All suites sounds all good to us – after all, with kids underfoot, who needs to be crammed into a 300-square foot room? Paying for a connecting room is an option in most hotels, but frankly we prefer a self-contained suite, whether it comes with separate bedrooms or a bedroom and sitting room with sofa bed. It feels safer, and with the sitting room space, there’s room for the family to get together when you’re not all passed out.

Grand Velas (Leading Hotels of the World) does this concept nicely. One of the many hotels that have sprung up in tony Nuevo Vallarta, all of their accommodations are suites, with the smallest, the Parlor Suites, starting at 1000 feet – a nice move away from the “cozy” rooms that even luxury hotels can boast. Of course, if you’re feeling particularly grand, spring for the Imperial Spa Suite, 3285 square feet of hedonism including 3 bedrooms, a 12-person jacuzzi, a 50 minute massage per person per day, and private maid butler and bartender service.

Grand Velas’ Family Golf Package includes:

• One round of golf per person, per day at Vista Vallarta Championship Golf Courses (US$48 cart fee not included, Children under 17 play free when accompanied by an adult)
• Luxurious Parlor or Master Suite with ocean view
• One 45-60 minute guided hydrotherapy circuit per person, per day at our world-class spa, including herbal steam Sauna or eucalyptus inhalation, Swiss and pressure shower, Whirlpool, cold plunge lagoon, Hydro Reflexology area, and locker room with spa personal care amenities
• Daily kids activities program from 9:30am to 5pm (in our new kids club and/or in our pool area), including Videogames, Movies, Parrot and Sea Lions Shows, and activities at the beach.
• Work-out programs (Pilates, Yoga)
• State-of-the-art fitness facility
• Dinner at our gourmet restaurants – Frida, Lucca & Piaf
• Buffet & a la carte breakfast, lunch & dinner at oceanfront restaurant – Azul
• 24-hour suite service
• Unlimited premium international and national brands throughout the hotel
• Entertainment in lobby bar
• Live performances in amphitheater
• VIP airport pick-up service
• Taxes and gratuities

Rates are as follows: Double Occupancy: US$573.50 per person per night; Single Occupancy: US$976 per night; Child 4-12 years: US$98 per child per night. Package valid until December 18, 2008. Rates subject to change. For more information, click here or call the reservations line at 888.261.8436

Marquis Los Cabos Beach, Golf, Spa & Casitas Resort in Los Cabos, a member of Leading Hotels of the World that was voted one of the Top 25 hotels in Mexico and Central and South America by Travel + Leisure magazine readers in 2007, offers a Marquis Kids package for la familia:

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In Oahu, budding surfers young and old can take lessons with Hans Hedemann Surf, which has several locations on the island. The surfing school, which has coached its share of celebrities such as Adam Sandler and Cameron Diaz, offers private surfing lessons for kids under 13. For 1 or 2 hours, kids will start off with land lessons on safety and technique, and then hit the waves under the care of instructors who are trained lifeguards with CPR certification.

Where to stay in Oahu? One of the the surf school’s locations is at the Kahala Hotel and Resort, a member of Leading Hotels of the World. Children will love the hotel’s private dolphin lagoon, where they can watch or cavort with – depending on age – 6 bottlenose dolphins. The hotel’s Keiki Club – keiki is Hawaiian for child – keeps kids busy with lessons Hawaiian marine life, lei making and other fun activities.

Adults will appreciate Kahala’s spa, named Best New Hotel Spa by Departures in 2003. The spa is complemented by the CHI Health Energy Fitness Center, where personal trainers can assist with workouts, and where a daily menu of yoga, aerobics and Pilates will help stretch you out for those surfing lessons.

The Kahala Family package, valid from January 8 to December 20 2008, gives families two rooms with the second at 20% off. Included is a one-day pass for one child to the Keiki Club (worth $65). Rates begin at $720 per night (for two rooms).