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    • North America
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        • Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Carmel
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        • Woodstock, VT
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        • Riviera Maya
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      • Munich
      • Puglia
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      • Tanzania
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      • Turkey: Istanbul & Cappadocia
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Posts Tagged ‘new york’

Family Winter Weekend in Lake Placid

Some posts are about the majesty of the Alps, some are about the pace of a bike tour through London. This post is about taking a couple of days to chill — in the time of COVID.

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15 LUXURY FAMILY HOTELS THAT RECENTLY WOWED ME ✨ 15 LUXURY FAMILY HOTELS THAT RECENTLY WOWED ME ✨ Recently I attended the @foratravel annual conference — a two-day deep dive into the world of travel, where I met with hundreds of hotels, tour operators and other advisors. My mission: Source the best luxury family hotels + build personal relationships with hotels around the world — so that when you book through me, you’re not just a reservation number to these properties — you’re a VIP guest. These 15 hotels truly stood out — whether for their jaw-dropping settings, thoughtful family programming, or next-level service. ✨ ROSEWOOD MANDARINA – Where jungle, cliffs, and beach merge on the Riviera Nayarit
✨ FOUR SEASONS CABO – Two miles of swimmable Sea of Cortez beaches ✨ AUBERGE HACIENDA ALTAGRACIA - Rainforest high life hideaway, set above the clouds
✨ ONE&ONLY MOONLIGHT BASIN – Skiing in luxury or summertime wilderness adventuring
✨ JUMBY BAY (OETKER COLLECTION) – Taking all-inclusive to the next level on a private island
✨ SUGAR BEACH, A VICEROY RESORT – Backdrops like Hawaii, but with a much shorter flight
✨ FOUR SEASONS PUERTO RICO – Brand new hotel, no passport required
✨ RITZ-CARLTON MAUI – Steps from Kapalua Bay and home to Maui’s top marine education program for curious kids
✨ WALDORF ASTORIA CABO – A private tunnel leads to cliffside suites overlooking the Pacific
✨ AUBERGE LODGE AT BLUE SKY – 4,000 acres of adventure and wellness
✨ NAYARA TENTED CAMP – Glamping with a volcanic view
✨ FOUR SEASONS JET– Circumnavigate the globe in a cabin that takes first class to a whole new level (Yes, I book private jet experiences too)
✨ ROSEWOOD BAHA MAR – Steps from one of the world’s best waterparks, yet blissfully serene
✨ RITZ-CARLTON NOMAD (NYC) – Suites in the sky perfect for a family weekend escape
✨ MIRAVAL BERKSHIRES – This normally adults only wellness getaway offers “family-only weeks,” where they do special family programming ?
 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 “𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐬” 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲! #luxuryfamilyhotels #Traveladvisor #familytravel
Is Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo worth the splur Is Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo worth the splurge? Short answer — YES! If this luxury hotel in Costa Rica is in budget, just book it. As a travel advisor who has visited over 40 luxury hotels with my kids, this one easily ranks in my top five worldwide. There are a lot of nice hotels with nice beaches out there, but this property always keeps us coming back for more. Here’s what sets it apart: 1️⃣Endless adventures Have little ones ages 2–4? Go on monkey sighting tours, kayak with mom and dad, or look for sea turtles right on the beach.
Ages 4+? Zip-lining, tree ropes courses, surfing lessons, and boating adventures.
Ages 10+? Scuba diving, mountain biking, and golf. The list goes on and on. The off-property adventures are just as special. One of our favorite days was hiking in the rainforest, spotting sloths and frogs, horseback riding, and swimming in the river after lunch at a jungle hacienda. My kids still talk about it! 2️⃣Beaches that WOW. You’ll fly just a few hours from the U.S., but it feels completely otherworldly. Two calm beaches sit right on property (safe enough for little ones). And direct beach access — which isn’t the same for every hotel in the area. 3️⃣And the service? Next-level. Coconut waters at check-in, kids’ tents and snacks waiting in the room, a butler who appears right when you need an extra hand — and staff who genuinely care. This isn’t just another resort — it’s a luxury hotel in Costa Rica that makes family travel feel easy, elevated, and unforgettable. If you’re dreaming of a trip that blends five-star luxury with unforgettable adventure, this is it. 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 “𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬” 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 — 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 + 𝐕𝐈𝐏 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐬 (𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬) 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐬. #luxuryhotelcostarica #familytravel #travelwithkids #luxurytraveladvisor
