Set on 504 acres of the bluffs of the exclusive Newport Coast, Pelican Hill is a Renaissance-style resort with architecture reminiscent of Andrea Palladio’s celebrated churches, villas, and palaces in Northern Italy.  Everything about this resort is grand and luxurious, from the massive arch your car passes under as it heads up the hill to the resort to the circular infinity-edged Coliseum Pool (one of the world’s largest) with its 1.1 million hand-cut glass mosaic tiles which mirror the brilliantly blue coastal skies. The stunning views from the lobby, with the Tom Fazio designed golf course in the foreground and the brilliant Pacific looming behind, are breathtaking and best enjoyed with a cup full of house made gelato from the Caffé.

Can a resort this opulent and luxurious also be family friendly? Absolutely! This resort is designed to appeal to those who are used to the finer things in life; people who are used to the best want the best for their children as well!

Spacious Bungalows and Villas

One thing that families always appreciate in a hotel room is space! Those staying at Pelican Hill will be happy to hear that the smallest room is a spacious 847 feet. Each bungalow features a private terrace with ocean views, a fireplace framed with Italian limestone, and décor that is the finest in understated luxury.

Large families, multi-generational travelers, and those looking for extra space will fall in love with the villas. Massive two-, three-, and four-bedroom villas ranging from 2,193 to 3,581 square feet feature the best of everything including huge patios with expansive ocean views, private garages, plenty of privacy (the villas are in a guard gated area to protect the rich and famous, or just regular folks like me), full kitchens, large living areas, plenty of room for the kids to run around (or ride their scooters as my kids did!), and personalized service from your butler.  That’s right- your own butler! Run out of diapers at 10 at night? No worries, your butler can get them for you! Want someone to come in and cook a personalized meal for your family? Your butler can arrange that! As a matter of fact, your butler is happy to make any of your requests a reality, as long as they aren’t illegal or immoral. Just imagine the possibilities…

Complimentary Extras

Staying at Pelican Hill is not cheap, rooms start around $400 per night, but the bungalows truly are a great value.  Unlike many luxury resorts, you aren’t nickel and dimed with resort fees and hidden charges. Internet is complimentary, self-parking is free, use of the house cars (a bunch of Escalades and one sweet Bentley is included), and even usage of the spa facilities is complimentary! While my kids were enrolled for a morning session at Camp Pelican- the resort’s kids club which has its own kiddie pool, sandbox, and covered yet heated outdoor patio for enjoying crafts in the fresh air- I was happily relaxing in the sauna, whirlpool, and quiet room (a luxury in itself to any mom) while sipping on refreshing spa water.

Another complimentary extra that every family staying at Pelican will definitely want to enjoy is the Beach Experience at my favorite beach in Orange County, Crystal Cove. It includes

• Complimentary round-trip coach service
• Set-up of complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas on the sand
• Food and beverage service on the sand from The Beachcomber Café
• A Complimentary Adult Beach Bag for two with two towels, two bottles of water, sunscreen, Smashball paddles and ball
• A Complimentary Children’s Beach Bag with two towels, two waters and assorted sand toys

You haven’t really experienced pampering until you have experienced a beach day like that!

Whether you watch the sun set from your patio, the Coliseum Pool, the 18^th green, or Crystal Cove, you will be doing so surrounded by beauty, style, and of course, the finer things.

Want ideas for fun in and around Newport Coast? Check out our reviews of family friendly activities in Orange County and beyond.

Sharlene Earnshaw is the blog editor for Trekaroo.

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Contemplating a Hawaiian getaway with your keiki (aka kids)?  The Big Island has lots to offer families with young ones.   In fact, the activities on this island are as varied as the topography of the land.  Travelers here enjoy lush rain forests, volcanic landscapes, and pristine beaches that come in more than one sand color.  Not only does this translate to enjoying tropical breezes, Hawaiian music and a laid back beach lifestyle, there are many opportunities to teach kids about geology, horticulture, folklore and hist

Hilton Waikoloa Village

From cruising the resort canals in mahogany boats or riding the rails of the monorail to enjoying multiple swimming pools (two that include water slides) and an interactive dolphin experience, there is so much for a family to enjoy at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.  Rent a water bike, check out fish and turtles in the Hilton’s lagoon, or relax in a hammock.  The resort even has an amazing kids club that allows you and your spouse to take a date night secure in the knowledge your kids are enjoying activities like glow in the dark golf, fishing or even a luau.

• Cost cutting tip:  Purchase an Ohana Fun Pass at the resort.  For just $39.00 a day, your family can enjoy a variety of resort discounts including 50% off Club Keiki, daily ice cream for four and the choice of complimentary self parking or two beverages.  Use your pass daily and it pays for itself in no time!

