Can't get to Hawaii or Mexico to escape the winter and don't love Las Vegas? Head to Pheonix Arizona's cozy neighbor, Scottsdale, for a relaxing, family-friendly and tranquil desert getaway at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. A Hyatt property tucked away on 20+ acres in the shadow of lovely Camelback mountain, the Andaz has a vibrant personality and friendly vibe. Upon arrival, guests are … [Read more...]
Lakedale Resort: San Juan Islands glamping
July 11, 2018 By
After a stay in 2015, we listed Lakedale Resort at Three Lakes as our #1 kid-friendly resort pick on San Juan Island Washington. And guess what? In the years since, they've only improved their offerings. New this summer, Lakedale has become the premier location for San Juan Islands glamping, as well as continuing to offer a diverse list of additional accommodation options. Located … [Read more...]
Skiing with a Tween at Sierra-at-Tahoe
December 29, 2014 By
This post was originally published as part of our Home (Away) for the Holidays series. It's easy to find kid-friendly skiing in Tahoe, but what about those hard to please tweens and teens? I spent an extra day at Sierra-at-Tahoe last week with Nate, during which we noted what worked for his age group (middle school) and ability level (advanced). Sierra at Tahoe is not too big, and not … [Read more...]
Where to stay in Tofino BC: a review of MacKenzie Beach Resort
August 24, 2012 By
As you might guess, the outdoor excursion, storm-watching, and surfing mecca of known as the west side of Vancouver Island offers more lodging in Tofino than anywhere else we visited on our July 2012 Vancouver Island trip. Families can choose from B&Bs, five-star resorts, vacation home rentals, and our favorite, beachfront resorts with individual cottages for let. We made the MacKenzie … [Read more...]
A stay at the Westin Mission Hills in Rancho Mirage, CA with SPG Kids’ Pass
August 2, 2012 By
The desert oasis of the Westin Mission Hills is located adjacent to Palm Springs, CA in Rancho Mirage, CA. While it may seem slightly on the crazy side to visit this part of the California desert in summer, we had a wonderful stay here, even in July. Our plan of action: tackle Palm Springs family attractions in the morning, then spend every afternoon near the pools! The Westin Mission Hills is a … [Read more...]
A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
April 16, 2012 By
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of our family's favorite--if not thefavorite--DisneyWorld resort. When readers ask me, "Why pay to stay at a DisneyWorld resort?" I always cite Disney's impeccible attention to detail, from the in-room touches to the grand lobbies to the on-site restaurants...always themed to perfection. No where is this attention to detail more evident than at Animal Kingdom … [Read more...]
Disney done right: Finding the right Disney resort for your family
January 27, 2011 By
When visiting Disney, we recommend fully immersing yourself in the magic of an on-site resort, but as a family of five, we also know the frustration families of five or more experience when seeking accommodations at a reasonable rate. Below are our ways to sleep in comfort, style (and within budget) at a Walt Disney World resort as a family of five (or more): Know your options. At first glance, … [Read more...]
Extensive Great Wolf Lodge review: Grand Mound Washington
July 1, 2009 By
This past week, my family and I spent two nights and two days at The Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, WA. We arrived at the resort at approximately 9 pm on a Sunday night. The lobby was still filled with children watching the evening animatronics show by the Grand Hall's main focal point, the clock tower (more on that later), but there was no wait to check in. Get our top Great Wolf Lodge tips … [Read more...]
