Top Resorts for Multi-Generational Travel

Recently making headlines as multigenerational travel, the idea of planning a vacation for family members and friends of different age groups can be a daunting one.

Recent studies show, at least 33 percent of travelers age 50 and over who have a big trip in 2015 planned will be taking their offspring along with them. About half of these trips will be planned to accommodate the interests and needs of the millennial and younger generation travelers. Pleasing all parties involved, embarking on new and active adventures, and actually being able to enjoy the company of those you travel with are key factors of the multigenerational travel experience.

WEST COAST & HAWAII

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa | Ko Olina, HI (pictured above)

From energizing, fun adventures to soothing relaxation at Laniwai, there's something for the entire ‘ohana (family) at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina. While visiting Aulani, guests can surf in crystalline waters, ride horseback through lush valleys or kayak through protected offshore islets. New family activities on property include Paddle Fitness and Disney Group Spin. Trainers provide a wide variety of workouts catered to athletes of all levels, as well as beachside workouts that the entire family can enjoy, including ocean-Flow yoga, boot camps, and Palm Tree TRX workouts. Each of these workouts can be tailored for optimal impact, whether they are intended as a fun, family activity, or to keep travelers in tip-top shape. Families can also learn about the vibrant history through story telling nightly with Uncle, along with the Menehune Adventure Trail – a high-tech scavenger hunt that leads guests through Aulani as you solve riddles, search for hidden statues and discover surprises left by the Menehune. The adventure trail offers interactive elements with special effects involving fire, water, light and animation–fun for all ages. Lastly, the Pau Hana Room offers multiple family-friendly offerings, including a wide selection of classic and new Disney movies, board games, books and activities such as ukulele lessons.

The Mansion at Casa Madrona, Sausalito, CA

Perched hillside in the beautiful seaside community of Sausalito, The Mansion at Casa Madrona is the perfect spot for multi-generational families looking for an uber-luxe getaway or reunion. When families book the Mansion, or even the 5,000 square-foot Alexandrite Suite within it, personalized service to meet even the most over-the-top guest requests is built into the price tag. Families can enjoy a private chef catered meal sure to please even the most discerning diners, tailored yoga classes on the stunning Alexandrite Suite deck for health-focused families and learning to sail retreats that will help each member of the family leave a true “skipper.”

Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego CA

This summer, the family-friendly resort is hosting another year of fun with programming created for the whole family. The property boasts exquisite golf, and spa facilities, three swimming pools, two restaurants, tennis courts, biking trails and more to fit every family's interest! Families at Rancho Bernardo Inn are treated to a full summer of fun with activities for kids young and old. Programming and amenities including free food, treasure hunts, pancakes + pool time, s'mores and snores, and more.

SOUTHWEST

The Wigwam, Litchfield Park, AZ

The Wigwam is one of Arizona's most iconic resorts, offering an intimate retreat that blends casual elegance with the charm of historic Arizona, perfect for the whole family to enjoy. With an unforgettable experience to reconnect and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, The Wigwam is home to the only 54 holes of golf in the Southwest, a signature Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, six restaurants offering locally-sourced dining and farm-to-table fare, two pools with cabana rentals, and recreational activities such as tennis and bocce ball. Scheduled activities each day range from morning walks and destination experiences with the resort's Native American cultural interpreter to kids camps and nightly marshmallow roasting.

Tanque Verde Ranch | Tucson, AZ

Located on 60,000 desert acres within the Saguaro National Park of Tucson, Ariz., Tanque Verde Ranch offers a dude ranch experience with a resort-like feel that both adults and children can enjoy, making it a popular destination for families to catch up year after year. Over 75% of the visitors at Tanque Verde Ranch are return guests and the majority of these guests are families, an ode to how this home-away-from home destination is the perfect setting for families to unplug and reconnect with one another while also reconnecting with the great outdoors. When guests book a stay once a year for 10 consecutive years, they are honored as part of the ranch's famous “Legacy Walk,” which includes a customized brick for each family that has hit the decade mark. The Ranch is visited by families that have been staying for over 50 years, now bringing up to four generations to the property each year. The family that has been revisiting the longest is welcomed by a special custom sign hung up on the Casita that they return to each holiday season.

