Our Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island
Top Beach Resort
by
Fran Falkin
Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort was honored as a Top Beach Resort for parents with infants and toddlers in 2001.
Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort was honored as a Top Beach Resort in 2001 by our parent company, Family Travel Forum, for reaching out to those caring for infants, toddlers and children under 5 years, as well as older siblings. Each winner offers such superb childcare, exceptional recreational faciliites, real value for money, and overall excellence, that they give proof to FTF's motto: Have Kids, Still Travel! Here's a look at the resort today.
Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort
Grand Bahama Island
800/WESTIN-1, 242/373-1333,1444
This spectacular beachfront resort opened in December, 2000 as the centerpiece of the exciting renaissance of Grand Bahama Island. Named for the indigenous Lucayan Indians, known for their generous spirit, it is most impressive, and attention to detail is evident in all aspects of the deluxe Caribbean experience it offers. Since winning the 2001 Top 10 Getaway Award, Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort has become part of Starwood's Sheraton and Westin family and continues to provide options for traveling families, as well as for those seeking a relaxing and romantic getaway.
Located only 55 minutes by air from Miami, the resort highlights the clear turquoise sea, white sand beach, extensive golf and tennis facilities, imaginative swimming pools, sensuous spa, varied dining options and friendly service with a flow of color. Rows of vibrant windsocks in shades of pink, blue and turquoise line the walkways of this 372-acre oceanfront "village" comprised of two resorts. The 478-room Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort, complete with the Sugar Mill pool with an exciting waterslide, is perfect for families and offers an all-inclusive package including meals, snacks and beverages (at Sheraton restaurants only), non-motorized water sports, tennis, use of the Westin fitness center, all taxes and gratuities.
More up-scale, service-oriented options are the balconied rooms and suites at The Westin Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort at Breakers Cay, a 10-story tower overlooking the meandering Serpentine Pool with swim-up bar, or at The Westin Lighthouse Pointe, whose most exclusive rooms and suites have extensive water views and a Crescent Pool, with infinity edges, which seems to slip right into the sea. All accommodations are fresh, crisp, and decorated in bright yellows, turquoises and greens, with lovely furniture, comfy chairs and stylish touches.
Infants (newborn to 3-years) are cared for in the licensed "Grandma Lucaya's" nursery which is open from 9am-5pm daily. In addition to outdoor time, the tiniest travelers play and nap in a large, colorfully decorated area. They are lovingly supervised by Bahamian staff who are CPR certified and attend a maximum of four babies each. Once available all day, there is now a two hour limit on infant care in the nursery, enough time to have a treatment at Senses Spa or work-out in the fitness center. Nursery rates are $10/HR and private babysitting is available at $15/HR.
Camp Lucaya is a free-standing 3,000-square-foot facility where children (3- to 12-years-old) are welcomed daily from 9am-5pm and on Thursday to Sunday from 6-10pm. To help kids have an exciting vacation of their own, Our Lucaya emphasizes a cultural experience through shell and mask painting, sand sculpture-making and straw-weaving, often taught by local artisans. A play area and small pool is adjacent to the center and is the hub of outdoor activity. Beach Olympics, pool games and sand sculpture round out the day, which includes lunch, snacks and beverages, and kids can listen to a complimentary bedtime story on the telephone. The fee for Camp Lucaya is for guests both the Sheraton and Westin properties is $50/Day or $35 1/2/D with lunch.
2001 Top Ten Getaways for Tiny Travelers
Top All-Inclusive Resorts:
Club Med Ixtapa, Mexico
Crown Paradise Club Cancun, Mexico
Top Beach Resorts:
Our Lucaya Beach Resort, Grand Bahama Island
Top Family Camp:
YMCA Camp du Nord, Minnesota
Top Golf and Tennis Resort:
Wild Dunes Resort, South Carolina
Top Internatioanl Getaway:
Club Valtur Pila, Italy
Center Parcs Village, France
Top Romantic Getaway:
Cunard Line, Queen Elizabeth 2
Top Ski Resorts:
Bretton Woods Mountain Resort, New Hampshire
Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah