Traveling With Teens: 7 Hotels and Resorts With Excellent Programs and Activities
September 17, 2014
Now that I’m officially the mother of a teenager (yikes!) I’m constantly on the lookout for fun activities and travel destinations that give us a chance to bond as a family. I firmly believe that families that travel together are the families that experience (at least a little bit less) teenage drama. That said, teens value opportunities to explore and learn a little bit on their own while on vacation, while parents can use the time apart to relax and re-energize. Here are seven hotels and resorts that offer excellent teen programming.
Whether you’re a rockstar or just a rockin’ family, Chicago’s Hard Rock Hotel is the place to stay if you’re looking for a red carpet rockin’ weekend in Chicago. The Hard Rock Hotel’s Tracks program gives your teen access to a 10 song playlist hand-selected by their favorite rockstar of choice. Guests at the Hard Rock Hotel receive free access to a huge variety of legendary Fender guitars, so your teen can practice for her next big gig during your stay. If your teen dreams of being a DJ, an iPad with Traktor DJ and pre-installed music will be delivered to your room, so they can rock out at your in-room club.
The Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa
This southern inspired resort and spa now offers teen-only water tubing nights, water trampolines, night hikes, private island excursions, surf camp, hosts a beach bash, teen paddle board adventures, make-up classes, etc. – all sans parents.
Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort
Your teen can truly soar at this Los Cabos beach and golf resort, where your teen can Flyboard. This fun new activity harnesses the power of a Wave Runner and redirects the thrust to lift guests out of the water and into the air for an adrenaline-pumping ride.
The centrally located Eaton Chelsea Toronto features not only magnificent views and comfy beds but also a Family Fun Zone, which features an indoor family pool and a 130 ft. corkscrew waterslide that loops around outside the hotel walls. Your teens will also love the Club 33 Teen Lounge, with an all-in-one venue that boasts two LCD flat-screen televisions, two Xbox 360s, a foosball and pool table as well as various arcade games and air hockey.
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa
This all-inclusive resort lies in the exotic Mayan jungle surrounded by natural sinkholes, mangroves and lagoons. Sandos Caracol offers teenagers the opportunity to absorb Mother Nature by embarking on Eco-Tours around the resort. Tours include opportunities to practice organic gardening, explore the jungle and encounter some of the indigenous Riveria Maya wildlife.
The only all-inclusive resort on St. Croix, the Divi Carina Bay Resort is located on a quiet stretch of beach. The on-site PADI five-star dive shop and activities center will give your child the chance to be certified as a Junior or PADI open water scuba diver – a sure way to set your teen up for a lifetime of underwater adventures.
Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa
At this tropical resort, teens can feed iguanas, hike El Yunque (the only rainforest in the U.S.) or zipline through the caves of Rio Camuy. This is the perfect resort for the family with teens that just can’t get enough of thrilling outdoor adventures.
Enjoy your time away and with your teen!
