Recommendation for Family-Friendly Luxury Travel
Apr 27, 2015, 11:20 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3
Recommendation for Family-Friendly Luxury Travel
I'm trying to plan a one to two week trip to surprise my wife for our 10th anniversary and so far am stumped as far as where to go. I'm hoping out of the collective experiences on here that you can help me.
In the past, our favorite experiences have been in New Zealand (Kauri Cliffs, Blanket Bay), Vancouver Island (Wickaninnish), Big Sur (post ranch), Bali (FS Sayan, Amankila). I am hoping to find something else along these lines where the resort is nice and in beautiful surroundings. The challenges are that we'll have a toddler with us (so a direct flight from NYC area would be a plus) and my wife will be 6-months pregnant (so we don't want to be too rugged or too far removed from hospitals).
So far we've thrown around the idea of Hawaii/Hualalai, Amangani, Ireland, Norway, Ireland, France, Twin Farms family week, California, and the Pacific Northwest US.
Any suggestions for family-friendly hotels that might fit what we're looking for would be much appreciated!
In the past, our favorite experiences have been in New Zealand (Kauri Cliffs, Blanket Bay), Vancouver Island (Wickaninnish), Big Sur (post ranch), Bali (FS Sayan, Amankila). I am hoping to find something else along these lines where the resort is nice and in beautiful surroundings. The challenges are that we'll have a toddler with us (so a direct flight from NYC area would be a plus) and my wife will be 6-months pregnant (so we don't want to be too rugged or too far removed from hospitals).
So far we've thrown around the idea of Hawaii/Hualalai, Amangani, Ireland, Norway, Ireland, France, Twin Farms family week, California, and the Pacific Northwest US.
Any suggestions for family-friendly hotels that might fit what we're looking for would be much appreciated!
Apr 27, 2015, 11:40 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boise, ID
Programs: Virtuoso
Posts: 617
Congratulations on the soon to be new baby and your anniversary!
I didn't see when you wanted to go, but I would recommend staying stateside or not too far. I traveled at 28 weeks with my second and my oldest was 17 months, so I know what that feels like. Evening flying first class, it was a bit rough. The toughest part was getting the toddler over the jet lag.
I like Palmetto Bluffs or Seattle for your situation. I used to live in the Seattle area and it is very family friendly - you can do the Experience Music Project, Alki beach, Children's museum, Museum of Flight and many others. You could even score some major spouse points and take the toddler to a fun place and let the wife hang out at the spa! The FS Seattle has an amazing location and is really nice. The Hotel 1000 and Fairmont are both good too. I would pick the Hotel 1000 over the Fairmont though for you.
Palmetto Bluffs is a destination by itself with lots to do.
San Diego is another great family destination. If you pick it, I can send you a list of family activities I put together for a client recently with two young kids.
I didn't see when you wanted to go, but I would recommend staying stateside or not too far. I traveled at 28 weeks with my second and my oldest was 17 months, so I know what that feels like. Evening flying first class, it was a bit rough. The toughest part was getting the toddler over the jet lag.
I like Palmetto Bluffs or Seattle for your situation. I used to live in the Seattle area and it is very family friendly - you can do the Experience Music Project, Alki beach, Children's museum, Museum of Flight and many others. You could even score some major spouse points and take the toddler to a fun place and let the wife hang out at the spa! The FS Seattle has an amazing location and is really nice. The Hotel 1000 and Fairmont are both good too. I would pick the Hotel 1000 over the Fairmont though for you.
Palmetto Bluffs is a destination by itself with lots to do.
San Diego is another great family destination. If you pick it, I can send you a list of family activities I put together for a client recently with two young kids.
Apr 27, 2015, 12:02 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: UA1K, *G & Wife of UA1K MM
Posts: 3,431
Twin Farms family week this summer is the last week of July. There is a fantastic hospital less than a half hour away called Dartmouth Hitchcock and many more of Boston's finest within a few hours. I'm sure you would have a great experience at Twin Farms because they do everything right. 
For our next family trip (with a 4 year old) we will be going to the Four Seasons Costa Rica. It is very family friendly. They have nonstops from EWR, but I don't know anything about the healthcare down there.
For our next family trip (with a 4 year old) we will be going to the Four Seasons Costa Rica. It is very family friendly. They have nonstops from EWR, but I don't know anything about the healthcare down there.
Apr 27, 2015, 12:06 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
I would also like to mention that changing time zones can really screw things up.. even the change from the east coast to the west coast can really be tough... how old is your toddler?
We just got back from Chicago which was really quite kid friendly. Great kids museum, great Science and Industry museum, great food. Rick Bayless's restaurant is surprisingly kid friendly.. We stayed at the PH, which was a value leader and had a nice pool (plus they kept bringing the kids cookies, which the parents may or may not have eaten all of...). The Waldorf looks great but I think the pool is quite small.
Another question is what time of year are we talking? I love Seattle in all seasons but the best time to visit is August.. it's also quite nice to go out to Whidbey or the San Juans as well.
Speaking of the San Juans, if you're looking for beachy destinations than Puerto Rico isn't a terrible option; with easy access to reasonable hospitals...
That all being said we just got back from our babymoon at 24 weeks (though we left the kids at home) and chose to go Amangiri which was quite an amazing experience. However, there was a recent post re: travel there with kids that wasn't as positive... We decided againist Twin Farms and Blackberry because we felt that those would have been better experiences for my wife in a non pregnant state....
Good luck and congrats on #2... we're expected the tres in about 6 wks...
