Our family (up to 26 people) are looking into having a large get together at some sort of family friendly resort destination in 2025, probably in the summer due to school requirements.

We will range in age from 2 to potentially 92 (although she may be be willing to travel). Any destination is open at this stage but we have a wide variety of ages and interests so we are trying to find someplace that will appeal to almost everybody. It does not need to be in the US but it needs to be safe and “relatively” easily accessible (what ever that means!).

In years past (when our group was smaller) we’ve done everything from renting a bunch of RV and visiting Yellowstone and Teton NP to renting a large Villa in Tuscany for a few weeks.

All suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

Are you looking for an all-inclusive destination or, simply a destination?

For that many people with that large of an age-range, usually renting 2-3 homes is best.

Sun River Resort, by Bend Oregon.

We have been there many times and will probably go back. We've been there with our parents, our kids and our grandchildren and mixes thereof.

There is something there all year; horseback riding, river floats, XC ski, sitting on your enthusiasm and watching the mountains. Big pool, kiddie pool. Really quiet but there's a party in the shops and cafes area.

Bend is very close as an original destination and a short drive from there.

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
Are you looking for an all-inclusive destination or, simply a destination?

For that many people with that large of an age-range, usually renting 2-3 homes is best.

I think that due to our size no one is going to want to cook for the whole crowd so somewhere where we can eat is probably better. We did the multi house rental back about 2005 at the Outer Banks and had a great time but our family is about double the size now!

There are two resorts in the Out Islands of The Bahamas that I really like.

Stella Maris on Long Island, is great. I have been there numerous times, sometimes with family, other times with a few other couples. Never been disappointed.

KamaLame Key is just off the east side of Andros Island (the largest island in The Bahamas). It is more isolated (private) than Stella Maris, and more expensive, but the level of service is higher than Stella Maris, and that's saying a lot, as Stella Maris does a fantastic job of taking care of guests.

Wishful Thinker thanks! I'll put it on the list.

Maybe an all inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic? We have been to two Paradisius resorts there as a small family and had an excellent experience and service. I believe they could accommodate a large group without much difficultly. Our experience was pre-COVID, but I hope to go back soon.

Big Cedar Lodge - America's Premier Wilderness Resort - has lots of things for all ages - Fun Mountain for kids - lazy rivers - infinity pools - boat and jet ski rentals, etc - also has one of the best trap shooting facilities around

Big Cedar Lodge

Check out Xcaret in Mexico (playa del Carmen). Best vacation I’ve ever had. All inclusive including 7 or so parks that have something for everyone. From adventure park to a surreal senses park to a cenotes excursion. Food booze and transportation to the parks and airport all included.

Atlantis comes to mind but I rather like the idea above for a domestic destination.

Also consider a western guest/dude ranch. We’ve just returned from Montana and our fifth visit to our favorite ranch. Wonderful. With that number of people, at some ranches your family would constitute the entire guest list. You’d have the place to yourselves…so to speak.


https://duderanch.org/

Park City, Utah. The only caveat is the elevation is 7000 ft, so for the older relatives it could be a challenge. We are the same elevation as Jackson Hole, so use that as a reference.

My 93 yr old mother is currently visiting, and she finds stairs make her a bit breathless for the first couple of days. She lives at sea level normally. If your relatives suffer COPD or other significant cardiac or respiratory limitations it might not be wise for them to come up so high.

Stayed here and had a wonderful time, amazing views, staff and food


https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/ho...tt-ziva-cancun/canif

You might want to look at Branson, MO
Family friendly, music shows, car museums, water parks, theme park (Silver Dollar City), zip lines, lookout towers, plenty of rooms…… I live in Stonebridge village we have many rental cabins, a golf course, three salt water pools.

They honor vets at every show. I have not attended a bad music show. However the dog show was horrible. Site and sound theater is now playing “Ester”.

Perhaps a cruise? Maybe an Alaska cruise, or one of the European river cruises. I know some people don’t like cruises (including my wife), but there are lots of activities, lots of entertainment, and multiple destinations. I find cruises particularly relaxing because you can do everything or nothing, and you don’t have to argue about where you’re going to eat- at least most of the time.