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Once upon a time, a hallway vending machine and an extra pillow on the bed was our idea of hotel luxury. Today, hotels are upping the ante, offering young guests a range of fabulous experiences that go way beyond a swimming pool and kids’ club. We’ve rounded-up 13 hotels that feature VIP options and posh perks little jetsetters won’t soon forget.
1. Explore a Deserted Island – Ambergris Cay, Turks and Caicos
This private island resort’s swath of sea and silky white sand is an excellent base camp for a luxurious tropical family vacation. The entire island has only 10 freestanding suites, so kids will have plenty of room to splash in the turquoise water. The ultra-attentive staff at Ambergris Cay is on hand to facilitate a variety of customized experiences. The chef places a premium on serving fresh cuisine, but there’s no need to sit at the table to feast.The kitchen will prepare a catered lunch and the staff will motor you to a deserted island just a few minutes away, where you’ll feel like Swiss Family Robinson. This tasty, portable meal comes complete with all the essentials, including kid-pleasing chocolate chip cookies for a sweet finish.
2. Swim With Dolphins – Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key, FL
This Florida resort is a top family vacation spot midway down the chain of Keys. Several adorable Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins call Hawks Cay Resort home, making it the only hotel in the mainland U.S. to offer dolphin interactions.
A variety of dockside and in-water adventures open a window into the world of these intelligent mammals. The Dolphin Trainer for a Day program offers a deep dive as families work alongside the trainers. Even toddlers can enjoy the Dockside Dolphins program, observing dolphins at play from the comfort of the dock.
3. Ask the Kids-Only Concierge – The Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C.
At the Willard Hotel, kids enjoy the attention of their very own concierge, Brian Thomasson. To ease the stress of travel, families are contacted prior to arrival to identify any amenities they might need. On arrival, children are greeted with a Willard Treasure Chest Card that allows them to borrow games and toys, and a Willard Library Card that gives them the chance to check out a book. Family-friendly history tours of the hotel (previous guests have included Abe Lincoln) each Saturday and complimentary in-room desserts are welcome perks. The location, just steps from the White House, puts you in the center of the city’s best attractions.
4. Request a Pirate Bedtime Tuck-In – Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, FL
This upscale beachside resort caters to childhood fantasies. Even bedtime is transformed into a memorable event thanks to Pirate Tuck-Ins at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Milk and cookies are delivered right to your room by a pirate, princess and the resort’s mascot Amelia, a colorful parrot. The pirate and princess will read a story to your child and leave a keepsake gift.
5. Eat Breakfast in the Sky – Blue Palms Resorts and Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, NJ
Families flock to this all-American shore town for its sandy beach, salty waves and old-fashioned boardwalk. The Blue Palms is steps from the action, including Morey’s Piers, a seaside amusement park with gentle rides for tots and thrills for teens.
For a sky-high treat, book the Breakfast in the Sky. It’s a gourmet breakfast served in the Giant Wheel’s gondola. Place your order in advance and dine on a morning meal with a stellar view. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. The experience is offered Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays on select dates in the summer.
6. Learn to Surf – The Westin Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles
This LAX hotel is located only minutes from some of Southern California’s favorite surf spots. The Touch Down LAX, Surf Manhattan Beach package includes a 90-minute individualized surf lesson for two with the expert instructors at Campsurf, with boards and wet suits provided. The lesson takes place at popular El Porto beach and offers wave-by-wave personal attention. Once back at The Westin Los Angeles Airport, kids may chat with the hotel’s Surf Concierge Jenny Palomo, who’s happy to share all things surf-related.
Related: 10 Best Places for Kids to Learn How to Surf
7. Watch the Game at Fenway – Hotel Commonwealth, Boston
Located in the heart of Boston’s Kenmore Square near Fenway Park, the Hotel Commonwealth offers fans of the Boston Red Sox the chance to relive the magic of the 2018 winning season when they book the Champions Package. It includes a stay in a room overlooking the ballpark, two grandstand tickets to see the game, a replica 2018 World Series ring, a personalized scoreboard message and more.
8. Live Like Eloise – The Plaza, New York City
Fans of the Eloise book series know the heroine lived at the iconic Plaza Hotel. Kids may step into the shoes of their favorite literary character in the Eloise suite. The décor is taken straight from the book with her favorite books, toys and dolls lining the shelves. The bed has a sparkly pink headboard and even the bathroom is pink. A host of extras, including and Eloise-themed tea for two at The Palm Court and pink lemonade, are included.
Related: 15 Best Kid-Themed Hotel Rooms
9. Get Spoiled Like a Little Royal – Lotte New York Palace, New York City
You don’t have to have a granny who lives in Buckingham Palace to be spoiled like a royal. Lotte New York Palace‘s Little Royals package includes a knight or princess costume, a royal-themed cookie and beverage, a plush bathrobe and slippers, and a discount on a regal Mommy and Me pedicure at the spa.
You don’t have to have a granny who lives in Buckingham Palace to be spoiled like a royal. Lotte New York Palace‘s Little Royals package includes a knight or princess costume, a royal-themed cookie and beverage, a plush bathrobe and slippers, and a discount on a regal Mommy and Me pedicure at the spa.
10. Request a Beach Bonfire Butler – The Waterfront Beach Resort, A Hilton Hotel, Huntington Beach, CA
Toasting marshmallows over an open fire to a soundtrack of waves crashing is a summertime classic. At The Waterfront Beach Resort, families can relax when they book the Beach Butler Bonfire package. Your butler will start and maintain the bonfire, provide cozy blankets, chairs, hot chocolate and all the ingredients to make S’mores. It’s a seaside amenity the entire family will enjoy.
11. Have a Sleepover With Hello Kitty – Keio Plaza Hotel Tama, Tokyo
Japan is the land of cute mascots and Hello Kitty is one of its most popular. Tokyo is saturated with this adorable alabaster character with the pink hair-ribbon. The Keio Plaza Hotel Tama takes it up a notch, offering Hello Kitty-themed guest rooms decorated with Hello Kitty everything, right down to the wallpaper and wastepaper baskets. If your child is a fan, it’s bliss.
12. Book a Room with a Ballpark View – Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD
The birthplace of Babe Ruth and the location of the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, Baltimore is vacation destination for any baseball fan. The Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor is so close to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, you can hear the crack of the slugger’s bat as he hits one out of the park. The property’s ten hospitality suites overlook the ballpark for a unique vantage point. For the optimal sightline, book the one-bedroom balcony suite with home plate view and watch the game from a private balcony.
13. Learn to Be a Chef – The White Elephant, Nantucket, MA
The White Elephant is a New England classic. Splash in the pool while enjoying complimentary treats from the ice cream cart or head to Children’s Beach, where you’ll find complimentary boogie boards, lounge chairs, and sand toys. When the little ones need a lift, the hotel has a stable of Red Flyer wagons ready and waiting.
For kids who like to be in the kitchen, the Little Chef Programis a hands-on cooking experience. Children mix, decorate, and taste their own cookie or cupcake creations. In addition to baked treats, each little participant is given a White Elephant apron and cookie cutter as keepsakes.
Allison Tibaldi is a travel writer based in New York City. With her husband and two kids, she has lived in Rome; Tuscany; Melbourne, Australia; Toronto; and Los Angeles. She studied early childhood development in graduate school and believes that travel is an important part of education. She writes for CNN, TravelChannel.com, HGTV, USA TODAY, Time Out New York, am New York, Family Traveller, Family Travel Forum, Travel Weekly, off Metro and numerous other publications. Follow her @gourmetrav.
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