Envision the perfect summer vacation: the kids see an amusement park, you picture iced drinks on a tropical island. Our advice: stay home. Well, not your home; a luxurious “home” in LA with room service, robes, spas, five-star dining and pool boys who spritz you with Evian. Oh yeah, and loads of activities for the kids. We’ve rounded up the swankiest spots near LA whose mission is to keep parents pampered and tots entertained.
photo credit: Hotel Bel-Air
Hotel Bel-Air
There’s no place in the world that oozes more elegance and Hollywood glamor than LA’s iconic Hotel Bel-Air. Peacefully tucked away on beautiful Stone Canyon Road, the legendary luxury hotel makes families feel worlds away from the moment they arrive. Hotel Bel-Air offers a special family package throughout the year that includes pint-sized amenities like kids’ bathrobes and slippers, a little stuffed swan, a daily breakfast credit of $150 per family, a second connecting room for tots at half the cost, and a bottle of bubbly for mom and dad (Yahtzee!).
Kiddos will not lack for fun things to do during your stay. From a plunge in the turquoise pool to exploring 12 acres of lush gardens filled with 200 species of plants, flowers, birds and bees to feeding the hotel’s three resident swans, there’s something for every adventurous tike to enjoy. If food is more your tot’s jam, Executive Chef Hugo Bolanos hosts junior cooking classes during school holidays. Kids learn tricks of the trade while cooking and baking in the hotel’s giant kitchen, then get to enjoy a mouthwatering meal at the restaurant. Also, be sure to check out the Little Royals Afternoon Tea with a special selection of sweet and savory bites and teas perfect for small sippers.
Pet Tip: Furry children can come too as the hotel waives fees for up to two pets.
Hotel Bel-Air
701 Stone Canyon Rd.
Bel Air
310-472-1211
Online: dorchestercollection.com/en/los-angeles/hotel-bel-air
photo credit: Meghan Rose
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
A world-class, secluded resort just steps away from Santa Monica Beach and the hustle and bustle of Third Street Promenade, the Fairmont Miramar offers families a fabulous escape close to home. Upon arrival, tikes get to choose a plush new play pal from a basket filled with sea-themed toys. Gorgeous guest rooms feature child-sized bathrobes, a sand pail and shovel filled with ocean creature gummy candies and colorful little sponges spelling out your kiddo’s name in the bathtub.
From dawn to dusk, Miramar’s glorious pool provides hours of festive frolicking for kids. Make sure to hit up the concierge regarding the hotel’s secret stash of groovy water toys which they happily lend to little swimmers. The Fairmont also offers complimentary BMW bikes for families to use on Santa Monica’s bike paths. During the summer, the hotel brings out ping pong tables and other outdoor themed games, as well as an open air Villbrequin Jeep to take guests down to their own private area of the beach known as the Miramar Beach Club. There, guests sunbathe on lounge chairs while enjoying a menu of soft drinks and snacks served by the hotel’s beach butler. Also, Miramar Beach Club organizes beach volleyball games every Saturday afternoon.To cap off your family’s day of sun and fun, be sure to talk to the hotel about arranging a special delivery of milk and cookies to your beach babes at bedtime. It’s like a Club Med vacation, but more luxurious and without the plane!
Pet Tip: Pets always stay free at Fairmont Miramar. Woof!
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
101 Wilshire Blvd.
Santa Monica
310-576-7777
Online: fairmont.com/santamonica
photo credit: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire
There’s a reason Julia Roberts fell in love at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire in Pretty Woman—it’s magical. Smack dab in the heart of Beverly Hills, the Beverly Wilshire prides itself on caters to guests’ every whim whether your a pretty woman or a tiny tot. At check-in, small-pints are presented with an extra special gift from the hotel’s toy wagon to help them feel right at home. Soft, tot-sized bathrobes await in the bathrooms and there is a DVD library full of kid classics, as well as infant furnishings and necessary items to childproof the space if needed.
