Is there a better time than summer? Some may argue yes, but for many, the sun, the heat and the carefree spirit of the season make for the happiest of months.
It’s a time when families can more easily gather to spend quality time together, festivals and fairs fill city streets, and folks crisscross the country defining their own version of the great American road trip.
Picking a place for a summer vacation here in the U.S. can be tricky because the choices are often overwhelming. There are stunning cosmopolitan cities, diverse national parks, beaches galore, deserts, plains, forests and everything in between.
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To make it easier for you to decide where to go this summer, we’ve homed in on a handful of resorts and hotels that offer a quintessential summer experience that harkens back to our favorite memories of summer camp — but with better food and no forced games of capture the flag. You’ll find adventures in nature and in and around the water at hotels and resorts ranging from properties you can book with points to a dreamy all-inclusive castle.
Wherever you go, just don’t forget to pack the sunscreen.
Mohonk Mountain House
Undoubtedly, one of the best family resorts in the country is Mohonk Mountain House, a fairy-tale castle just 90 miles outside of New York City. Originally built in 1869 and surrounded by 40,000 acres of forest, Mohonk is perfect year-round — but it’s especially great in summer. Everyone in the family can find an activity to partake in, from canoeing or swimming in Lake Mohonk and archery or ax throwing to hiking and horseback riding, outdoor movies, campfires and concerts. Even better, a stay includes three meals daily (alcohol is an extra cost), afternoon tea and cookies, and most activities. That means you’ll (more or less) know exactly how much you’ll spend on a trip to Mohonk Mountain House.
For families, there’s even a kids club with tons of activities so parents can take a little time for themselves.
How to book: Mohonk Mountain House is on the pricey side. However, when you factor in everything that’s included — especially meals — it may actually be a better deal than the sticker price would have you think. In summer, rates are easily more than $1,000 per night for two guests. Luckily, kids stay for free during midweek stays lasting at least two nights through Sept. 1.
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Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa
For an unforgettable experience in Texas, book a stay at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa, about 20 miles outside of Austin in the Texas Hill Country. At this Category 6 World of Hyatt property, you can beat the heat by floating around a winding lazy river, zipping down some waterslides or retreating to an adults-only pool for a little peace and quiet. Golfers will enjoy an 18-hole golf course. For a little more action, there are also horseback riding, zip lining, archery, fishing and trap shooting. And you won’t go hungry, as the resort has plenty of restaurants, including an upscale farm-to-table option, a modern steakhouse, an intimate 10-seat sushi counter and an ice-cream saloon.
How to book: As a Category 6 World of Hyatt resort, nightly rates at Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa hover between 21,000 and 29,000 points per night. Cash rates fluctuate throughout summer and can be found for as low as $307 per night.
Related: The 13 best resorts in Texas for a Lone Star State getaway
Big Cedar Lodge
Missouri’s Ozark Mountains are about as beautiful as they come. The best place to set up a temporary home in the Ozarks is at the sprawling Big Cedar Lodge near the 10,000-acre Dogwood Canyon Nature Park. During the property’s summer season, which runs from May through September, guests can enjoy special activities like miniature golf tournaments, concerts and family campfires, as well as sand volleyball, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and swimming in the pools or lazy river. There’s even a theme park with go-karts, bowling, a ropes course and more. If that’s not enough, why not rent a boat to cruise around the lakes or sign up for wakeboarding lessons? Just don’t forget to catch the fireworks show.
How to book: Big Cedar Lodge offers tons of different accommodations, from glamping tents to full-size cabins and plenty of options in between. You can find cash rates around $300 per night for off-property “camp huts” and as high as $1,000 per night for large cabins.
Grand Hotel
On Mackinac Island in Michigan, Grand Hotel (known as “America’s Summer Place”) offers a slightly different take on the quintessential summer resort. It’s one where each eclectic room differs from the next, history is on full display and horse-drawn carriages are the norm, as cars are not allowed. Hotel guests can enjoy many outdoor activities like hiking, walking through lush gardens, horseback riding, tennis and golf. Plus, the hotel’s pool and pool house recently underwent a $10 million renovation. Be sure to check out the Woodlands Activity Center, which features a mini-golf course, a nature center and even BMX trails. With 13 on-site restaurants and bars, nobody will go hungry.
How to book: You can find summer rates at Grand Hotel starting around $399 per night, but they fluctuate significantly throughout summer.
