BEST FAMILY VACATIONS

BEST FAMILY VACATIONS

The mercury may not be in the 90s just yet, but the hottest summer vacation deals are already here. And we’ve started to think about the best family vacations in the U.S. and beyond. So what if the first day of summer is more than a month away? We’re huge fans of planning ahead—and we’ve got some pretty cool family vacation ideas to prove it.

Families looking for a hit of culture will love London’s Dukes Hotel. Its “Chocolate Factory” package includes tickets to an evening performance of Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and chocolate-themed afternoon tea. And the fact that it’s in Mayfair is a huge plus. Not into theater? Thailand’s Paresa Resort can arrange for elephant treks, market tours, and island hopping. Its “Family Getaway” promotion, with options that include a two-bedroom suite or a four-bedroom villa, is perfect for families with two or more children. For a more cosmopolitan trip head over to Swissôtel Chicago, where your family can enjoy the “Shedd Aquarium Experience” or the “Cultural Arts” package. Beyond that, the hotel is near Millennium Park and Magnificent Mile.

Flip through the slideshow and read on below for more family vacation ideas.
—Karla Alindahao (@karlaalindahao)

Dukes Hotel
35-36 Street, James Place, London
+44.20.7491.4840
The Dukes Hotel, one of the city’s finest five-star properties, is offering a “Chocolate Factory” package in honor of Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Included in the packaged are tickets for families to see the musical’s evening performance and a golden ticket (for the children) that can be exchanged for a copy of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. For the older members of the family, the hotel is offering a “West End Theatre Break” package that provides an evening of entertainment in the West End, accommodations in a room or suite, and a pre-theatre dinner at Nigel Mendham’s recently launched Thirty Six restaurant. Family-friendly amenities include a 24-hour kids’ concierge, in-room bedtime story books, and Playstation and Xbox games. Package rates start at $743 for two people per evening. The “West End Theatre Break” offer is only valid Thursday to Saturday. Book Now.

Regent Palms Turks & Caicos
Princess Drive, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
866.877.7256
Offering complimentary lessons that include paddle boarding, kayaking, wind-surfing, and snorkeling, the Regent Palms Turks & Caicos is the perfect summer destination for the entire family. The 72-suite resort is also offering a “Family Getaway” package that includes airport transfers to and from the resort, a three-course family dinner on the beach, complimentary four-hour nanny service, and a welcome amenity for children. Rates start at $495, based on four persons—each additional person is $100. Book Now.

The Homestead
7696 Sam Snead Highway, Hot Springs, VA
800.838.1766
The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia is great for multi-generational family travel. Think activities galore: With over 30 activities for guests of all ages, the 3,000-acre resort’s summer activities include gorge hiking, kayaking, golf, archery, paintball, and horseback riding. And that’s not even counting the Allegheny Springs waterpark and Mini Cascades miniature golf. The “Unlimited Activities” package starts at $350 per room. Book Now.

Paresa Resort
49 Moo 6, Layi-Nakalay Road, 
Kamala, Phuket 83150 Thailand
+66.76.302000
If you’re looking to travel a little farther away from home, you might want to consider heading to Phuket’s luxurious Paresa Resort. With a number of leisure and sightseeing activities (think elephant trekking, island hopping, and market tours), guests of all ages are sure to enjoy their Asian excursion. Through October 31, Paresa is offering a special “Family Getaway” promotion with two luxury room types to accommodate every family. The package includes 10 percent off the two-bedroom Talay Suite (or 25 percent off the four-bedroom Grand Villa), daily breakfast, Thai lunch for four people, and round-trip airport transfers. Book Now.

Hotel Vermont
41 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05401
855.650.0080
Opening this month, the eco-friendly Hotel Vermont is Burlington’s first independent hotel. With a variety of activities on offer, it’s perfect for an extended family getaway for guests of all ages. The hotel features a Bedtime Menu that includes Lunaroma aromatherapy, Vermont Flannel pajamas, and teddy bears for the children. Other perks include free bike rentals, massage therapy, yoga classes, and sailing. Another plus: Vermont’s shopping district is right outside the hotel. And after a day of shopping, families can relax in the lobby and enjoy the wood-burning hearth or have some the carbon-negative cocktails at the outdoor terrace overlooking Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains. Book Now.

