Beat the

heat with the

family and
make lasting
memories.

S PACE | TA ST E | T R AV E L

E D I T E D B Y AMY ELISA KEITH

S U M M E R VACAT I O N G U I D E

Family
Fun in
the Sun
MAKE THIS THE BEST SUMMER EVER AT ONE OF THESE ALL-YOU-CAN-HANDLE RESORTS

By AMY ELISA KEITH

swimming pool and a

game room are no longer
enough to make a resort
attractive for families
looking for a getaway.
Jockeying for your travel dollars (and
your kids stamp of cool), resorts are
now offering real-life treasure hunts,
acres of water sports, late-night nannies,
designer digs and more. Here are seven
of our favorites!

CLUB MED SANDPIPER BAY

Port St. Lucie, Fla.

With 307 sunny rooms to choose

from, splurge by booking one of the
30 deluxe family suites with two
bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths.
Most of your time will be spent outside
exploring the 216-acre resort and
activities, including paddleboarding
and spa treatments.
K I D S C LU B : A full-service nursery provides indoor and outdoor recreation
for children from 4 months to 2 years
old. Petit Club Med caters to guests

from 2 to 3 years old, and activities for

kids from 4 to 17 include options such
as creative games, Zumbatomic dance
fitness classes, Circus School and
cooking classes, in which little ones
learn how to whip up local fare.
B E YO N D T H E BAS I C S : Break from the
high-energy excitement and unwind
by the adults-only pool. For date night,
let the pip-squeaks conk out in the
Pyjama Club, open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
every night for 4- to 23-month-olds,

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then carry them back to your room.

C O ST : Rates start at $1,064 per person, based on double occupancy for a seven-night stay. Includes food,
beverages (cocktails, too), entertainment and most
activities. Children under 2 stay free. The Wellness
Boost Package starts at $365 for specialized fitness
training, spa treatments and diet guidance; SandpiperBay.ClubMed.us; 800-258-2633

Disneys Art of Animation Resort

Orlando, Fla.
Unleash your fams animated side at one of Disneys
most popular digs. All ages will be mesmerized by the
seemingly endless array of artistry, enchantment and
magic of the Disney and Pixar films that inspired the
design of this hotel. In vibrantly themed family suites
and courtyards resembling the movies including Finding Nemo and Cars, your kids will become characters
in the fun.
K I D S C LU B : The resorts 87 acres serve as the ultimate
playground, not to mention the Disney attractions
nearby where children can climb and slide at Squirts
Righteous Reef Park. Challenge your tweens to a round
of Pac-Man at the Pixel Play arcade before snuggling
up for a nighttime movie under the stars at The Lion
King courtyard.
B E YO N D T H E BAS I C S : Cannonballs are required in
the resorts pool, which is equipped with underwater
speakers and is the largest one of its kind at Walt Disney World. And then if your tykes wants digs just like
The Little Mermaid room, you can accommodate the
request by taking a trip to the gift shop to score all of
the in-room decor pieces.
C O ST : Rooms start at $265 per night for a maximum of
six people. Packages with rooms and theme park tickets start at $1,721; Disneyworld.disney.go.com or call
407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7639).

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THE
BREAKERS

Palm Beach, Fla.

After a 10-year, $250

million revitalization and
expansion, the pristine
property on 140 acres
boasts eight restaurants,
eight bars, 11 boutiques,
two championship golf
courses, tennis, watersports, premium cabanas and other amenities.
KID S C LU B : The Breakers goes beyond the
traditional movie night
to offer kids an array of
activities and excursions
such as historical bike
tours, scuba diving and
a glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt. For children,
ages 6 to 12, Spa Petite
offers services for little
fingers and toes.
BE YO N D T H E BAS I C S :
The hotel offers complimentary childproofing.
Plus, experienced babysitters can be booked in
advanced, and guests
can request mini fridges.
EB O N Y D E A L ! : From June
1 to Sept. 30, weekday
room rates (Sunday to
Thursday) start at $329
per room per night;
$409 per night weekends (Friday and Saturday), based on standard
accommodations. Make
sure to mention EBONY;
TheBreakers.com or call
toll-free, 888-BREAKERS (273-2537).

