The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch
If you find yourself in the middle of planning a family vacation right now, you are not alone. July is National Family Reunion Month and, apparently, many families are getting on the trip train.
If you want to jump in on this multi-generational trip trend here are five hotels that have things ready to go for the kids, the parents and the grandparents.
Getting In Touch With Nature
The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch sits in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, with plenty of room for the kids to romp and enough flora and fauna to make you breathe a sigh of relief that you’re finally on vacation.
For the Kiddies: The hotel just announced their new signature Ritz Kids program so little ones aged 5-12 will not be bored from a lack of activity: they can pan for gold, make mountainside ice cream (with a former Park Ranger no less), paint a masterpiece and hunt down treasure.
Days are themed around Nature, Mountains Around the World, the Art of Colorado, Western Day, Wild Animals, Leave No Stone Unturned, and Sports and Wellness. You can choose to sign the kids up for a full-day ($ 115), half-day ($ 65) or an evening ($ 85) but get this if youre a guest of the hotel, a half-day per kid, per day, is included in your resort fee.
For Mom and Dad: With the kids fully occupied, the day (or evening) really is yours to do with it as you will. Have dinner at Spago just the two of you with wine and everything or take a pizza-making class there instead, have a spa treatment and then relax in the rock-lined watery grotto, or go on a personalized Perfectly Paired Picnic for two ($ 225).
For Grandma and Grandpa: Have some of your own quiet time during a Stargazing Hike ($ 115 for two) or get in a game of golf at the championship Beaver Creek Golf Course. When its family time, keep the memories of this trip alive by enlisting one of the photography concierges to memorialize it in pictures (the photo session and one 8 x 10 print is free, we repeat, free).
Rates start at $ 319.
Keep reading for city hotels and Caribbean escapes!
Big City Fix
The Pod Hotel 39 is in the Murray Hill neighborhood of New York, not far from Grand Central Station, the Empire State Building and Central Park.
For the Kiddies: The bunk bed pods at Pod 39 make kids feel like they’re at a friends sleepover rather than being the roomie of their little sister or brother. And because sibling rivalry is never a good thing, each bunk has its own 19 LCD TV so theres no fighting over whether to watch Dora the Explorer or Pokémon. When the tots aren’t sleeping, the hotel has a good selection of board games and ping pong tables in the Play Room.
For Mom and Dad: As much as you love spending time with the little ones, sometimes you just need a cocktail break. Sip on creative cocktails by mixologist Sam Anderson while the kids entertain themselves in the Play Room nearby.
For Grandma and Grandpa: Because the burden of funding an awesome family trip often falls with you, grandma and grandpa, youll be happy to know that Pod 39 starts at $ 119 per night so that you, too, will be able to sleep at night.
Rates start at $ 119 a night.
Hotel Commonwealth is a stylish hotel located in Kenmore Square and is within spitting distance of Bostons Fenway Park.
For the Kiddies: No-one need be jealous of the Red Soxs mascot when you have your own at the hotel. Before lights out, a life-size Terry the Bear, the Hotel Commonwealths mascot, will deliver stuffed Terry teddy bears, a bedtime story book and a nighttime snack. The Tucked in with Terry the Bear: Live! is $ 50.
For Mom and Dad: Because baseball isnt just for kids, the hotel has a ton o baseball-themed packages that include getting behind the scenes at Fenway Park, taking in a game or viewing the action from a luxe Fenway Room with its Green Monster” view (that’s the leader board at Fenway for those of us not up on our baseball lingo).
For Grandma and Grandpa: As much as you love your grand-kids, its nice to have a little retreat in which to escape. If you book into the 600-sq-ft Reading Suite (catch that little play on words?) youll find a library full of books from local authors.
Rates start at $ 422.
Caribbean Escape
The BodyHoliday is an all-inclusive Saint Lucia resort that usually only takes guests aged 18+, but this summer theyre offering a WellFit Families program for those 12 and up so that the clan can travel together. Take note: This annual retreat is not a lets all lie on the beach together to bond sort of thing with visiting Olympians and international yoga instructors this is a high-octane trip for sporty families.
For the Kiddies: Burn off some energy with things like zip lining, rappelling down a waterfall, competing in organized competitions, participating in bike rides and water skiing.
For Mom and Dad: Not that youre super-competitive or anything but feel free to kick your kids butts during the parents vs. children competitions that include volleyball and beach-a-thalons. And then calm things down with things like the motherdaughter spa experience in the Wellness Center.
For Grandma and Grandpa: If youre athletic, sailing and group bike rides are an option or get the brood together for a yoga class. If youre a little more chill, you’re allowed to lounge by the pool or beach while the rest of the family goes nuts and then insist that everyone joins in on things like Family Quiz Night.
Rates start at $ 500/person/night for the WellFit Family program (available between July 12-August 30).
Hyatt Regency Aruba is a white-sand beachfront resort that is good news! located outside of the hurricane belt so any times a good time to go.
For the Kiddies: Its playtime in paradise at Camp Hyatt Watapana. Kids can play games in the pool, get crafty during arts and crafts and get the deets about Arubas history like why the divi divi trees always point against the steady trade breezes. (Were not handing out prizes if you get the right answer, just so ya know.)
For Mom and Dad: Bond with the family during a pick-up game on the basketball court or go for speed during the water slide contest. If youre looking for some private bonding time head to the ZoiA Spa or trade off with your parents and have a quiet sunset dinner.
For Grandma and Grandpa: The hotel has fun experts who put together daily contests and activities from sun-up to sun-down. You got your poolside bingo, karaoke at Piets Pier Bar and the luck of the draw at the casino to keep you occupied.
Rates start at $ 380/night including a $ 50 resort credit/night.
[Photos: The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch; The Pod Hotel 39; Hotel Commonwealth; The Bodyholiday; and Hyatt Regency Aruba]