By Lynn O’Rourke Hayes
From FamilyTravel.com
These resorts offer service, amenities and surprises that will please the whole family. Here are five top spots to consider.
Park Hyatt Aviara, Carlsbad, California
Relax into the coastal vibe that permeates this five-star resort, nestled within 200 acres in the foothills of Carlsbad. Sporting a recent $50 million resort-wide transformation, the Park Hyatt Aviara offers breathtaking views and a plethora of on-site activities. Spend time at the peaceful adult pool or the family pool, where dual slides keep youngsters slipping, sliding and smiling. Both pools offer private cabanas. Opt for an outdoor exercise session, explore via an award-winning hiking trail, play tennis or reserve a round on the Arnold-Palmer-designed signature golf course. Test your skills in the Top Golf Swing Suite or head to a nearby beach for a surfing lesson. Families will appreciate the resort’s proximity to LEGOLAND California, where more than 60 rides, shows and attractions beckon children ages 2 to 12.For more: www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/california/park-hyatt-aviara-resort/www.legoland.com/california/
Hawks Cay Resort, Florida
Located halfway between Key Largo and Key West, this extraordinary 60-acre resort provides a picture-perfect setting for the adventure-loving family. A recent $50 million renovation means your crew can enjoy the benefits of a full-service marina, and can choose to swim in a saltwater lagoon or any of five pools, including the splashy Pirate Ship pool and the Hawk’s Cay kids pool, where slides, water cannons and raining palm trees lure young swimmers. The kid and teen clubs are also popular. Of note is the interactive environmental activity program, designed to be both interactive and age appropriate, in which youngsters learn about dolphins, sharks, shore birds, residents of the nearby Everglades and other natural wonders. Enjoy fishing, kayaking, kiteboarding, cruising on a stand-up paddleboard or relaxing at the spa. Spend the night in one of 177 guest rooms or spread out in a two- or three-bedroom villa.For more: www.hawkscay.com
Four Seasons Resort, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Experience Santa Fe in perfect balance. You’ll relish the privacy, tranquility and easy access to the pathways leading into the Sangre de Cristo foothills provided by the New Mexico resort’s expansive setting. Yet, you’ll be just minutes from the center of this cultural gem, where world-class galleries, fine dining and cultural experiences await. Begin each day with a complimentary guided hike, during which you’ll learn of the resort’s colorful history, while marveling at the vistas from the ridgeline trail. Play golf amid dramatic sandstone ridges at Black Mesa Golf Course in Mesilla or at the top-rated Paa'ko Ridge, home to fantastic high-desert views. Opt for a Jeep ride surrounded by the dramatic cliffs and rugged terrain of Diablo Canyon and the Rio Grande or choose a more gentle approach and ride mountain bikes on local trails. Later, relax by the pool, or sample a spa treatment to cap off your day.For more: https://www.fourseasons.com/santafe
Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Located at the base of Snow King Mountain and just blocks from the historic Jackson Hole Town Square, Snow King Resort offers both guest rooms and luxury condominium/vacation rentals in the heart of one of the West’s most dramatic destinations, the gateway to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Onsite amenities include a fitness center, an outdoor heated pool, a hot tub and a game room. During the summer months, expect snow cones and s’mores around the fire pits, croquet, multiple lawn games and scavenger hunts. Book adventure and educational tours that will depart from the resort lobby or visit adjacent Snow King Mountain for it’s Treetop Adventure, an Alpine Slide, scenic gondola rides and miniature golf. Ask about the Ready, Set, Road Trip package.For more: www.SnowKing.com.
Skamania Lodge, Stevenson, Washington
Explore the dramatic landscape and rugged beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, a 4,000-foot-deep canyon of the Columbia River. Choose the Skamania Lodge as your base camp and elevate your experience with a stay in one of their treehouse-style cabins. While 15 to 20 feet in the air, you’ll sleep amid the Douglas firs in a contemporary structure inspired by childhood memories of outdoor play. Enjoy the outdoor deck, firepit, hammocks, s’mores kits, an ice-filled Yeti and a wealth of nearby activities. Renew your connection with nature through a self-guided forest bathing experience on Skamania’s creek loop trail or try your hand at disc golf. Check out the Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center, and plan a trip to any of 70 nearby waterfalls.For more: skamania.com.
(Lynn O’Rourke Hayes (LOHayes.com) is an author, family travel expert and enthusiastic explorer. Gather more travel intel on Twitter @lohayes, Facebook, or via FamilyTravel.com)
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