Places to eat

• Red Waters Café is one of those rare eateries that can be an intimate date night locale or a place to dine with the whole family.  The chef’s 8-year-old played a role in making this place kid-friendly cool when she designed the keiki menu and many of the cafe’s young customers are raving about it!
• The Lagoon Spoon: Breakfast could only happen this way while on vacation! Located at the Hilton Waikoloa, patrons choose two cereals, two toppings (like Skittles and M&Ms) and pour the milk.  Just be sure to have a great physically exerting activity (like swimming) planned for when the sugar high kicks in!
• Scandinavian Shave Ice: Need to cool off after a day at the beach?  Here’s a tasty solution; share a huge serving of shave ice encasing your favorite ice cream and frozen yogurt flavor. Don’t let the line out the door dissuade you, this place is worth the wait!
• The Kona Inn Restaurant : The patio of the Kona Inn is one of the best places to catch a Hawaiian sunset. The show is so good in fact, that patrons have been known to applaud.  While the kids menu is a little limited here, the lawn just off the patio is ample.  The kids can run around in plain view while you enjoy watching that orange ball drop below the waves on the horizon.

Activities

• Departing daily from the famous Kailua-Kona Pier,Body Glove Cruises offer a great family excursion for scouting dolphins, spotting whales and swimming with the fish.  On the day we sailed, the passengers ranged in age from 2-48 and all of them snorkeled!
• La‘aloa Beach:  Also known as Magic Sands Beach, this place is loaded with local flavor.  Don’t be surprised if a few of the nearby residents show up with guitars and ukuleles; it turned out to be one of the most musical days we’d ever had at the beach!

• The Hawaiian Vanilla Company:  Founded by a young family more than two decades ago, this farm in the green hills of Paauilo is a great place to learn about the many uses of vanilla and what one family accomplished with a dream and a bit of courage.  Your family will also sample Vanilla lemonade!

• Rainforest Zoo : This quirky little zoo and playground is a great place to break up a road trip around the Big Island. Located outside Hilo, not only are you able to get a close look at many of the animal residents; you are exposed to a lot of amazing and unusual tropical plants. It also comes at the best price — free!

• Think of it as Hilo’s “Walk of Fame,” Banyan Tree Drive is a  pretty little nod to celebrities who had the trees planted before it was even hip to be green.  Among the roster of sponsors are Babe Ruth, Cecil B. De Mille, Richard and Pat Nixon, and Amelia Earhart. While some trees have been lost to tsunamis and tidal wave actions on the Hilo coast line, fifty trees still line Banyan Tree Drive.
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park:  To call this park amazing is an understatement.  From the Chain of Craters Road to the Thurston Lava Tube, nature’s hand in molding the Big Island is put into great context here. The terrain of the park can change in just a few minutes too. Lush and green at one site, it can suddenly be a mix of black and gray at the next stop. The kids will enjoy hiking, exploring, and learning the folklore behind the natural wonders throughout this park.
• Hapuna Beach: This sweeping stretch of beach is fun for boogie boarding, body surfing, sand castle building or people watching.  Bring your own picnic or stop by the snack bar/boogie board rental for the best guava shake ever!

See what other Trekaroo families are saying about  the Big Island.

Need to book at stay?  Find a great Big Island spot that other families are raving about.

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The holidays are long gone, the excitement of the New Year is over and the winter blahs have firmly set in. Sound familiar?  I thought so.  If you are like me, you need a dose of fun to snap yourself out of the doldrums.  A little warmth and sunshine doesn’t hurt either.  So, where can you head with the family where the weather is guaranteed to be a tropical 85 degrees every day?  An indoor water park!  Over the past few years I’ve noticed that indoor waterparks have been making a real splash and popping up in more and more places.

What you need to know:

When looking for an indoor water park ,you will need to do a little research.  Water parks may be a “stand alone” business while others are part of a resort.   At water parks that stand on their own families usually just show up and have fun however, be sure to check out “stay and play” options.  Many times area hotels work with the water parks to create packages. If it is part of a resort, is it open to the public?  I have found most resorts only open their water park for guests only but a few out there open to the public on select days.   (Greek Peak Mountain Resort is an example of a resort willing to welcome the public and opens its doors on Sunday and Thursday.)

 Know Before You Go:

•  Do you need to pre-purchase your tickets?  Water Park of America suggests pre-purchasing your ticket ahead of time online so that you are guaranteed admittance even if they hit capacity.

• Are there height restrictions for attractions?

• Do they have kiddie areas available for smaller children?

