Most of us think of “kid-friendly” as being anything welcoming of tots or pre-schoolers – after all, they’re the ones most likely to cause an embarrassing scene.  But teens go on family vacations too, and although they’re just shy of adulthood, they’re not mini-mes – they have their own interests, some shared with parents, some not.

Loews Hotels has some excellent teen-focused Edu-Cations being featured at several of their properties around the country.  These cool packages allow teens to explore a new world or delve deep into a current interest.  At Loews Santa Monica, for instance, your hipster can move one step closer to living like Lohan, with a 2-night stay in a premium suite, limo service for the duration of the stay, an acting lesson, meeting with an agent, and a makeover.  (Can we sign up?  We swear we’re 16, really…)

If your teen is less into the meat market of LA and more into the stock market, the Loews Regency in NY offers an inside view of the financial markets, with a tour of the NASDAQ, a power breakfast featuring a financial speaker, and a photo of your budding broker on the NASDAQ tower.

Other packages include surfing in San Diego, a tour of the National Press in Washington D.C, and a music and lyric session in Nashville, all with inside scoop and/or access to people really connected in their respective fields.  With vacations like these, you might actually get some (begrudging) respect from your know-it-all kid.

Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico (June 16, 2008) – In celebration of schools being out for the summer, families heading to Cabo San Lucas save 40% on suite accommodations at Casa Dorada Los Cabos, Resort & Spa, with the “Verano in Medano” (Summer in Medano) Package. Kids 12 and under stay and dine free, the Casa Kidz club, activities at the resort, and daily buffet breakfast at Maydan beachfront restaurant are also included. At the newest resort in Cabo San Lucas’ Medano Beach, families can share luxurious ocean-view accommodations in a 2,000 sq-ft two-bedroom suite complete with separate living and dining areas, kitchen, grand terrace, marble bathroom with a Jacuzzi tub. Families looking to spend quality time together enjoy a myriad of Los Cabos’ activities including zip-lining, swimming with the dolphins, golf, and spa treatments. Available through September 30, 2008, the package starts at $2,580 USD for four days/three nights for up to two adults and two children. All taxes and service fee are included. For reservations, please call 1-(866) 448-0151 or visit www.casadorada.com. (more…)

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