Resorts Offering Over-the-top Teen Programs

  • August 5, 2015
Resorts Offering Over-the-top Teen Programs

  1. Night Kayaking and Stargazing: W Retreat & Spa, Vieques Island (pictured above) is located eight miles off the coast of Puerto Rico and near the Bioluminescent Bay, one of the brightest in the world. Teens can stargaze as they kayak on the bay during nightfall and watch as light-producing micro-organisms sparkle in the dark once the water is disturbed. The property organizes kayaking trips where guests will experience water that literally sparkles with light (complete with a laser pointer astronomy lesson).

  2. Hawaiian Luaus and Lessons: At Hilton Waikoloa Village, perched on Hawaii Island, teens will discover a kaleidescope of color, music, food and dance at the Legends of Hawaii Luau, or try their hand at cultural lessons from ukulele to hula. Nighttime activities include LED water toys from paddleboards to hydro-bikes. Teens can enjoy one-of-a-kind resort experiences from Splash Bash, featuring water volleyball and music, to hole-in-one competitions at the on-site putting course.

  3. Free GoPros Rental: Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort invites teens to live like a local with complimentary Spanish classes while capturing memories via GoPro Hero4 when staying on its 1,100-acre stretch of rainforest overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The resort expanded its complimentary amenities with smoothie and cooking lessons along with board games.

  4. Hook and Cook: The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village allows teens to explore over 400 miles of navigable waterways via kayak. The resort's location near the world-famous barrier islands of Southwest Florida and the Intracoastal Waterway provides excellent fishing – which the kitchen will prepare upon request through their Hook N' Cook program. The resort recently introduced a Tangent at Westin, a space with the newest technologies for game lovers!

  5. Polynesian Torch-Lighting: Hilton Hawaiian Village, Waikiki's only beachfront resort, has received numerous awards for being the most Family Friendly resort in Waikiki. The 22-acre playground boasts activities from Waikiki's longest water slide and surfing lessons at the world-famous Duke Kahanamoku Lagoon to cultural activities such as hula lessons and lei making. Teens will enjoy a firework show each Friday night, outdoor movies and daily Polynesian torch-lighting demonstrations.

  6. Aquatics and Arcades: Great Wolf Lodge, North America's largest family of indoor waterparks, caters to teens with an array of activities from the Double Barrel Drop® vortex (complete with a 450 degree hairpin turn) to the Hydro Plunge® 52-foot vertical drop and six-story Howlin' Tornado™ funnel. Alternatively, they can head over to the state-of-the-art Northern Lights Arcade, play a round of mini golf or throw on a pair of 3D glasses for a ride at the XD Theater.

  7. Retail Therapy: The Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino caters to teen shopping needs by offering an onsite Retail Therapist that provides local shopping insights, insider tips on the best island deals, customized shopping itineraries and maps

  8. Mayan Jungle Eco-Tours: Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa lies in the exotic Riviera Maya surrounded by natural sinkholes, mangroves and lagoons. This resort offers teenagers the opportunity to absorb Mother Nature by embarking on Eco-Tours by foot or bicycle, where they experience the natural environment of the Mayan jungle. Other eco-activities include visiting the property's many animal sanctuaries, swimming in the Cenote, Photo Safari and Plant a Tree.

  9. Spelunking and Zip Lining: Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa offers on and off-site options from iguana feedings to watersports galore (including banana boats and parasailing) to hiking in El Yunque (the only national rainforest in the U.S.) to adrenaline packed excursions inclusive of rappelling, free jumping, spelunking and zip lining through the caves of Rio Camuy.

  10. Desert Adventures: The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa encourages outdoorsy teens to experience the awe of the Sonoran Desert with a slew of adventures from spelunking (venturing 135 feet underground to explore Colossal Cave) and four wheeling through the desert. Teens can then dive into the five pool oasis on property, equipped with one of Tucson's longest resort waterslides, the 177 foot “SlideWinder.” This can be followed by viewing the rush of starry nights while roasting s'mores in what is known as the astronomical capital of the world.

  11. S'mores at the Fire Pit: Mere minutes from world-renowned attractions and entertainment, the Hilton Orlando caters to thrill-seeking teens. With an impressive 892 foot lazy river (complete with waterfalls, cannons and sprinklers), Hilton Orlando also boasts two zero-entry pools, a waterslide, whirlpool, cabanas, fire pits (complete with s'mores kits!), nine-hole putting green, jogging track and courts for volleyball, tennis, basketball and bocce ball.

  12. BVI Adventures: Oil Nut Bay, a multi-generational resort community, features three separate cascading oceanfront pools, the middle of which is dedicated to its teen guests. The resort also offers windsurfing, kite boarding, glass-bottom kayaks, diving, snorkeling, standup paddle boarding, mountain biking, beach games (volleyball, soccer, football, bocce ball, etc.).