• Is there food available on site?  Can you bring your own food in?

• Do they have life jackets readily available?

• Do they have towels available?

• Are there lockers to keep your items dry and safe?  If so, what is the fee?

• Are there changing rooms and showers?

• Are there other activities available in case you want to come out of the water?   Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in Oregon may take the cake with that.  They feature a full aviation museum, a children’s museum featuring learning about the power of water and an arcade all on site in addition to the water park.

• Are there lifeguards on duty at all times?

• Is there a dress code?

• Is there a seating area?

Taking a little time to find these things out ahead of time will help ensure your family has the best time possible once you get there.  Nobody likes surprises that could ruin a fun day!

Is a Waterpark Resort for you?

The biggest advantage to a resort is that there is usually plenty to do on property.  You can have a family vacation without having to worry about where to eat, what to do, or what the surrounding area offers which makes planning easy.  I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t like easy planning!  The disadvantage sometimes comes with the price tag.

Our family recently had the opportunity to beat the winter blahs at Great Wolf Lodge.  While the indoor water park is certainly the biggest draw of the resort, there are lots of activities for everyone to enjoy if you’d like to take a break from the water.   The water park admission is included in your room price and there are some free activities to enjoy throughout your stay.  Additional activities such as the arcade, a children’s spa and the ever popular MagiQuest come at additional (and sometimes hefty) fees.

Tips for visiting Great Wolf Lodge:

-Consider staying just one night.  While check-in isn’t until 4pm, Great Wolf allows you to come as early as 1pm to enjoy the water park and activities.  You can pre-register upon arrival and the staff will let you know when your room is ready.  On check out day, you need to vacate your room by 11am but are free to stay until 9pm to enjoy the property.

-Take advantage of the in room refrigerator and microwave.  There is plenty of food available in the resort but it is not the most economical choice for a family.  Pack some drinks and snacks or even some sandwich fixings.

-Enjoy the free activities.  Upon check-in you will be provided with a print out of “lodge life” which lists all of the activities available during your stay.   My favorite was the pajama story time which is offered nightly.  We were also treated to a fun magic show which captivated the kids.

-Compromise.  If you want to treat the kids to additional activities, be sure to set your limits.  MagiQuest can be played as a team instead of as individuals which will significantly cut your cost.

Read my full review of the Great Wolf Lodge, Pennsylvania.

Find an indoor water park near you:

PA | NJ | CO | OH | WI | NH | TX | ND | NC | IL | NY | WA | CA | CT | MI | VA | TN | MN | MO

Don’t see your area listed?  Be sure to add your favorite water park review to the site! 

Disclosure: The author received a discounted rate in order to complete a review and this post. All opinions are her own.

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Yesterday marked the start of Chinese New Year, a 15 day festival celebrating family, new beginnings and the start of the lunar new year.  My family lived in China for a short period of time, so celebrating the Chinese New Year feels a bit like home.  This year celebrates the year of the Dragon; if you or your little ones are turning 12, 24, 36, (etc…) this year—throw something on that is red in color (wear it the whole year!) and get ready for a year full of luck & happiness!

Without further delay, here is your Trekaroo guide to everything Chinese New Year:

Festivals & Parades

The highlight of the festivities, especially for the kids, is the chance to attend a Chinese New Year Festival or Parade.  If you live anywhere near a metro area, chances are there is some sort of event going on to celebrate the holiday.  Los Angeles is the closest metro area to my family, and we were hosted for a pre-New Year LA tour by the Omni hotel.  The Omni at California Plaza exudes family-friendliness from backpacks stuffed with kid activities given at check-in, to complimentary milk & cookies before bed for all the little ones.  In addition to being full of family friendly amenities, the hotel is conveniently located near Chinatown; take the hotel car for a quick 3-minute ride and you are there!

Read my full review of the fabulous Omni Hotel.

LA’s Chinatown will be hosting their 113^th annual Chinese New Year parade on January 28^th at 1pm.  Families with older kids can sign up for The Great Chinatown Hunt, an Amazing Race style  scavenger hunt in Chinatown also on the 28^th—I must admit that I am waiting with anticipating for my girls to get older so we can enjoy this event.  Cities across the US are holding parades and festivals in honor of the year of the Dragon.  Get out there and get your roar on!

