What's Worth It
While planning your next family vacation, it’s sometimes important to keep in mind your most demanding group members may also be the smallest! We know as well as any that happy children can make or break a trip, so we’ve curated this round-up guide of favorite kid-friendly hotels and destinations around the globe for you to keep on-hand. Continue reading for family-oriented inspiration and six excellent vacation options even the littlest and pickiest of guests will love.
Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley
Park City, UT
Consider adding this fun experience to your next vacation itinerary! The Stein Eriksen Lodge at Deer Valley provides all amenities needed to create an unforgettable indoor camp out for your little ones. This add-on amenity is set up in your room pre-arrival and includes a canvas tent, Stein’s plush moose toy, National Geographic Starry Night Lantern, and the educational Fun with Nature: Take Along Guide Book; plus site-wide wireless internet access. Your little adventurers will have a blast camping in-room and waking to explore all the Lodge and Park City have to offer – a true childhood memory they won’t soon forget! Simply add the Little Explorers package onto your reservation prior to completing your booking and let Stein Eriksen Lodge do the rest!
Grace Bay Club
Turks & Caicos Islands
Welcome to beautiful Turks & Caicos, and to Grace Bay Club’s Kid’s Town! At a resort where the well-being and happiness of your young ones takes priority, only the best nannies, trained childcare professionals, and qualified instructors are trusted to take exploring the gorgeous island. Here at Grace Bay Club, any family can acquire V.I.K (Very Important Kid) status with programs, gift packs, and other amenities curated for their specific age-ranges. Older kids and teenagers (13+ years) can take part in an exciting, extensive list of offshore excursions such as SCUBA diving (maybe even for the first time) among colorful coral reefs, touring North Caicos by boat and meeting the flamingos that reside there, encountering “Mermaids” by day or glow worms by night, and so much more! Kids Town is where the younger ones will play and explore in the clubhouse, learn about marine life on snorkeling outings, and partake in special age-specific offshore adventures like a field trip to the world’s only Conch Farm!
Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
Wailea, Maui Island, HI
Entertainment for the kids is one of Grand Wailea’s greatest priorities, and this shines through its 20,000-square-foot mini-resort, The Rock, dedicated to providing safe and fun spaces for two age groups. Camp Adventures engages children (ages 5-12 years) in fun and interactive daily activities including a Hula and Lei-Making Class, Walkie Talkie Tag, Pirate Treasure Hunt, and lots more; while The Spot provides a laid-back teen lounge atmosphere with a snack bar and table games for ages 13+ years. If a little afternoon screen time is in order, kids can head to Ohana Hale for E-rated gaming on the latest devices, the den also equip with plush toys to occupy younger siblings. This resort and the selection of amenities it offers are extremely well-rounded, satisfying even the testiest of teens, and an idyllic choice for families looking for the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and quality time in a tropical setting.
Atlantis The Palm
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
For an exotic experience curated especially for families, stay at Atlantis in The Palm of Dubai! Make every day an adventure with an extensive list of activities to keep their little hands and minds busy! The Atlantic Kids Club turns your kiddos (ages 3-12 years) into pirates, mad scientists, and Olympic champions for the day, and offers other programs like origami, painting, and cookie decorating. The Underwater Theatre is great for unwinding with a movie, and the Ambassador Lagoon an incredible place to view the 65,000 marine animals at live there. And perhaps the biggest highlight of this property is the enormity of water adventures including: Dolphin Bay, Sea Lion Point, Aquaventure Waterpark, river rides, the shark safari, Lost Chambers Aquarium, Aquatreks, dives, and so much more. If you are planning your vacation during July and August, sign up for one, two, or even all six summer camp options for non-stop adventure, healthy lunches, and unlimited waterpark access; or stay over Easter for an extra special holiday including the biggest (more than 50,000 eggs) Egg Hunt in Dubai, decedent feasts, and other unforgettable festivities all weekend long! And adults, don’t forget to take advantage of the in-room babysitter service so you can dip your toes in Dubai’s vibrant nightlife at least once or twice.
Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
Manalapan, FL
At the Aquanuts state-of-the-art on-site childcare facility (ages 5-12 years) the expert staff prioritize encouraging the imaginations and creativity of your children in a safe, sociable, and nurturing environment. Decked in an underwater theme complete with a climbing reef and sunken shipwreck, the Go Nuts program offers activities to suit every personality type including: song, dance, and theatrics on the Oyster Pearl Theatre’s giant sandcastle stage, the Lagoon for table games and crafts, the Coast Beauty Salon for supervised makeovers and hairstyling, and the Grotto for laid-back gamers! Special activities include scavenger hunts and themed games like Mad Science and Outer Space. For an extended period of fun, join the Aquanuts Summer Camp to spend your vacation enjoying weekly themes, learning to cook and perform magic tricks, and much more in sunny Florida. Even your teenagers will love the resort, with access to the private pool, beach, and water games, it’s entirely up to them whether they kick back and sunbathe or get active and maybe even learn to surf! With programs designed to suit everyone on an individual basis, each child, preteen, and teen will create lasting memories that will stay with them long after their feet leave the sand.
Peninsula Chicago
Chicago
The Peninsula Chicago offers enticing additions designed with the youngest guests in mind, including curated in-room amenities, especially family-friendly accommodation options, and the Peninsula Academy programs. Please simply mention your child(ren)’s ages and interests when reserving your room, and the Peninsula staff will create custom activities and special memories throughout your stay! At the front desk during check-in you can even schedule a visit with Peter Bear, the lovable mascot of The Peninsula, who will stop by to say hello with a wagon of treats; or add the other welcome-amenity of Peninsula Treats for gummy bears, chocolate chip cookies, popcorn, and more! For little ones with an particular interest in sweets, consider signing them up for Little Bakers: Pastry Class for Aspiring Chefs; or Princess for a Day: How to be a Perfect Princess for those aspiring to be the most regal in all the kingdom; while little explorers interested in experiencing the Windy City from high above and atop Lake Michigan may take to the Chicago by Air and Water: City Tour for the Adventurous. And to round out the day, retreat to your comfy home away from home and hunker down in child-size robes and slippers.
Zadun, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Puerto Los Cabos
We are completing our list with a beautiful new property opening soon! Zadún, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, will open in the Fall of 2019 set amidst the dunes and along the dramatic coastline of Puerto Los Cabos, Mexico. With panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez, this highly-anticipated luxury resort marks the fourth extraordinary property in the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio. The Zadun Family Beach Front Villa is the perfect destination for families seeking quality time and fun through an exclusive, signature experience. The villa is beachfront with two-bedrooms, two-bathrooms, a private terrace, plunge pool, and complete with a child-size teepee hosting amazing ocean views for the little ones! And as a Ritz-Carlton property your stay will include access to the Ritz-Kids program to satisfy their curious minds with engaging nature-based activities, while you relax in the sea, sun, and sand to your heart’s content – ensuring everyone stays happy and entertained.
