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mountains
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: old world
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
The property has a wonderful indoor pool and fantastic mountain views. My kids enjoyed the Heidi House - a supervised play area with activities and movies. There is special attention paid to families with a kid's welcome gift and the staff always seemed to have pockets stocked with chocolate.
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action
Nestled in 9-acres of open land adjacent to the commercial center of Banff, the Buffalo Mountain Lodge makes a wonderful home-base for exploring the magical scenery of the Canadian Rockies. The mountain-style, architecture and handcrafted décor is warm and inviting. Guest rooms are comfortable with fireplaces and private balconies - some units have kitchenette facilities. The overall atmosphere is quiet with limited onsite amenities, yet all of the area’s activities are easy to access from here - a perfect option for families that want to escape the tourist crowds in town and enjoy this breath-taking natural setting.
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
The Clay Brook is brand new, so everything is very clean and well done. Hands-down the best feature is the location for skiing—you can literally walk off the slopes and drop your skis with the valet and that's it! They even have boot warmers available—talk about luxury! Our kids loved the outdoor heated pool and got a kick out of swimming and jumping in snow at the same time. The decor is traditional and comfortable; rooms are spacious with full kitchens. If you call ahead, they will even stock the fridge for you. Fabulous!
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: contemporary
cb! age rating: baby ready, school age action, cool for teens
The Equinox is lovely! Starwood purchased the property and did a major renovation—it is now more sophisticated and very pretty. The food is delicious at both the steakhouse and the tavern, and we love the gorgeous fire-pit and terrace. Despite all the upscale features appreciated by the adults (spa, driving school, golf), there are many families that stay here for the easy access to year-round outdoors activities including falconry school, swimming, hiking, fly fishing, and skiing at nearby Stratton and Bromley. Rooms are spacious and decorated very well.
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
This hotel is known as the 'Castle in the Rockies' and it lives up to that title. Nestled in the Canadian Rocky Mountains in Banff National Park, it is a very special place to stay. They have one of the best year-round outdoor pools with breathtaking views and scenery. They have a great little kids pool for babies and toddlers. Our kids also love ice skating by the river during winter months. If you can sneak away to the spa, it's well worth it and never disappoints!
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location: mountains
standard: simple
style: boutique
cb! age rating: toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Kid's game room, swimming pool, easy access to ski resort, great breakfasts, casual atmosphere yet classy.
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
A Relais & Chateaux property set in the Dolomite mountains in the village of San Cassiano. The hotel has a spa, 2-star Michelin restaurant, plus a casual restaurant. Epic skiing and hiking is plentiful in this area. There is kids club offered during summer months for ages 4-12.
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location: mountains
standard: simple
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, school age action, cool for teens
Location! Great staff to help you bring up, store and take down your ski gear. Nice lobby area for relaxing. Easy parking.
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Convenient location. Can park the car once and walk to great skiing (if visiting in the winter), restaurants, grocery store, coffee shops, etc. Full kitchen in the villa rooms. Ultra clean in all areas of the property. Comfortable beds. Washer/Dryer in rooms. Heated pool and sidewalks. VERY kid friendly. Many onsite activities for kids.
Good onsite restaurant, but have to go early (like 4:45) to avoid a long wait, which is not fun with kids--at least not ours!
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MIRROR LAKE INN
city/region: Adirondack Mountains
accommodation category: hotel
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
We love the beautiful setting of this hotel in the Adirondack Mountains and the location is wonderful - just a 2-minute walk from the town of Lake Placid and a 10-minute drive to the ski area. The property is set right on Mirror Lake with a private beach. There are a million activities to choose from through every season in this area. Rooms are spacious and there is an indoor pool that the boys loved to use after skiing. Public areas are family-oriented, warm, and inviting and the decks facing the lake have fantastic views. The food is outstanding, especially the fresh, homemade bread.
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: contemporary
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek is in an incredible location with ideal access to the chair lifts, ski school, restaurants, and shopping. The hotel overlooks the ice skating rink in town and we can walk out our door to a million activities. Our favorite feature is the kid-friendly lobby—there is an enormous fireplace where people of all ages hang out and relax. The concierge service is unbelievable—the staff will manage anything and everything you need. The gym is absolutely top notch too, with excellent machines and yoga. We love the mountain set-up here for families with an extensive amount of intermediate terrain.
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PITCHER INN
city/region: Vermont
accommodation category: hotel
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, school age action, cool for teens
Beautiful inn in a quaint Vermont town. Each room is unique, we stayed in a 2 bedroom suite that was so comfortable. Beautiful bathrooms. Fireplace that they will start for you. Amazing staff, very attentive. Fabulous, upscale restaurant, made special dishes for the kids. Game room for the kids. Many things nearby - incredible swimming quarries, fishing, canoeing. Spa visit the next day was terrific.
