We can’t think of a better way to settle in every night than lying under the stars, listening to the sounds of nature. But even if you’re in a fancy urban hotel, the kids can enjoy a tent adventure without the hassle of mosquitos and unknown bumps in the night.
Families have varying degrees of comfort when it comes to camping, so we’ve rounded up some of the best hotels with camping options from across the United States – whether you’re into roughing it mere feet from the hotel restaurant, or pitching a mini-tent in your hotel suite.
Rancho Bernardo Inn, San Diego, California
San Diego is a known hot spot for family vacations, and the Rancho Bernardo Inn is a great luxury escape at the end of a long day of adventures. Kids can settle down for the night in an in-room tent and get pampered with chef-made s’mores and hot cocoa. In the morning, housekeeping will clean up “camp” and return with the tent the following night. The resort also has a family friendly and adults only pools, a spa, and golf.
Paws Up, Greenough, Montana
Nestled in Big Sky Country of Montana, the Paws Up resort features both luxe indoor and outdoor experiences. Guests can stay in the lodge, in a home on the property, or one one of their luxury campgrounds. For families that want a bit of both — there are vacation homes available with a tent outdoors. The private tents include lighting, comfortable beds, furniture, and toys and games for the entire family. The kids can sign up for a Junior Wrangler program to, since the resort is located directly on the grounds of a working cattle ranch.
1 Hotel South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida
If the beach is your family’s idea of vacation paradise, you’ll find it right outside your windows at 1 Hotel South Beach in Miami Beach. The hotel is inspired by nature — from the views to the decor, and down to the children’s activities. The Seedlings program, a partnership with the Patricia and Philip Frost Museum of Science, is geared specifically towards eco-friendly kids, where they can learn about caring for the environment and how to pitch a teepee. In addition to putting up the wooden poles and organic cotton tent themselves, your kids can make bird feeders, go for nature walks, and hunt for seashells in this program.
Lakedale Resort, San Juan Island, Washington
If real life camping is more your family’s speed, you’ll have plenty of options at the Lakedale Resort on San Juan Island. Sure, there are high-end rooms within the lodge and hotel, but you can also opt for “glamping” in a custom-built canvas cabin, staying in an airstream trailer for a retro experience, or roughing it with a tent on one of the many resort campsites. No matter which you choose, you’ll have numerous family friendly activities outside your door.
Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City, Utah
Deer Valley, Utah is known for its natural beauty, and you’ll be in the thick of it staying at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City. Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, you can sign your kids up for the Little Explorer’s Experience, which includes an in-room tent. The tent is complete with stars provided by a Starry Night Lantern and a plush moose to snuggle up to. Though you’ll have to leave the tent behind — unless you opt to purchase it — the moose, lantern, and a Fun With Nature guidebook are your child’s to keep when you sign up for this experience.
Ritz-Carlton-Lake Tahoe, Truckee, California
Lake Tahoe is the perfect backdrop for camping, and your children will love that they can get the experience of sleeping in a tent without the fear of wild animals. At this Ritz Carlton luxury hotel located in the midst of breathtaking natural beauty, your children can take part in an indoor campout. They’ll relax in comfort in the 3’x4’ tent, complete with featherbed. They’ll also have a teddy bear to share the space with, a s’mores kit to share with you, and an activity book with crayons.
W New York, New York
New to the Big Apple, the well-known and trendy W hotel has added a Glamping Suite to their list of lodging options. Designed by Laurel & Wolf, this high-end experience features a king bed and lots of room to hang out under the stars. You’ll see the bright lights and big city all around you, but have the luxe amenities of a Manhattan hotel at your fingertips.
Written by Anna Schaefer