If you’re new here, hi — I’m Jillian, and it If you’re new here, hi — I’m Jillian, and it’s literally my job to scout out the best luxury hotels for families. The ones worth the splurge. The ones that make you say, “This was so worth bringing the kids.” Not every five-star property gets it right for families — but @fscostarica does. Here’s what I look for when I travel:
✨ Adventure right outside the door, but a calm, low-key vibe
✨ Rooms that actually work for families (think bunk beds + ocean views)
✨ Kids’ programs that make every age happy — toddlers through teens
✨ Service that makes parents feel like they’re on vacation too ✨ Fresh and healthy food — some kids’ menus are quite enticing 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬, 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 — 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐩). #luxuryfamilyhotel #luxurytravel #costaricawithkids #bestluxuryfamilyhotels #Traveladvisor
THIS LUXURY FAMILY HOTEL HAS IT ALL FOR EVERY AGE THIS LUXURY FAMILY HOTEL HAS IT ALL FOR EVERY AGE 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥! If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know how much I love @fscostarica. But if you’re new here — hi, I’m Jillian, a luxury family travel advisor who helps families find luxury family hotels that are truly worth the splurge. At Four Seasons Costa Rica, adventure starts right outside your door — ziplining, kayaking, snorkeling, surfing — yet it somehow still feels low-key and effortless. On property, you’ll find a complimentary kids club, a teen program, an incredible spa, and the kind of service that makes parents feel like they’re actually on vacation too. If you’ve ever said any of these sentences, this luxury family hotel is for you:
🌴 “We’re an active family — always on the move — but we also love luxury.”
🌴 “I need something for little kids and teens.”
🌴 “I want adventure nearby, but no itinerary-planning stress.”
🌴 “ We’re planning a multigenerational trip for the ages.”
🌴 “We’re celebrating a special occasion and want somewhere unforgettable (without the kids this time).” I can book your stay here with free VIP perks — daily breakfast, $100-$200 resort credit, and upgrades when available. 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐚 𝐃𝐌 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 “𝐂𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐚,” 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈’𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝. #luxuryfamilyhotel #luxurytravel #costaricawithkids #familytravel
“You get 18 summers with your kids.” When I f “You get 18 summers with your kids.” When I first read that quote, I stopped dead in my tracks. Cue the yearning to freeze time. 😬 But then I realized — the sentence isn’t about guilt or pressure to do it all. It’s about permission to make that trip happen… like right now. 💪 Because the truth is: there’s no perfect time to plan a family trip. It will never feel convenient. Kids’ schedules, budgets, and life logistics rarely totally line up. And yes, travel with your kids after 18 will hopefully still happen — but jobs, spouses, and friends all make it harder to align in the same way. So give yourself permission to make it happen now… perhaps a little imperfectly. If planning a family trip feels a little overwhelming, here’s how to set it up for success:
💛 KEEP IT SIMPLE: A long weekend or driveable getaway still counts.
💛 PLAN AROUND YOUR FAMILY — NOT WHAT YOU SEE ONLINE: Adventure, culture, or total relaxation — pick what feels right for your crew.
💛 ASK FOR HELP: A travel advisor (🙋🏻‍♀️) can find hotels and experiences that fit your family perfectly.
💛 LEAVE ROOM FOR REST: One big activity per day is enough (if you want it to be).
💛 USE THE KIDS’ CLUB: and don’t feel guilty about it! 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 @𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐬 + 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩. As a travel advisor, it’s literally my job to source the best places to go. I specialize in luxury family travel and can find you the lowest rates — plus VIP your reservations with perks like daily breakfast, resort credits, and upgrades. Comment “travel” if you’d like to learn more. #familytrip #familytripplanningtips #familytravel #traveladvice
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