lasers (a speedy little boat for one) to Sport 16s (it accommodated our group of five nicely) to soaring Catamarans. One of Sunsail's special sailing packages invites guests who develop a real interest in the sport to partake in a three-day excursion strictly on the water, sailing from island to island. Kayaks, dinghys, motorboats and yachts are also available.

Now, I'm possibly the most uncoordinated person this side of the Rockies, yet I still managed to handle a Sport 16 after a short but thorough lesson.  Also, I kayaked on the open seas. I attribute these experiences to the patience and skill of the 'four-star-service' sailing instructors. 

Cherished Children

My biggest compliment goes to the childcare staff at the resort, for their care of my son, Devin. At the time he was only 18-months old, and had yet to make it through an entire evening with a babysitter. These young Nannies from the UK and around the island, are completely devoted to the children at the Mini Club, which accepts little ones from 4-24 months. Though there is an extra fee for those young visitors, infants, toddlers, and even pre teens and teens (up to 16) stay and dine free at the resort. A parent need not worry while he or she is out on the waters, or taking a day trip to Antigua's duty-free, downtown shopping district (not many bargains there, but a good way to experience the island's daily life).  In fact, a recently added excursion program allows parents to explore the whole island while leaving their kids in safe hands. The Sunsail Nannies are experts with kids to age 16. A trained babysitter will come right to your room for the younger kiddies (UK£8 per hour, per family), while the older guys hang out in the supervised children's center watching movies.

An even less expensive evening childcare option is Sunsail's Listening Service, quite commonly used throughout Europe. Here's how it works: Put your baby to bed and head down to the bar for a relaxing drink. A Nanny will stop by your door every 15 minutes or so and give a quick peek to see how that Little Sleeper is doing. If he's awake and upset, the Nanny will give him a cuddle and bring the child to you. Not my idea of babysitting exactly (I'd never feel comfortable), but many parents, especially those with older children, did take advantage of this inexpensive alternative to a sit-in Nanny.

Real R&R

During the day there are supervised activities for everyone. The older children seemed to enjoy their time with the staff as much as the toddlers. The kids go swimming, walk on the beach and, for those 5-6 years and older, learn to sail. Yet for nervous parents, the children are never more than a phone call away because the staff is walkie-talkie equipped. Between sailing lessons and hot-dogging (hanging harnessed over the side of a speeding sail boat), my husband and I stopped to watch our almost 2-year-old trot happily by in a line of big toddlers, all sporting Sunset Caps and slathered with sunscreen. By the way: bring plenty of that with you, and make it SPF30 or higher (especially for the kids). You'll pay twice as much for sunblock bought locally.

Euro-Style Facilities

Because Sunsail Beach Clubs are known throughout Europe, and are well-attended by avid sailors and sun worshippers, nearly 98% of the guests in this British territory are indeed British.

Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the British; in fact, I've often considered myself somewhat of an Anglophile. Nonetheless, we are two different cultures and we live and vacation in our own distinct ways. You should expect "bangers 'n' mash" with a side of fresh fruit for breakfast, and very sandy sheets, as they will only be changed once a week. The most glaringly British tradition is Sunsail's inclusive meal plan, a complicated schedule of breakfast, two lunches and four dinners, supposedly able to accommodate those wishing to dine around the island.  We found the schedule to be rather confusing.

Sunsail's resort in Antigua does have three comfortable room styles: 75 doubles which overlook the beautiful swimming pool, 30 suite apartments and 18 two- and three-bedroom villas, just off the beach. We stayed in an apartment hosting two balconies; one with a view of the white sand beach and pool, the other overlooking the ocean. A sporting American family we met, who had several grown sons ranging from 16 to 24, found their villa a perfect way to vacation together without cramping each other's style.

There is always something going on. My husband found the constant structure and group activities (something we were told is very appealing to European guests) a bit invasive. I had loved sleepaway camp as a child, and at our introductory cocktail party, I whispered to him, "This is just like 'Meet the Counselor Orientation' -- only somebody spiked the bug juice." There are camp-style activities nightly, including Quiz Night, Disco Night, and Bar-B-Que on the Beach, with steel drum music and dancing.

All and all, I would recommend the Colonna Club to active adults, with active youngsters, who would like to feel confident their child is having a super fun day without them. I would recommend it to those who want to have a sail with top-flight instructors in the morning, a wild rum drink in the afternoon and, perhaps, a game of cribbage over Tea.  My caveats: the drinking age on Antigua is 16, and it is honored at the Club.  Also, families with young children should be aware that you might come home with a happy toddler suddenly referring to you as Mummy, while demanding his afternoon 'Tea and biscuits'. 

Daphne Gil Dagostino juggles her careers as playwright, Barnes and Noble sales clerk, mom to Devin, and wife to David with her new-found passion -- sailing.