Upon our arrival, we're greeted with cold towels, fruit punch and an introduction to Helen, our "personal ambassador." Helen explains that if we require restaurant reservations, spa appointments, island tour information, more towels or anything else, we should contact her. With her bright smile and "Yes, I will" button, a pin worn by Windjammer's staff, Helen makes us feel taken care of right from the beginning.

Kids receive special welcomes too. A counselor from the Jacquot Fun Club greets children ages 4 to 12 at check-in, giving each one an activities/coloring book containing information about the children's club, a bag of Gummy Bears and a club T-shirt. "We want the children to know about the program and to feel comfortable with us," says Gale Charles, the children's club supervisor.

Located about five miles or 15 minutes from Castries, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort, which opened in 1989, occupies 60-acres on St. Lucia's northwest coast. A sandy beach stretches for 1000-feet along the calm waters of Labrelotte Bay. From the shore, the resort sweeps up a lushly landscaped hillside. Designed by Barbadian architect Ian Morrison to look like a Mediterranean village, Windjammer's units display such typical Moorish elements as stucco facades, archways, domes and red-tiled roofs.

Towering palm trees as well as red, purple and yellow bougainvillea, hibiscus and other flowers line the roadways leading to the units. We appreciate the tropically landscaped grounds, especially appropriate on verdant St. Lucia. The island has plenty of green on its hillsides, rainforest, valleys where locals farm banana and cocoa trees and on the Pitons, the island's two signature pyramid shaped mountains.

All of Windjammer's 161-units are either suites or villas. That means the resort's accommodations provide ample space plus the comforts of home. In 2008 the resort debuted 42 Anthurium Lily Junior Suites, each 1,100-square feet as well as 12 two-bedroom Hibiscus Suites, each 1570-square feet counting the balcony. Although the Anthurium suites, basically one large space, cater more toward honeymooners, the two-bedroom Hibiscus Suites with a full kitchen work well for families.

The resort also offers one- to four-bedroom villas ranging from 1200-square-feet for a one-bedroom to 2,200 to 3,600-square feet for a four bedroom unit. Most come with their own private plunge pools. In addition, Windjammer offers even larger three and four-bedroom Estate Villas, approximately 3600-4200 square feet. These villas (Prince Charles and Princess Diana are said to have stayed in one) come with their own full-size pools as well as spectacular hilltop views of the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

The only caveat for a family stay at Windjammer: the shuttle vans. You either ride these or walk the switchback roads to your accommodations. To avoid or at least limit your reliance on the shuttle, book one of the Hibiscus Suites located within walking distance of the beach, the lobby and several restaurants.

In our family of walkers and joggers not one of us wished to tackle the steep, snaking road to our hilltop villa. Most often, a shuttle arrives within five to ten minutes of phoning for one. However, when the resort is full, waits can be longer and the van may need to loop around, stopping along the way to pick up or drop off other people. Make sure little kids prone to car sickness sit up front.

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