Vanderbilt Grace
41 Mary Street, 
Newport, RI 02840
401.846.6200
Alfred Vanderbilt’s 1909 mansion, Vanderbilt Grace, was restored to its former glory to as a luxurious 33-room hotel with a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and two restaurants. And for the Fourth of July, there’s no better place to enjoy fireworks than on the Vanderbilt Grace rooftop. Families can enjoy the “Newport Family Getaway” package, which allows guests to book one Junior or Superior and receive the connecting suite at half price for the children. It also includes continental breakfast and lunch at the Conservatory, free food and drinks for children under three, kids’ bedtime snack cart, kids’ slippers and robe, and cribs for those travelling with infants. Book Now.

Caneel Bay
Route 20 North Shore Road, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands 00831
340.776.6111
Caneel Bay in St. John’s Virgin Islands National Park has something for every family member—from zumba and yoga classes to sailing and snorkeling tours to watercolor lessons. And with seven secluded beaches nearby, what’s not to love? The resort’s “Greatest Generation” offer was created with multi-generational family travel in mind. When families book three rooms at full rates, they get a fourth room (in the same room category) for free. The package is available through December 20. Book Now.

Swissôtel Chicago
323 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60601
888.737.9477
The Harry Weese-designed Swissôtel Chicago has a number of things going on this summer. There are lots of reasons to visit this particular Swissôtel outpost: In addition to its being near the city’s Magnificent Mile and Millenium Park, the hotel is offering the “Shedd Aquarium Experience,” the “Cultural Arts” package, the “Skyscraper Experience,” and the “Occasion Celebration” package, all of which can done with older children. The best part? The Swissôtel Kid Rooms. Outfitted with features to delight and entertain children, each kids’ room is equipped with age-appropriate toys, DVDs, video games, special bathroom amenities, a bathrobe, and specialty bed linens.

The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
30620 Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
345.945.3800
The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa is the perfect escape for families looking to get away from it all. And there’s no shortage of things to do: You can visit the Turtle Farm or Dolphin Discovery, enjoy spending the day at the island’s largest freshwater pool, or have the concierge staff set up tours to explore local attractions such as the Stingray Sandbar and the island’s million-year-old rock formation known as “Hell.” Book Now.

Omni Royal Orleans
621 St. Louis Street
, New Orleans, LA 70140
504.529.5333
There’s no better season to visit New Orleans than in the summer. (But we have to admit… we love it all year ’round.) Situated on the city’s historical French Quarter, Omni Royal Orleans is right where you’ll want to be in the Crescent City—exactly where all the action is! And with summer festivals taking place almost every week, guests can enjoy the Essence Music Festival (held every Fourth of July weekend), the French Market Creole Tomato, the New Orleans Seafood Festival, or the Louisiana Cajun/Zydeco Festival, all of which take place in the French Quarter. Rates start at $219 per night. Book Now.

The Tides Inn
480 King Carter Drive, Irvington, VA 22480
800.843.3746
Thinking of planning that long-overdue summer family reunion? The Tides Inn in Irvington may be just the place for your clan. With endless possibilities for multigenerational family travel, the resort’s on-site family reunion specialist (yes, you read that right) arranges retreats to suit every taste. Family bonding activities include sailing lessons with the resort’s Norton Yachts partner, golf at the 18-hole Golden Eagle Golf Club—where junior tees are available for the younger ones, and classic games like lawn chess and croquet. And for downtime, older family members relax at The Spa while the children are at the property’s Crab Net Kids program or indulging in frisbee golf or GPS treasure hunts. At night, families can gather by the fire pit to enjoy s’mores, play board games, or watch Saturday night outdoor movie screenings on the lawn. Rates start at $175 per night. Book Now.

Topnotch Resort & Spa
802.253.6463
Topnotch Resort & Spa is reopening this summer. And it’s offering one of the best family getaways featuring a multitude of kid-friendly activities. Families can spend the day hiking, biking, kayaking, and horseback riding—Vermont is one huge playground, after all. And for families with dogs, there’s no need to leave your furry family member at home: Topnotch even offers doggie turndown service and the Rover Reiki Massage. Book Now.

