I've spent years traveling with my three kids, and in many cases, it can just feel like parenting somewhere else.
But then there are the places that pepper the experience with little luxuries that turn a family trip into a true vacation. Think spacious rooms so you don't feel on top of each other, dining that takes both picky toddlers and foodie parents into account, and thoughtful activities for all ages, including hard-to-please tweens.
For me, the sweet spot is a resort where kids are welcomed without the entire experience feeling overly kid-centric. There might be a kids' club down the hall, but you can still enjoy a great dinner, spa treatment, or quiet cocktail on the veranda.
Here are six luxury, family-friendly resorts that get the balance just right.
In this article
Ocean House in Rhode Island
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Atlantic, Ocean House delivers old-school New England glamour with a surprisingly welcoming attitude toward families.
The Forbes Five-Star resort has 49 guest rooms, 20 suites, and a collection of cottages where your family will have plenty of room.
The hotel also fronts a private white-sand beach that kids will love with surfing and paddleboard lessons. When parents need a break, the property has a kids' night out program or can set up babysitting services so adults can enjoy a spa treatment or dinner at five-star Coast.
Oh, and some teens will also love knowing that Taylor Swift famously owns a house nearby.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe in California
The first time I took my kids skiing was at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, and I'll never be able to top that experience.
The slopeside resort has cozy rooms with fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows, plus one- to four-bedroom suites and residences with kitchens and separate living rooms families will appreciate.
Do yourself a favor and upgrade your room to Club Level, though. There, you can enjoy included snacks and beverages throughout the day. This is where my youngest got hooked on omelets and fresh-made green juice, which I was unable to replicate to his satisfaction when we returned home.
In winter, the biggest luxury is the ski-in/ski-out access to Northstar California, which meant we could get everyone in ski gear and be on the mountain for our private ski lessons without loading everyone into a minivan. The mountain concierge will have your ski boots cozy and warm when you come to pick them up (heaven!), and you can end your ski day near one of the fire pits for the perfect aprés experience.
And the resort is just as appealing in summer too with the private Lake Club, a guests-only section of the lake with beach access, amenities, and complimentary water sport rentals.
The Cloister at Sea Island in Georgia
Arriving at The Cloister at Sea Island feels like entering a grand estate that's been dropped onto Georgia's coast. And despite the lavish air, it’s an excellent fit for families.
The real reason is the hotel’s Sea Island Kids program, where Camp Cloister gives children ages 5 to 14 a full day of supervised activities, including lunch, while younger ones have their own age-appropriate program. Kids can also get involved in experiences such as turtle conservation through the Sea Island Nature Center.
Parents, meanwhile, have access to 5 miles of private beach, a spa, golf course, and a long list of grown-up dining options. Book an Ocean Residence for some privacy, or opt for one of the 265 rooms and suites, which range from 500 to 2,000 square feet.
Enchantment Resort in Arizona
Set dramatically among the red rocks of Boynton Canyon, Enchantment Resort is the kind of place where the scenery does most of the entertaining. The 218-room resort is made up of casita-style accommodations, all with private decks or patios facing the canyon, as well as spacious one- or two-bedroom suites with separate living areas—ideal for enjoying a glass of wine after the kids go to sleep.
Kiddos keep busy at Camp Coyote, which organizes nature walks, scavenger hunts, crafts, STEM projects, cooking, and outdoor games for ages 4 to 12. Older kids can also try Little Shredders, a private mountain-biking lesson for ages 8 to 15.
I also love that the resort offers plenty of activities that both parents and kids can enjoy together, from hiking and mountain biking to desert stargazing.
The Broadmoor in Colorado
The Broadmoor has been welcoming families to its 784-room property for more than a century, and your family can choose from classic rooms to spacious suites, cottages, brownstones, and even a five-bedroom Estate House.
I visited during the holidays with my middle kid, and we spent our days battling it out at Play, the resort's six-lane bowling alley (where I did not let him win), and taking advantage of holiday programming, such as stories with Santa and fireside s'mores.
The Broadmoor's lineup of outdoor adventures was another highlight, as we ziplined over nearby Seven Falls Canyon and spent the afternoon learning about birds of prey as part of the property's falconry program.
While you're there, be sure to book a ride on the nearby Pikes Peak Cog Railway to see Colorado and beyond from 14,115 feet.
Blackberry Farm in Tennessee
Blackberry Farm proves that luxury and kids can happily coexist. Tucked into 4,200 acres near the Great Smoky Mountains, this Relais & Châteaux resort has 68 accommodations, from historic rooms and estate rooms to cottages and multi-bedroom houses.
The atmosphere is polished but decidedly pastoral, and the family programming takes full advantage of the setting. Camp Blackberry gives parents some downtime, while Youth Discovery offers the often-forgotten older kids hands-on classes in everything from ceramics and gardening to geocaching and canoeing.
Families can also explore streams, search for wildlife, go horseback riding, and visit the working farm. Best of all, regular room rates include all meals, including dining options at Camp Blackberry.
The Shortcut
The resorts that get this right build in a night off for parents. Ocean House has a kids' night out program and can arrange sitters, so a dinner reservation is actually on the table.
Look for programming that goes past age 12. Sea Island and Blackberry Farm both have options for tweens and teens, which is where most "family-friendly" resorts quit.
Book the suite with a separate living room. Enchantment's one- and two-bedroom casitas mean bedtime doesn't end your night at 8 p.m.
