Accommodations for vacationing large families
By Katie DeTar
Large families will vacation at ease with these great lodging options. (Flickr: Anna Oakley)
Whether you’re traveling with multiple children or with extended family, there are some great lodging options available to make for a happy family vacation. Hotels that offer kid-focused amenities and cater to your whole group – from young kids to teenagers to adults – will offer peace of mind and enjoyable travels for all. With these tips, you’re sure to find the best family-friendly option for your groups’ needs and budget.
Choose An All-Suite Hotel
Suite at Lake Buena Vista Resort (Courtesy Steven Graffham)
Suite hotels, with separate bedrooms and living areas, are a great option for large families. The entire group can stay together in one living area (as opposed to renting multiple rooms) and have the privacy of separate bedrooms. Suite hotels can be found in every city and close to many top family destinations including Disney World and National Parks. Suites offer comforts of home like kitchen facilities, living areas, multiple TVs and often laundry facilities.
(MORE: See which of Disney’s hotels are best for large families.)
Embassy Suites offers one-bedroom suites with a door for privacy between the bedroom and the sleeper-sofa living room. The free cooked-to-order breakfast and evening snacks keep the kids happy and the budget in check when traveling. They even offer complimentary “mocktails” for the kids and cocktails for the adults every afternoon.
Residence Inn by Marriot, Homewood Suites by Hilton and Cambria Suites offer two-bedroom suites to sleep up to eight people. All have full kitchens and comfortable living areas. Kids staying at Residence Inn love their morning waffle breakfast bar, and parents love the grocery delivery service. There’s even an option to have the fridge stocked prior to arrival with your family’s favorite foods.
For an even larger suite option, try the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa in Orlando, FL. The 1,250 square feet of living space offers your large family three bedrooms and two full baths. Kids will have a blast in the pirate-themed hotel pool and waterslide.
All-Inclusive Resorts
Guest home at Woodloch Resort (Courtesy Woodloch Pines Resort)
Family-focused resorts can be one of the best budget-friendly options for a large group and offer plenty of activities and amenities for everyone. Meals, accommodations and activities are all included in a per-person, per-day rate – with many resorts offering kids’ pricing.
Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley, Pennsylvania, is a year-round haven of fun for all ages. The resort offers a variety of suite options and guest homes for larger groups. More than 30 daily activities are included with your rate, including scavenger hunts, family competitions and arts and crafts. The American Plan pricing includes three meals daily in the main dining room, where costumed characters and themed dining nights entertain the kids.
In New York’s Adirondack Mountains, The Waldheim has been welcoming families for more than 100 years. Cozy cottages with up to five bedrooms line Big Moose Lake, where you can swim and play on the beach. Rates include three meals daily, including picnic lunches upon request.
Vacation Home or Condo Rental
One of Smugglers’ Notch’s many family-friendly activities (Courtesy Smugglers’ Notch)
One of the best values for large families is a vacation home rental. Rather than renting multiple rooms or suites, a large rental house or condo offers the comforts of home, an opportunity to travel with extended family, and in many cases, special amenities and perks like grills, fire pits, private beach access and private pools.
The WorldMark Angels Camp is located at the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and close to Yosemite National Park. The three-bedroom suites have fully equipped kitchens, can sleep eight, and the whole family will enjoy the pool and spa. To book a suite at WorldMark Angels Camp, chat with a MiniTime travel specialist or call 800-775-1196.
Smugglers Notch Resort in Vermont is a four-season family fun destination. The condos, ranging in size from one to five bedrooms feature full kitchens. The resort is full of activities including kids’ ski camps, a family FunZone of bounce houses and obstacle courses, a zip line course, and multiple restaurants. There’s even a teen center with WiFi, video games and pool tables.
Nearby to Disney and other Orlando-area family fun is the Polynesian Isles Resort. The two-bedroom villas have fully equipped kitchens, patios or balconies and in-unit laundry. Families will love the lush, tropical setting and the game room and BBQ area. To book a villa at the Polynesian, chat with a MiniTime travel specialist or call 800-775-1196.
Katie DeTar of KatieDeTar.com contributed this to MiniTime. She is a travel writer and a television host.
