American Girl Suite Debut

The Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C. has unveiled an American Girl doll-themed suite!  The new room — appropriately furnished in pale pink and cream colors — comes complete with American Girl’s bestselling books and products, such as the American Girl Grand Hotel along with an American Girl doll beds, bathrobes and slippers!  The hotel is offering two American Girl doll packages with a mix of added amenities and afternoon tea. The infamous and upscale hotel with 336 guest rooms was renovated in 2016 and overlooks the Potomac River.  It is located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood close to public transporation.  It also features guaranteed connecting rooms for families and up to 3 bedroom suites.  It also features an indoor pool, gym and spa.

Family Fun in Charleston

There’s no shortage of family-friendly activities in Charleston, SC.  The Fulton Lane Inn and Kings Courtyard Inn both offer a Family Fun package that puts the best of the city at your fingertips. Share the beauty and history of Charleston with this three day, two-night package. It includes your choice of tickets to the South Carolina Aquarium or Patriot’s Point Naval and Maritime Museum, a choice of the Charleston Museum or Children’s Museum, a horse and buggy for a carriage ride through downtown Charleston, a $20 gift certificate to a local confectionery shop and a fun scavenger hunt.  These boutique-style, sister hotels are next to each other and centrally located close to sites, shops, dining and Waterfront Park.  Mindy and Lauren enjoyed a family gathering at the Fulton Lane Inn as well.

Healthy Teens; Healthy Families

The teen years can be a challenge!  For the first time, the Life Enhancement Center at Canyon Ranch opens its doors to teens and their families from July 15-22 at their Tucson, Arizona resort.  Share in a dynamic immersion experience and enjoy engaging education sessions, daily fitness activities and individually focused consultations with inspiring health experts. This is not your typical summer camp!  During this week, as a team, your family will discover how to open up communication through shared experiences, strengthen the family connection while supporting future independence, create experiential moments that inform and inspire, and more.This program is for teens ages 14 through 17, and their parent(s) or adult guardian. It is designed with the family in mind. Most classes and education sessions will give parents and teens a chance to learn and play together.  Space is limited!

Henry the Sports Bug Camp

The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, a luxury dude ranch experience, launched the first Henry the Sports Bug Camp this summer.  Inspired by the book series written by a former tennis prodigy who struggled with the pressure of sports performance, the camp leads children ages three to 8 in sports such as tennis, soccer, golf and basketball. The goal is to learn about sportsmanship and develop healthy lifestyle habits.  The resort is also creating a branded book to give out to your children. There is a full series of books and videos created by former pro-circuit tennis player Melissa Detwiler that your children can enjoy during the week.  The ranch also offers the Kids Corps of Discovery supervised children’s program with age-appropriate activities from hiking and horseback riding to fishing and mountain biking, as well as nature education, wildlife appreciation and wrangler activities for ages 3-5 and 6-12.

All-Inclusive Eden Roc

We are excited to learn that the Eden Roc Miami Beach will be offering an all-inclusive package.  They are partnering with the the company the brings us the Hard Rock Resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico.  This upscale and renovated resort has family-friendly rooms with two queen beds up to two bedroom suites.  Your family can go all-inclusive from June 30-October 31 with at least a two night stay.  Your rate includes:

• Your room
• American Buffet Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at select dining venues including Malibu Farm, Playabar (coming soon), on-site coffee shop and in-room dining
• Bar and full menu service at one of the hotel’s pools
• 30% off select services at Esencia Spa
• Spirits (select brands, by the glass) and non-alcoholic beverages
• Select in-room minibar items, including some soft drinks, water, juices, beer, snacks and select mini-liquor bottles (vodka, rum and tequila)
• Complimentary in-room coffee and tea set up
• Pool service (food and bar menu)
• One complimentary beach chair per person
• Fitness center and wellness classes
• Complimentary WiFi
• Domestic and toll-free calls

What’s not included? Gratuity and service fees. The all-inclusive offer also excludes the Lobby Bar, Nobu Restaurant, valet parking, beauty salon services, full bottles of liquor and premium liquor bottles, beach umbrellas and coffee shop retail items.

Urban Campout

The Logan Hotel in Philadelphia is now offering the best parts of a camping trip (s’mores, tents, stargazing) in the bug-free and dry-ground confines of a hotel room!  The Urban Campout, valid throughout the year with at least a week’s notice, includes:

• Indoor s’mores-making kit, complete with marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers
• Juice boxes and a bottle of wine
• Sleeping arrangements in a fully assembled tent
• Use of an indoor star machine
• Two kids’ “Rocky” robes
• Stuffed animal and coloring books and a crayon set
• Marshmallow-scented candle as a take home gift

This former Four Seasons hotel is located close to excellent museums and offers a spa, pool, gym, farm-to-table restaurant and rooftop terrace overlooking Logan Square and the Ben Franklin Parkway.  The family-friendly Bristol Suite showcases a 2nd room with bunk beds, bean bag chairs, children’s books, games and toys.

Clan Destiny in Maine

Hidden Pond, a luxury resort in Kennebunkport, Maine, is an ideal destination for your multi-generational family gatherings with discounted rates for four or more rooms. They offer both studio-style bungalow cottages and two-bedroom cottages.  Custom packages can be arranged and include a variety of local experiences including a working lobster boat tour, private trolley tour, stand up paddleboat lessons and tours, lobster or clam bakes, guided hikes and bike rides and more.  A photographer can also be arranged to take candid photos or for a professional family photo shoot. In the afternoons, the property has specific activities for children, allowing parents an opportunity to indulge in the Tree Spa or spend a little time at the adult’s-only Serenity Pool. After a family dinner, gather back at the lodge to sit around the nightly bonfire and reminisce about your day while roasting marshmallows and enjoying s’mores.

Hershey Offer

Looking for a sweet getaway!  The Kids Stay, Play, and Eat Free Package at the Hotel Hershey includes deluxe accommodations, one-day admission to Hersheypark for two adults and two children, free kids’ breakfast, admission to Hershey Gardens, and admission to The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience.  The package is available on select dates from May to September.  The resort showcases an extensive amount of recreation and amenities such as an indoor and outdoor pool, supervised children’s programs, family activities, spa, gym, golf, falconry, basketball, outdoor adventures and more.

Disney Dining Offer

This past week Walt Disney World announced a free dining plan for children.  With this offer 3- to 9-year-olds eat free with the purchase of a full-priced three-night/three-day Magic Your Way package for the family.   It includes overnight accommodations at a select Disney World Resort hotel, theme park tickets, and a dining plan.   This promotion is valid for travel on most dates between May 28 and August 30 and must be booked by August 1. All 3 dining plans—Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan, Disney Dining Plan and Disney Deluxe Dining plan—are eligible with this offer, but everyone in your reservation must be on the same package.

Endless Adventures at The Homestead

Enjoy unlimited activities at the Homestead Resort with their Endless Adventure package.  A meal plan can also be added for a nearly all-inclusive experience.  Golf, archery, fly fishing, hikes, hayrides, skeet/trap/sporting clays, horseback riding, carriage rides, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, paintball, miniature golf, kids club and more and all included!  In the winter, tubing, ice skating and ski lift tickets are available. Some restrictions apply.  Note that falconry and the evening kids program are not included and you get a discount off the zip line and Segway tours. This upscale Hot Springs, VA property is part of the Omni chain and also offers a great spa, gym, indoor and outdoor pools with water park, several dining options, outdoor movie theater and more.