In 1998, Family Travel Forum asked a dozen top travel writers to share their “favorite family resorts” with readers. This writer couldn't pick just one.
It isn’t an easy decision, picking our favorite family resort. There have been so many: the Rimrock Ranch outside of Cody, Wyoming where Henry was the youngest wrangler at age 4; the oldest was 80. The setting and the cast of characters couldn’t have been more “Western” and welcoming. Bolton Valley, Vermont — our first family ski vacation. Henry awoke at 6am each morning in our cozy suite, complete with fireplace and kitchenette, asking if the ski center was open yet. My husband nearly dropped his ski poles when he saw Henry — on a leash with his instructor — coming off a chair lift and schussing down the slopes.
We won’t forget the castle of Monte Vibiano, now a country home rental for 14 south of Perugia in Italy, where Henry celebrated his 5th birthday with a “white” pizza — he loved cheese and didn’t like tomatoes! He and I nearly got lost in the Labyrinth Garden, and Henry took a dip in the 1930’s vintage tiled pool, even though it was late October! We loved the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale in Arizona — could barely pull Henry, then age 6, away from the children’s program to spend any time with us! He was too young for the slides into the never-ending pool, but not for its sandy beach. Hyatt is the Disneyland of resorts!
In Asia, our favorites included the Pelangi Beach Hotel on Langkawi Island, off Malaysia’s west coast, where we found a happy landing in their Mariner’s Suites overlooking the sea when Henry was 8. We enjoyed our private breakfast, the cocktail lounge, and the boat ride out to a nearby island and sandy beach. At the resort itself was another Disney-style pool with slides and a swim-up bar!
Most recently, and just before the season started, we visited the Ile de Ré, across the bridge from la Rochelle on the west coast of France. We stayed in St. Martin de Ré at the Hotel Galion, spent our days biking past oyster farms, small villages and beaches, and our evenings eating the most sublime seafood and other French treats. We were now three adults and three kids from 11-15. Fun for all.
Rimrock Ranch
2728 Northfork Route
Cody, WY 82414
Bolton Valley
4302 Bolton Access Road
Bolton Valley, VT 05477
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale
7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Pelangi Beach Hotel
Pantai Cenang
07000 Langkawi, Kedah, Malaysia
Hotel Galion
Saint Martin de Re,
Ile de Re 17410, France
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