Under Canvas Enhancements
We are excited that glamping provider, Under Canvas, has announced two new locations opening this spring. In Acadia, Maine, their first waterfront camp will debut May 13 with a 100-acre property, tents that sleep up to seven, daily activities, and water sports. Also, your family can enjoy coastal-style activities such as weekly waterfront lobster bakes and night sky astronomy on a boat. Cadillac Mountain and Acadia National Park are 35 minutes away. Their third Utah location, Under Canvas Lake Powell – Grand Staircase, will open April 1. This camp provides easy access to such amazing natural attractions as Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and its own on-site Elephant Slot Canyon. In an update to the brand’s typical tent design, all safari-style accommodations at both new locations will include en-suite bathrooms and private decks, in addition to king-size beds, luxe linens, USB charging packs, bedside lanterns, and a wood-burning stove. Each property will also feature main lobby tents. Next up is a camp near Yosemite!
Chilling Out in NYC
The Caribbean comes to Manhattan this spring with the new Margaritaville Resort Times Square. Scheduled to open in June, the 234-room hotel will feature an island-inspired casual design that will instantly transport your family to the iconic Margaritaville state of mind. The property will feature Times Square’s only year-round outdoor hotel pool (weather permitting) located on the 4th floor and several food and beverage concepts including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant, LandShark Bar & Grill with outdoor seating and where the pool is located, and the License to Chill Bar with expansive city views on the 31st and 32nd floors. There will even be a synagogue on the lower levels as the congregation originally rented from the building’s previous owners. Grab your margarita and l’chaim!
Luxury in Big Sky
True luxury is coming to Big Sky, Montana, and opening later this year. The Montage Big Sky will be nestled within the ski resort’s 3,530-acre Spanish Peaks enclave. It will feature 150 rooms and suites plus 39 spacious residences with 2-6 bedrooms…all with ski-in and ski-out access. Big Sky is an avid skier’s dream. It showcases 5,800 skiable acres with 38 lifts, a 4,350 vertical drop and 42% of the runs are advanced, but with plenty of beginner and intermediate options. The resort will also feature golf to enjoy in the milder times of the year. A day outing to Yellowstone can be reached in an hour. Also nearby are world-renowned fly-fishing spots along with an abundance of hiking, wildlife viewing, mountain biking, and plenty of summer and winter sports action. Big Sky is only an hour from the Bozeman airport which this winter has direct flights from 18 cities around the US with 20 in the summer.
Remote Field Trip
Are your children itching to get out of the house and outside as part of their virtual education? The Ritz Carlton Amelia Island has partnered with coral reef conservationists, the Reef Institute, to offer an exciting, five-day Barrier Island Ecology Field Trip. The instructor-led class is for school-age children. It is designed to complement earth-science studies and foster a passion for both marine ecology and biology. Your children will witness and explore the native dune ecosystem by kayak and boat to sample and study the region’s complex water system and estuaries. They will also examine the local wildlife, learn about wave systems, do a microscopic analysis of beach wildlife, and more. The course dates are February 21-26, March 21-25, or April 19-23. The program includes teacher fees, course materials and supplies, breakfast/lunch/snacks, and more. Hotel stays are additional, but the resort has a dedicated study room for children. While your children are engaging in science, parents can enjoy great golf, tennis, spa, indoor and outdoor pools, fine dining, bike rentals, and more!
Day Trip in the USA
For several years, The Family Traveler has booked Day Trip for point-to-point private transfers for our families traveling throughout Europe. We have also used the service many times ourselves. The beauty of a pick-up and drop off at your hotel or accommodations along with recommended stops along the way make traveling to multiple destinations so easy and fun. It’s also cost-efficient and avoids having to schlep your bags through airports and train stations. We have learned a lot about local culture and history from our drivers as well. Day Trip has recently landed in the United States! Services are available from and to locations in various parts of the country. For greater flexibility, cancellation is available 24 hours prior.
