Not all families are created equal—some may love the hustle and bustle of big cities while others may find solace in remote destinations surrounded by miles of wilderness. With that in mind, we chose some of our favorite hotels to visit based on your crew’s favorite type of holiday.
Need a little time in the sun? We’ve got you. Want to attend Broadway shows and museums all day long? We know just the place. And if you’re worried about any domestic travel restrictions for your upcoming trip, we’ve outlined all the current information available to give you one less thing to worry about.
For Wilderness Junkies
Montana is a nature-lover’s playground and nestled in the middle of the breathtakingly beautiful Philipsburg is Ranch at Rock Creek. This 6,600-acre property is home to some of the best experiences around, no matter what time of year you visit.
You can also choose from a number of room types when booking your accommodations, including the lodge, glamping cabins, a historic barn, and luxury homes such as the Bear House. This five-bedroom home fits up to 10 guests and features bunk beds made from original horse stables for the kids as well as personal cruisers or mountain bikes for on-Ranch transportation.
While there, families can enjoy activities from horseback riding to fly fishing, clay shooting, bowling, hiking, archery, a ropes course, ice skating, downhill skiing, ice fishing, sledding and so much more. The Ranch’s Little Grizzlies Kids Club also gives parents an opportunity to sneak away for some much-needed adult time as their little ones participate in age-appropriate guided adventures. The program is available in the mornings and afternoons for children ages 4-12.
For Desert Lovers
If your family loves to sunbathe by the pool, watch pink and orange sunsets in the evenings, and take in the stunning wildlife around you, the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa is the place for you.
This resort sits on 450 acres of land in Palm Desert and is surrounded by the area’s wild foliage and rolling hills. The property is known for its slew of fun and family-friendly activities for all to enjoy including gondola rides, a children’s arcade, five pools, miniature golf, and complimentary lawn games sprinkled throughout the hotel.
There’s also plenty to do for parents such as a sprawling 38,000-square-foot spa, two championship golf courses and nine F&B venues. Be sure to check with the front desk about scheduling activities off-property as well such as bike tours, ATV’ing, and Hummer excursions.
For Beach Bums
Islander Resort in the Florida Keys is a great destination for families who love soaking up the sun on white sand beaches. The 75-year-old property offers a number of spacious suites with ocean views and full kitchens so that you can ensure all of your family’s favorite foods are on hand during your trip.
Around the resort, guests can enjoy two saltwater pools; a kid’s splash pad; outdoor games such as ping pong, volleyball, shuffleboard, and basketball; six tennis courts; a kid’s club; nine-hole golf course; and a butterfly garden. Families can also book watersports including kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling or fishing gear.
The resort also boasts the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center, a 7,500-square-foot museum and learning space dedicated to helping guests discover more about the area and its rich history. The center features a variety of interactive exhibits as well as a 35-seat theater for documentary film screenings.
For City Slickers
Great service and entertaining amenities aren’t just for the adults at The Peninsula New York. The brand is known for its hospitality training program, and as such, has made it a priority to make even its littlest of guests feel like royalty when staying at one of its properties. It’s NY location offers the Camp Peninsula package which can be added to any room reservation.
Designed for kids and teens, the experience begins with a personalized welcome card and s’mores amenity just for them. Inside your suite, a Camp Peninsula Tent awaits for the kids to sleep in, along with their own miniature robe and slippers. And of course, turndown service. The package also features a fun scavenger hunt for kids to explore the hotel in a new way.
Partnering with Stokke, a high-end baby brand, families can also request rooms be outfitted with those items that are hard to travel with such as cribs, bouncers, highchairs, and bathtubs. When you’re ready to explore the city, ask the concierge about the Peninsula Academy, a program exclusive to the hotel offering unique experiences for families. Think private pizza-making tours, Broadway meet-n-greets, and guided tours aboard the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.
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Nicolle Monico is a Sr. Editor for Verified.org with more than 14 years of experience in the industry. A former Travel Editor, she garnered an extensive background in travel, writing articles from city news to hotel and resort openings, wanderlust trends, and in-depth pieces on the industry. In 2014 she was voted by USA Today 10Best readers as the #1 Best Luxury Travel Blogger in the nation.
