5 Western mountain lodges for family summer stays

We love mountain lodges! Whether your family enjoys hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or just swimming in a cool mountain lake, a stay at one of the following Western mountain lodges for families will provide much needed summer time R&R. 1. Lodge at Suttle Lake, Central Oregon: Whereas much of Central Oregon is surrounded by high desert, the small town of Sisters is located in the heart … [Read more...]

Key Lime Cove, Gurnee Illinois

The following pit stop is submitted by Jessie Voigts of WanderingEducators.com. Heading to Wisconsin, north of Chicago, and stopping to shop at Gurnee? Or perhaps spending some time at Six Flags? We’ve got the perfect place to stay: Key Lime Cove, in Gurnee, Illinois. Key Lime Cove is a Key West-inspired waterpark and destination hotel. It includes a Key West-themed marketplace, restaurant, … [Read more...]

Courtyard by Marriott Portland/Beaverton

8500 S W Nimbus Drive Beaverton, Oregon The Courtyard by Marriott in Beaverton makes for a nice, centralized home base while exploring the Portland area. While we'd normally stay downtown and take advantage of the MAX system, if you plan to visit the suburbs as well as the city center, Beaverton is a good option. We had a mixed bag of service at this location. Prior to arrival, I was … [Read more...]

Del Mar Motel on the Beach

1702 Coast Bvld. Del Mar, CA The San Diego area is a family vacation wonderland (Legoland and SeaWorld, anyone?) and Del Mar Motel on the Beach is a wonderful option for your accommotions, often overlooked in travel magazines and guidebooks. There are countless luxury hotels scattered throughout Del Mar, and in comparision, Del Mar Motel on the Beach is a no-frills operation (although it's … [Read more...]

The Grand Canyon’s Maswik Lodge

      The Grand Canyon offers a host of accommodations, but we found the cabins at The Maswik Lodge to offer that perfect balance of convenience, location, and affordability. Located in the heart of the Grand Canyon Village, we were only one-fourth of a mile from the South Rim and shuttle stop. Just to the right was The Bright Angel Lodge (and the start of the Bright Angel … [Read more...]