An open-minded fascination with other places, people, and experiences begins in kids’ impressionable minds with the family vacation. It makes perfect sense then to take those annual family vacations and give attention to each other in a way that isn’t possible in our day-to-day scheduled lives, while creating family memories that last a lifetime.
1. Sebastian Vail
Vail, Colorado, is one of the state’s premier ski destinations. Families can take advantage of The Sebastian's ski-in/ski-out base camp with valet service to get the most out of their time on the mountain. After a day on the slopes, mom and dad can loosen up tight muscles in the adults-only hot tub while the kids make a splash in the Sebastian pool. Residential suites make perfect family accommodations with kitchenettes, fireplaces, balconies, and epic views. Movie Night provides in-room family movies, fresh popcorn and candy delivered to the room. Those with toddlers in tow can take advantage of Tykes, an imaginative play space for kids aged 4 and under. Battle Mountain Kids’ Camp offers an array of fun kids’ activities day and evening.
16 Vail Road, Vail, CO, Phone: 970-477-8000
2. JW Marriott Indianapolis
For those in town attending an event in the convention center, or a Colts game at the stadium, JW Marriott Indianapolis offers an excellent opportunity to bring the family along. This 33-story hotel is connected to the Indianapolis Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium as well as to a variety of downtown attractions via the skyway. White River State Park, the NCAA Hall of Champions, and the Indianapolis Zoo are all family attractions that are easily accessible from the hotel. One of the hotel’s 18 one-bedroom suites give mom and dad the privacy they need with a separate space for the kids, while the hotel pool provides relaxing fun for the whole family.
10 South West Street, Indianapolis, IN, Phone: 317-860-5800
3. Nemacolin Woodlands Resort
Nemacolin Woodlands Resort is the ideal place for a family vacation. There are so many things to do that the kids may be begging for a longer stay. Wildlife Academy offers a number of animal adventures, including pony rides, dog sledding, and an animal nursery tour.
Unlimited Adventures offers archery, a wildlife tour, a rock climbing wall, and a ropes course. Younger family members can enjoy an Olympic-caliber girls’ gymnastics facility, Kidz Klub with supervised play, an arcade, Midway carnival games, kids’ parties, and babysitting services. There’s disc golf, mini golf, paintball, bowling, biking, tennis, zip lining, and more. This is the place for active families to get away.
1001 Lafayette Drive, Farmington, PA, Phone: 866-344-6957
4. Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort
Located on the shores of Mirror Lake, the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is a sprawling, family-run Lake Placid resort just a short walk from Main Street's restaurants and shops and a 5-minute walk from Lake Placid Olympic Village.
The spacious, traditionally decorated rooms have free Wi-Fi, Nintendo games consoles, flat-screen TVs, refrigerators, and coffeemakers. Many rooms and suites have private patios or balconies. Suites and upgraded rooms also have fireplaces, kitchenettes, and whirlpool tubs. Guests enjoy numerous amenities such as a restaurant, a cocktail lounge, a nightclub, a fitness center, an indoor pool, a private beach, whirlpools, and a sauna. They can also go ice skating on the lake in the winter.
2559 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY 12946, Phone: 844-209-8080
5. Tamarijn Aruba
Tamarijn Aruba is a family-friendly Aruba resort along Druif Beach in Oranjestad, located approximately 10 minutes from Queen Beatrix International Airport. The hotel offers 236 beautiful waterfront guest rooms and suites with top amenities such as private balconies and patios, flat screen televisions, and in-room mini-fridges. Guests can dine and drink for free at their choice of 10 delicious restaurants and eight full-service bars, ranging from the casual Pizza Per Tutti bar and grill to upscale international selections such as Fusion Tapas, the Red Parrot, and the hotel's signature classic Italian-style Paparazzi Restaurant. Non-motorized watersports are also accessible for free, including snorkeling and windsurfing lessons. Other hotel amenities include a golf course, a fitness center, and a casino. All guests are welcome to use all facilities at the hotel's sister venue, Divi Aruba, which is located next door.
