This was our first trip staying with another family and Mirage was the PERFECT setting. We were a total group of 10, ranging in age from 5-70, and everyone got exactly the vacation they were looking for! The pictures DO NOT do justice to the house - it was way bigger and more luxurious than we imagined, which made it possible for our group to be as together or as separate as we chose. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and the walls are incredibly thick, enhancing the feeling of privacy. At the same time, the common spaces are extremely large and conducive for large gatherings for dinner or play. We were able to put our children in bed and have zero concern that they would be bothered by the noise of the adults staying up. The balcony views are exquisite and expansive. The house/groundskeepers are extremely attentive and the property's cleanliness is thoroughly maintained, inside and out.
The ocean experience, literally right outside the back gate was also incredible. The children were able to build sand castles and play on the beach and in the large tide pool that settles right off the back of the property. We were able to see many fish, crabs, sea urchins and even an octopus! We took the short, but rugged beach/ocean walk down to Black Rock a couple of times and it made a beautiful backdrop for pictures and family-friendly adventure!
We were also thoroughly impressed with Gillian, Mr. Small and all those we met who serviced Mirage. Throughout our week, we did have some minor issues arise, as soon as we notified them, they were very quick to resolve them, which made their customer service even more notable. They were intent on making our stay fabulous, and succeeded, we cannot thank them enough!
Although you could have a complete vacation and almost never leave the property, there is a ton of beauty throughout the island and I would highly recommend taking a tour of the forts, rainforest, beaches/bays and all the wonder of the island. It is truly a unique experience, you'll be glad you visited and will be just as eager as we are to return! NOTE: Travel on the island can be a little tricky if you're not familiar. We chose to rely on local drivers. With our large party, we were even able to have the oversized van driver who met us at the airport transport us for most of our stay. You will probably save frustration and money by utilizing the local taxi/transport options.