Top 5 family resorts and hotels in the Northeast
Top 5 family resorts and hotels in the Northeast
Show Caption
Hide Caption
The Bucket List Family gives five tips for traveling with kids
The Bucket List Family sold everything to travel around the world. Here are their tips for traveling with children.
Top 5 family resorts and hotels in the Northeast, updated for 2025
Every year, FamilyVacationist ranks the top hotels and resorts in the United States based on a variety of factors important to traveling families. In the Northeast, you can have your pick of scenic settings such as mountains, beaches, and picturesque lakes. These are our top hotel and resort choices for a family getaway filled with fun activities and memorable views in this region of the country. You can also discover our picks for the South, Midwest, Southwest, Mountain West, and West Coast in our full report on the best family resorts and hotels across the country for a vacation to remember.
1. Inn by the Sea
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Set on a stretch of sandy beach and just seven miles from Portland, pet-friendly Inn by the Sea helps families slow down and relax with activities like yoga, beach ecology walks, stargazing, and s'mores. A private boardwalk leads to the beach, and the on-site restaurant serves dishes made with locally caught seafood and ingredients from nearby farms.
There's also a heated pool, bikes to borrow, and a full-service spa offering coastal-inspired treatments like the Sea Waves Massage. One- and two-bedroom suites done up in modern cottage style are ideal for families and include features like balconies and gas fireplaces.
2. Topnotch Resort
Stowe, Vermont
Just minutes from Stowe Mountain, Topnotch Resort offers year-round fun for the whole family. Snowy pursuits might be the focus during a wintertime stay, but at other times of the year you can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding through the on-site Equestrian Center, and a spa offering kid-friendly treatments.
There are seasonal organized activities for kids and teens, lawn games, and outdoor firepits for family s'mores nights. In addition to standard hotel guest rooms, the resort also has one- to three-bedroom resort homes with full kitchens, fireplaces, and washers and dryers, with all the necessary gear for babies and kids readily available.
RUSTIC STAYS: These stunning national park lodges are every bit as iconic as the parks they represent
3. Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
No matter the season, it's never a bad time to whisk the family away to Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Wintertime means activities like sleigh rides and cross-country and downhill skiing, while hiking, biking, horseback riding, and scenic gondola rides can be enjoyed during other seasons.
The historic resort (three U.S. presidents have stayed there) offers amenities like indoor and outdoor heated pools, 27 holes of golf, a spa, multiple dining options, and supervised kids programs. And it sits within easy driving distance of a slew of family-friendly attractions, like Story Land and the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
4. Weekapaug Inn
Westerly, Rhode Island
Not far from the Atlantic Ocean on the southwestern shores of Rhode Island, Weekapaug Inn gives families a luxurious way to enjoy the outdoors. Complimentary daily activities at the Relais & Chateaux property range from naturalist-led beach walks and birdwatching sessions to s'mores around the firepit.
Kids can head to the Boathouse, where staff lead supervised activities, games, and crafts, and the whole family can gather for pool and beach time, bike rides, kayaking, lawn games, and boat tours of the nearby salt pond. The family pooch also gets pampered here, with welcome treats, a designer dog bed in your guest room, and the option to join the family on a private walk with the on-site naturalist.
WATER WORLDS: Orlando's wildest hotel pools and water parks are so cool that your kids will never want to leave
5. The Sagamore Resort
Bolton Landing, New York
Set on a private island on Lake George and dating from 1883, The Sagamore Resort makes for a modern family getaway brimming with historic charm. Families will find multiple dining venues as well as fun amenities like The Rec, a sprawling indoor entertainment zone with a nine-hole mini golf course, climbing wall, basketball courts, and table and video games.
The all-seasons lakefront resort is home to indoor and outdoor pools, tennis and pickleball courts, a dock where families can go fishing, and a spa featuring the new Salt & Sound Lounge. Rides aboard The Morgan, the resort's replica 19th-century touring vessel, are included in the resort fee and provide stellar views of the lake and the Adirondacks.
