25 Unique Holiday Trips for Families & Couples

© Sea Island Resort

As the recipient of the Four Forbes Five-Star awards for fourteen years running, there’s no denying that the Sea Island Resort is an absolute dream to stay in. The hotel is gracious and warm, providing guests with an ultra-luxurious home away from home that is a world away from the stress and busyness that daily life typically comes with. Enjoy the distinctive warmth and hospitality of the resort through one of its many cottages or enjoy a stay at the Cloister or the Lodge instead. No matter where you stay at Sea Island, it’s bound to be magnificent and absolutely memorable.

St. Simons Island, GA 31522, Phone: 855-572-4975

© Paradisus Palma Real

Paradisus Palma Real Resort in the Dominican Republic is a luxury Caribbean getaway offering championship golf, seven restaurants and several pools. This all-suite luxury beach vacation getaway has a sandy beach, five tennis courts, a casino, and a full service spa. For families, the resort offers a kids' program, kids pool with water slides and toddler pool. Choose from 496 oversized Suites, including 102 Royal Service Suites and two Presidential Beachfront Suites.

The resort offers many vacation activities, including wine tasting, dance classes, painting, photography, kayaking and diving.

Dining options include five a la carte restaurants and two poolside buffet restaurants offering contemporary world cuisine and nine bars. There is also nightly entertainment. A visit to YHI Spa is a must, especially on a romantic getaway or honeymoon. Enjoy a massage, relax in the sauna, practice yoga and unwind in the Zen garden. Take a guided meditation class to quiet your mind. (809-688-5000).

© The Royal Crescent

At the Royal Crescent Hotel you can relax at the spa, and tour Bath and the surrounding English countryside on your luxury spa vacation. Built around hot mineral springs, the City of Bath has been one of the top fashionable leisure destinations in Britain for centuries. The Royal Crescent hotel, completed in the 18th century, is a unique collection of houses set in an elliptical shape around beautiful gardens. The hotel has 45 individually decorated rooms and suites, some with wood-burning fireplaces, high ceilings, 17th century four poster beds and private terraces. Guest rooms have been restored with authentic period carpets, furnishings and fabrics.

A collection of eighteenth century paintings and contemporary portraits of notable personalities who visited Bath can be found throughout the hotel. The hotel suites are named after famous people such as Jane Austen, Sir Percy Blakeney and Ralph Allen. The Bath House, nestled within the gardens, features a 12-meter relaxation pool, steam and sauna Karahafus, and cool and tepid plunge tubs. Choose from a selection of unique treatments to try on your luxury spa vacation.

Be sure to visit the Pavilion Conservatory, the Library, and take a walk through the hotel's secluded gardens. Pimpernel's restaurant serves contemporary British foods with influences from the Mediterranean and the Far East. The restaurant can put together a picnic basket which you can take with your on a trip to the English countryside. The City of Bath is located 1 hour and 20 minutes from London by train or by car. (+44-1225-823333).

© Divi Flamingo Beach Resort

The Divi Flamingo Beach Resort, located on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, offers guests spacious rooms, views of the Caribbean Sea, and Divi Dive Bonaire - a PADI five star dive operation with custom dive boats. The resort is an affordable scuba diving vacation destination. Activities at the resort include a casual casino with gaming tables and slot machines, snorkeling, mountain biking, mangrove kayaking, sunset dinner cruise, and big game fishing can also be arranged. But the main reason to check into this unique resort is scuba diving. Divi Dive Bonaire runs daily boat dives to Bonaire's best reefs, and provides dive training and certification.

The hotel offers studio, standard, superior, and deluxe guestrooms. Deluxe rooms are oceanfront with full ocean views and private balconies. Superior rooms have views of the pool or partial ocean views and standard rooms offer tropical garden views. Rooms have one or two double beds, color television, air-conditioning, and in room safe. There are two dining options: the Chibi Chi Restaurnat and the Calabas Restaurant. The Chibi Chibi restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily and you can watch the fish swim right below you while you eat. The Calabas Restaurant serves a casual beach-side buffet breakfast daily. Bonaire is a 2-hour and 40 minute flight from Miami. On Bonaire there is no public transportation except taxis. There is a Hertz car rental counter at the resort. The resort is five minutes from the airport. Meal plans are also available and can be purchased with your reservation (800-367-3484, 011-599-717-8285).

