Looking for a recommendation for spring break with teens?
I thought I would see if I could get a recommendation from the experts!
Our family of 4 with an 18 yr old son, and 15 year old daughter, are trying to come up with a spring break destination over Easter week 2018. Our son is graduating HS, and he is not interested in doing any of the big group trips like cruises/all inclusives... with his friends. He doesn't LOVE the beach, but he likes a good pool. If he were to plan this for us, we would all go backpacking someplace cold. Not happening. We do have a 7 night certificate left from a travel package, and can add points to it to upgrade it. We prefer to stay in the 48 states, but could go further if anyone has a great idea. We are looking for a destination that has natural beauty, history/culture, great food, and is warmer than Michigan! Ideally, we like to sit and eat outside, and see the sun. It doesn't need to be hot, but sun is important. Two of our favorite spring breaks have been to the JW San Antonio Hill Country, and JW Desert Ridge (combined with Sedona and Grand Canyon). We are hoping to go somewhere new this time. The only 2 places I can think of that he might enjoy, and we also would, are JW Starr Pass Tucson and any nicer hotel in New Orleans. He's a great kid, and I'm hoping to show him a great new place to explore. Any other ideas? We do have MR platinum status, but a lounge/benefits are not really important to us as we don't usually get them anyway at resorts. Thanks! |
Originally Posted by pbbandj
(Post 28747536)
...We are looking for a destination that has natural beauty, history/culture, great food, and is warmer than Michigan! Ideally, we like to sit and eat outside, and see the sun. It doesn't need to be hot, but sun is important. We do have MR platinum status, but a lounge/benefits are not really important to us as we don't usually get them anyway at resorts.
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Originally Posted by ohmark
(Post 28747650)
Maybe take a look at the historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in downtown St Petersburg FL. Downtown StPetersburg has a plethora of museums including two fine art museums, The Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, art galleries, a number of first class restaurants, music venues, great waterfront parks and Tampa Bay views. The Vinoy has on campus clay tennis courts and its own nearby golf course. A number of America's best beaches are within a 20-minute drive. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...and-golf-club/ http://mfastpete.org/
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Originally Posted by pbbandj
(Post 28747536)
I thought I would see if I could get a recommendation from the experts!
Our family of 4 with an 18 yr old son, and 15 year old daughter, are trying to come up with a spring break destination over Easter week 2018. Our son is graduating HS, and he is not interested in doing any of the big group trips like cruises/all inclusives... with his friends. He doesn't LOVE the beach, but he likes a good pool. If he were to plan this for us, we would all go backpacking someplace cold. Not happening. We do have a 7 night certificate left from a travel package, and can add points to it to upgrade it. We prefer to stay in the 48 states, but could go further if anyone has a great idea. We are looking for a destination that has natural beauty, history/culture, great food, and is warmer than Michigan! Ideally, we like to sit and eat outside, and see the sun. It doesn't need to be hot, but sun is important. Two of our favorite spring breaks have been to the JW San Antonio Hill Country, and JW Desert Ridge (combined with Sedona and Grand Canyon). We are hoping to go somewhere new this time. The only 2 places I can think of that he might enjoy, and we also would, are JW Starr Pass Tucson and any nicer hotel in New Orleans. He's a great kid, and I'm hoping to show him a great new place to explore. Any other ideas? We do have MR platinum status, but a lounge/benefits are not really important to us as we don't usually get them anyway at resorts. Thanks! |
Originally Posted by ohmark
(Post 28747650)
Maybe take a look at the historic Renaissance Vinoy Resort and Golf Club in downtown St Petersburg FL. Downtown StPetersburg has a plethora of museums including two fine art museums, The Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, art galleries, a number of first class restaurants, music venues, great waterfront parks and Tampa Bay views. The Vinoy has on campus clay tennis courts and its own nearby golf course. A number of America's best beaches are within a 20-minute drive. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...and-golf-club/ http://mfastpete.org/
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Originally Posted by neo_781
(Post 28749827)
Have you looked at the Starwood hotel options too?
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Originally Posted by pbbandj
(Post 28750185)
I haven't, mostly because I have this travel package certificate to use. Those currently can't be used for Starwood properties, correct?
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What about Southern California? Lots of things to see and do in Los Angeles or San Diego. Plenty of different properties too.
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Originally Posted by pbbandj
(Post 28750185)
I haven't, mostly because I have this travel package certificate to use. Those currently can't be used for Starwood properties, correct?
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Originally Posted by Cledaybuck
(Post 28750644)
What about Southern California? Lots of things to see and do in Los Angeles or San Diego. Plenty of different properties too.
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2nd the Southern California suggestion.
(1) SoCal can hold one's attention for a full week. (It's one of the few places in the United States where I can stay in a single hotel for that long and not get bored or restless.) (2) There are some really strong properties there that *aren't* classified as "resorts", so you would get some elite benefits. (3) You should get the weather you're looking for. (4) Could easily throw in some state/national parks if you want to escape beach/urban life for a day or two. (5) Lots of properties where you could walk to restaurants and such. JW Santa Monica is walkable to the beach, pier, etc. Only catch is that you would almost certainly need a rental car and parking isn't free. I suppose it would be possible to mix Uber/Lyft and 1-day rentals when you need 'em, but everybody knows that LA in general isn't the world's greatest public transportation town. |
You should check out JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. We spent a couple of Spring Breaks there with our teenage daughter. The resort itself is great with multiple pools, restaurants, a spa and golf on site. The Mikado Japanese restaurant was a hit with our daughter, although it was a little pricey (like most resorts).
Joshua Tree is an easy day trip. Lots of things to do in Palm Springs, like the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Our daughter loved relaxing by the pool and felt really pampered when she could order a virgin pina colada and charge it to the room while lounging poolside. Just an FYI, the JW Desert Springs during Spring Break gets more crowded towards Easter Weekend with families and smaller children and all of the Easter festivities going on (Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bunny pictures, etc). Regards, RIP... |
I know you said 48 states but there are several nice Marriott properties along the coast of Puerto Rico that would put you in a nice location for hiking in the rain forest, kayaking the biobay and sightseeing in Old San Juan, which is absolutely charming and historic.
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Originally Posted by pinniped
(Post 28751893)
2nd the Southern California suggestion.
(1) SoCal can hold one's attention for a full week. (It's one of the few places in the United States where I can stay in a single hotel for that long and not get bored or restless.) (2) There are some really strong properties there that *aren't* classified as "resorts", so you would get some elite benefits. (3) You should get the weather you're looking for. (4) Could easily throw in some state/national parks if you want to escape beach/urban life for a day or two. (5) Lots of properties where you could walk to restaurants and such. JW Santa Monica is walkable to the beach, pier, etc. Only catch is that you would almost certainly need a rental car and parking isn't free. I suppose it would be possible to mix Uber/Lyft and 1-day rentals when you need 'em, but everybody knows that LA in general isn't the world's greatest public transportation town. |
Originally Posted by OU812
(Post 28754946)
You should check out JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. We spent a couple of Spring Breaks there with our teenage daughter. The resort itself is great with multiple pools, restaurants, a spa and golf on site. The Mikado Japanese restaurant was a hit with our daughter, although it was a little pricey (like most resorts).
Joshua Tree is an easy day trip. Lots of things to do in Palm Springs, like the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Our daughter loved relaxing by the pool and felt really pampered when she could order a virgin pina colada and charge it to the room while lounging poolside. Just an FYI, the JW Desert Springs during Spring Break gets more crowded towards Easter Weekend with families and smaller children and all of the Easter festivities going on (Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Bunny pictures, etc). Regards, RIP... |
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