Tween Friendly Fun in Florida

Sunset Key Guest Cottages, A Westin Resort, off of Key West, has fun created packages for parent + tween (age 9-12). Choose from Spaaah Total Wellbeing or Wet & Wild Adventure. With the Spaaah Total Wellbeing package, stay three nights and take part in a private, 1-hour workout session for two (tennis, yoga or Get Fit Boot Camp); receive two, 25-minute spa treatments with a post-treatment dessert bento box for two and two coconut-infused beverages; enjoy a demo on “no-cook” healthy lunches, snacks and treats; volunteer at the Key West Reef Relief or the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center; and take part in a private, custom jewelry-making class for two. Meanwhile on the 3-day Wet & Wild Adventure, tweens go on a guided kayak excursion or reef snorkel excursion; a volunteer excursion; a private, half-day charter fishing excursion where the chef will cook the day’s catch for dinner; a Dolphin Encounter at the Dolphin Research Center for two; and a photo scavenger hunt. The package is available through December 15, 2014 and accommodates one parent and one tween in a two bedroom cottage. Additional guests pay an additional fee.

Amelia Loves Families

Both the Omni Amelia Island Plantation and the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island have added family friendly amenities.  The Omni is offering three new excursions: a 90-minute Paddleboard Adventure through the marshes; the Archery Challenge, where you learn how to shoot a bow and arrow; and daily Junior Segway tours designed for teens. The hotel’s Verandah restaurant has also added a Sunday Supper designed with families in mind, offering Southern cuisine like Fernandina shrimp and banana pudding. The 404-room, AAA four-diamond property recently went through an $85 million renovation with a multi-tiered pool deck with an adults-only infinity pool, a Splash Park water playground for kids, two hot tubs and fire pits, in addition to three Audubon International Certified Sanctuary golf courses and a shopping village. Meanwhile, The Ritz-Carlton has added a weekly Princess Tea experience where girls can dress up in tiaras and dresses for a “royal” tea party with Princess Amelia. The tea party, which takes place every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. features tea, treats and a photo with Princess Amelia. The 446-room hotel features four restaurants, a spa, tennis facilities, a 24-hour fitness center and 18 holes of championship golf. Their Family Bed & Breakfast, valid through February 27, 2013, includes coastal View room accommodations, full American Breakfast for two Daily, two Kids’ Meal Plans, valet parking and a discount on a connecting second room.

Family Fun in Portland

River Place Hotel located on the waterfront in Portland, OR has put together a family friendly package with the best of the best of Portland attractions.  The Are We There Yet package includes 4 passes to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science & Industry), 4 Portland streetcar passes (to get around the city like a local), 2 souvenir Rocky rubber duckys, specialty flavored popcorn snacks, one complimentary in- room movie and complimentary use of the hotel kites, kayaks, frisbees and bikes. The package is valid for stays until October 31, 2013. River Place Hotel is a newly renovated Kimpton Hotel with 84 rooms and suites and lots of windows to appreciate the scenic surroundings. The hotel also has gym access, afternoon wine reception, restaurant and free internet access.

Pullman Rail Journeys

Luxury In-Room Camping

The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes’ recently introduced an upscale In-Room Camping Experience.  Your children get to camp out in a tent with double featherbed with a lantern for nighttime reading, a Florida-themed children’s book  plus a stuffed alligator when you stay in an executive suite. The cost of the tent package is $50.00 and your family keeps the lantern, book and stuffed animal.  The tent and bedding can be purchased for $50.00 with carrying case and stakes. The resort also offers great golf, pools, spa, gym, a Ritz Kids program, free eco-tours in the Florida Everglades, surrey bike rentals and a special unlimited ice cream bracelet for each child. Complimentary transportation is included to nearby Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld. Through the end of the year, the property also allows one child (17 and under) to play golf free per paying adult. Other added value family packages are available.