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: contemporary
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
PlumpJack Squaw Valley Inn is one of the few upscale, boutique hotels in the North Lake Tahoe area. Indoor public spaces include a cozy café with excellent food and wine, and more of the same in their intimate fine dining restaurant. Standard double rooms with 2 queen size beds are available, plus they have a few connecting room options as well. Kid-friendly amenities are limited, but for families seeking a high-end, intimate hotel experience, PlumpJack fits the bill. The lovely landscaped pool area is perfect for summer fun and the hotel is an ideal home-base for alpine skiing given that it is walking access to Squaw Valley lifts, ski school, shops, and restaurants.
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
The Resort at Squaw Creek is one of the few full service resort properties in the North Lake Tahoe area. Set at the Eastern end of Squaw Valley, the setting and mountain views from this vantage point are spectacular. Although the hotel is very modern on the outside, rooms and public areas are traditional and comfortable. Some recently renovated guest rooms feature kitchenette facilities and fireplaces; there are a wide variety of room options that support families. What makes this property special is the long list of fantastic onsite amenities including a pool complete with a water slide for summer fun, an ice skating rink for winter fun, a kids club (ages 4-12), a spa, an 18-hole golf course, and an array of restaurants. Ski enthusiasts will appreciate the convenient location just steps from the Squaw Creek lift.
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SKY HOTEL
city/region: Aspen
accommodation category: hotel
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: trendy
cb! age rating: baby ready, school age action, cool for teens
In an unbeatable location right at the mountain's base, The Sky Hotel makes you feel ongoing après ski even with kids in tow. Part of Kimpton Hotels, it's boutique feel and kids welcome—including pint sized robes upon request—can tempt you away from the mountain for some downtime. The pool offers great play and people watching during the summertime. Easy rollaway/crib availability—if needed, it is worth requesting a bathroom that is large enough for the crib.
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, school age action, cool for teens
Staying at the Sonnenalp is akin to staying at a European mountain lodge - warm and inviting with a high level of personalized service. The majority of the rooms are spacious suites and ideally configured for families. Located in the heart of Vail village, guests are steps away from restaurants and shops, and a quick shuttle ride to the ski area. The indoor/outdoor pool means swimming is a year-round activity option. The hotel also runs a supervised kids activity program during weekend nights in the winter. Bully Ranch is the onsite casual restaurant with fantastic food and a perfect atmosphere for families.
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location: mountains
standard: simple
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Squaw Valley Lodge's location and simplicity are hard to beat. It's walkable to the lift, complete with kitchenettes and outfitted with a spa and fitness facility. The basic decor and worn-in feel can be overlooked for it's price and convenience.
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STOWEFLAKE
city/region: Vermont
accommodation category: hotel
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Stoweflake offers hotel rooms as well as townhouse units with full kitchens, laundry, and plenty of space for families to spread out. We appreciate the fact that the townhouse accommodations have daily maid service too - this helps take the work out of vacation. Although Stoweflake is not ski-in/ski-out, parking is easy at the ski hill and we love that the hotel is located right in the adorable town of Stowe with easy access to restaurants and shops. There is a world-class spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, as well as welcoming family-oriented amenities including tea, cookies, arts & crafts, and board games for kids.
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Sun Valley is known for phenomenal skiing, but it is an amazing destination for year-round outdoors-oriented activities. The historic Sun Valley Lodge is an iconic resort property with a long list of onsite activities including an ice skating rink, bowling alley, game room, and year-round heated swimming pool. The hotel is located in an intimate village setting with shops and restaurants. There are always world-class events in progress in and around Sun Valley from music festivals to sporting events. Families have a variety of rooms to choose from including condos with kitchens and living areas.
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Located in the spectacular Canadian Rockies, the Jasper Park Lodge is a full-service resort property with easy access to a wide range of activities for every age. With 446 rooms, guests have a wide range of accommodation options to choose from including independent cabins with complete kitchen amenities. The historic main lodge has a grand, old-world ambiance and overlooks Lac Beauvert and Mt. Edith Cavell – the gorgeous setting and views make it difficult to leave the property, but there is a long list of interesting and fun outdoor activities in this area. Between the glorious setting, wide variety of accommodation options, and the sheer number of entertainment options for families, the Jasper Park Lodge is an ideal family vacation destination.