J.E. Irausquin Blvd 41, Oranjestad, Aruba, Phone: +297 525 5200
6. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort
Families will find an adventure outpost like no other in the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort. Located in British Columbia’s Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, this seasonal eco-resort is a unique destination where guests can enjoy glamping in luxury tents with modernized “oil lamps” that run on electricity and “woodstoves” that run on propane. Modern coastal cuisine is prepared by artisan chefs in the Cookhouse kitchen using locally sourced ingredients. A children’s menu with favorites like mac and cheese and pizza is sure to satisfy the younger generation. A wide range of outdoor activities is available for nature lovers of all ages.
Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, Phone: 888-333-5405
7. Atlantis, The Palm
This ocean-themed resort is truly a family-friendly destination with activities and amenities that will please everyone. Atlantis, The Palm Kids Club offers daily activities, a play zone, and an underwater theater where kids can see marine life up close. Tweens and teens will love spending time in Club Rush, where they can order non-alcoholic drinks at the Sugar Rush Bar, play the latest video games in the Game Zone, and hit the dance floor in the entertainment lounge. Of course, families will want to spend lots of time together swimming with the dolphins, feeding cownose rays, and enjoying some downtime at one of the many pools on the property or in one of the family-sized guest rooms or suites.
Crescent Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Phone: +971-44-26-20-00
8. Farm Stay USA - Farm and Ranch Travel
Farm Stay USA connects farms and ranches around America with people who want to stay at these locations. These vacations let you stay at an authentic, working farm or ranch, experiencing what life is like in these unique, rural environments and even having a chance to help out, if you desire, with activities like milking cows, feeding animals, collecting freshly laid eggs in the morning, and more. Farm stays allow families to get in touch with nature, history, and heritage, breathing in fresh air each and every day and enjoying a simpler and more traditional way of life for a few nights or a few weeks. Phone: 541-487-4966, farmstayus.com
9. LEGOLAND Deutschland
Families who are still in search of adventure after a day at LEGOLAND Deutschland will find plenty to keep them busy at nearby LEGOLAND Holiday Village, where guests can stay in themed castles, cottages, camping barrels, or tents. The castles and cottages include modern amenities like Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and mini refrigerators. All ages are invited to participate in planned evening activities, navigate the high ropes course, or spend time together at the bowling alley. À la carte and buffet-style restaurants serve kid-friendly cuisine until late into the night. A LEGOLAND VIP package and express passes are available to make navigating the park a more family-friendly experience.
Legoland-Allee 1, Gunzburg, Germany, Phone: +49-18-06-70-07-57-01
10. Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel
The whole family will enjoy this four-star hotel in the Dolomites. Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel is an all-inclusive luxury experience for all ages, and the comfortable rooms and suites with world-class amenities will suit everyone’s needs. Winters will find families skiing down the slopes together after the children learn from expert instructors. In the warmer months, guests can swim in pools designed for everyone, from the youngest member of the family to the oldest. Families can eat dinner together in one of the hotel’s restaurants or parents can choose to send their children to Lido Land, where they will be treated to a kid-friendly selection.
Strada Rezia, 22, Ortisei, Bolzano – South Tyrol, Italy, Phone: +39-04-71-78-33-33
11. Piz Galin Grand Hotel Family & Wellness
Gests will have a memorable holiday at this luxury hotel in Andalo, Italy. The spacious suites at Grand Hotel Piz Galin were built with families in mind and include modern amenities such as complimentary Wi-Fi and 42” LCD televisions with DVD players. Horse-drawn sleigh rides in the winter and family picnics in the summer are just a couple of the many indoor and outdoor activities the hotel offers its guests. No four-star hotel stay would be complete without a visit to the spa, and the Grand Hotel Piz Galin has one of the best. Adults can enjoy a relaxing time in the wellness center, while the kids play in Pizzi Land, a 1,000-square-meter facility staffed by qualified service providers.