Nursing Moms Rock Hard

For nursing mothers, traveling can be a challenge.  Thankfully the Hard Rock Hotel in Chicago is partnering with Medela for a Nursing Mother’s Amenity Program.  For $30 per stay, you will be provided with hospital grade breast pumps, minifridge, microwave, cooler bags, ice packs and bra pads.  Proceeds directly benefit local families with children in Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago through The Jackson Chance Foundation. The hotel’s concierge staff is trained to handle nursing specific requests like how to safely send expressed milk.   Currently the hotel offers a Family Rocks package that includes a Hard Rock Hotel Chicago branded sport sack loaded with all the essentials for your Windy City adventure: sun block, 4 bottled waters, 4 granola bars, 2 packets of Pop Rocks, bug spray, hand wipes and a Frisbee; two in-room movies of your choice complete with 4 bowls of popcorn and 4 ice cream sundaes topped with 4 large chocolate chip cookies and two Hard Rock Hotel Chicago Collectors Pins.

Suite Sherry

Stay in a suite at The Sherry Netherland hotel in New York City for 2 nights and get a second hotel room free for each night booked!  The upscale boutique hotel features 50 rooms and is located right on 5th Avenue on Central Park near FAO Schwartz, Rockefeller Center and the Sony Wonder Technology Lab. The hotel offers a gym, free internet and Harry Cipriani, the upscale restaurant and bar that is an outpost of Venice’s famed Harry’s Bar.  Rooms range from 370-450 sq. ft. while the one bedroom suites are up to 600 sq. ft. with either courtyard or city views.  The suites offer a kitchenette equipped with stovetop, cookware, dishware, and utensils, and bathroom with shower and bathtub.  Rooms and suites all have a refrigerator and complimentary bottled water.

Summer in Vail

The Vail Cascade Resort in Colorado wants you to find a new altitude this summer with one free night for every night purchased! This full service resort offers an array of accommodation options including hotel rooms, condos, townhomes and private homes. Summer activities and recreation abound. You can enjoy the onsite chairlift to Vail Mountain; two outdoor pools; tennis, racquet ball and squash courts; indoor sports court; Vail’s largest gym and spa; fly fishing; trails for walking, running and biking; children’s program for ages 5-12 and plenty of dining options. A free shuttle takes you into both Vail Village and Lionshead Village for other dining and shopping options and to access Adventure Ridge for ziplining, minigolf, horseback riding, aerial challenge courses, jeep mountain tours and more. Other nearby outdoor adventures include white water rafting, hiking and golf.  Cultural events also take place throughout the summer.

Free Nights in San Diego

Beach Village at The Del, a private villa and condo development that is part of the Del Coronado hotel, is offering four nights for the price of three or seven nights for the price of five through September 1. This gated community has full access to the amenities and recreation at San Diego’s iconic hotel and offers rooms, suites as well as spacious 1-3 bedroom condo and villa accommodations with full kitchens.  The Beach Village also showcases a private pool with cabanas.  Daily continental breakfast is also included in your rate and served in the Windsor Club Cottage.  At the Del Coronado your family can enjoy several pools, a new gym with fitness classes, yoga on the beach, surfing lessons, boating, Kidtopia Camp, Vibz Teen Lounge and plenty of dining options. For your convenience, room service and private chef services are available to Beach Village guests.

Harry Potter Expansion

Due to the overwhelming popularity of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, the studio and Warner Bros. Entertainment are adding The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley to Universal Studios. Scheduled to open in 2014, the new attraction will bring to life some of the experiences and places found in and around London in the Harry Potter books and films. You will be able to “travel” between London and Islands of Adventure Harry Potter section aboard the Hogwarts Express. The attraction will feature shops, a restaurant and a marquee attraction based on Gringotts Bank. “I’m so pleased that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has proved so popular to date, and I’m sure that the attention to detail in creating the new Diagon Alley area will make this an even better experience,” said J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter book series.