The best resorts for teens are ones where they won’t totally roll their eyes throughout the entire vacation. If you have teens, you know the look! If you can achieve this, consider yourself golden. But that elusive goal doesn’t come easy. These top teen-friendly resorts all have some things in common.
- Have a dedicated teen area.
- Are safe so teens can navigate on their own.
- Have teen-friendly menu items.
- Are easy to get to.
With my oldest becoming a teen in the next few months, I decided to figure out which resorts I’ve visited that are particularly teen-friendly. It’s getting harder and harder to please everyone, but the good thing about all these resorts is that everyone in the whole family will come away loving them.
7 Top Teen-Friendly Resorts
Casa de Campo, La Romana, Dominican Republic
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas is an ultra-lux Dominican Republic resort that goes out of its way to wow you. Condé Nast Traveler named it one of the top Caribbean resorts for good reason. The sprawling resort is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and attracts affluent travelers from around the globe.
Photo credit Casa de Campo.
Casa de Campo offers a variety of accommodations from spacious hotel rooms and suites to gigantic, 6 bedroom luxury villas. You can expect gourmet cuisine, a 370-slip Marina & Yacht Club, Polo & Equestrian Club, La Terraza Tennis Center, 245-acre Shooting Club, and some of the world’s best golf courses.
Teen-friendly aspect: Every room comes with a complimentary golf cart. Give your teen driver the keys and let them loose on this fabulous resort.
Velas Vallarata, Puerto Vallerto, Mexico
Velas Vallarta is the Puerto Vallerto luxury family resort you have been looking for. It is immaculate, offers lots of activities, and has 1 to 3 bedroom villas that can fit everyone! This oceanside resort is only about 10 minutes from the airport in Puerto Vallerto, Mexico. Head to this authentically Mexican resort for your family’s next international adventure!
Photo credit Velas Vallarta Resort.
Teen friendly aspect: Dancing! There’s tons of music options, so let your teen salsa the night away.
Beech Mountain Ski Resort, Beech Mountain, North Carolina
Beech Mountain Resort is one of the top teen-friendly resorts around, because it doesn’t expect them (or anyone) to be an Olympic-caliber, black diamond skier. The people are kind and helpful and no one laughs at you when you fall. The ski runs are well-maintained and the whole resort has a relaxed, fun vibe.
Photo credit Beech Mountain Ski Resort.
Teen-friendly aspect: The ski runs are appropriate for all levels of skiers and there is a teen-focused ski school. Maybe let them try snowboarding?
Beaches Turks and Caicos
Beaches Resorts Turks and Caicos is an all-inclusive resort where everything really is included. Teens will love that there is a myriad of activities norming, noon and night. From Zumba to boot camp to trail runs, sunrise yoga, tennis, paddle boarding, and wind surfing…they really do have it all. And it’s all included!
Photo credit Beaches Resorts.
Teen friendly aspect: The on-site club is for teens only prior to 11pm. Give them a taste of the club life.
Beaches Negril, Jamaica
Deep in the heart of Negril, Jamaica, this ultra-inclusive resort will be a favorite of all members of your family. We loved heading to the Caribbean to expose the kids to different cultures, food, and people. We want our kids to know the world is a great big place and more than just the tiny corner they see every day. This resort fit the bill! In addition to tons of activities, the food at Beaches Resorts is just simply amazing. It is an international adventure worth the splurge.
Photo credit Beaches Resorts.
Teen-friendly aspect: All bars have non-alcoholic drinks that teens will love! Plus, since it’s all-inclusive, they can eat and drink all they want all day and night long!
Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando, Florida
The Ritz-Carlton Grand Lakes Orlando offers families a prime location close to Walt Disney World and other Orlando attractions. Want to upgrade your experience? Book a club level room during a stay at this luxury hotel. While this splurge can add a significant cost to your stay, it’s totally worth it. You’ll love the awesome food in the club level lounge and the exclusive concierge ready to book whatever your teen decides she “has” to do. Whether you are in Orlando to visit the theme parks or just for a family getaway, this hotel has everything families with kids of all ages need and want.
Photo credit Ritz Carlton Orlando.
Teen-friendly aspect: Give teens free range to explore the property, including trying out the dirt bike racing course. Bike rentals are complimentary!
King and Prince Resort, St. Simon’s Island, Georgia
The King and Prince is the only full-service hotel located on St. Simon’s Island off Georgia’s coast. It is a posh. luxury resort with laid back beachy tendencies. Spend your days at the beach or the pool or doing any number of activities including impressive golfing, shooting, tennis, fishing, stand up paddle boarding, kayak tours, and more. Book a standard room or let the family spread out in a villa or house.
Photo credit King & Prince Resort.
Teen-friendly aspect: Teens will love riding bikes along the miles of paved paths throughout the island.
