Santiago de Cuba

Terraced on a lush tropically-forested mountainside, the all-inclusive and absolutely luxurious Sierra Mar Club is situated beneath the lovely Sierra Maestra Mountains, an area steeped in heritage and romance. Located on a beautiful beach, the 4-star Sierra Mar Club is essentially a self-contained village, complete with elevators down to the beach, and a walkway to a thatched stilt bar. Rooms and suite are well-appointed, air conditioned, and most have ocean views and balconies (the higher up the mountain, the more dramatic the view from your balcony). Aside from the excellent international diving center here, facilities include a Nautilus-equipped gym, a water sports center (with catamarans, windsurfing and snorkeling equipment), tennis courts, a medical center, shops, and car and bicycle rental. There is a large free-form swimming pool with a water slide and swim-up bar. This is probably the best beach resort catering to young families: even children as young as two can be looked after at the Kids Kamp, which has a playground, a swimming program, Nintendo, nightly movie and cartoon programs, and water sports (as well as activities for older children). In every way, the Sierra Mar Club is a superb resort.