Photo by: Flickr/Global Jet

Chinese New Year Activities & Festivals in your city:

Los Angeles | San Diego | San Francisco |San Francisco ( Fortune Cookie Tours) | Sacramento| Portland | Seattle | Phoenix/Tucson | Denver | Chicago | Atlanta | Washington DC| New York | Connecticut Cities | Florida Cities | Massachusetts Cities |

Food

A major part of Chinese New Year, and Chinese culture in general, is eating authentic food- and by authentic, I don’t mean Panda Express!  Sharing meals together is a major part of Asian culture, so important in fact that the common street greeting in Chinese is ”Ni Chi Le Ma?” (你吃了吗 , Knee Chur Luh Muh)–have you eaten??  Most of the amazing memories I have while living in China take place around a giant table full of delicious food!  The West Coast & other major US cities abound with amazing authentic Chinese and Asian food opportunities; although the rest of the country is hit or miss, some awesome, flavorful restaurant spots are tucked into to unique corners across the US.

Jiaozi (饺子, geeOW-zuh) , more commonly known as dumplings, receive special New Year Spring Festival recognition as one of the main dishes to be served at a Chinese New Year feast.  My family gathers together yearly to continue this dumpling making tradition—although there is a bit of work, even the kids can (and should) join in the preparations for these tasty bites, and the reward is a lot of family time together with a delicious ending.    If you aren’t up for the labor intensive version, be sure to head out to your city’s favorite Chinese restaurant this new year.

Photo by: Flickr/johnsember

Find authentic food in your neighborhood:

Los Angeles |San Diego | Seattle | San Francisco | Portland | Chicago | Denver| New York City | DC |

Family

The major theme of the Lunar New Year is family.  Similar to our Christmas holiday, millions of people across the world take a break from work, fly home to be with mom and dad, and attempt to spend quality time with their family over food, fun and festivities.    If you live in a rural area or just don’t have the money or time to head to a Chinese festival or event, make it a staycation. Grab those closest to you and spend time making a memory this Chinese New Year- give red envelopes full of small trinkets or change to children, make dragons out of recycled egg cartons, wear a ton of red and decorate your house with home-made paper lanterns, or even attempt your hand at making your own Chinese New Year feast!

Stay-at-home Chinese New Year Resources:

Chinese New Year Overview | Chinese New Year Crafts | Jiaozi Recipe | Chinese New Year Games

Have a game, craft, recipe or any other Chinese New Year Staycation idea?  Share it here.

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Katie Bodell is Trekaroo’s Assistant Editor, a wife, & a mom to three sweet California girls.

Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

I remember my first snowy Christmas.  It was when my husband and I first moved to Colorado Springs just after our wedding 10 years ago.  We visited a local hotel there and were amazed at the ice sculptures and train displays.  I couldn’t imagine anything better… until now!   My family and I were blessed to spend a few days at the Gaylord Texan and experience a resort that does so much more than decorate for Christmas; it brings fantasy, theatrics, and whimsy together to create the ultimate family getaway!

The moment my family and I stepped into the lobby of the Gaylord Texan, we knew we were going to have a good time.   The lobby opened up into a massive atrium filled with giant soldiers, over 52 rotating Christmas trees, several train displays, toy soldier stilt walkers, balloon makers, over 1.5 million Christmas lights, and so much more.  We loved walking inside the giant gingerbread house which smelled oh, so sweet, visiting Santa, and shaking hands with Dreamworks characters like Shrek, Puss & Boots, and King Julien!   The atrium’s winding riverwalks were each unique and my children loved looking at the fish and spurting fountains.

The very friendly bell led my family and I to our adjoining rooms which had amazing views into the atrium.  We opened the balcony doors and instantly felt connected with the energy and excitement of our surroundings!  The rooms themselves were large and immaculate, one with a king bed and one with two queens, but each with a flat screen tv, dark wood, light walls, and upscale Texan décor.  Altogether, it was breathtaking!

Each year, the Gaylord Texan puts on a spectacular display called ICE!, and this year they joined Dreamworks Animation for an unforgettable attraction!  With special artisans flown in from Harbin, China, 2 million pounds of ice, and a temperature of only 9 degrees, it took a month to put together this wintery wonderland in which Shrek learns the true meaning of Christmas.  The ICE! tent also includes giant ice slides, a Christmas light display put to music, a video about the making of ICE! and a breathtaking nativity scene made of crystal clear ice.

In the room next to where ICE! takes place, join Kung Fu Panda’s Po for indoor snow tubing with occasional Po sightings.  I had as much fun as my children did grabbing an inner tube and sliding down the snow covered slopes!   Next to the slides and past the gift shop, you can meet Shrek in his home or get a piping hot cup of cocoa.

The Gaylord Texan is such a unique and fun experience, you’ll want to make this visit an annual tradition…I know we do!  From the immaculate cleanliness of the resort as a whole and the overwhelming displays and creations, you will never be bored and will never want to leave.  Start making those plans for Christmas 2012!