Need to get away? These family-friendly escapes include time for work, school and play
The work and school environments are looking a little different for many people these days.
More folks are doing their thing remotely, which means they can get work done anywhere that has a strong internet connection. Even better if that “anywhere” happens to be a poolside lounge chair, a private luxurious vacation home or a quiet room overlooking the ocean.
Quite a few resorts and hotels are now offering education vacations, packages may include a private, quiet space with tech support, educators on hand to supervise your children with their work or even classes to enhance learning. —
If you and the family are itching for a change of scenery, but still need to report for duty, check out these options.
In Florida
Reunion Resort in Kissimmee. This is the place to go if your family really needs some space. You can rent vacation homes as large as 13-bedrooms. Your children can have their own sleeping quarters (think themed rooms with two sets of bunk beds) and a separate room as their “classroom.” When school and work are over, head right to your backyard and take a swim in your private, resort-style pool.
Raining? No worries. You have plenty to do inside, from watching a movie in the theater room to playing in the game room to cooking in the chef’s kitchen. Don’t feel like cooking? You can visit one of the several restaurants on site. There’s also a five-acre waterpark, 10 pools, three golf courses and tennis courts.
While a 13-bedroom home may seem like overkill, there are smaller homes that still offer plenty of the fun amenities. Resort-style accommodations range from luxury suites and condos to multi-room villas, all the way up to the luxury mansions. Vacation home rentals start as low as $150 a night. reunionresort.com
The Inn on Fifth in Naples. Need a change of scenery, but can’t leave work behind? This boutique hotel in downtown Naples has three options for you. The Work-From-Hotel program offers a day pass, one-night or two-night stay. Workday passes ($116) are available Monday through Thursday, with check-in at 8 a.m. and check-out at 6 p.m. Each room has a worktable with multiple data ports, a mini fridge with bottled water and fresh fruit. The pass includes a smoothie, $30 poolside food and beverage credit as well as Wi-Fi and valet parking.
The All-Nighter ($210) includes everything offered in the day pass plus an overnight stay and a $50 poolside food and beverage credit. For a real getaway, select the Two Days & One Night of Peace and Quiet ($326). Check in is Monday through Wednesday, and includes two smoothies and an $80 poolside food and beverage credit. innonfifth.com
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World. This world-class resort is offering its guests supervised schoolwork sessions Monday through Friday for $50 for a half-day session and $100 for full-day. The session, beginning at 9 a.m., includes supervised virtual learning, arts and crafts and physical education, as well as snack and lunch. Each student gets a desk that is physically distanced from other students and has access to premium WiFi. Once school is done for the day, students can enjoy the resort’s five-acre water park, which includes a swimming pool, lazy river and slides. While the little ones are doing their school work, mom and dad can work poolside at the adults-only pool or on their large balcony off their guest room. fourseasons.com/orlando
Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek in Orlando. The Back to School, Back to Your Bucket List package is available through Dec. 18 and will save visitors up to 30%. Included is upgraded WiFi, a backpack filled with school supplies and, for the adults, a bottle of wine and noise cancelling headphones. extraholidays.com/anywhere
The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. The Business Butler & Cabana Work Station: The Work From Resort Program includes up to 50% off suites and connecting guest rooms. Guests get to use amenities like a Business Butler, who can help locate remote office space throughout the property, secure WiFi hotspots in poolside cabanas and manage tasks like scanning and printing.
Grande Lakes Rangers provide children with outdoor activities, including animal feedings, sports and arts and crafts. Families can enjoy time together from 5-7 p.m. with experiences like cycling, fly fishing and paddle boats. JW.Marriott.com
Club Med Sandpiper Bay in Port St. Lucie. The only Club Med in North America is offering a Workation Program that gives working adults a dedicated meeting room with premium WiFi and printer access.
Students ages 4 to 17 also have dedicated classrooms with premium WiFi, printer access and noise-cancelling headsets. Staff members monitor students and provide snacks throughout the day. The cost for this extra service is $20 per person for the length of the stay. Once the work day is over, families can enjoy golfing, sailing lessons or even take a swing on the trapeze. No need to worry about food, since the all-inclusive resort includes dining and full open bar. clubmed.us
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples. Junior Artisan Academy is complimentary for children staying at the beachfront resort. The 20-30 minute hands-on classes include horticultural lessons, cooking classes and guided beach runs. ritzcarlton.com
Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Key West. This Family-friendly hotel recently introduced the Home School Package to accommodate children attending classes. To supplement a child’s traditional school classes, the resort offers three educational activities, touring the Ernest Hemingway Home, a visit to the Shipwreck Museum and the Butterfly Conservatory. The package also includes in-room high speed WiFi, a $100 daily food and beverage credit for use on the resort’s children’s menu and even a gift for the parents, a bottle of wine. A four-night minimum stay is required. casamarinaresort.com
Outside of Florida
Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, California. This is the kind of extra credit all students are in favor of. The Monarch Beach: Edu-Cations Package provides guests the opportunity to reserve a room and get an extra room to serve as a classroom or office for free. In addition to the study/work space, the package includes one hour of “homework help” with a local education expert. Families also can participate in one of the resort’s activities such as surf lessons, family fitness classes and arts and culture programs. monarchbeachresort.com
Great Wolf Lodge, various locations throughout the country. The Howl ‘N Learn Package allows guests access to an area specifically designed for students participating in e-learning. Wiley’s Schoolhouse is open for three-hour sessions Monday through Thursday. Staff members assist the students and provide support. “Recess” breaks at Great Wolf Lodge include activities such as yoga and craft projects. greatwolf.com
The Shore Club Turks & Caicos. The Conch Kritters Classroom offers a daily combination of nature, discovery and exploration, as well as physical activities, crafts and creative play. The program is a way to supplement e-learning or compliment home schooling. Students will learn about the island native Conch, take cooking lessons and participate in water sports, among other activities. Suites start at $499 a night.
Eden Roc Cap Cana, Dominican Republic. Thinking about learning a new language or maybe want to finally learn how to play the piano? Why not do it in the Dominican Republic at a luxurious resort? The Family Staycation package is an experience for the whole family, ranging from 20-30 days. It includes unlimited Spanish and piano lessons.
Spitzer can be reached at Michelle@bymichellespitzer.com or on Instagram @ByMichelleSpitzer.
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