Passport to Play

From beachfront getaways to city adventures and mountain stays, family-friendly hotels and resorts across the globe open the door to endless summer fun for all ages

Between carefree days that stretch endlessly, warm sunshine, and a feeling of freedom ingrained in us since childhood, summer is the perfect time to get away – especially for families. 

Adventure awaits around every corner, so slow down and loosen your routine with those you love in thrilling destinations. Whether traveling as a multigenerational group or taking the kids somewhere new, these retreats turn summer into a season of discovery, connection, and pure play with experiences for everyone from the tiniest toddlers to the greatest of grandparents.

Those seeking city stays are embracing a whole different style of family travel. At The Stafford London, children can explore hidden nooks of the hotel during a spy-themed scavenger hunt and feel properly English with a dedicated Children’s Afternoon Tea. Adults and teens alike will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to local landmarks like Buckingham Palace, the Mayfair district, Big Ben, and filming locations from the Harry Potter film series. 

Travel to Rome to experience Corso 281, a hotel designed for families. A check-in corner provides youth with a Junior Explorer passport to check off bucket-list activities across the city. One truly iconic destination is the Gladiator School of Rome, offering children and teens the chance to learn ancient combat techniques while dressed in traditional armor. The hotel also partners with businesses across town to offer walking tours and hands-on workshops, saving a surprise for farewell. The Arrivederci Roma experience allows travelers to say goodbye to the city with a private pizza-making class or to sample expertly crafted gelatos in historic local eateries. 

Whether exploring the lagoon at The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong, finding excitement in neighboring theme parks, or wandering the city, this is the ideal place for family fun. Kids will love the water park and guestrooms themed after mermaids, safaris, or pirates, while parents and grandparents will appreciate being in the heart of this buzzing city filled with global cuisines, night markets, and architectural marvels. Teens in tow will enjoy watching the barges move along the Pearl River or experiencing Yuen Po Street Bird Garden. 

At AYANA Midplaza Jakarta, embrace resort-style serenity with the dynamic pulse of the city just outside. The hotel is rooted in Balinese hospitality, bringing warmth to the urban space and creating an environment where all guests are treated like extended family. Tranquil, enclosed gardens allow visitors to retreat into nature in the heart of the city, while families can play tennis, splash around in the resort-style pool, or dine at Rasa to watch their meals prepared before their eyes. Still, the buzz of Jakarta awaits. Indonesia’s vibrant capital offers Colonial-era buildings, museums, and upscale shopping malls that teens will adore. But one of the most enchanting experiences occurs on Sunday mornings, when the area surrounding the hotel becomes a car-free sector, where families can stroll or jog, ride bicycles, or dance along, immersed in the spirit of the community.

Few places capture the essence of summer like the coast, where water and sun come together in perfect harmony. BON Hotel at VidantaWorld Nuevo Nayarit in Mexico offers spacious, all-suite accommodations, but the real thrill comes from the neighboring theme park launching this fall. Cirque du Soleil’s “Ludõ,” a mesmerizing dinner show that combines culinary artistry with awe-inspiring acrobatics in an underwater dreamscape, is already open. Elsewhere, enjoy quiet walks on the beach and along the marina or guided nature excursions to little islands aboard the hotel yacht. All of this lends itself to deeper connection in paradise. 

Head to the Dominican Republic, where Ocean El Faro makes your all-inclusive dreams come true. Children and teens can sample cuisines from 1950s-style diner fare to interactive Teppanyaki meals, float down the lazy river, hit the dance floor for a mini disco, make non-alcoholic Mama Juanas, and go bowling, while adults enjoy sweeping views from the top of the lighthouse, beach lounging, or a soothing treatment at the spa.

Known for its incredible biodiversity and outdoor adventures, Corcovado Wilderness Lodge by SCP in Costa Rica allows for total immersion in nature, beginning with the boat ride to get there. Once you’ve arrived, meaningful moments of discovery await, from forest-to-table dining to sea kayaking and horseback riding. Birdwatching, snorkeling, whale-watching excursions, and night walks through the rainforest reveal how many species call this area home, with opportunities to observe them in their natural habitats and see the interconnectedness of life and nature up close. 

