Hanalei Beach, Hawaii. We rented a house across the street from the beach and with plenty of space for all of us to not be on top of each other. We were also walking distance from Hanalei town with all the shops and restaurants. This allowed our kids (teens) to walk into town to get something to eat whenever they wanted. Plus we could all walk to dinner and then if the kids wanted to head home while my husband and I stayed out it was safe and easy for them to walk home. We loved having no big resorts near us. When we left Hanalei we went to the Big Island and stayed at the The Fairmont Orchid which was beautiful but nothing could beat our quiet Hanalei beach house. Also key to the relaxation piece is that we've been to Hawaii many times so we don't feel compelled to do try to cram a bunch of activities into our visits.

With kids in August before school starts up again: Reina Del Mar in Bulgaria. All-inclusive and the staff anticipate every need

W/O kids: Chiva-Som, Hua Hin, Thailand
We like our spa treatments. Husband tends to falls asleep.

Hawaii

Salvo NC

Hawaii- beaches
OBX- beaches

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alps in the summer. You just sit on your balcony and BREATHE...

We go hiking, horseback riding, and mountain climbing with our oldest, of course, but nothing is rushed, fresh mountain air envelops you and there are no mosquitoes. Evening fondue outside with grandparents and kids. So nice!

THIS sounds wonderful. Where did you go? Mountains + no mosquitoes + fondue is literally heaven.

Not PP but Annecy France is right next to the Alps and has all this, plus a warm lake in the summer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you talking about with kids, it was on a private yacht with a staff who took care of every little thing (laundry, cleaning, cooking, packing a picnic or snacks for the beach, setting up snorkel gear, on and on).

Can I ask how much and who you used to book it? This would be a great 50th birthday present for my husband who loves being out on the water.

We were on my in-laws' boat so I have no idea about rental costs or vendors, sorry! If I had to guess, I would think anywhere from $35,000 to $100,000+ for a week depending on the size of the yacht, where you dock, etc.

Anonymous wrote:Las Ventanas in Cabo. Pool butlers do everything for you.

Like what? Never experienced butler service.

Anonymous wrote:Alps in the summer. You just sit on your balcony and BREATHE...

We go hiking, horseback riding, and mountain climbing with our oldest, of course, but nothing is rushed, fresh mountain air envelops you and there are no mosquitoes. Evening fondue outside with grandparents and kids. So nice!

THIS sounds wonderful. Where did you go? Mountains + no mosquitoes + fondue is literally heaven.

Before kids, we took a blue cruise along the southern coast of Turkey. Sumptuous meals prepared by crew members every day and breathtaking sceneries. There are usually no more than 12 passengers. We made stops along the way to swim over sunken cities and explore historic sites that date back to the Roman era. It was heavenly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
With kids - family camp. Kids can do a zillion activities, and you can do the activities with them, watch them, or not be involved and go do your own thing. You don't need to drive the kids anywhere. You don't need to cook for anyone, clean anything up. Best vacation with kids ever.

Without kids, Akumal in Mexico (could have changed, this was over 20 years ago). We could wake up and go snorkeling outside our condo on the beach, walk to groceries and restaurants. It was awesome


Np here. What family camp did you do? I’m intrigued by that idea.

Deer Valley

https://www.deervalleyymca.org/

Came here to say exactly this. I treasure that one utterly and completely relaxed week every summer.

Capri Palace alone. They did everything for me. When I wanted to go to the private beach club, I just hopped on the shuttle and it brought me to the beach club where they had loungers, drinks, and amazing restaurant for lunch. At one point, I was the only one swimming so the lifeguard would even meet me with a towel coming out of the water.

- mom of two toddlers

Anonymous wrote:Alps in the summer. You just sit on your balcony and BREATHE...

We go hiking, horseback riding, and mountain climbing with our oldest, of course, but nothing is rushed, fresh mountain air envelops you and there are no mosquitoes. Evening fondue outside with grandparents and kids. So nice!

Where do you stay?

Anonymous wrote:If you talking about with kids, it was on a private yacht with a staff who took care of every little thing (laundry, cleaning, cooking, packing a picnic or snacks for the beach, setting up snorkel gear, on and on).

Can I ask how much and who you used to book it? This would be a great 50th birthday present for my husband who loves being out on the water.

There are some super expensive ones in Vermont, but when our kids were little (not toddlers, ES) we did Family Camp at www.campletts.org and really enjoyed it.

They used to do it over Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, no Memorial Day weekend this year, just Labor Day weekend (coming back from Covid). Low key, low stress, rustic, don't expect the Ritz: expect summer camp.