© Ashford Castle

Ashford Castle is a romantic getaway in Ireland, offering luxury accommodations and a choice of activities. Each guest room and suite is individually decorated with classical furnishings. Choose from several dining options, including George V restaurant, Connaught, Drawing Room and Cullens. Vacation activities at the hotel include scenic golf, fishing, falconry, lake cruising, horseback riding and archery.

The castle is a popular wedding venue with two nearby churches, beautiful open lawns and romantic water views. Get married in the Victorian walled garden or on the lawn overlooking the lake. If you've always dreamed of a castle wedding, this hotel can make your romantic dreams a reality. After an exciting day of activities, relax with a massage at the hotel spa featuring Yon Ka products.

© Hotel La Perla

Visit in the summer or in the winter for an array of outdoor adventures. Hotel La Perla is surrounded by the beautiful Alps in the Dolomiti region of Italy. Guests are accommodated in individually decorated guests rooms with a cozy Tyrolean feel. There is warm wooden furniture with soothing, neutral colors. The Comfort layout has a sitting corner where you can have a romantic breakfast in the morning. The Romantic rooms are the largest at the hotel, featuring handmade woolen rugs and German style duvets.

Guest accommodations have unique touches - on their return visit many guests ask for the same one. Number 241 has a romantic style four-poster bed, while number 209 features a small wooden rocking horse that reminds you of your childhood. The property offers gourmet cuisine and a wellness center, complete with a beautiful indoor swimming pool. Summer activities include mountain biking and hiking the surrounding mountains. Special events, such as food events, are often offered at the hotel, so be sure to check the schedule on their web site. (+39 0471 83 10 0).

© Kings Canyon Resort

Kings Canyon Resort is a great adventure travel idea and the perfect base from which to explore the beauty of the Australian outback. The resort is located off the main highway between Alice Springs and Ayers Rock, only seven kilometers from the Watarrka National Park which is the home of the magical sandstone formation of Kings Canyon. Explore the canyon by day return to the resort at night and enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars. The resort offers three types of accommodations: Deluxe Spa Rooms, Standard Rooms, and Campground and Budget Lodge Rooms. The best feature of the spa rooms is the oversized spa bath with a glass window providing uninterrupted range views. The standard rooms are spacious and have basic room amenities. The budget rooms are significantly cheaper but they have shared bathroom facilities.

Carmichael's Restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner, serves large buffet-style meals. Sounds of Firelight is a romantic dinner setting under the stars with no more than ten couples dining at one time. For your own supplies you can get food and groceries at the General Store on your adventure vacation. Helicopter, camel, or quad bike tours of the canyon are all available nearby. There are daily flights from most major Australian cities to Alice Springs Airport. The resort can arrange a car rental at the airport. (+612-8296-8010).

© Hotel Quintessence

Check into the elegant Hôtel Quintessence with spectacular views of Lake Tremblant, Canada for a weekend of pampering and rejuvenation in a calm, natural setting. The hotel has 30 luxury suites, a gourmet restaurant and a full-service spa overlooking the mountain lake. Relax next to the infinity pool, in the large lakeview whirlpool, the steam room and sauna at Spa Sans Sabots. The spa has two treatment rooms where you can choose from a diverse menu of spa services. Since each guest suite measures from 700 to 1,200 square feet in size, guests can receive treatments in the privacy of their own suite, next to the fireplace.

Each romantic suite has a king-size bed and a cozy fireplace. Ask for a balcony or terrace with views of the water. The deep spa bathtub is perfect for taking long luxurious baths on your spa trip. Bathrooms have Aveda amenities. The restaurant serves fine French cuisine indoors, on the terrace, at the Chef's Table and in the Winebar. The hotel provides its guests with an intimate experience, offering attentive service and upscale amenities. Guests receive accompanied private check-in, concierge services to help them plan the best activities in the area, wood concierge for the fireplace, storage service for skis, bikes and golf clubs. Mont-Tremblant is 90 minutes north of Montreal, making the hotel a great weekend getaway from the city. (866 425-3400, 819-425-3400).

