For so many people, this winter vacation is the first time in over a year that travel might be possible. For those who are able to travel and who are comfortable with the risks, this year would be a great time to get out of town. So we’ve put together some winter vacation ideas to pique your interest.
Right now, the best places to vacation are the ones that won’t be super crowded. We like to go to places that give our family a different atmosphere than what we see on a daily basis. We love experiencing new adventures and luckily the kids love it too.
The night time lights at Hyatt Ziva Resort made the place look like magic.Check out some of our top vacation destinations our family has really appreciated – winter vacation ideas for sure, but really for any time.
7 Winter Vacation Ideas For Families
1. Hyatt Ziva Resort, Los Cabos, Mexico
If you want to stay in an all-inclusive resort that is luxurious as well as family friendly, this resort is a fantastic option. First and foremost, you want to feel confident you will be safe and healthy while staying at the resort. We stayed here this year and felt very comfortable with their protocols. We chose the Hyatt Ziva because it has a large beach with cabanas on the sand, a swim-up bar and disappearing edge pool. But also because it is all-inclusive, we were able to limit the number of additional places we visited while in Los Cabos. This means less points of contact, and less worries about any type of exposure. Great things to consider as your think about winter vacation ideas.
View from the lobby of the Hyatt Riva Resort looking out over the Sea of Cortez.2. Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale, Arizona
Hotel Valley Ho is everything except a typical and boring hotel chain. We loved our stay here recently because of the style and location. Scottsdale is a magnificent place for LGBT family vacations or for anyone really! All folks will definitely feel welcome here. From the suites to the pool area, the hotel is tinted with bold colors and classic midcentury modern designs. More than a fabulous exterior and interior, the service at Hotel Valley Ho is just exceptional. The delicious food at the hotel restaurants and genuine smiles from staff make this one of the best winter vacation destinations.
The mid-century modern design of the Hotel Valley Ho is timeless and so very hip.3. Hyatt Palm Springs, Palm Springs, CA
We had the opportunity to stay at the Hyatt Palm Springs, conveniently located right downtown on East Palm Canyon Drive in the heart of Palm Springs. Our experience was awesome because we were right in the middle of it all. Downtown Palm Springs is a great destination with kids because there is so much to do, see, eat and explore. Everything is located within an area we can easily walk around. The beauty of staying at a hotel like the Hyatt Palm Springs is that you are steps away from the pool as well.
Golf course and mountain views from our room at the Hyatt Hotel Palm Springs.4. Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
This resort is a favorite of ours and a perfect escape to the seaside destination of Rancho Palos Verdes near LA. It’s a sprawling resort set along the rocky cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Terranea Resort offers postcard-perfect views that are quintessentially Southern California. We love staying in one of Terranea’s oceanview casitas which gives families lots of room to spread out. Plus there is so much to do at this resort for families with kids of all ages – nature hikes, archery lessons, yoga classes, spa treatments and more. This was one of our favorite winter vacation ideas – and a rainy day vacation did not even dent our happiness at being here.
Any room at Terranea Resort offers spectacular views5. Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach, Dana Point, CA
There are plenty of outdoor activities at Waldorf-Astoria Monarch Beach Resort so guests can enjoy the California sun and fresh air. We loved the attentive staff at the Waldorf (formerly the Monarch Beach Resort). They made sure our experience was enjoyable and that we felt safe. We did not feel like we were staying in an antiseptic hospital or something, but we could tell that the staff was going over and above to keep the environment clean. This is a LGBT Family trip where everyone can feel comfortable, breezy, beachy and fun. And the pool and beach club made it so fun for us all.
6. Vdara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
When people ask if Las Vegas is really a good place for kids, our answer is a resounding yes. But you have to know where to stay. Vdara Hotel is that place.
When we travel to Las Vegas as a family, we look for places to stay where the kids won’t be overexposed to more adult activities and this is why we love this hotel. It’s an all-suite resort with NO casino, NO smoking, and NO 21+ pool scene. Las Vegas is great option in our winter vacation ideas because you don’t have to deal with the heat of the desert, crowds are low, yet it is still magnificently beautiful. We’ve stayed at this hotel more than once because we enjoyed it so much.
The living room of our corner suite at Vdara was chic and comfortable.7. The Hideaway, Santa Barbara, CA
The Hideaway Santa Barbara is a sweet little 9-room boutique hotel in downtown Santa Barbara. It’s very new, and is a spotless renovation and reimagining of a Craftsman era building originally in this location. It’s just a couple of blocks from the beach and within easy walking distance of the shops and restaurants. Our room was perched in the eaves of the front building, with plenty of space for our family to spread out.
Our room at the Hideaway was sweet and spotless.What Sparks Your Winter Vacation Ideas This Year?
These 7 places are some of our favorite vacation destinations. They are great for gay family travel for LGBTQ folks like us, but really for any travelers with open minds and hearts.
If you decide to get the family away for a vacation that combines fun and relaxation this winter, everyone wins!
We were greeted at The Hideaway Santa Barbara with a champagne toast – socially distanced of course.