Top Hotels For Kids 2011 Slideshow

Opened just last year, this sprawling resort is located near Salt Lake City, Utah, (with its major international airport) and right up the hill from the quaint town of Park City. They've thought of everything for skiers (and spa-goers) of all ages here. From hot chocolate and s'mores at day's end to the enormous outdoor pool that is perfect for a post-ski dip to the sprawling game room downstairs, children will be delighted to roam free. Highlights include spacious rooms with views of the stunning Wasatch Mountains, a tubing park, and a ski-in/ski-out set-up where valets warm boots and help kids with all their gear so you can step back and do what you're supposed to do on vacation: relax!
Rates start at $335

This hotel offers a step back in time, and while the prices are steep, the experience is guaranteed to be fantastic for the whole family. After pulling up to this "old Hollywood" pink stucco landmark, the family will want to rest up in one of the available secluded bungalows. You can let the kids run around the palm tree-lined grounds before diving into the gargantuan pool, complete with brilliantly striped, signature cabanas and sun loungers. Music is piped underwater (you don't get that everywhere) and the McCarthy salads (a spin on the Cobb) and french fries served poolside can't be beat. You'll also need to stop by the Fountain Coffee Room in the basement, where grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes are served at an old-fashioned soda fountain.
Rates start at $445

Conveniently located next to the Animal Kingdom theme park, this resort brings Africa to your doorstep. All ages will be enthralled by the antelope and wildebeests that roam the hotel's 43-acre, savanna-like setting. The hotel is designed in traditional African style, with thatched roofs, hand-carved furnishings, and even a massive mud fireplace in the lobby. Kids will love retreating to the 11,000-square-foot Uzima pool after a long, hot day — especially since it means they'll get to zip down the pool's 67-foot-long slide. Don't miss the hotel's Wanyama Safari, a guided tour (ages 8 and over) in an open-air truck that's followed by a delicious feast of traditional African appetizers, roasted chicken, mac and cheese, and more.
Rates start at $240

Located in the heart of the Green Mountains, this picture-perfect resort town offers something for everyone. Not only is the inn recently LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), but it's also a welcoming space with an enormous fire that warms the lobby. The hip Red Rooster bistro offers modern versions of mac and cheese and locally sourced produce. In the winter months, kids can enjoy both downhill and cross-country skiing nearby, as well as ice skating, horseback riding, and strolling the streets and bridges of this bucolic town. Of special note: The nearby Billings Farm Museum includes a working dairy farm and is the perfect place to learn about quilting, sheep sheering, and making ice cream.

Rates start at $190

If you're looking for an old-school resort complete with golf, water sports, and sweeping porch views, then book a stay at The Sagamore on Lake George, N.Y. The Adirondack Mountains make a stunning backdrop for the historic hotel with its two pools, tennis courts, and scenic nature trail. Children ages 4-12 can do all kinds of arts, crafts, and sports while parents rejuvenate with a water-healing treatment at the spa. Located just 60 miles north of Albany, N.Y., The Sagamore is the perfect place to explore the surrounding lakes. The spacious one-bedroom parlor suites in the main building are perfect for families in particular.
Rates start at $179

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