7 Wonderful FAMILY RESORTs around the world

 

Selecting the right hotel is one of the most important decisions to make when planning a vacation. Book wrong and you could wind up overspending, getting stuck in a sketchy part of town, or feeling exhausted and just plan “blah” throughout your hard-earned vacay. But if you choose your accommodations carefully, everyone will enjoy a relaxing trip.

Let’s face it, whether you’re beach-bound or slope-bound, where you stay matters—and it matters a lot more than it ever did back in your pre-baby vacation days. You’re not just booking for yourself; you have to think about the wants and needs of the whole family. And what you look for in a place to stay has changed big time, too. When I traveled in college, I just needed a place to rest for the lowest price possible, so I settled for hostels with shared bathrooms way outside of the city. But now, I value convenience and safety over everything else.

But how can you tell which accommodations fit your family’s needs, and which really serve up what they promise—and serve it up with a family-friendly smile (even as your little one splatters a bowl of chocolate ice cream onto the restaurant carpet)?

I have put together some of my and my travelers’ favorite hotels and resorts to help make the process a little easier. If you’re looking to save even more time, I can help pair you with the perfect hotel for your destination. All you have to do is schedule a call!

Dromoland Castle – County Clare, Ireland

Located just minutes from Shannon Airport and a short drive to the Wild Atlantic Way, Dromoland Castle is perfectly positioned as a deluxe “home base” from which you can explore western Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher, historic castles, and stunning coastlines. This is a prestigious Legend Preferred Hotel that embraces families and offers kids clubs during peak school breaks. Kids may even receive personalized cookies and milk at bedtime! Babysitting is also available for date nights at the Castle’s own restaurant, Earl of Thurmond.

Located just minutes from Shannon Airport and a short drive to the Wild Atlantic Way, Dromoland Castle is perfectly positioned as a deluxe “home base” from which you can explore western Ireland’s Cliffs of Moher, historic castles, and stunning coastlines. This is a prestigious Legend Preferred Hotel that embraces families and offers kids clubs during peak school breaks. Kids may even receive personalized cookies and milk at bedtime! Babysitting is also available for date nights at the Castle’s own restaurant, Earl of Thurmond.

Martinhal Chiado – Lisbon, Portugal

Ask anyone who’s been to Lisbon with kids and they’ll tell you to check out Martinhal, a mini hotel chain that bakes kid-friendly into its DNA. The Chiado location in Libson gives you a five-star experience without the need to push past pomp and circumstance just to get to your room. Studios and apartments are colorfully decorated with bold prints and jewel tones, yet the accommodations are still practical, with fully stocked kitchens and bunk beds for the kids. Better still is the kids’ club, offering babysitting services and pajama parties for kids ages six months to early teens, and a baby concierge that will supply anything you need.

Sonesta Resort – Hilton Head, South Carolina

A destination oft described as equally fun for both the kids and parents, the Sonesta Resort on Hilton head is an obvious choice for this list! This AAA approved, Four Diamond family-friendly hotel offers the unique Just Us Kids Club. Activities vary everyday, but parents can find comfort knowing that their children are enjoying themselves in a kid-friendly environment playing at the beach, doing arts and crafts, and so much more. “Dive-In” movies also play on Saturday nights, where families can enjoy a feature poolside under the stars.

Aulani, a Disney Resort – Ko Olika, Oahu, Hawaii

Aulani is on top of Hawaii Tourism’s Kids Club Guide. This resort is a tropical paradise filled with pure Disney magic. When you book a stay here, you are guaranteed world-class hospitality, amazing service, and an enchanting experience you will never forget. The Aulani Resort celebrates the Hawaiian culture so perfectly that even the locals enjoy visiting. Despite being a kid’s club, Auntie’s Beach House is so fun that even I want to stay there all day!

Arenas Del Mar – Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Arenas Del Mar is set in the rain forest right on the beach. Its full beach services and amenities, including day beds, boogie boards, and surf lessons, make it possible to never have to leave the property during your stay. The activities are endless—kids can learn to make tortillas, go zip lining, or venture out after dark with a headlamp looking for tree frogs. Within walking distance of Manuel Antonio National Park, this all-out luxury property is also carbon-neutral, making it one of the most sustainable resorts in the country.

Omni La Costa – San Diego, California

At first, you might think that the Omni La Costa Resort was created just for grown-ups—after all, it has two PGA championship golf courses, 21 tennis courts, a world-famous spa, and a yoga and wellness center founded by Deepak Chopra. Yet this resort caters to little ones too, with its excellent supervised children’s program for ages 6 months and up, set in a 4,000 square foot activity center called Kidtopia. There are also three pools in a family-friendly playground, Splash Landing. One of the pools is zero entry, and there is also an interactive water play zone fantastic for toddlers.

Mountain Sky – Emigrant, Montana

Nearly a century old, Mountain Sky (located in Southwest Montana, just a stone’s throw away from Yellowstone National Park) rolls out the welcome mat for families. The original cabins have been carefully renovated to preserve their charm while still providing all the comforts modern travelers have come to expect. Activities are diverse, ranging from yoga and massages to sunrise hiking and Yellowstone excursion. In addition to riding instruction for kids, Mountain Sky offers a standout kids’ program broken down by age. Younger kids might enjoy hayrides and scavenger hunts, while the older ones can participate in adventures like offsite rock-climbing.

Need a vacation but the idea of planning-it-all is overwhelming?

If you are ready to have the family vacation you’ve been dreaming of, without spending time researching, planning and making it happen, schedule a call today. I’m here to help busy working Moms plan, organize and book the perfect family vacation. With me, all you have to worry about is enjoying your well-earned time away with your family. If you are ready to stop trying to do everything on your own and see how I can help you schedule a complimentary trip planning session now.

 

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