Five properties delivering standout experiences for multigenerational travelers
CARMEL, California — As families plan summer getaways, destination resorts across the U.S. and Mexico are unveiling warm-weather offerings designed to delight kids, engage teens, and give parents space to unwind. From lakes in the Midwest and Southeast to coastal escapes and international beach retreats, these five resorts stand out for their distinctive settings, built‑in activities, and strong value.
Lansdowne Resort | Leesburg, Virginia
Best for: Travelers with school‑age kids, golf and tennis enthusiasts, and those seeking a relaxing summer escape near Washington, D.C.
Located just outside Washington, D.C. along the Potomac River, Lansdowne Resort delivers an active summer with an emphasis on sports, wellness, and bonding. School‑age children will thrive at the Swing & Serve Summer Camp, a weekly program for ages 7 to 12 that combines golf and tennis instruction with swimming, outdoor play, and group games.
Guided nature walks explore the resort’s riverfront, while adults can participate in yoga classes and floating sound baths, or book a treatment at Spa Minérale. Golfers will want to test themselves on two 18‑hole championship courses—designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Greg Norman—while Sharkbite is a nine-holer that defines family‑friendly.
The Discover Summer Package includes overnight accommodations, a $100 resort credit toward golf or spa treatments, a $50 breakfast credit, and convenient extras such as a beach bag and tumblers.
More information: www.lansdowneresort.com
The Sea Pines Resort | Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Best for: Outdoor‑oriented groups, and longer summer stays that balance beach time with biking, golf, and nature‑based adventures.
Set on the southern tip of Hilton Head Island, The Sea Pines Resort blends scenic coastal living with an impressive range of outdoor recreation. Guests have access to five miles of unspoiled beaches, three award‑winning golf courses, 20 clay tennis courts, and 14 miles of biking and walking trails. Want more? How about horseback riding, water sports, Eco‑Adventures, and hiking within the 605‑acre Sea Pines Forest Preserve.
Seasonal packages add flexibility. The Nightly Summer Special Package includes fitness center and pool access, along with discounts on golf, pickleball, and resort activities. For extended vacations, the Escape Vacation Package offers up to 15 percent off weekly villa and home rentals, plus resort credits of up to $200 for golf, dining, and signature experiences.
More information: www.seapines.com
Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake | Brainerd, Minnesota
Best for: Classic Midwest Lake vacations, and value‑driven stays packed with water sports, organized activities, and laid‑back traditions.
Cragun’s Resort embraces everything families love about Midwestern summer. Set on the shores of Gull Lake, the resort features a full‑service marina with watercraft rentals, along with guided fishing excursions, water‑ski lessons, and scenic cruises aboard the North Star yacht.
On land, there are sandy beaches, playgrounds, an expansive indoor sports facility, and a full calendar of organized activities. Evenings bring a nostalgic summer‑camp atmosphere with beach bonfires, bingo, karaoke, and group games. Golf is also central to the experience, with 45 holes across two championship courses and a par‑3 layout designed for all skill levels.
The resort’s Summer Recreation Pass bundles popular programming—banana boat rides, yoga classes, disc golf, and bike rentals—into a single per-person fee. Stay Longer & Save packages offer discounts of 15 to 20 percent, and new South Beach Cabins debut this summer with introductory pricing.
More information: www.craguns.com
The Ritz‑Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee | Greensboro, Georgia
Best for: Travelers seeking high‑end amenities paired with robust kids’ programming and outdoor recreation on a picturesque lake setting.
Set within a 12,000‑acre lakefront community about 85 miles east of Atlanta, The Ritz‑Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee pairs luxury accommodations with a robust summer recreation program. The resort offers 257 stylish guest rooms, suites, and cottages, complemented by seven championship golf courses, extensive lake access, and a 30,000‑square‑foot spa.
For younger guests, Daily Ritz Kids Lake Adventures provide supervised camps for children ages 5 to12 featuring nightly s’mores, complimentary train rides, a pool with splash features, and in‑room camping experiences. Teens and adults can enjoy water sports, miles of walking and biking trails, and a variety of dining venues throughout the community.
Packages such as Linger Longer at the Lake offer resort credits of up to $600 per stay for extended bookings, along with bonus resort credit promotions and golf packages.
More information: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/georgia/Reynolds
Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort | Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Best for: All‑inclusive international escapes, families with teens, and resort‑style ease with adventure and ocean‑view accommodations.
Perched on a private coastal bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach Golf & Spa Resort is an all‑inclusive retreat offering ocean‑view suites within hacienda‑style villas. The resort boasts six swimming pools, lush gardens, the award‑winning Armonia Spa, and The Market at Quivira, a culinary food hall with a variety of themed dining options.
Younger guests are welcomed at the Kids Club (ages 4–11), while teens gravitate to the FunLab, an urban‑themed lounge offering arcade games, movies, karaoke, and snacks included with the all‑inclusive plan. Families can also participate in cooking classes, pottery painting, sports, and much more.
Guests enjoy exclusive access to Quivira Golf Club, known for offering more oceanfront exposure than any course in Los Cabos. Off‑site excursions include snorkeling, dolphin encounters, camel safaris, and zip‑lining, while complimentary shuttles provide access to swimmable beaches at sister resorts.
More information: www.pueblobonito.com/resorts/sunset-beach