Apartment 101: family holidays start at the bottom of the stairs
With young children, distance matters. Apartment 101 occupies the lowest floor of Dolce Beach Residence, and since this beachfront building rises straight out of the Simpson Bay sand, the walk from your front door to the water takes about as long as finding everyone’s flip-flops. Buckets, towels, a forgotten hat: running back up for them is never a drama.
Two bedrooms, four guests, one relaxed routine
Each of the two bedrooms has its own king-size bed, which makes it easy for parents to take one room and the children the other, or for grandparents to come along. With two bathrooms and an extra guest WC, the evening queue for the shower simply never forms. The kitchen is fully equipped for real family meals: pancakes on Sunday, pasta after a long day in the sun, a fruit platter waiting in the fridge.
Mornings on the balcony
The sea-view balcony sits at palm-tree height. Parents can sip their coffee while keeping an eye on the beach, listen to the first waves and decide calmly whether it will be a pool morning or a sea morning.
Pool, sand and a gym for the grown-ups
The shared pool lies on the beach a stone’s throw beneath your windows, handy for little ones who prefer fresh water to waves. While the children nap, one of you can slip away for a workout at the shared gym, which you can use indoors or out in the breeze. The lobby team greets you on arrival and is around every day if you need anything.
A concierge for the logistics
Travelling with kids means planning. Ask the concierge to have a taxi meet you when you land, line up a rental car with enough room for the luggage, organise a gentle snorkelling outing or find a table for four at dinner time.
Around Simpson Bay with the family
Grocery shops, beach bars, marinas and lots of casual places for dinner can be reached on foot, which keeps the car parked most days. Getting to Princess Juliana Airport barely takes ten minutes behind the wheel. Maho Beach and its low-flying planes are a hit with children, and the gentler water at Mullet Bay suits younger swimmers. Philipsburg or Marigot can fill a rainy afternoon.
Practical points
Your keys are ready from 4 pm, and on leaving day families are asked to be out by 11 am. Bedding, towels and a Wi-Fi password come with the apartment.
