Top Kid Friendly Resorts and Hotels

Last week, we blogged about surviving flying with children (not in the literal sense, obviously). This week we’re gonna talk about which places you should actually go to when you have kids.

Family holidays - more difficult to book than you’d imgine

Traveling with the whole family can be a nightmare. It seems that everyone wants to go somewhere or do something completely different. The travel industry has finally discovered how much more traveling families will do when the whole family can travel together. Now hotels and resorts are working hard to make their accommodations kid (and therefore parent) friendly.

Families are staying busy through out the year. When the take time to get away, they want to get away together. Finding locations that offer accommodations for the adults, the teens and the kids can be tricky. It takes hotels and resorts with the right mix of fun and adventure. Fortunately you can find one of these resorts or hotels for the whole family just about any where in the world.

The Bates Motel. Perhaps not the best place to take the family

The Broadmoor (not that one, our British friends) Inn Colorado Springs, Colorado is one five-star hotel that has taken entertaining the family to a whole new level.  The hotel features a Children’s Concierge that can help you find out more about the summer camp programs, the babysitting services and the activities that are catered towards the entire family.  The kids will also enjoy the waterslides, children’s pool and on-site theater.

If you have children of differing ages then the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh has just what you need.  It offers five-star programs for babies, kids and teens.  Kids will get their own “check-in cards” when you arrive which will help them feel important from the start.  The room will include amenities appropriate for each child’s age (electronics for teens, toys for babies, appropriate movies and items for the kids).  The hotel will also offer suggestions for family friendly sites and attractions around the region.

Balmoral Hotel in Scotland

The One & Only resorts around the globe offer amazing Kids Only experiences.  Trained staff will lead your children on age appropriate adventures through out the day with the children joining their parents for meals.  There are also activities for teens age twelve and up.  Some of the resorts also offer professional baby-sitting services for toddlers and babies.

Kids have their own special getaway at Caneel Bay in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.  Turtle Town is a children’s center for kids 3 to 12 and offers arts, crafts and plenty of activities to keep the smallest members of the family enjoying their vacation time.  The center is secluded at the north end of the resort to help maintain the peace and quiet many people come to the islands to experience.

Caneel Bay in the US Virgin Islands

Junior guests are just as important to the Ritz-Carlton in Cancun as their parents.  The resort offers a special menu catered towards the younger pallet.  Kids Camp programs offer supervised activities for kids ages 4 to 12.  The staff works hard to guarantee each kid will enjoy a positive experience on their vacation.  Friday and Saturday nights are all about the Kids Night Out.  They get to enjoy games and a party atmosphere while parents are left to fend for themselves.

The place to go and find adventure for all ages is The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia.  The Kids Club offers games, hikes, arts, crafts, stories and plays.  There is even a special Kids Night Out where parents are NOT allowed.  Children from 3 (that are potty trained) to 12 are invited to participate.  There are also plenty of family oriented activities available so everyone can participate together.

The name Atlantis brings to mind a mystical place and the resort Atlantis on Paradise Island, Bahamas definitely holds to the image.  Kid focused programs are available for ages 3 to 12 including water activities, movies and much more.  There are also a large number of events and activities for the family.  Toddlers between over 3 will have an opportunity to take part in the Aqua Tots feeding experience (all participants must be potty trained and pull-up free).

Atlantis Hotel in the Bahamas

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa offers the Gansbaai safari lodge so that you experience luxury in combination with nature.  Kids are very special guests and programs offered range from trips to the tide pools to learn about marine life to treasure hunts.  The trained staff desires to make the vacation experience entertaining and informative.  There are also great activities tailored for the whole family to enjoy together.

The Georgia Coast at Sea Island Resorts in the United States is a wonderful blend of luxury and southern charm.  Families are the focus - with bingo offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, scavenger hunts and events and activities that are designed so that the kids can have a break from the adults.  Camp Cloister offers directed activities for children ages 3 to 13.

The Georgian Coast. In the morning

Family vacations can now be fun for everyone involved. Hotels and resorts are beginning to cater amenities to the kids and the adults so that the family can play together or apart as the mood fits. It doesn’t matter where you want to travel – the beach or the mountains or the African plains – there is a family friendly hotel or resort that will fit your needs.

Been anywhere particularly family friendly? Been blown away by Disneyland or Butlins? Please comment and let us know!

Also, to help your holiday run a bit smoother, why not enter Carrental’s survey - you coud win a Tom-Tom. Click here.