All-inclusive resorts offer something for every family member.
While the mention of an all-inclusive vacation might conjure up images of sunny tropical beaches, families who want the fixed pricing and amenities provided by these types of resorts can find several domestic choices. Whether they mimic the atmosphere found in many Caribbean resorts or invoke an old-fashioned summer camp or Western ambience, they all provide a range of activities, games and sports to appeal to all family members.
Pricing
Since all-inclusive vacation packages usually include food, drinks, children's programming, sports and other activities, they tend to cost more than a basic hotel room. Pricing varies according to the time of year, with most resorts considering summer their "high" or "peak" season. Most all-inclusive resorts charge a daily fee for each family member, often including very young children, so larger families should expect to pay more. This fee might also fluctuate depending upon the age of the children and the type of care or supervision they need. Accommodation types often vary within individual resorts as well--with some resorts offering choices of basic hotel rooms or more secluded cabins or villas that accommodate larger groups. Check with the resorts for current pricing and any special incentives or discounts.
Vermont: Tyler Place Family Resort
This resort, in operation since 1933, provides a place for families to reconnect while engaging in an array of sports and activities, ranging from boating to zip lines and circus activities. The resort's supervised children's programming (for babies to teens) ensures that couples also enjoy time for romance and relaxation. Located in a wooded lake-front area, the resort also boasts several swimming pools, a splash pad and full spa facilities. It serves three meals a day, featuring local Vermont produce and ingredients, as well as cocktails, microbrews and wine at The Bar.
The Tyler Place Family Resort
P.O. Box 254
Highgate Springs, Vermont 05460
802-868-4000
tylerplace.com/best-all-inclusive-family-resorts/
New York: Rocking Horse Ranch
This New York dude ranch provides Western-themed activities, such as horseback riding and hay rides, in addition to a host of other entertainment options. The resort boasts plentiful amenities and sports, including an indoor water park, tennis, archery, rock climbing and a supervised daily kid's camp for ages 5 to 12. Families with very young children (ages 1 to 4) can pay extra for supervised nursery care. In the summer, the resort offers water sports, including water skiing and canoeing, on its private lake. The all-inclusive pricing includes breakfast and dinner for the entire family and a free lunch for children --parents are on their own for lunch and can choose from selections at the resort's two snack bars/grills.
Rocking Horse Ranch Resort
600 Routes 44/55
Highland, NY 12528
800-647-2624
rockinghorseranch.com/index.html
Florida: Club Med Sandpiper, Port St. Lucie
Club Med operates family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in numerous countries. This Caribbean-style resort on the St. Lucie River, about two hours south of Orlando, provides developmentally appropriate supervised care for children of all ages, from babies to teens. The resort's range of games, sports (including tennis, golf and skateboarding) and amenities, such as swimming pools and spa facilities, offers something for almost every family member. Families can dine at the resort's main restaurant, The Magnolia, or at a reservations-only facility called Riverside, which specializes in themed dinners. Free cocktails, soft drinks, coffee and juices are served at bars throughout the resort, including a pool bar that accommodates children.
Club Med Sandpiper, Port St. Lucie
4500 S.E. Pine Valley St.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952
772-398-5100
clubmed.us/cm/resorts-north-america-usa-sandpiper-home_p-115-l-US-v-SANC-pe-10H-r-0-ac-vh.html
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