Via Dossi, 1, Andalo Trento, Italy, Phone: +39-04-61-58-58-37
12. Beaches Negril Resort and Spa
Part of the Sandals family of all-inclusive resorts, this award-winning location is a family favorite.Beaches Negril Resort and Spa has something for everyone. Daily housekeeping, a refrigerator stocked with drinks, an HD Smart TV with cable, an in-room microwave, and complimentary Wi-Fi are just some of the amenities that make Beaches Negril an excellent choice for families. An array of restaurants offers casual to fine dining experiences for every taste. Kids and adults can have a sweet treat any time of the day at Yoyo’s, which serves frozen yogurt, gelato, and sorbet, garnished with the selection of goodies at the toppings bar.
Norman Manley Boulevard, Long Bay, Negril, Jamaica, Phone: 888-232-2437
13. The Datai Langkawi
Reopening in mid-2018,The Datai Langkawi in Malaysia is undergoing an extensive renovation to its upscale rooms, suites, and villas as well as the construction of a nature center, a beachside fitness center, and additional spa pavilions. Nature-loving families will appreciate the flora and fauna of the rainforest that surrounds the resort. Guests can choose a room in the Canopy Collection located in the main building, or one of the villas in the Rainforest Collection or Beach Collection, all of which feature standard amenities, spacious balconies, and breathtaking views. The hotel’s specialty restaurants serve everything from light snacks to gourmet meals.
Jln Teluk Datai, Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia, Phone: +60-49-50-05-00
14. Banyan Tree Mayakoba
Nestled among freshwater lagoons, natural dunes, and lush mangroves, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba resort complements the rich natural landscape with premium hospitality along the pristine coastline of the Riviera Maya. The wide range of activities available ensure vacationing families can make the most of their holiday. Guests can explore the natural landscape on the guided EcoTour or a kayak tour through the canals of Mayakoba, bike the 3-mile nature trail winding through the grounds, or sign up the whole family for golf or archery classes. Banyan Tree Mayakoba also offers culinary classes specializing in both Thai and Mexican cuisine, allowing guests to experience the flavors of the region.
Carretera Federal Chetumal, Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, Phone: +52-98-48-77-36-89
15. Mandarin Oriental Bodrum
Mandarin Oriental Bodrum guests are welcomed to make themselves at home in luxury private apartments equipped with kitchenettes, living rooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, balconies, and all the amenities needed for a perfect family vacation. With apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms, there is space for the whole family to unwind and take in views of the Aegean Sea. The resort also offers babysitting services, kids clubs with fun daily activities, numerous outdoor sports, a designated children’s pool, and in-room amenities to like baby cots, high chairs, toys, and more to make sure families have everything they need to relax in comfort. Phone: +90-25-23-11-18-88
16. Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort
Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort provides adventure seekers an oasis of luxury set against the vast sands and dramatic desert vistas of the Rub’Al Khali – the largest sand desert in the world. The Qasr Al Sarab offers families the opportunity to immerse themselves in Emirati culture with desert tours, camel trekking, archery, 4x4 dune excursions, horseback riding, and cooking classes specializing in Emirati cuisine. The kids club and teens club provide exciting activities for guests of all ages to enjoy the resort, leaving parents time to indulge in the spa or reserve a romantic Dining by Design private chef while watching the sunset over the dunes.
1 Qasr Al Sarab Road, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Phone: +971-28-86-20-88
17. Floridays Resort
Voted the number one family-friendly hotel in the United States, the Floridays Resort in Orlando is teeming with fun for the whole family. With a shuttle service to the nearby world-class amusement parks of Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, Floridays Resort provides endless opportunities for families to play and soak up the sun together. When not taking advantage of the theme park shuttle, families can relax and enjoy the resort’s many amenities. The unique Playscape area at the main pool is a fan favorite among kids along with poolside activities such as movies, crafts, and live music.
12562 International Drive, Orlando, FL, Phone: 877-821-3018