Il Lugano
3333 Northeast 32nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954.564.4400
Families who want a luxury hotel sans the crowds and the exorbitant prices can hit Fort Lauderdale’s Il Lugano, where they are running a “Summer Savings” promotion through September 30. Soak up the sun at the hotel with rates starting as low as $129 per night. The all-suite boutique property has everything a family could need—in-room kitchenette, washer/dryer, and views of the water in every room. The hotel has a pool but there are also free transfers to the Atlantic (with beach gear included) if the kids prefer the waves. During the summer months there are savings on activities in the area including airboat rides through the Everglades, kayaking excursions, catamaran cruises, fishing and diving, and even shopping. And parents can always indulge in date night at Da Campo Osteria, the hotel’s Italian restaurant, which boasts a long wine list and mozzarella made tableside. Book Now.

Hyatt Regency Atlanta
265 Peachtree Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30303
404.577.1234
Looking for something educational for the kids? Downtown Atlanta’s Hyatt Regency is offering the “Georgia Aquarium” package that lets the family explore the Georgia Aquarium, which is the largest in the world and features more than 100,000 fish and sea creatures. The package includes overnight accommodations, complimentary parking, two tickets to the aquarium that grants access to all the galleries, the 4D Theatre and Deepo’s Undersea Wondershow, the Dolphin Tales show, and seasonal exhibits. Families can also feast on farm-to-table fare at the hotel’s restaurant, Sway, and indulge in the all-you-can-eat pie bar. Rates start at $139 with code AQUA. Book Now.

Enchantment Resort
525 Boynton Canyon Road, Sedona, AZ 86336
928.282.2900
Celebrate summer at Enchantment Resort with a $125 credit when you book a three-night stay. Surrounded by the stunning red rocks of Boynton Canyon, the resort offers activities fit for the whole family. Guests can spend the day at the pool that boasts stunning views of the red rocks while kids enjoy their time at Camp Coyote, the resort’s kids’ program. Trained counselors lead exciting activities that explore the region’s culture and natural environment. Highlights include nature walks, sculpting pottery, stargazing, and Native American arts and crafts like weaving dream catchers and designing arrowhead necklaces. Book Now.

Hotel Chandler
12 East 31st Street, New York, NY 10016
212.889.6363
Hotel Chandler is great for families traveling to New York City this summer. The family-friendly Chandler Suite allows for kids to sleep on a pullout couch while parents relax in the separate bedroom. You can’t beat hotel’s location, which is near notable attractions such as Times Square, the Theater District, Madison Square Park, the Empire State Building, and more. And its “Freewheeling in Central Park” is great for families wanting to explore NYC’s pastoral paradise via two-hour guided tour. Book Now.

Hotel Madeline Telluride
568 Mountain Village Boulevard, Telluride, CO 81435
970.369.0880
This Memorial Day weekend, you might want to think about heading over to Telluride, Colorado for Mountainfilm—one of America’s longest-running film festivals, which features screenings of independent documentary films from around the world. Conveniently located in Mountain Village with easy access to historic attractions by way of free public gondola system, Hotel Madeline Telluride is offering its Memorial Day weekend guests the “Mountainfilm Festival” package that includes accommodations for three nights and two Wilson Passes, which provides exclusive access to Mountainfilm’s programs and events such as the Moving Mountains Symposium and the Closing Picnic and Awards Ceremony. This may be one of the best family vacation ideas for culture buff parents: adult activities for Mom and Dad while the kids are at the Telluride Eco Kids’ Camp. The Mountainfilm Festival package is offered at $369 per night, based on double occupancy. Book Now.

Gansevoort Turks and Caicos
Grace Bay Beach, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands
888.844.5986
Its sister properties in NYC may be known for being the city’s hottest nightspots, but the 91-room Gansevoort Turks + Caicos is much more intimate. Located by Grace Bay Beach in Providenciales, the resort is perfect for families with older children, offering a 7,000-sq-foot infinity pool with lounging islands. Activities such as water sports, eco tours, tennis, and more are on offer. Book Now.

Sea Island
100 Cloister Drive, Sea Island, GA 31561
855.572.4975
Sea Island’s engaging programs is great for bringing the entire family together. All year round, the property offers everything from tennis clinics, brunches, bingo, and more. Sea Island’s popular family nature programming, led by resident naturalist Kristen Morris, includes kayak tours in the marshes, survival skills classes, and sea turtle expeditions for kids, where families search for turtle hatchlings and help protect the eggs from natural predators.