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THE GANT ASPEN
city/region: Rocky Mountains
accommodation category: resort
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
We’ve been going to Aspen for 4-5 weeks every summer for years and I know of no condo-hotel that is nicer or better run in Aspen than The Gant. Many of their guests return year-after-year and there are always kids of all ages around. A big part of the appeal is that it feels like home here—the property is well-appointed with the ideal combination of condo amenities and hotel services like daily maid service. Other onsite facilities include a snack bar, well-maintained swimming pools, and extremely helpful reception staff. Located just a 2-minute walk from town, you don’t feel like you are on top of everything yet there is easy access to restaurants and shopping.
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, school age action, cool for teens
There’s a good reason Steamboat is one of the top family-friendly ski areas – in addition to ideal ski terrain for kids, there is an enormous array of condo accommodations with an ideal set-up and price point for families. The Lodge at Steamboat stands out as an excellent choice for those seeking upscale rooms paired value-oriented pricing. Although each condo is individually owned, décor and amenity quality is closely managed and consistent between units. The location is excellent with just a 5-minute shuttle ride to the base of the ski area. The front desk staff is friendly and helpful. Free morning coffee and doughnuts is a crowd pleaser too.
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: boutique
cb! age rating: baby ready, school age action, cool for teens
Every element of our experience at Paws Up was phenomenal. The sheer beauty of the resort, mountains, and rivers is beyond compare. Our extended family took over Tent City. They call it “glamping”—the best of camping and a luxury hotel. Each and every need and desire was handled immediately with a smile and attention to detail. We had our own “butler” for the tent—by the end of the week he was part of the family. As far as activities go, there was never a dull moment from horseback riding, ATV drives, fishing, and skeet shooting to name a few. I’ve traveled all around the world and our week at Paws Up will remain one of my most treasured memories!
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
The Village at Squaw Valley offers condo accommodations with limited hotel services right at the base of the ski area with immediate and easy access to lifts, ski school, shops, and restaurants. Although condos are individually owned, standard corporate décor is used throughout the complex and guest units are comfortable and well-appointed. Most have a full kitchen, gas fireplace, and a private balcony. Shared amenities include laundry facilities, game/TV lounges, fitness centers, and outdoor whirlpool tubs. Convenience is key when skiing with kids and everything families need is available in and around the Village.
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
This picturesque Alpine-style hotel feels like it is straight out of Austria. Handcrafted décor, toasty fires, and exceptional service create a warm and cozy atmosphere for all ages at The Trapp Family Lodge. Even the guest room experience is like staying in the Alps – what a treat! There is an incredible array of things to do for families from cross country skiing to a rustic cabin for lunch, to downhill skiing in Stowe, to swimming in their indoor pool, to participating in their kids’ club and activities (not to mention a long list of wonderful summer activities too). The History Tour of the Von Trapp Family is a highlight – it’s fascinating to learn first-hand details about this iconic family portrayed in the The Sound of Music. There are a few onsite restaurants to choose from including formal and casual options; the meals are outstanding.
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location: mountains
standard: luxurious
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Vail Mountain Lodge is comprised of luxury rooms, suites, and 2-3 bedroom condo units. Guest units are well-furnished, comfortable, and enormous with loads of room for one or more families to spread out. The unbeatable location is just steps from the shops and restaurants in Vail Village, and there’s a complimentary shuttle available for anything in town not within walking distance. Guests have access to the top notch Vail Athletic Club and the hotel spa—both are located in the lower level of the property. The in-house restaurant, Terra Bistro, is excellent for breakfast and gourmet meals.
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: traditional
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
Located in the heart of The Village at Mammoth, the condo guest rooms rooms at The Village Lodge provide the space and amenities families need, with convenient access to everything including the gondola. We love that the village is always lively with jazz and music festivals in the summer and s’mores by the fire in winter. In addition to the phenomenal skiing in this area, there is a zip-line, mountain adventure center, and mountain bike riding over summer months. Great restaurants are within walking distance and there are also grocery stores nearby. Kids under 5 ski free at on the magic carpet at the resort and the ski school is terrific.
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WALDHAUS SILS
city/region: St. Moritz
accommodation category: hotel
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location: mountains
standard: upscale
style: old world
cb! age rating: baby ready, toddler fun, school age action, cool for teens
The position of this hotel in a forest above a village is magical. The landscape is gorgeous. Over the years, we’ve grown to love the family that runs Waldhaus Sils, the staff, and the people that go there. This is not one of those “kids” hotels where you are surrounded by animation. Children are welcome and there are many activities offered to them, but it is all very low-key. The atmosphere is friendly and the food is excellent. The details here are handled with care and everything runs smoothly, this is why the same families love to come back year after year.
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