FDW
We just got back from Chicago which was really quite kid friendly. Great kids museum, great Science and Industry museum, great food. Rick Bayless's restaurant is surprisingly kid friendly.. We stayed at the PH, which was a value leader and had a nice pool (plus they kept bringing the kids cookies, which the parents may or may not have eaten all of...). The Waldorf looks great but I think the pool is quite small.
Another question is what time of year are we talking? I love Seattle in all seasons but the best time to visit is August.. it's also quite nice to go out to Whidbey or the San Juans as well.
Speaking of the San Juans, if you're looking for beachy destinations than Puerto Rico isn't a terrible option; with easy access to reasonable hospitals...
That all being said we just got back from our babymoon at 24 weeks (though we left the kids at home) and chose to go Amangiri which was quite an amazing experience. However, there was a recent post re: travel there with kids that wasn't as positive... We decided againist Twin Farms and Blackberry because we felt that those would have been better experiences for my wife in a non pregnant state....
Good luck and congrats on #2... we're expected the tres in about 6 wks...
FDW
Apr 27, 2015, 3:10 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Boise, ID
Programs: Virtuoso
Posts: 617
If you really want to leave the US, based on what you originally posted, I would suggest Scandinavia. I have been to Norway once and Sweden at least 5 times. My grandpa was an immigrant from Sweden and I have a lot of family there, so I visit every few years. I love, love Scandinavia and think it is a great place to go with family, especially in the summer.
Knowing you want to go in the summer, I would not go anywhere to warm as it will be harder on your wife. Dehydration is a big deal when pregnant, as I am sure you well know. I would also try to not go anywhere super crowded as trying to chase after a 2 year old when you are pregnant in a crowded city is not very fun.
I wholeheartedly second the San Juan islands in WA state. They are pretty amazing.
Knowing you want to go in the summer, I would not go anywhere to warm as it will be harder on your wife. Dehydration is a big deal when pregnant, as I am sure you well know. I would also try to not go anywhere super crowded as trying to chase after a 2 year old when you are pregnant in a crowded city is not very fun.
I wholeheartedly second the San Juan islands in WA state. They are pretty amazing.
Apr 27, 2015, 4:38 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 66
With a 6 month pregnant wife, staying in US soil might not be a bad strategy. From your list, you could go NY-> Four Season Seattle for 2-3 nights. Check out the city and adjust to the time zone. From there, straight to FS Hualalai for family friendly HI luxury. Early June would be ideal to beat the crowds before school gets out for the summer.
Apr 27, 2015, 7:20 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
We have travelled a bit with our son, and found that the toddler stage between 1.5 and 2.5 was the most difficult in terms of traveling - especially by plane. Your experience may vary, but a long trip at that age didn't really appeal to us. We went trans-pac when he was 4 months and 3.5, and both those were fine - but a short domestic leg at 1.5 was a nightmare....
That being said, we really liked Palmetto Bluff when we went as a couple last year, and we are bringing our son along this summer. Great property with a lot to do, really good food, and small enough to have personalized service. The golf carts would make it relatively easy to get around.
We also like Kiawah - and the Sanctuary is a nice resort. A lot bigger than Palmetto Bluff, but also a stunning location with a terrific beach and very family friendly.
That being said, we really liked Palmetto Bluff when we went as a couple last year, and we are bringing our son along this summer. Great property with a lot to do, really good food, and small enough to have personalized service. The golf carts would make it relatively easy to get around.
We also like Kiawah - and the Sanctuary is a nice resort. A lot bigger than Palmetto Bluff, but also a stunning location with a terrific beach and very family friendly.
Apr 27, 2015, 11:58 pm
#9
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Palo Alto, CA, USA
Posts: 3,222
Hidden Pond in Maine:
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http://www.hiddenpondmaine.com
Apr 28, 2015, 1:41 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Raleigh, NC
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, RC Gold
Posts: 18
Congrats!
I second The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island. Beautiful hotel with a great spa, huge kids' splash area, kids' club, golf--- all kinds of stuff. Great for families and great when you're pregnant and want to relax. We were in an oceanfront room- and I mean, oceanfront- there was nothing but a patch of sand and then the ocean. We would leave the balcony doors open at night and listen to the ocean.
And it's close to Charleston. If you've never been there, it's a beautiful city to see- very walkable, great dining, romantic...
I second The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island. Beautiful hotel with a great spa, huge kids' splash area, kids' club, golf--- all kinds of stuff. Great for families and great when you're pregnant and want to relax. We were in an oceanfront room- and I mean, oceanfront- there was nothing but a patch of sand and then the ocean. We would leave the balcony doors open at night and listen to the ocean.
And it's close to Charleston. If you've never been there, it's a beautiful city to see- very walkable, great dining, romantic...
Apr 28, 2015, 3:45 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 3
For Kiawah-- do you think it would be comfortable weather-wise to be there in July or is it quite hot/humid?
For the San Juan islands--does anyone have any suggestions on hotels/inns?
thanks again for all of the suggestions!
For the San Juan islands--does anyone have any suggestions on hotels/inns?
thanks again for all of the suggestions!
Apr 28, 2015, 6:49 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
Nothing on the San Juans really qualifies as luxury. I found Friday Harbor House to be comfortable and the Inn at Langley on Whidbey to be nice as well (we got engaged there). Willows Inn on Lummi gets good press for their dining experience. In retrospect while I love the San Juans, there really isn't a whole town for kids to do there... it's quite sleepy to be honest... but it is beautiful and quiet....
FDW
Apr 28, 2015, 7:45 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 1999
Programs: AA 1MM/Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,215
Now Charleston, on the other hand, is IMO oppressively hot and humid that time of year.