Family vacations are a great time to reconnect, but it can be hard to disconnect everyone from their devices. But if you put your family in a remote resort with little Internet capabilities or you surround the family with fun things to do, the phones may fall to the wayside. Here is our list of hotels that will (hopefully) keep kids off their phones.
Written by Courtney Elko
1/7
Santa Juana Lodge - Costa Rica
Families may as well turn all phones off upon arriving at this mountaintop lodge. Located about an hour outside of the beach town of Quepos, this remote hotel is breathtaking, but offers zero internet. Families will be in awe of the lush greenery and kids will be impressed by the cabins that appear to be sitting on a cliff. While there is no pool or beach at Santa Juana Lodge, the kids won't be bored. They can horseback ride to a waterfall, go fishing or explore the rainforest while looking for wildlife. We have no doubt that your family will absolutely reconnect while staying at Santa Juana Lodge.
2/7
Jewel Runaway Bay - Jamaica
This all-inclusive Jamaican resort offers families so much to do that they won't think twice about the phone. There are five different kids' clubs for all ages, in which kids can enjoy building sandcastles, playing dress up, story time, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, magic shows, golf putting lessons, cooking class and more. And the tweens and teens are not forgotten at Jewel Runaway Bay. Kids ages 10 to 17 can enjoy snorkeling, glass bottom boat excursions, photography class, archery and sushi making classes. Who needs the internet when you can roll your own sushi?!
3/7
Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise - Banff National Park, Canada
Situated on an emerald green lake surrounded by the Canadian Rockies, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise offers a plethora of family-friendly activities that will keep kids busy no matter the season. In the spring and fall, there is hiking, campfires and pajama parties. In the summer families can canoe, horseback ride or rock climb, and in the winter there is snowshoeing, cross country skiing, sledding and tubing. Did we mention that helicopter tours are also available in any season?! The kids will surely put down the phone while flying among the mountains in a 'copter!
4/7
Ashford Castle - Ireland
You're in Ireland... in a castle! If that doesn't get everyone to put their phones away, we don't know what will! Ashford Castle, located nearly three hours west of Dublin and 45 minutes from Galway, does feature free Wi-Fi throughout the castle. But there is so much to do, we think the kids will stay off their phones. The 350-acre estate is full of outdoor fun like falconry, clay shooting, fishing, horse riding, kayaking, zip-lining and bicycling. There is tennis, golf and even a cinema to enjoy during your stay at this remote hotel, too.
5/7
Omni Shoreham Hotel - Washington, D.C.
Families can visit the nation's capital and learn about United States history without the assistance of Google. The Omni Shoreham Hotel is an easy walk to the National Zoo and about 20 minutes from the National Mall. There is so much to see and learn while visiting Washington D.C. that we would encourage the whole family to turn off their phones and soak everything in. The hotel, which opened in 1930, offers up its own history as well. Be sure to look for the hand-written Beatles set list from when they stayed here on their first trip to the United States.
6/7
The Majestic Yosemite Hotel - Yosemite National Park, CA
This remote hotel situated in Yosemite National Park in California will easily keep kids off their phones because the Wi-Fi can be spotty. But the less than amazing internet capabilities won't matter much because there is so much to do at this remote place to stay. Families will love to go biking, hiking, fishing, skiing, snowshoeing, swimming, rafting, rock climbing and camping that there won't be time for the internet. Be sure to take a tour of The Majestic Yosemite Hotel, too - many celebrities and dignitaries have stayed here!
7/7
New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel - Las Vegas
What happens in Vegas can stay in Vegas (even when vacationing with the family) because the kids will not want to be on their phones while staying at New York-New York Las Vegas Hotel. The Big Apple Coaster will have hearts pumping as families take the 180-degree twist and dive on this high-speed coaster. There is even an all-day Scream Pass that allows kids to ride the coaster all day long. If your stomach is not in knots after the roller coaster, families can visit Hershey's Chocolate World Las Vegas for a sweet, interactive experience that ends with lots of chocolate and candy. And if the kids are still itching for some technology, they can visit the Big Apple Arcade for some video and arcade games, too.
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