© Fairmont Hotels

The Fairmont Royal York in Toronto is one of Canada's grand city escapes. As you walk through the hotel lobby, you will be surrounded by opulent furnishings, crystal chandeliers and beautiful hand-painted ceilings. The hotel has 1,365 guest rooms and suites. When booking a room, ask for one of the Fairmont View rooms which are located on higher floors with a south facing view towards Lake Ontario and the harbor.

The health club, open seven days a week, has an indoor lap pool, children's pool, saunas and steam rooms. The hotel fitness center is equipped with free weights and cardiovascular machines. The hotel has five restaurants and four lounges. EPIC serves innovative dishes prepared from local ingredients with classic French touches. You should also try Benihana Japanese Steakhouse, or York's Deli & Bakery if you are in a hurry. In the evening, stop at the Library Bar which serves some of the best martinis in Toronto. (416-368-9040).

© Snake River Lodge and Spa

The Snake River Lodge & Spa, located in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is a romantic adventure vacation getaway with a full-service spa and heated walkway access to the ski lifts of the Jackson Hole Ski Resort. The lodge has an indoor/outdoor heated pool with waterfalls, warmed walkways, and hot tubs surrounded by steam-filled caves. In summer, the lodge provides a good base for exploring Grand Teton National Park, the entrance to which is only a few miles down the road. There is an array of activities to choose from on your romantic vacation, including hiking, mountain biking, golf, wildlife watching, hot air balloon rides, fishing and float trips down Snake River.

The town of Jackson, a 20-minute drive from the lodge, is home to numerous art galleries that sell paintings, pottery, and photography. There are 88 guest rooms and 46 luxury condominiums, decorated in elegant Western style. Sample regional specialties at the GameFish restaurant, or try one of the restaurants in Teton Village. Give your body a day or two to acclimate itself to the higher altitude in Jackson Hole before heading out on a strenuous hike or a mountain biking trip. Fly to the Jackson Hole Airport where you can rent a car. The hotel is a 45-minute drive from the airport. (866-975-ROCK).

© Pitcher Inn

The Pitcher Inn is a classic romantic Vermont Inn with eleven distinctly different themed rooms and an intimate restaurant which seats only forty. Go in the fall and see the amazing fall foliage. The rooms are the highlight of this romantic inn. Choose whichever one of the eleven rooms best fits your taste. The School Room has a blackboard and chalk erasers with views of the garden. The Mountain Room has a separate whirlpool Tub and steam shower. The Lodge Room is the largest room in the main house and has a wood burning fireplace.

The Pitcher Inn has a 6,500-bottle wine cellar which has a private dining table and can be used for private dinners if you are considering a family holiday celebration in Vermont. Spa treatments are available at the inn but must be made in advance. The room rates range from $330 to 660 per night. There are also packages available which include breakfast, afternoon tea, and a three course dinner daily.

© Cambridge Beaches

Cambridge Beaches in Bermuda has five private beaches, a spa and gourmet dining. New York City is just two hours by plane, making it a quick long weekend getaway destination. The cottage rooms at the resort are open and spacious, all with their own unique floorplan and furniture. Since the resort is right on the water all of the rooms are quite near the water. If you see yourself wanting to spend lots of time on your patio then get a room with a waterview. Otherwise take a gardenview room and head down to one of the beaches for a view of the water.

If you are looking for a romantic moment, try spending 3 hours alone together on a private island. Cambridge Beaches can arrange for you to have a picnic meal on your own private island. A personal butler will deliver you to a small private island, set up your meal, and then leave you to enjoy three hours of a real romantic getaway.

© Enchantment Resort

The majestic red rock formations of Northern Arizona's Boynton Canyon are an impressive backdrop to any romantic getaway. At the Enchantment Resort, located five miles from Sedona, you can stay in luxury casita-style rooms, participate in any number of different activities, and have dinner at the Yavapai Restaurant while enjoying views of Boynton Canyon.The location and facilities of the Enchantment Resort allow you to have the option of how active you want to be on on your trip. If you are looking to melt away stress, you can relax by the pool or get a massage at Mii Amo Spa. When you are done relaxing you can hike, go mountain biking, or take a lesson at the resorts tennis center. If the sky is clear, try the narrated stargazing on either Friday or Saturday night.