For children ages 4-12, the ranch offers a supervised kids program that allows parents to join in an array of fun-filled kids activities with their children or go enjoy adult-time knowing their kids are having an amazing time in a safe environment. As part of the supervised kids program, children will participate in activities ranging from daily horseback riding lessons and horse grooming sessions to arts and crafts and fun-filled games.

Meanwhile, adults can chose to participate in daily scheduled activities that are part of all-inclusive rates, including horseback riding lessons and activities, trail rides, guided mountain bike and hiking tours, nature walks, educational seminars at the ranch's Nature Center, fishing, tennis and more. The Ranch also has an on-property spa, which offers several rejuvenating treatments or in-room massages.

Perhaps the best part of the ranch experience is the value included in each stay. The ranch is all-inclusive so each guest receives accommodations, three daily meals and free access to all of the ranch activities listed above, including the kids program. Special activities the whole family can enjoy together that are also part of all-inclusive rates include Cowboy Cookouts under the stars and Breakfast Rides to score the Ranch's famous Blueberry Pancakes.

MOUNTAINS

Keystone Resort - Keystone, CO

For families looking to stay together and play together this summer, Keystone Resort is an ideal destination - and fun for families of all ages. The Rocky Mountain setting exudes the tone and character of real adventure with a pace set for the individual, but in a place meant for families to connect. Multi-generational travelers can enjoy the Keystone Wagon Ride Dinner, a unique and interactive experience that resonates with all ages. The night begins with a horse drawn wagon ride through the green valleys of Keystone where families can learn the rich history of the land, followed by cowboy games, campfire songs, a delicious home-cooked meal and family photo opps galore! In addition, Keystone's diverse lodging offers the perfect configuration for any family. Options from the Four Diamond Keystone Lodge & Spa to spacious condos and even the option to have the whole family stay in one of the oldest running B&Bs at Ski Tip Lodge.

Washington School House | Park City, UT

An exclusive downtown Park City boutique hotel where you can expect… well, the unexpected. Built as a school in 1889, Washington School House has just graduated to a new level of luxury with the completion of its stunning renovation. The intimate, twelve-room hotel offers an easy buyout option for multi-generational travelers providing groups with so much more than a hotel stay. With an intimate and cozy spa, the Washington School House offers an exclusive luxury retreat for each generation of a family to feel at home for up to 34 people. Tailored family off-site activities include fly-fishing, skiing, museums, hiking, snowshoeing, dogsledding and more. The property includes a private meeting room, 24 hour concierge and private chef available any time of year and the WSH team is there to ensure the activities inspire and engage family bonding in one of the world's most beautiful and luxurious mountain locations. Guests start the day with WSH's signature Hearty Mountain Breakfast served on site by the private chef. Enjoy gourmet pack lunches or private dining by the pool or in house. Family members can also indulge in customized spa treatments and fill the remainder of their day exploring all of Park City's premier activities, which can be customized to match each family's desires and planned by hotel staff.

EAST COAST

Cheeca Lodge & Spa | Islamorada, FL

Discover an experience like no other at the oceanfront property that offers endless possibilities for all ages. From family tennis tournaments (hello, family reunion!) and snorkel trips to sea kayaking and chartered cruises, the Cheeca staff is happy to coordinate your perfect family outing. Prefer to wind down? Opt for a round of golf, yoga on the beach or snag a beach cruiser for a ride.

The property also offers Camp Cheeca, a day camp for ages 5-12 offering kids a chance to learn about the wildlife found in the Keys. Activities include fishing off Cheeca's pier, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, lagoon swimming and snorkeling, group games and beach exploration. By dinnertime, Cheeca kids will have fun facts to share with the whole family!