5 Places to Have Your Next Family Reunion

By Jean Chen, Travel + Leisure

It can be tough to stay in touch with family — busy lives and hectic schedules can get in the way of seeing each other as much as we'd like. That’s why family reunions can be so exciting, because they carve out dedicated time to spend with loved ones.

Organizing a family reunion can be challenging enough, so we’ve collected a list of the best destinations that help families to customize reunions with private parties, dining options, activities, and much more.

Olympia, Washington

The Swantown Inn & Spa, Olympia’s Bed & Breakfast Retreat, is an 1887 Queen Anne/Eastlake Victorian Mansion listed on both the city and state historical registers providing modern amenities that are perfect for your next family get together. Located in the heart of Olympia, Washington, the Inn now features The Grand Victorian Ballroom, an intimate space that is available for special events, weddings, reunions, corporate meetings, seminars and retreats. A three-course gourmet breakfast is a great way to start the day before heading out to explore the region: The Olympics, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens are just a few of the easy day trips from the inn. And everyone in the family will enjoy visiting Wolf Haven International, a nationally recognized wolf sanctuary that has rescued and provided a lifetime home for 300 displaced animals since 1982.

Maui, Hawaii

Fairmont Kea Lani is an ideal spot for your gathering because it is warm year-round. The luxury hotel offers two and three-bedroom villas that feature a full kitchen with dining area, an entertainment system, and a private furnished courtyard with plunge pool and barbeque grill. Families can take advantage of the Keiki Lani Kids Club, the resort's activity center for children ages 5 to 12. Adults can partake in the Hawaiian Canoe experience and learn the basics of paddling or relax with a treatment at the hotel’s Willow Stream Spa, which is consistently ranked among the best spas in the world.

Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

Set between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande River, the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa provides a vast array of activities from spa treatments, golf and horseback riding to yoga classes and Native American stories told under the stars that will keep all family members entertained. At Camp Hyatt Tamaya, children ages 3 to 12 can participate in arts and crafts as well as learn about the reservation’s local plants and animals.

Sisters, Oregon

FivePine Lodge is surrounded by a forest of Ponderosa Pines and offers both individual cabins and lodge rooms. Families can enjoy complimentary cruiser bicycles, lawn games, a heated outdoor pool, and access to the Sisters Athletic Club. Enjoy a feature at Sisters Movie House, relax at Shibui Spa, or dine at Three Creeks Brewery, all of which are on the premises. The Elda Teresa Conference Center, patio, and lawn area are rentable spaces for comfortable, private catered dining and family gatherings. Local activities include golf, horseback riding, shopping, hiking, bike riding, white water rafting, and guided fishing trips. Stroll through Sisters, an Old West town located at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and do some window shopping. Make dinner reservations at The Open Door and feast on locally sourced wholesome foods.

Hawley, Pennsylvania

Woodloch Pines Family Resort offers a family atmosphere with activities everyone will enjoy. Recognized as a top family resort in the United States by TripAdvisor, the resort has a staff dedicated to planning the perfect family festivities. Plan a boat ride, a golfing outing, or check out an evening show. The hotel can also create personalized events such as hosting a cocktail reception or rehearsal dinner.