The best luxury beach resorts on Luxury Travel come together in perfect packages like this so that guests could have a top-notch vacation without even leaving the property, if so desired. However, part of what makes great luxury beach resorts considered the best here is location: an exciting tropical island or off-property cultural activities enrich a well-earned vacation, and must be considered as well. These, then, are five of Luxury Travel’s top luxury beach resorts for families in the USA.
Fairmont Orchid
The Big Island of Hawaii has a great stretch of luxury resorts along the Kohala Coast. This part of the Big Island is ideal for a relaxing family vacation; on Kona side, but north of Kona itself, the weather is ideal and the stretch of coastline is amazing. The Fairmont Orchid is a large resort with many on-site activities ranging from peaceful yoga stretches to vigorous workouts at the fitness center, plus kids’ activities and great dining. Guests can walk off the property to a petroglyph field – a light hike – but there are even some petroglyphs on the Fairmont Orchid property, carefully marked and treated with respect.
Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel
Dana Point and Laguna Beach are upscale vacation destinations in Southern California, and the Ritz-Carlton resort here makes perfect use of the iconic California coast setting. Most rooms have drop-dead gorgeous views of the Pacific Ocean, and the property is designed to flow with the resort building and ocean. The fitness center faces the ocean as well, and the spa incorporates the water theme at every turn. The Ritz Kids day camp has been replaced with the Ambassadors of the Environment program so children (and parents if desired) have enriching, fun experiences while on vacation.
Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel
One of the best luxury hotels in Santa Monica, this Loews is the best of the bunch for its kids and teens programs. Teenagers often get overlooked; too old for arts and crafts, too young for adult activities. The Teen Edu-cation day programs caters to this sometimes difficult age group swimmingly. The proximity to the Pacific Pier amusement park, newly renovated Ocean & Vine restaurant, and modern take on Southern California beach lodging add up to make this a top choice for a luxury family vacation in Santa Monica.
The Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort
St Thomas, of the US Virgin Islands, is mostly known for Charlotte Amelie’s popular cruise stop port. But St Thomas is more than just a cruise vacation pitstop. While the Ritz-Carlton on St Thomas is more luxurious, Frenchman’s Reef balances the pampering of a 5-star resort with the accessibility of a more family-friendly one. This is an award-winning Marriott, a few steps above the cluster of hotels around Charlotte Amalie. When considering the different needs sought for a luxury family vacation, Frenchman’s Reef hits all the right notes on St Thomas.
The Westin St John
The US Virgin Islands group has several high-end resort hotels, but St John – with two-thirds of the island being designated National Park land – has the best resort that keeps children happily entertained while parents can relax by the beach. The Westin Kids Club is top-notch. The other luxury resort on St John in the Caribbean is Caneel Bay Resort. This is also wonderful, but more attuned to honeymoon and romantic travel.
The Luxury Travel top US upscale beach resorts for families list is by no means exhaustive, though it is an elite group. There are many great luxury beach resorts in this country. Deciding what luxury family vacation is right for you, is an important first step for finding the ideal resort hotel.
