Want to Be the Favorite Child? Book a Family Villa at La Samanna in St. Martin

Growing up, my family never went on beach vacations. The world is big and there’s a lot to see, so our trips always revolved around Segway tours and museum visits rather than piña coladas and chaise lounges. But as we’ve all grown older—and subsequently, more exhausted—the concept of actually relaxing while using our PTO has become increasingly appealing. Which is how we found ourselves at La Samanna, A Belmond Hotel, in St. Martin this past April, sunburnt and waterlogged in one of the property’s wow-worthy villas overlooking Baie Longue, known for being one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. With impeccable restaurants, complimentary water sports, and villas fit for royalty, Belmond is doing Baie Longue right. We surprised my dad with the trip for his 60th birthday, and considering there was snow on the ground in Ontario, where my brother and parents live, when they boarded their flight in Toronto, I don’t think we could have picked a better destination. The temperature was in the 80s the entire time we were on the island (a UV index of 11 was, in fact, a shock to Canadian skin), and our accommodations were certainly up to snuff for such a special celebr