Kiwi Curated
7 Family Getaways for Spring Break
by Joy PecknoldLazy week at the beach, big city cultural excursion or Disney World—here’s your Spring Break guide to family getaways. The eight North American and European properties herein all have suites and extras to accommodate kids, but offer starkly different settings and experiences—poll the clan and make your choice.
Traveling with kids might not be as glamorous as Brad and Angelina make it look, but a stay at the sleek and chic Modern Honolulu ups the cool factor. Close to world famous Waikiki Beach, the hotel’s suites are the best bet, with a separate living room, private terrace and extra beds available on request. Oh, and those ocean views will put everyone at ease.
Unwind and wine at Meadowood Napa Valley in California’s wine country, where the kids are kept entertained by the pool (and if you’re there for Easter Weekend, an egg hunt and petting zoo), and parents are placated by afternoon wine tastings. There are two, three or four bedroom lodges to accommodate the whole brood.
Minutes from Rodeo Drive, it’s no surprise guests get celebrity treatment at Viceroy L’Ermitage Beverly Hills—their suites are bigger than most luxury hotels and for those traveling with kids they offer children’s bathtubs, portable cribs, bottle warmers and more. It’s a perfect spot to settle if you’re in town to visit any of the nearby attractions, such as Universal Studios, California Science Center, Disneyland and the Hollywood Wax Museum.
Doing Disney World? Keep it civilized (at least when you’re outside the park) with the Waldorf Astoria Orlando. You can purchase tickets onsite and get first-class, complimentary transport there and to the nearby Disney Theme Parks. They’ve also got a great kids club to keep the tykes busy so parents can have an afternoon or weekend evening to themselves.
For mid-term break, take them to Portugal’s capital for cultural immersion. Tivoli Lisboa’s Buggy Trip is a fun way to see the city’s historical monuments, and a trip to Casa Cadaval Stud Farm lets them see Lusitano thoroughbred horses up close. There’s also Tivoli programs for kids up to 15 years of age, and babysitters available.
Quiet and secluded near the small port of Karavostasi on Folegandros, the Anemi Hotel is ideal for families wanting a less touristy retreat. That doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of things for the kids to do—there’s a sea water swimming pool, playground, playroom and cinema, all for children. Their Family Suite offers the most space for up to six people, with two levels, two bathrooms and a private pool.
For those who have budding history buffs in the family, a trip to argos in Cappadocia in Old Uçhisar Village will give them lots of fodder for show and tell. On the site of an ancient monastery, the hotel is built into the rocks, blending manmade architecture with Mother Nature-made rock formations. The nearby UNESCO site, Goreme National Park, might make a future geologist out of them too.