Multi-generational travel has continued to surge in
popularity.
For cultural, economic and emotional reasons, these trips
create focused bonding time, shared memories across
generations and opportunities for grandparents (and even great-grandparents)
to spend meaningful time with their kids and grandkids.
Older adults are living longer, staying physically active
and have the financial means to travel. For many families, investing in time
with family is becoming more preferred over material gifts. And the travel
industry has stepped up to the plate by offering resorts designed
for multi-gen travel, one of the rare vacation formats where activities
work for 5-year-olds and 75-year-olds. And every member of the family benefits.
Let’s look at some of the best resorts that go above and
beyond to cater to today’s multi-generational travelers.
Waikolohe Valley at Disney's Aulani Resort (Photo via Disney Aulani)
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Hawai’i
Widely regarded as one of the most ideal destinations for
multi-generational travel, Disney’s Aulani goes overboard to caters to kids,
parents and grandparents alike.
Aulani blends touches of Disney fun and magic with Hawaiian
island culture and offers enough for every member of the family to enjoy their
vacation time together. The resort sports both individual resort rooms and
larger vacation-style villas with full kitchens and gathering spaces, great for
traveling with extended family.
You can’t beat the resort’s incredibly impressive pools,
waterslides, magnificent lazy river (good luck getting the kids and Grandma
out), Menehune water play area and calm Ko Olina Lagoon beach. Families can
enjoy movie nights under the stars, fire-pit tales, hula lessons and Hawaiian
music. Kids will love the supervised activities at Aunty’s Beach house kids’
club, giving parents and grandparents time to relax and enjoy more ‘adult’
activities.
(Courtesy of Beaches Resorts)
Beaches, Turks & Caicos
A classic multi-gen favorite, this all-inclusive resort
located on the stunning Caribbean island of the Turks & Caicos is situated
on pristine Grace Bay in Provenciales, regarded as one of the world’s best
beaches.
The property provides endless activities for all ages which
include Pirate’s Island Waterpark with 45,000 square feet of slides, lazy
rivers, splash zones, surf simulators and pools. Non-motorized water sports are
included in the price, and scuba and snorkeling, among other sports games are
available to guests as well.
Along with dedicated kids and teen programs, the resort
boasts a myriad of adult amenities, 20+ restaurants, and themed villages that
include everything from cozy rooms to multi-bedroom suites.
Atlantis Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas
Easy to get to, Atlantis Paradise Island is one of the
Caribbean’s most iconic and multi-generational resort destinations — especially
popular for families and groups looking for big-scale fun, variety, and easy
trip planning in one place.
The resort is a collection of five distinct hotels on
property, running the gamut between family-friendly options to luxury suites.
This range allows families to mix and match if desired, with grandparents in a
quieter suite, and kids closer to the pool action.
One of the resort’s biggest draws for all ages is
Aquaventure, a 141-acre water park with dozens of water slides, wave pools,
splash zones, kid pools and a mile-long lazy river. Dolphin Cay, a 14-acre
marine ecosystem is perfect for kids and adults who want memorable encounters
with marine life, in an environment dedicated to conservation and education.
With 40+ restaurants and an impressive variety of
activities, there’s enough to satisfy every generation’s desires and tastes — and
then some.
Aquaventure Waterpark’s Trident Tower Shockwave (Photo Credit: Aquaventure Waterpark)
Grande Lakes, Orlando
It’s traveling to a piece of paradise without needing your
passport.
Due to its mix of luxury, space, and activities for all
ages, this 500-acre luxury complex offers two accommodation options — The
Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes with its classic luxury or the JW Marriott,
Grande Lakes, a more family-friendly hotel with expansive pool areas and lots
of on-site recreation. Guests can choose between individual rooms, family
suites or larger residences with full kitchens and private plunge pools.
The resort features the Grande Lakes Water Park, complete
with a lazy river, slides and splash zones. Multiple pools, kayaking, canoeing,
lake fishing, mountain biking, falconry, eco-tours and sunrise safaris give
families lots of options for vacation fun.
Grande Lakes also provides shuttle services to Orlando theme
parks such as Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, so families can mix relaxation
with theme-park days.
Watersports at Hotel Xcaret Arte. (photo by Codie Liermann)
Hotel Xcaret, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Hotel Xcaret isn’t just a hotel, it’s a standout
eco-adventure empire, and it’s quite popular with multi-gen travelers. One stay
at this incredible property, and you’ll be thinking about the timing of your
return trip.
Located in the Playa del Carmen area of Riviera Maya, the
all-inclusive resort offers nature, culture, adventure, comfort and outstanding
cuisine all in one location. However, Hotel Xcaret goes way beyond a typical
all-inclusive stay with its All-Fun Inclusive package that includes unlimited
access and transportation to multiple Grupo Xcaret parks and experiences.
The awe-inspiring property was designed to beautifully blend
with nature, as its sets among jungle coves, rivers and cave exploration, and
the sparkling Caribbean Sea. Though it’s located only minutes from busy Playa
del Carmen’s vibrant 5th Avenue, the setting makes it feel secluded
and in a utopian world of its own.
Georgia Sea Turtle Center (Photo via Lauren Bowman)
Jekyll Island Club Resort
Families looking for a bit of a slower, but meaningful
multi-gen spring break trip will love traveling to this barrier island off the
coast of Georgia in the southeastern United States. Jekyll Island is known for
its wide, uncrowded beaches with the fascinating Driftwood Beach with its
impressive and massive deposits of twisted driftwood that comes ashore.
The Jekyll Island Club Resort is a full-service historic
property in the scenic Golden Isles, that originally opened in 1888 as a
private retreat for some of America’s most prominent families. Today, the
resort blends Gilded-Age charm with modern comfort.
Visitors can choose from individual rooms and suites, island
cottages that are restored historic mansions or the Jekyll Island Ocean Club all
suite property. The resort is ideal for families in that the area not only
offers historic tours, a seasonal waves water park, bike trails and rentals,
boating and dolphin cruises, mini golf and croquet, but the opportunity to
visit the Georgia Sea Turtle Center, a sea conservation and educational
facility that focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles — a place
every member of the family will love.
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