Signature at MGM Grand

Las Vegas
In Vegas, the lights are brighter, the colors are bolder
and the attractions are bigger. Balance out the energy
of Sin City with a luxurious all-suite, gambling-free
escape, just a stones throw away from Cirque du
Soleils astonishing performance of K. Signature is a
smoke-free hotel wing of the MGM Grand that allows
you and your family to be close to the action while
still indulging in a relaxing vacation. Guests also enjoy
convenient access to WET REPUBLIC at MGM Grand,
an adults-only ultra pool offering elite VIP service and
high-end amenities.
K I D S C LU B : Experience the amusements at MGM
Grands five-pool complex that features a long, winding
river pool with waterfalls and cool, cave-like grottos.
At the Rainforest Caf, kids will enjoy the decor, periodic mist showers and animatronic gorillas. Head over
to Michael Mina Pub 1842 restaurant to let the kids
indulge in a Peanut Butter Crunch Burger or Lobster
Corn Dog.
B E YO N D T H E BAS I C S : Children 12 years or older can
dive into the thrilling, hands-on activities of CSI: The
Experience, a new attraction featuring meticulous
crime scene re-creations and two state-of-the-art
labs. Participants are given the tools to gather the evidence, investigate the scene and solve the crime.
E B O N Y D E A L ! : Summer Getaway Package includes
suites starting at $95 per night and a $50 pool beverage credit. D E A L C O D E : SIGSMR14W. Vegas Is Waiting
Package features suites starting at $90 per night and
an upgrade to a balcony suite. D E A L C O D E : SIGFB14M;
signaturemgmgrand.com/ or call 877-727-0007.

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Salamander Resort & Spa

Middleburg, Va.

WINNETU OCEANSIDE
RESORT

Marthas Vineyard, Mass.

With beaches, ice cream and Americas oldest working carousel, theres much to love on
Marthas Vineyard. Unwind at this old-fashioned retreat featuring one- to four-bedroom
suites equipped with full kitchens.
C H I L D R E N S DAY P R O G R AM : Structured activities are geared for ages 3 (must be toilet
trained) to preteen. Winnetu offers a life-size
chess set, a turtle pond and complimentary
yoga classes. Let kids explore nearby Edgartown with rental bikes.
B E YO N D T H E BAS I C S : The Farmer for a Day
program runs every Saturday morning at the
Farm Institute. Families can book a visit to
the farm to learn how to shear sheep, make
goat cheese and perhaps watch a live birth.
E B O N Y D E A L ! : From July 13 to Aug. 2 and
Aug. 24-31, book three nights or more in a
suite or cottage and receive 20 percent off
regular rates. (Studios and garden studios
are not applicable.) Rate includes shuttle
service to Edgartown and more; Winnetu.
com or call 866-335-1133.

Set on 340 acres in Virginias horse country, this new 168-room resort is the passion property of owner Sheila C. Johnson,
co-founder of BET. The first-class resort
features a full equestrian center and stateof-the-art cooking studio offering culinary
classes, in addition to fine dining.
KIDS CLUB : While adults soak up the serenity of the deluxe spa with infinity edge pool,
fire pit and private cabanas, the equestrian
center is perfect for budding and advanced
riders. There, they can enjoy instructional
classes and activities, including steeplechases and polo. If hiking and biking trails
are too rustic for your young adults, golfing is
available at nearby courses.
BEYOND THE BAS I C S : The Dreaming of Family Time Package (starting at $475 per room)
cultivates family bonding with geocaching
real-world treasure huntingat the resort,
indoor pool games or exploring after dark
with night vision goggles or a Celestron
Sky Scout to spot constellations.
COST : Summer rates begin at $375 per
night; Salamanderresort.com or call 866938-7370.

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Tyler Place Family Resort,

Highgate Springs, Vt.
For five generations, this
Vermont playground has
been one of the most beloved Stateside, all-inclusive
vacation spots. After getting
a good nights sleep in one of
the rustic and cozy cabins,
take on a new challenge on
the ropes obstacle course,
outdoor climbing wall and
zip-lining course.
K I D S C LU B : In addition to an

SPA
M M
usub

activities center, Tyler Place

encourages families to play
together. Longtime fishing
guru Nature Dave takes
groups on fishing pontoon
cruisesthe lake is packed
with bass, perch, pike and
moreand nature walks
around ponds and meadows.
Enjoy participating in the
staff-versus-guest softball or
soccer game, splashing

M AY 2 0 14

in the pool, taking out a

kayak or two and grabbing
a cone from the free ice
cream truck.
B E YO N D T H E BAS I C S : Love
delicious locally grown food?
Healthy options abound, as
do scrumptious desserts
that dont skimp on taste.
Personal bikes for every
member of your family,
including training wheels,
tricycles, trail-a-bikes, baby
seats, tandem bikes and
helmetsjust some of the
most popular features.
C O ST : From May 23 to June
14, rates range from $113 to
$292 per person, double
occupancy. Children and
teens enjoy reduced rates.
From June 14-Aug. 30, rates
range from $214 to $394 per
person double occupancy;
Tylerplace.com or call 802868-4000.

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Wrap

CAN!