Guests can choose from luxury Casa suites, Hacienda Suites, Casita Suites and Casita Junior Suites. For a romantic vacation try the Casita Junior Suites. They have a bedroom with a living area and bathroom with a soaking tub and separate shower. Most importantly, there is a beehive fireplace for a romantic fire. The Enchantment Resort website has a section for "concierge requests" where you can send a message to the concierge and inquire about any special arrangements you may want. This is a helpful feature if you want to get things rolling on any special surprises you may want to arrange on your visit.

© Nikki Beach, St. Barths

When it comes to luxurious beach getaways, St. Barths is undeniably one of the first places to come to mind. However, if you want to enjoy the best of oceanfront living and the soothing warmth of the Caribbean breeze, then booking a stay at Nikki Beach is just what the doctor ordered. Situated on the gorgeous Saint-Jean beach, Nikki Beach is the best example of the simplistic luxury that the island has to offer. Spend an afternoon lazing on one of the resort’s all-white and plush sun beds, or rest within one of the resort’s trademark teepees. Head out into the water to enjoy the sun and surf during the day, then retreat into the luxurious comfort that Nikki Beach’s accommodations have to offer.

Gustavia 97133, St. Barthelemy; Phone: 590-590-27-6464

© Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Iconic luxury awaits all guests of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. With a spectacular hotel set against a gorgeous backdrop of brilliantly blue skies and swaying palm trees, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a true oasis in the middle of the Arizonian desert. Families and couples can enjoy a stay in one of the hotel’s 750 generously appointed rooms with options like the Casitas, the Gold Rooms, or the Presidential Suites. When you’re not enjoying the relaxing accommodations, visitors enjoy wandering around the hotel’s lush and well-kept grounds, as well as the surrounding Sonoran Desert, which is marked by lovely lagoons and blooms, and lush wildlife.

7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona 85255, Phone: 480-585-4848

© Rosewood Bermuda

Immerse yourself in the ultimate getaway at Rosewood Bermuda. Here, visitors can enjoy walks along defined pink sand beaches, play epic games of golf, or simply enjoy the gorgeous coastline of Castle Harbor. Oozing with charm, refinement, and tropical decadence, Rosewood Bermuda offers its guests one-of-a-kind stays at their expansive rooms and suites and access to fabulous world-class amenities and leisure activities. Guests looking for a restorative and relaxing experience can visit Sense, the Rosewood Bermuda’s world-class spa, while others who want to keep up with their fitness can visit the 1,900-square-foot fitness center on-site. With so much to do and explore, every day at the Rosewood Bermuda is bound to be a blast.

60 Tucker’s Point Drive, Hamilton Parish, HS 02 Bermuda, Phone: 441-298-400

© Acqualina Resort and Residences on The Beach

Acqualina Resort, and Residences on the Beach is the epitome of beach-side luxury. Guests to the Acqualina can look forward to a Mediterranean Villa-style escape as well as access to 4.5 acres of beachfront at the iconic Sunny Isles Beach of Miami. Apart from the beach, Acqualina also has three stunning oceanfront pools to enjoy, the relaxing Acqualina Spa, and luxurious guest suites and residences to stay at. Some of the remarkable features of the Acqualina Resort include a lush outdoor living room space with Seashore Paspalum grass and relaxing furniture to rest on.

17875 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160, Phone: 877-312-9742

© The Langham Huntington, Pasadena

S’mores, live poolside music, and a ton of outdoor fun? These are just some of the things that guests to The Langham Huntington at Pasadena have to look forward to. This stunning hotel spares no expense when it comes to its luxurious rooms. Guests can enjoy the best that the hospitality industry has to offer in The Langham Huntington’s rooms alongside top-notch amenities that are available to all hotel guests. Meanwhile, the hotel’s neighborhood has a ton to offer as well with fantastic dining establishments nearby, great stores for shopping, and tons of art and cultural destinations to visit like the Norton Simon Museum. The hotel is also the perfect jump-off point to some of Pasadena’s outdoor attractions as well as sports and entertainment centers.