Omni Mount Washington Resort
Up in New Hampshire, the beautiful and historic Omni Mount Washington Resort is set among 800,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest. Here, a summer visit consists of busy days full of fly-fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, guided rock climbs and the chance to soar across New England’s longest zip line. The resort also has an 18-hole golf course, as well as a disc golf course for those of us who haven’t swung a club. You can soak up scenic views of the area on a gondola or ride “The Cog,” the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world.
How to book: Rates at the Omni Mount Washington Resort start around $229 per night.
Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection
On TPG’s list of the best new hotels of 2021, Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a luxurious escape that offers a Southwest take on summer favorites. If you visit, it might be difficult to leave the gorgeous room and its traditional kiva fireplace, but a world of adventure awaits outside. Take a wild rafting ride on the Rio Grande, ascend in altitude on a mountain bike or learn the art of fly-fishing. For a calmer experience, sign up for a chocolate-tasting class or an alfresco art class, join a mindfulness session in the fresh air or enjoy a leisurely hike. For the kids, the Coyote Camp Kids Club offers skill-building activities so children can explore the stunning surroundings and ignite their own imaginations.
How to book: Summer room rates at the Auberge-affiliated Bishop’s Lodge start at $809 per night. Through Sept. 2, kids under 10 can eat free off the resort’s children’s menu.
The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa
Want to be a cowboy this summer? Or, maybe you just want plenty of space to spread out? Either way, giddy on up to Sonora, Texas, a few hours west of Austin, for a stay at this elegant and intimate resort with just 16 rooms and 16 cabins. While the spa is a great place for parents to unwind, it’s the immersive activities offered on the 13,000-acre ranch that really steal the show. Experience the ins and outs of the cowboy way of life by learning how to ride a horse, then pig out at a traditional cowboy cookout. Next, take a bike out for a trail ride before hitting up the infinity pool to cool off and later heading to karaoke night. Off the resort grounds, you can explore the otherworldly Caverns of Sonora.
How to book: Room rates at The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa start at $399 per night. Keep in mind that bookings require a two-night stay.
Carmel Valley Ranch
Carmel Valley Ranch, an all-suite resort set on 500 acres outside Carmel Valley, California, is part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection. At the resort, guests might just be overwhelmed by all the activities available; options include classics like tennis and golf, as well as less-expected experiences like beekeeping and falconry. Hone your archery skills, meet local artisans or engage with the resort’s ranch animals, like fluffy alpacas and adorable goats. Guests can also explore the local wine region or just set up shop around a fire pit for s’mores. Great for everyone in the family or as an adults-only getaway, this resort may be the best way to cash in on some World of Hyatt points this summer.
How to book: A Category 8 World of Hyatt resort, standard award nights at Carmel Valley Ranch are available for between 35,000 and 45,000 points. Cash rates start at $389 per night.
Cliff House
For more comfortable summer temperatures, it might be time to consider a road trip around Maine and its beautiful coastal landscapes. At Cliff House, a resort perched on a rocky stretch of Cape Neddick, the entire family will be awed by the sweeping ocean views, on-site activities, nearby outdoor experiences (both on and off the water) and chic rooms, suites and cottages. Take advantage of indoor and outdoor pools, catch a movie at the cinema, learn about animals at the wildlife center or join an arts and crafts class. For a real New England experience, enjoy a Maine lobster bake and then gather the family by a fire pit and end the night listening to the waves crash against the rocky coastline.
How to book: Rates at Cliff House start around $859 per night.
The Resort at Paws Up
Nature is calling in Montana, specifically at the famed Resort at Paws Up, one of the most glamourous glamping resorts around. At the activity-packed resort, families are invited to stay in an assortment of different accommodation types, from luxurious glamping tents to sprawling cabin-style homes with space for everyone. But the reality is you’ll likely spend most of your trip outside on the 37,000-acre ranch doing things like joining a cattle drive, riding all-terrain vehicles, fly-fishing, horseback riding or even taking a hot air balloon ride to see the scenic vistas. Best of all, rates at The Resort at Paws Up are inclusive of three meals daily (including select alcoholic beverages), as well as many activities (but not all of them).
How to book: Summer rates at The Resort at Paws Up start at $3,354 per night for two adults and two children in a luxury two-bedroom tent. A two-bedroom, two-bathroom house starts at $3,990 per night for two adults and two children.
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