EVERYONE’S AWINNER
A GREAT HOTEL CANMEAN DIFFERENT THINGS
TO PARENTS AND PROGENY
Perfect Storm
A tale that begins with a bang and
ends with a dollop of Special Sauce
When I was about 10, I told my mother that
I’d like to see Wyoming, the most sparsely
populated state in the lower 48. That’s the kind
of kid I was. Being a bit of an explorer herself,
Mom booked us a holiday at a working horse
ranch in the middle of nowhere.
We arrived late at night during a violent
electrical storm. At the end of the driveway,
a ranch hand informed us that lightning had
ignited a forest fire near the main house, and
that until itwas under control, “you’d best find
another place to hole up.”
We turned around and drove off toward the
nearest town, lightning striking the landscape
around us. My mom managed to stay calm
for the most part, but tipped her hand when
two glowing arches appeared in the distance.
“
Want to go to McDonald’s?” she asked with
apparent breeziness, her foot pressing harder
on the accelerator. That was the first and last
time my health-conscious mother uttered
thosefivewords. Shemust have been terrified.
We sat in that fast-food joint for hours,
pacing ourselves through nuggets, burgers
and fries as the storm raged outside. We’d
traveled to Wyoming to see something new,
and what we got was this. Even at the time, I
understood that “this” was something pre y
great.
—
SAM POLCER
THE BALMORAL
Edinburgh
FOR THEM:
J.K. Rowling is
said to have finished writing
the Harry Potter series here;
also, the hotel’s “AMythical
Family Affair” package
includes fast-track entrance
to Edinburgh Castle.
FOR YOU:
A Scottish
foraging experience with
executive chef Jeff Bland
is just the right amount of
“
roughing it” for a five-star
landmark in the city center.
LE BRISTOL
Paris
FOR THEM:
Tykes can
treasure-hunt around the
grounds, accompanied by
the hotel’s resident bunny
(
Hippolyte, stuffed) and
possibly the hotel’s resident
cat (Fa-raon, real).
FOR YOU:
A kids’ club—
specifically, a kids’ club
located in the Spa Le Bristol
—
allows adults to
enjoy their hot
stones and bundles
of birch twigs in
peace.
GRACE BAY CLUB
Turks and Caicos
FOR THEM:
The Kids Town
day camp offers
afternoon excursions
including cave safaris
and trips to North Caicos to
see flamingos.
FOR YOU:
All the villas
at this 11-acre resort
boast ocean views and
come with the services of
a personal concierge.
LAS ALAMANDAS
Costalegre, Mexico
FOR THEM:
Frolicking
on a remote eco-preserve
entails such activities as
bonfires, whale watching,
sea turtle spotting and
picnicking.
FOR YOU:
You’re more
likely to spot a sea turtle
here than another guest
(
which is a shame
considering the A-listers
who come here, probably
for that very reason).
VISIONQUEST
RANCH
Salinas, Calif.
FOR THEM:
At this home
for Hollywood animal
performers, an elephant
might deliver breakfast to
your room.
FOR YOU:
See above.
24%
of Americans
say they usually
need a vacation
after they
return from a
family trip
Children ages 6
and younger ask
“
Are we there yet?”
an average of
13
times
during a one-week
vacation
HEMISPHERESMAGAZINE.COM
•
MAY 2013