1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106, Phone: 626-585-3900

© Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire

A hidden gem of the Yorkshire Dales, Grantley Hall is the epitome of five-star luxury in North Yorkshire. The hotel offers 47 exquisite suites to its guests as well as unparalleled gastronomic experiences care of its five indulgent restaurants. The Shaun Rankin at Grantley Hall is particularly famous as it is a Michelin-starred restaurant that pushes the boundaries of fine dining. For guests who want to be pampered, the Three Graces Spa is at the ready to provide tranquility, rest, and relaxation. Meanwhile, the ELITE Luxury Gym of Grantley Hall is a definitively state-of-the-art fitness experience. At the end of the day, the success of a hotel is in the details, and at Grantley Hall there is true attention paid to each of them.

Ripon North Yorkshire HG4 3ET, United Kingdom, Phone: 44-1765-620070

© Battery Wharf Hotel, Boston Waterfront

When in Boston, there are few accommodations that can compare to the Battery Wharf Hotel. At this hotel, visitors can indulge in the elegance and luxury of a gorgeous seaside residence care of deluxe guest rooms, premier Waterview guestrooms, one-bedroom suites, or the Harbor suite. The Battery Wharf Hotel is situated along the harbor and is the perfect gateway to explore all that Boston has to offer. Enjoy trips to the North End, soak up the magnetic energy of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, or enjoy the thrill and nail-biting excitement of a game at TD Garden. No matter what you plan to do at Boston, the Battery Wharf Hotel is the perfect place to call home during your stay.

3 Battery Wharf, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, Phone: 617-994-9000

© Columbus Monte-Carlo

Plan a romantic holiday weekend at Columbus Monte-Carlo overlooking the Mediterranean sea and the Princess Grace Rose garden. Guests at the hotel have access to a fitness center and an art deco outdoor pool. The hotel restaurant and the Cocktail Bar attract tourists and locals alike. There are 181 bedrooms and suites, some with balconies overlooking the sea. Guest rooms are furnished in contemporary style with lavender grey and beige colors, Italian furniture, and black and white photos from the 1930s. The hotel offers 24 hour room service and non-smoking floors.

Columbus Brasserie, the hotel restaurant, serves informal Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel bar is known for its Martini Cocktails and its trendy decor. Columbus is about 6 minutes from Nice International Airport by helicopter, and about 30 minutes by car. Regular room rates start at Euro 245. If you are planning a vacation to Monaco during the low season in the winter, check the web site for specials (+377-92-059222).

© Alyeska Resort

Alyeska Resort is situated within a lush and dense valley that is bordered by stunning mountain peaks, breathtaking hanging glaciers, and picturesque ocean views. With luxurious accommodations and easy access to Alaska’s wilderness, Alyeska Resort makes the perfect basecamp for adventurous travelers who want to spend as much time in the great outdoors as possible. Mixing together just the right amount of modernity and native hospitality, a stay at Alyeska Resort will definitely be one for the books.

1000 Arlberg Avenue, Girdwood, Alaska 99587, Phone: 800-880-3880

© Velaa Private Island

Owned by Radka and Jiri Smejc, the Velaa Private Island is the ultimate getaway and romantic destination in the Maldives. Promising tranquility and privacy, Velaa pays remarkable attention to the hotel’s amenities and rooms so that each guest feels perfectly at home. Enjoy the premium and attentive service of a personal butler, whose mission is to ensure a meaningful and memorable stay, while enjoying the immaculate beachfront and crystal-clear waters that are characteristic of Maldivian living. What are you waiting for? While there are many amenities to enjoy, Velaa has an array of activities that make a stay on the private island enjoyable. Go diving to meet the underwater inhabitants in the surrounding waters, book a yacht to explore the farther reaches of the sea, play a great game of golf or tennis, or simply enjoy a pampering session at the spa.

Noonu Atoll, Republic of Maldives, Phone: 960-6565-000

© Harbor View Hotel

Breathe in the fresh air and soak up the coastal town feel of the Harbor View Hotel, one of the top accommodations to stay in when visiting Martha’s Vineyard. The crown jewel of the area, Harbor View Hotel is situated in the middle of Edgartown and is enveloped by mile upon mile of gorgeous beaches. All of this just adds to its already undeniably exclusive feel thanks to the top-tier dining establishments, luxurious guest rooms, and unmatched views of the Edgartown Harbor. As if that weren’t enough of a reason to visit, the Harbor View Hotel gives its guests easy access to some of Martha’s Vineyard’s top boutiques, art galleries, and beaches.

131 North Water Street, Edgartown, MA 02539, Phone: 844-248-1167