The 25 best U.S. family resorts and hotels for a vacation to remember originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
More from FamilyVacationist:
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Vogue
a day ago
- Vogue
COMO Shambhala at COMO Metropolitan Singapore
Welcome to the second iteration of Vogue's global spa guide, an index of the 100 best spas in the world, built from the expertise of our global editors and trusted contributors. There is a lot to choose from in the world of wellness, and no matter how far you're planning to travel—from a subway ride to a trans-Atlantic flight—we want to make sure it's worth the journey. Whatever your path, let us be your guide. Why go here? COMO Shambhala Singapore is the only Singaporean outlet for the Singapore-based and founded COMO Shambhala, part of the larger COMO hotels & resorts empire, founded by Christina Ong. While the Bali location is advertised as the premiere retreat for a secluded, all-encompassing experience, the Singapore location is the 'urban flagship,' touted as the center for innovation for the entire Shambhala enterprise. In a city where you can't walk a block without running into a second-floor walk-in massage parlor, it offers something distinctly high-end, stylish, efficient, and elegant. Photo: Courtesy of COMO Shambhala What's the vibe? Designed by Milan-based designer and architect, Paola Navone of OTTO Studio, COMO Shambhala Singapore is aesthetically unified by its pale blue tiles, sort of like what you might find in an upscale Italian pool or a location scouted by Italian director Paolo Sorrentino. It's a quite distinct look for an Asian spa, modern, crisp and without a bamboo shoot or orchid in sight. (Delicious warm ginger tea is served in cups sourced by Ong from artisanal pottery studio in Ubud, Bali, pottery—that's the kind of inspired aesthetic grace notes the spa incorporates.) The spa itself feels like the kind of place that busy Singaporeans might stop by for an hour or two. People don't seem to stay still in general in this city, and the spa seems aware that it's (mostly) catering to a clientele that is on the move. (There is a multi-day 'digestive reset' program involving cleanses of varying intensities if you do want to call the hotel and spa home for a stretch.) On the day I visited there were far more people bustling in and out in spandex than shuffling around in robes. What's the history? As mentioned, COMO Shambhala, with 16 locations around the world (spanning the globe, from Turks and Caicos to Bhutan to London), has become synonymous with elegant, high-end wellness retreats. But there is a special resonance to COMO Shambhala Singapore, the only Singaporean outlet for the Singapore-based company. COMO Shambhala, in fact, first started in 1997 as a local yoga studio in the city. This outlet is part of the relatively new COMO Orchard hotel, which opened in 2023, just off the buzzing, luxury-laden shopping thoroughfare of Orchard Road where pedestrians pass in and out of air-conditioned malls, laden with Gucci or Prada shopping bags.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Inside a Luxe New Resort and Spa That Just Opened on the Greek Island of Crete
A luxe new resort just splashed down in the Aegean Sea—and it has nature on the mind. JW Marriott, the luxury arm of Marriot Bonvoy's hospitality empire, has just opened its first property in Greece. The new (and aptly named) JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa is focused on allowing its guests to connect with its stunning Mediterranean environs—and it's fairly easy to do just that, since the property sits on over 100 acres of coastline with ever-present views of the sea. More from Robb Report $12.4 Million Home Perched Above the Ocean Hits the Market in Martha's Vineyard This $7 Million L.A. Home by Famed Architect Paul R. Williams Comes With a Speakeasy Russell's Reserve Has Brought Back Its Fan-Favorite 13-Year-Old Bourbon-and It's the Strongest One Yet Athens-based design studio Block 722 tapped into that environment to bring the new resort, which is perched in Marathi (near the charming, popular town of Chania), to life. The team paired modern design elements with more nature-focused touches, such as planted roofs, olive and carob tree groves, and an abundance of wood and marble, allowing you to blend right in with your surroundings. Those same contemporary ideals and earthy hues of terra-cotta and stone extend into JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa's 160 rooms, suites, and villas—many of which come equipped with their own private pools and terraces for your own private relaxation. Each accommodation has vast windows that show off that ocean view, along with handcrafted ceramic decor that pays homage to traditional Crete stylings. The best place to take in those Aegean sights, though, may be from the pools. You get to lounge around four here, one of which is adults-only with a slew of plush lounge chairs nearby. The main pool, meanwhile, is complete with a sunken seating spot and more touches of greenery. Elsewhere, you can head to the fitness center or the yoga deck for a bit of exercise. Or, for a little more pampering, visit the Anoseas Spa; here, you'll get treatments centered around traditional Creten practices imbued with modern flair, including hydrotherapy. And when it's time to grab a bite, you'll have plenty of eateries to choose from. The JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa is home to six, each with their own take on the local cuisine. Chef Manolis Papoutsakis mans the kitchen of Anoee, a Cretan open-fire restaurant, while Õnalos offers up a sea-to-table menu. If you have a craving for Italian, Cuccagna can deliver on that front, and Mediterranean dishes can be enjoyed at Fayi. Last but not least, Suncti by the Pool and Eēxis offer up light bites and cocktails for a more casual experience. Speaking of spirits, the hotel has collaborated with Line Athens (the No. 6 bar in the world in 2024) on a mixology program. And here, too, everything links back to nature: Cocktail herbs and botanicals and ingredients found across all the restaurants are plucked directly from the property's garden. 'This extraordinary property captures the essence of the JW Marriott brand, pairing warm, intuitive service with serene, thoughtfully designed spaces that invite guests to be present and truly connect,' Bruce Rohr, JW Marriott's vice president and global brand leader, said in a press statement. 'Crete's timeless beauty and heritage make it an inspiring setting for the brand's first property in the country, and we look forward to welcoming guests to experience our signature approach to hospitality and well-being on this iconic island.' JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa also offers activities for kids, thanks to its Phestos Den Play area. Plus there's plenty of fun to be found outside the resort; the property can whisk you away on journeys at sea or cultural experiences across Crete. . Best of Robb Report The Ultimate Miami Spa Guide: 15 Luxurious Places to Treat Yourself The 7 Most Insanely Luxurious Spas in the World, From Tokyo to Iceland 17 Reasons the Caribbean Should Be at the Top of Your Travel Itinerary Click here to read the full article.