Onsite COVID Tests in Miami
The W South Beach became the first luxury hotel in the U.S. to offer convenient on-site Covid-19 PCR testing exclusively to its guests and staff as part of its partnership with New York’s leading medical concierge, Sollis Health. The testing center is located on the hotel’s ground floor. In-room testing is also available. Your family can book a test through a QR code in your suite and get the results within 24 hours. The center also has on-call doctors and is part of the hotel’s $30 million renovation that was unveiled in November. The update included a full redesign of the 408 oceanfront guest suites, a new spa concept, refreshed artwork, and more. Our families appreciate the W’s spacious suites (1-3 bedrooms and some with private pools) complete with washer/dryers, full kitchens, and up to 3,000 sq. ft.! Hotel amenities include a rooftop tennis court, full-size sports court, pool, cabanas, gym, refreshed spa, and several terrific dining options.
Children Ski & Rent Free
This ski season, children will once again ski free and get free ski rentals at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Choose any condominium or home rental for four nights or more, and also receive 10 percent off your lodging. Children ages 12 and under ski free for each paying adult. Your family lift tickets (a 3-day minimum) will be waiting for you upon arrival and in-home ski delivery is also available. This exclusive package is valid for stays through December 19, 2020, January 5-February 10, 2021, and February 22-April 11, 2021. Some vacation rentals do require a longer stay and this promo must be booked by December 15, 2020. The ski resort is close to several national parks, the town of Jackson, and a plethora of winter activities such as tubing, sleigh rides in the Elk Refuge, ice skating, snowshoeing, and more.
Ritz Carlton Paradise Valley
As the first Ritz-Carlton to be built in North America in over a decade and the centerpiece of the luxury development of The Palmeraie, The Ritz-Carlton, Paradise Valley, is scheduled to open late in 2021 in the Phoenix area. The luxury resort will feature 215 hotel rooms with private entrances, detached casitas, and oversized suites spread across 20 acres. Our families will appreciate the added space available in the 81 residential villas and 39 estate homes. A first for The Ritz-Carlton brand, the resort and villas will have ionized air throughout. The showcase will be the main pool, which spans nearly 400 feet, making it one of the longest resort pools in North America. Other highlights will include a world-class spa, fitness center, walking/jogging trails with fitness stations, amphitheater, and a secret garden.
Magic is Here
Your family can now save up to $500 on a 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company room-and-ticket package at select Disney Resort hotels. This promotion is valid for stays most nights through December 25. For extra peace of mind, any Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees will be waived up to the date of check-in. The health and well-being of Disney’s Guests and Cast Members continue to be a top priority. They have implemented an abundance of measures to promote enhanced cleaning, physical distancing, and reduced contact. Please note that theme park reservations are now required for capacity purposes. Disney also announced dates for its 5th annual Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts which will take place from January 8 to February 22. This terrific festival showcases the culinary, performance, and visual arts with a variety of fun and special experiences for the entire family.
Alisal Academy
On the California Coast, school is in session at the Alisal Guest Ranch and Resort in Solvang. This resort-style dude ranch has introduced a midweek package called The Alisal Academy Package that includes a variety of learning adventures:
- Breakfast & dinner with alcoholic and nonalcoholic
beverages - Hooves and Horseshoes Class with interesting facts about
horses - Barnyard scavenger hunt: Explore and find animals from
around the world - Fishing lesson, fishing pole & bait at Alisal Lake
- Guided wildlife walks around the lake – discover tracks
and eagle nests - Variety of arts & crafts: Hands-on flower and tree
planting, clay play, candle making, sand painting, and more - Polaroid Instamatic Camera to document your trip
- Two activities per day; choose from:
- Group trail
rides
- Golf green
fees with cart
- Group trail
- In-Room Welcome Amenity
Accommodations that can sleep up to five offer plenty of privacy and high-speed remote internet access necessary for efficient learning. This cost- saving package is available through May 28, 2021 with a two-night minimum. Children ages 6 and under are free!
