5 great “stay and play” business destinations

Turtle time: At the Westin Resort & Spa, guests can join sea turtle conservation efforts.

By Mark Chesnut

For most business travelers, there is no such thing as summer vacation. But that doesn’t mean that family time has to suffer, thanks to these hotels that offer options to “stay and play” — making it easy for you to bring the spouse and kids along.

Honolulu hotels
The stylish new Waikiki EDITION may attract the grown-up set with its 9,200-square-foot ballroom, elegant eateries and swanky bars. But families will find plenty to do as well, with activities including hiking, surfing lessons and movie nights at an outdoor movie theater with complimentary popcorn and candy.

Los Angeles hotels
Opened in December 2010 in Marina del Rey is the Jamaica Bay Inn, which offers space for small meetings and business gatherings just a short drive from Los Angeles International Airport. Once business is finished, families can enjoy the hotel’s scenic waterfront location while kayaking, sailing and bicycling, or visiting nearby Venice Beach.

Los Cabos hotels
July through November is sea turtle season in Los Cabos, Mexico, so it’s the ideal time to bring the whole family. The Sheraton Hacienda del Mar and The Westin Resort & Spa — both of which have extensive meeting space — participate in the government’s sea turtle conservation efforts. Guests are encouraged to join in, and kids an even name a baby turtle for release.

New Orleans hotels
The centrally located Le Pavillon Hotel is an ideal base for exploring the French Quarter as well as doing business. Children (as well as plenty of adults) will enjoy the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that this New Orleans hotel serves every evening; guests may even take home a souvenir pair of hand puppets named PB and J.

Orlando hotels
Business-minded travelers at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes will find more than 47,000 square feet of meeting space, as well as a business center and easy access to the adjacent JW Marriott Orlando. But families will appreciate the children’s programs, which offer supervised activities for children age five to 12, including swimming and pool games, arts and crafts and dance parties.

Related resources

• Beach vacations
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• Family vacation
• Florida vacation

Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on business and leisure travel to Latin America.

Tagged: California, Family time, Hotels, Mexico