With 20 suites and bungalows, Paru Boutique Hotel offers an intimate escape on Brazil’s Coast of Miracles. It’s usually the most unexpected moments that become the most unforgettable for travelers. While the hotel offers cycling, paddleboarding, off-road buggy rides, and manatee sanctuary excursions, the personal touches, from private picnics on the beach and sunset cruises to teen-friendly spa treatments, often become the highlight of the trip.

Surrounded by pines at the waterfront, Edgewood Tahoe Resort offers a striking blend of mountain serenity and lakeside elegance on Nevada’s Lake Tahoe. Settle into multi-bedroom Villa Suites with chef-crafted meals and other bespoke experiences before venturing out to explore. From days spent lazing by the lake to evenings gathered around the fire, families can relax and enjoy with ease. The all-seasons resort boasts board games in the Great Room every afternoon, outdoor movies, Hot Cocoa Social sips, and, in the winter, Après Adventure, a guided snowshoe experience revealing wildlife and heritage. 

Rugged luxury comes forth at Alisal Ranch, a California dude ranch tinged with family flavor. With no televisions, travelers are encouraged to play soccer or baseball on the lawn, hike, explore the ropes course, ride horses, or visit with barnyard animals. They can also try something new, such as axe throwing, archery, or live rodeos with buffet-style BBQs. Cowboy breakfasts are one way to unite families of all ages while taking in the beauty of the ranch. Choose between horseback riding or relaxing on a hay wagon as you wind through the rolling hills, traverse oak-dotted landscapes, and pass the private lake. Then, meet up once more to enjoy your meal while sharing stories about your adventures.

Not far away, surrounded by the Topatopa Mountains above Ventura, lies Ojai Valley Inn. Here, families can create personalized keepsakes during Family Craft Hour or accompany the beekeeper to a working hive to taste fresh honey. Adults can set out for a couple of rounds of golf under the careful watch of distant mountains before returning to the whole family for a night of roasting marshmallows under the stars by the Indigo Pool. Families will love the Casa Elar residence, with its own entrance, estate staff, and access to all resort amenities.

Discover California’s rolling vineyards and charming small towns with a stay at Montage Healdsburg. Everything at the resort is intentional, aiming to slow things down and invite stillness in travel. Explore beyond the vines with archery, hiking, pickleball, or e-bicycle rides. Two offerings that span every Montage property are the Montage Merits program, where youth earn badges for activities specific to the region, and the kids’ Paintbox program. The resort also hosts Meet the Maker and Artisan’s Table series, where families can gain familiarity with cheesemongers, distillers, beekeepers, or artists.

Chatham Bars Inn may be along the coast, but this Cape Cod escape is a testament to New England’s seaside elegance and the timeless charm of century-old estate grounds. Relaxed, authentic experiences await at a private beach with calm waters, a working farm, an oceanfront swimming pool, a curated Kids Crew, and aboard and aboard lobster boats, where kids are invited to be part of the crew for added independence. Savor quintessential New England dishes like lobster rolls at the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, stroll a pristine beach, or set out to see nearby hamlets and walkable villages offering an idealized version of this quaint area of the United States. 

Few destinations are as romanticized as Italy, and Castelfalfi lives up to the hype. Set in the sprawling countryside, the resort provides a stunning backdrop for connection during immersive activities like crafting pasta with resort chefs, learning how honey and olive oil are made, mingling with farmers, harvesting vegetables from the on-site garden, or truffle hunting with trained dogs in the forest, all allowing families to experience the resort as Tuscans rather than tourists. Travelers can also explore hilltop villages or medieval towns, then come together for sunset or linger over alfresco meals while sharing stories of their adventures and admiring the beauty of the Italian landscape.