Every time someone asks for recommendations, I always post the same thing...

Small Hope Bay Lodge

Small Hope Bay Lodge is an all inclusive. Yet, it is the furthest thing possible to what "all inclusive" usually means. There are no crowded beaches. There is no casino. Each stand-alone cabin is merely feet from the crystal clear waters.

This will be our 7th year returning to SHB... 3 of my teenagers and I have all become avid scuba divers there. My 19 year old will certify as Dive Master this summer and my 14 yr old daughter will obtain her Advanced open water. I mention this facts as a way to point out the safety of their dive operations and the fact that they can take some "never been scuba diving before" kids and turn them into Avid divers keenly aware of our oceans. Let your kids take the Discover Scuba course there (hell, you should even enjoy it yourself) -- they will thank you many times over the years.

Enjoy empty beaches. Clear water. Fantastic bone, reef, and deep sea fishing.

As for nightlife... There are only 16 cabins and no nightclub. There is an out-door bar that is open to all guests to make your own drinks. I can guarantee you will have other guests serving you drinks, you will make drinks for other guests, and yes, the bar-tenders will also be there to take care of you. The bar is completely open to the guests with no set hours. Each night is filled with laughter, friendship, and cold drinks.

You will make friends with the staff. You will make friends with the guests. It is the friendliest place I've ever been for vacation. It is why we keep going back every year. The first year, we offered our kids 1 week at Small Hope Bay and then 1 week on Nassau at Atlantis. After the 3rd day, they asked us to cancel our stay at Atlantis and extend the stay at SHB.

No, I do not get paid for my endorsements of the place. But yes, we do have an emotional attachment to the place and the people. There are definitely more luxurious places to travel and vacation. Yet every year, we go back to have a truly relaxing vacation.