With non-traditional school and work schedules this year, there has been an uptick in family travel—and many hotels and resorts are catering directly to on-site learners.
Like so many college students this fall, Los Angeles-based First in Service advisor Leah Winck’s daughter, Julia, is taking classes remotely during the fall quarter. Since Julia, a freshman, is not on campus, the two decided to make the most of it with a three-day trip to Terranea, a luxury 102-acre resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California that has amazing views of the Pacific Ocean—and, of course, the Wi-Fi Julia needed to continue taking her classes online every day.
“We were able to enjoy being outside and enjoy a different scene for three days—something I feel everyone should do, especially for families with students of all ages doing online learning.”
“The change of scenery was vital for her, as she’s been devoted to her classwork from home since September,” says Winck. The pair took long walks, ate great meals, and spent time by the pool, with plenty of laughter and bonding time.
For instance, New York-based F1S advisor Jamie Guillen crafted an east coast road trip for her clients who were relocating to their new home in Miami. With no rush to make the move since her client’s child was enrolled in classes online, Jamie was able to plan a ten-day trip for the family to visit places they had never been to before. Stops along the way included the 26-acre Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, Maryland, which overlooks the Miles River and Sea Island Resort in Georgia, where accommodations range from traditional rooms to standalone cottages.
And along with remote classroom learning, families are also taking advantage of the time to engage in hands-on, outdoor learning. This year, Toronto based F1S advisor George Alexandrou sent clients—a couple with an 8- and 10-year old—to Nimmo Bay, a remote resort in the Southern Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, where the family could try a variety of socially distant activities against the backdrop of nature.
“They have expert guides that tailor to their audience, including families with small children—so the whole family was able to enjoy the unique experiences offered, including black-bear watching, orca spotting and open-ocean boating.”
There are plenty of hotels and resorts that are ideal places for parents and kids to stay—some of which have even launched special packages with remote learning in mind (think: tutors, Wi-Fi, and socially distanced spaces). Here are a few more we love:
Los Cabos, Mexico; Big Island, Hawaii; St. Barths; Royal Island, Bahamas; Aspen, Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado
Inspired by CEO Larry Mueller’s experience quarantining with his extended family in Los Cabos in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cuvée recently launched Sanctuary by Cuvée—“luxury quarantining and isolation villa and home rental experiences.” That means that you can stay at one of Cuvée’s amazing private villas or residences in various locations—from Hawaii to Colorado to St. Barths—and indulge in a number of amenities intended to foster bonding and relaxation, whether you’re staying for a week or a month. Designed with multi-generational travel in mind, depending on which destination you visit, families will find everything from culinary offerings, like a kitchen already filled with groceries and chef-delivered meals to outdoor activities, like sailing, golfing, and hiking to babysitting and virtual teachers to make working and learning from your resort a breeze.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Looking to get away for a few weeks? Then Rosewood Mayakoba’s “Long Term Residence” package could be a great fit, especially to give kids the opportunity to lean against the backdrop of the gorgeous natural surroundings the 620-acre property offers. Families can either stay in one of the resort’s suites or private residences (residences have anywhere from two to five bedrooms) and enjoy all the resort’s amenities, including a kids club and spa. This package is for families staying at least 20 days—though you could always book longer, of course—and features everything from breakfast daily and butler service to a nightly resort credit and more. Plus, there’s complimentary Wi-Fi and space to spread out. Rosewood has found these programs to be super popular—the Remote Office package at their Rosewood Miramar Beach property in California completely sold out, though Rosewood Sandhill in Menlo Park still has some availability!
Amangani, Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Amanyara, Turks and Caicos; Amanera, Dominican Republic
Out of the classroom and into nature: At Amangani in Jackson Hole, there are private tours of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks (hello, science lesson!), wildlife tours, and, in the winter, even sleigh rides and dog sledding.
Ideal for socially-distanced travel, these Aman resorts are situated in remote locations that put a premium on private and intimate experiences. At Amangani, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the incredible skiing is only the start of the outdoor experiences families can enjoy. There are private tours of Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks (hello, science lesson!), wildlife tours, and, in the winter, even sleigh rides and dog sledding. In Turks and Caicos, the “At Home with Amanyara” program gives families a chance to stay at one of their villas or pavilions for a month or more, with lots of amenities—like educational programs at the Nature Discovery Center for kids and teens, and Wi-Fi—that make learning accessible. Plus, families also get a chance to try new-to-them activities, like diving and kiteboarding lessons. At Amanera in the Dominican Republic, when kids aren’t doing their schoolwork, they can continue the fun—and education—with the Amanera Children and Youth Programme. And the two-bedroom Bay View Casa, with its own pool, is a great home base.
Jumby Bay Island, West Indies; Eden Rock St. Barths & Eden Rock Villa Rental, St. Barts
For sun and water-loving families, Oetker Collection’s properties are ideally located and feature spacious villas and/or private residences. At Jumby Bay, tutors are available, as well as programs through the Kids Club, including touring the Jumby Bay Farm, finding out more about the conservation efforts on the island, and even lessons on how to play the steel pan. Plus, private activities can also be arranged for the family. On St. Barths, whether at Eden Rock hotel or through their villas,—Eden Rock St Barths and Eden Rock Villa Rental—there are plenty of amenities for kids, with yoga and meditation classes when they need to get centered, as well as swimming, kite surfing, painting lessons, baking classes, and more. And did we mention babysitting is also available?
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Park City, Utah; Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Los Cabos, Mexico; Mauna Lani, Hawaii
Auberge is offering a “Work, Learn and Play” initiative at its resorts, with a focus on providing people and families with even more resources, such as tutoring through Advantage Testing, where guests can create a custom program, whether you want to follow your child’s existing core curriculum or develop a full schooling program. A dedicated business concierge is available to anticipate any work needs and there’s definitely room to spread out when staying with Auberge. At the massive 3,500-acre Lodge at Blue Sky, families can enjoy everything from hikes and horseback riding to the Little Vaquero’s Kids Club. If the beach is more your speed, then check out Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, which is home to the Pescaditos Kids Club, which features special “themed” days (like Crazy Lab Tuesdays). And at Mauna Lani in Hawaii, there are classes where kids can learn more about Hawaiian culture, as well as the Holoholo Kids Crew program.
Want more ideas? We love these properties for families, too:
Contact us at F1S to discuss how we can set up your next safe and healthy family getaway.
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