Forbes
7 days ago
- Forbes
A Special 60th Summer At California's Omni La Costa Resort And Spa
The Omni La Costa Resort And Spa in Carlsbad, California, with a view of the restaurant and ... More clubhouse from the championship golf course. Opened in 1965 and host to celebrities from Jackie Kennedy to Frank Sinatra, La Costa celebrates its 60th anniversary this summer. The Omni La Costa resort in Carlsbad, CA, has been a classic sport to swing a golf club, hoist a racket or hold a highball since its founding in the mid-1960's. Now it's summer and the updated resort is ready to kick off its next 60 years with a nod to the celebrities, stars and athletes who have made La Costa a destination since its 1965 opening. Of course, the classic Spanish Mission-style property is focused on offering what guests want in 2025. Renovated in 2024, Omni La Costa Resort & Spa offers over 600 guestrooms, suites and villas, an athletic club, and eight pools including an adults-only pool. Kids and adult thrill seekers get tall, dizzying waterslides. And La Costa is offering a specialty booking package from now through December 31, 2025 which includes 25% off all accommodations (with a minimum of two nights) this year and $100 resort credit. The property has a new state-of-the-art golf practice facility, offering Southern California's most comprehensive game improvement program. Tennis and pickleball are also available, so guests can awaken their inner athlete when not relaxing at the spa. The 43,000-square-foot Spa at La Costa includes a private pool, waterfall showers and café. The first-ever spa resort in the U.S., the Spa at La Costa helped start America's wellness revolution. Guests can try standard massage, facials and other treatments as well as therapies from advanced hydrotherapy to customized skin rejuvenation to a therapeutic reflexology path. This summer the Spa at La Costa will offer night spa-inspired experiences as well. Guests enjoying the grounds at the Spa at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA. La Costa also offers one of the largest resort meeting spaces in the Southwest, with Costa de la Luna ballroom and Luna Lawn added in 2021. The resort has 170,000 square feet of meeting and event space. Restaurants like Bob's Steak & Chop House, VUE, and Bar Traza provide hearty food and drink. This summer, the partying kicks off with A Star Spangled Spectacular. The Omni La Costa is celebrating Independence Day (July 4, 2025) with an evening under the stars, lighting up the sky with a drone show set to a live band. Ticketed guests will dine and enjoy an array of activities. As for the 60th anniversary, La Costa will host a weekend-long celebration from July 11–13, 2025, featuring vintage-themed experiences for both locals and guests. Highlights will include: Golf legend Lee Trevino looks on as Jack Nicklaus holds the winner's check from the Tournament of ... More Champions at La Costa Country Club in this vintage photo. The La Costa celebration of its past and future will continue all summer long, as the Beach Boys sang. In addition to the 4th of July and the anniversary celebration, the La Costa calendar is full of live music, Secret Garden Spa Parties, Night Camp and Kids Movie and Dinner Night with child care. There are Scoop Socials with an ice cream cart, and a Tiki Social. A specialty menu of tiki-inspired creations will celebrate the ultimate drink of the 1950's and 1960's. Families with children and teens are not forgotten at Omni La Costa, with its onsite Kids Club and special programs for teens. The resort's kids club, Kidtopia, is now Little Sprouts. The counselor-supervised program for children ages six months to 12 years is available year-round but is especially valuable when children are off from school for the summer. Kids get daily hands-on activities & experiences like gardening and outdoor excursions, arts and crafts, golf, and pool games. There are even night camps on designated evenings, offering a drop-off experience for children while parents enjoy a night out on the property. The fireplace and outdoor cafe at the Spa, at La Costa Resort and Spac, Carlsbad, CA. With many families concerned about teen wellness and mental health, the Spa Summer Camp offers a seasonal retreat where moms, dads, and teens can unwind together at The Spa. Through September, the resort is also offering Neon Nights for families, with a rotating series of glow-in-the-dark events including Neon Golf Nights, Neon Paint Nights, and Neon Pool Nights. The La Costa story started in The1963, when Las Vegas real estate developer Merv Adelson discovered the area during a horseback ride through the coastal foothills north of San Diego. Adelson looked down upon the empty valley and a vision of a resort and spa appeared to him. Adelson worked with partners to open La Costa in 1965 as the nation's first destination spa. The resort featured golf and tennis, catnip to its celebrity clientele like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bob Hope. A tennis camp for children at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA. The original 72-par, 7,200-yard golf course covered 215 acres. It hosted the CBS Golf Classic, with players including Sam Snead, Ray Floyd, Arnold Palmer, Bobby Nichols, and Jack Nicklaus. The Tournament of Champions had a 30-year run featuring the greatest golfers of the era, from Nicklaus to Tiger Woods. In 2024 a revamped North Course was completed, that hosts the NCAA Championships through 2028. Tennis was a draw for stars like Charlton Heston, Johnny Carson and Desi Arnaz, while The Spa provided relaxation for powerful people from Richard Nixon to Jackie Kennedy. But as Shakespeare put it in The Tempest, 'what's past is prologue.' Perhaps this summer you can make a little family history at La Costa. The Spa Courtyard at Night at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, in Carlsbad, CA.