If your ideal day is lounging around the hotel, you’ll no doubt head over to the stunning Mediterranean-style pool which features cabanas, kids’ coloring books, pool toys and water spritzing attendants at the ready, as well as an ice cream cart during toasty summer months. Then, mom and dad can scamper off to the spa, and little ones can join in the spa fun too! A true rarity in the hotel spa game, the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire offers a menu of glamorous treatments just for tots, including the Princess facial, Superhero neck, shoulder and hand massage, and even a “Larry Gets Pampered in the Spa” treatment based on the popular children’s book, Larry Gets Lost in Los Angeles. Every pint-sized spa guest leaves with a groovy present after their service.
Pet Tip: Bring your other babies too because pets are more than welcome.
Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire
9500 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills
310-275-5200
Online: fourseasons.com/beverlywilshire
photo credit: Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire
The Langham Huntington Pasadena
Set on 23 lush acres against the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, The Langham Huntington Pasadena welcomes young guests to take part in the Langham Huntington Kids program that features special amenities, including a Langham “Theodore” teddy bear backpack filled with a Little Junebugs crafting kit, as well as a journal to record memorable moments from their vacation. Rugrats also receive a complimentary kids’ dinner in the Terrace each evening during their stay and a Langham chocolate bar from the hotel’s gift boutique. (Mention you’ve got kids with you when you make your reservation so that they have these goodies waiting. Cost is $30.)
Tots will have no trouble staying occupado during your stay—taking a dip in the saline pool, curling up with a book from the Langham Kids Library (in the lobby) or hitting the tennis courts for lessons and summer camp with the hotel’s tennis partner, Ojakian Tennis. For tikes who fancy themselves tea connoisseurs, the hotel offers a Chocolate Afternoon Tea on Sundays with a great selection of yummies and a gigantic chocolate fountain. The Langham also features a quarterly Imagine Tea for children where junior performers from the famed Academy of Magical Arts perform close-up magic for little ones while they dine. Lastly, during the summer, families can finish out their day with complimentary fire pit s’mores every evening at the Hideaway Pool Bar. Bring your bikes and zip over to Lacy Park, which is right around the corner and a darling park filled with bike paths, a rose garden and fantastic playground.
Pet Tip: Don’t leave Fido at home; the family pooch is always welcome at The Langham.
The Langham Huntington Pasadena
1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave.
Pasadena
626-568-3900
Online: langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/pasadena
photo credit: The Langham Huntington Pasadena
Terranea Resort
Just 30 minutes from downtown LA, lies a little slice of seaside heaven for families. Terranea Resort offers a variety of accommodations for any size brood, including villas and casitas featuring full-size kitchens and washer and dryers. Infant furnishings are also available, as well as Johnson & Johnson toiletries for kids and an adorable rubber ducky to help tots feel comfy right from the get go. Upon request, guest relations can also stock your new home away from home with any special shopping needs you desire. Strawberry Pop Tarts for everyone!
With eight dining venues to choose from and so many groovy things to do on site, there’s no need to stray from the resort for meals or entertainment. Terranea’s Pointe Discovery activity center offers scenic hikes along coastal trails to tidal pools. Families can also go kayaking, snorkeling, stand-up paddle boarding, horseback riding or even try falconry with the resort’s expert team of falconers. (Because deep down, you’ve always been a falconer.) Also, mom and dad can introduce pee-wee to the game of golf by taking in a round at The Links at Terranea, the resort’s family-friendly, award winning, nine-hole, par three golf course. Or for those of you not looking to champion the next Tiger Woods, head over to the Resort Pool for some relaxation while your babes stay busy on the 140-foot water slide and Splash Zone.
Terranea also has the Tide Pool Kids Club where kids aged 3-12 can become campers and participate in all sorts of creative activities, science experiments and art projects. Campers can also join the Tide Pool Fun Hours and discover local sea creatures like sea stars, sea slugs and anemones during guided tide pooling excursions.
Pet Tip: Well-behaved pets are welcome. Limit two per booking.
Terranea Resort
100 Terranea Way
Rancho Palos Verdes
310-265-2800
Online: terranea.com
photo credit: Terranea Resort
What are some of your favorite family staycation spots?
—Jennifer O’Brien
Need some fresh ideas?
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