America has some of the best family-friendly hotels in the world. These are some of Citizen Enfants’ favourites.
The USA is a fantastic destination for a family holiday. Including stylish sightseeing in New York, beachside fun in the Hamptons and the opportunity to learn how to be a cowboy (or girl) in Montana, these are some of the best hotels in the States to visit with children.
Lone Mountain Ranch, Montana
Live out the all-American cowboy – or girl – dream at Lone Mountain Ranch in Montana. Deep in the heart of Yellowstone County, this working ranch gives visitors the chance to try horseback riding, axe-throwing, fly-fishing and more, plus organises tours to Yellowstone National Park, where experienced rangers will help you spot bears and eagles in the wild. Stay in a two-bedroom luxury log cabin; it’s the epitome of rustic-chic with wood panelling, cosy throws and a wood burner. For dinner head to Horn & Cantle restaurant, The Saloon, or eat under the stars – there’s no light pollution here. The ranch lives up to its promise to be a playground for all ages: The Outdoor Youth Adventure Programme aims to develop children’s appreciation of nature, accompanying them as they roam free in wide open spaces, and passing on knowledge of local flora and fauna. Elsewhere, canoeing, archery, trekking and rodeo shows promise you and your kids the spirit of the American West.
Getting There: The ranch is 40 minutes from Bozeman Airport; there's a 15-hour, direct flight from London Heathrow. Rates start from £1,127 per cabin, per night on a B&B basis.
Address: 750 Lone Mountain Ranch, Big Sky Montana, 59716
Instagram: @lonemountainranch
Gurney's, Montauk
A summer getaway for chic New Yorkers, this charming Hampton’s fishing village is a stylish beach destination ideal for families. Gurney’s Resort – the only luxury hotel in the Hamptons on a private beach – is the place to stay. Beautifully-designed, well-appointed, three-bedroom Oceanfront Cottages come with cots, high chairs and fenced verandas for little ones to play within, and the beach club is just a few steps away – or head to the pool or tennis courts. There are five restaurants, all with kids’ menus, babysitting is available for younger children, and the incredibly popular complimentary kids’ programme, Camp Gurney’s (for those aged five to 12), offers a ton of fun including arts and crafts classes, donut decorating, beach games and movie nights. It runs all day during summer – book in advance. While kids have fun, mum and dad can relax at the beach club or try out the 30,000 square-foot spa which recently completed an extensive $20 million renovation.
Getting There: There are several flights daily from London Heathrow and Gatwick to New York's JFK and Newark airports. The car journey from NYC to Montauk takes two to three hours. Rates start from $329 per room per night.
Address: 290 Old Montauk Highway, Montauk, 11954
Instagram: @gurneysresorts
The Boca Raton, Florida
Florida is a firm family favourite thanks to year-round sun, soft powdery beaches and a relaxed vibe. In Palm Beach County, The Boca Raton is a series of five hotels set amid 200 waterfront acres and, though there are many choices of rooms (more than 1,000, in fact), the iconic Cloister houses two-bedroom suites with living areas and kitchens that are ideal for families. But it’s the huge range of activities and facilities that make The Boca Raton so popular: a stunning private beach, an 18-hole golf course, a full-service marina, a Racquet Club with 16 tennis courts and six pickleball courts, and seven swimming pools make it holiday-heaven for families. Kids will make a beeline for the brand-new FlowRider, a wave simulator which allows you to boogie board or flowboard, with resort lifeguards providing one-on-one instructions to ensure a safe and fun experience. The Banyan Bunch Kids’ Club (for children aged four to 12 years-old) has a daily programme of activities from yoga to origami, and at Kids’ Splash Zone, children will love the interactive play area featuring an explorable pirate ship with water cannons and mini water slides.
Getting There: There are several direct flights to Miami from London's Heathrow and Gatwick airports every day. From here it's an hours' drive to The Boca Raton. Rates start from £346 per room, per night.
Address: 501 East Camino Real, Boca Raton, Florida, 33432
Instagram: @thebocaraton
Hotel del Coronado, San Diego
Hotel del Coronado is a legendary beach resort on a prime stretch of San Diego coastline. Steeped in history, this grand American hotel has been welcoming guests for over 130 years – including stars such as Marylin Monroe and Charlie Chaplin. But for all it’s old-world charm, this five-star property provides families with all the mod-cons they could wish for. As well as a picture-perfect beach you’ll find pools, a fitness centre and a spa. Learn the art of surfing with instructors chosen by world-famous surfer, Jamie O’Brien; hire MURF e-bikes to ride along the sand; or catch an open-air movie on the beach. Babysitting is available for young children while older kids will love the Ocean Explorers club to learn about the underwater world with hands-on adventures. This vast resort is split into neighbourhoods with different types of accommodation. Try a cottage with a kitchen at the Beach Village, or a sleek apartment at The Views: all are kitted out with cots and high chairs (plus beautiful sea views). There are several child-friendly restaurants and an ice cream parlour on-site, while San Diego has plenty to offer families – from the world-famous zoo to LEGOLAND California.
Getting There: British Airways offer daily flights from London Heathrow to San Diego International Airport. Rates start from £414 per night.
Address: 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, California, 92118
Instagram: @delcoronado
The Little Nell, Aspen
It’s hard to beat Aspen for a Stateside ski trip, and that includes with the family. Here, skiing for all abilities is spread over four accessible mountains. For the best ski-in ski-out experience, stay at The Little Nell; this five-star hotel located beside the Aspen Mountain lifts is super family-friendly. Gorgeous, interconnecting family suites come with cots, highchairs and soft toys, as well as children’s robes, slippers and toiletries. Let the ski concierge team arrange ski hire, lift passes, private lessons and guides, along with restaurant reservations – nothing is too much trouble. Experienced, qualified babysitters are on hand to look after non-skiing little ones, leaving parents and older siblings free to enjoy the miles of exquisitely-groomed pistes. There’s a hotel spa for adults and a heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub where kids can enjoy a dip, then it’s off to dinner at its award-winning restaurant, Elements 47.
Getting There: There are no direct flights from the UK to Aspen, but it's easy to connect at Denver and fly on to Aspen-Pitkin County Airport. Rates start from $550 per room per night.
Address: 675 East Durant Avenue, Aspen, Colorado, 81611
Instagram: @thelittlenell
The Plaza, New York
Located on Fifth Avenue, at the edge of Central Park, this elegant building is the Grande Dame of New York’s hotel scene and a wonderful base from which to explore. Oozing old-school charm, the five-star Plaza is surprisingly unstuffy and extremely welcoming of little guests, with huge family suites and interconnecting rooms. The hotel has plenty of nice touches for children, such as the resident fictional character, Eloise, from Kay Thompson’s Eloise: A Book for Precocious Grown-ups. Eloise’s mischief and antics have delighted readers and visitors of The Plaza since the book’s publication in 1955: kids can enjoy her themed Afternoon Tea, or post a letter from her pink mailbox. Having featured in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Plaza offers a four-hour private limousine Home Alone tour of the city, too; it stops at famous locations from the movie including the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Centre, Central Park and Radio City Music Hall (all while eating Kevin McAllister’s favourite pizza and ice cream sundaes). On top of all this, the concierge can arrange other memorable experiences, from Broadway Shows to NBA games and personal shopping trips.
Getting There: There are several flights daily from London Heathrow and Gatwick to both JFK and Newark airports in New York. Rates start from $1,100 per room per night.
Address: 768 Fifth Avenue, New York, 10019
Instagram: @theplazahotel
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