Americans are reuniting in record numbers, according to trend forecasters and travel experts. In fact, the growing trend for families to unite on occasions other than national holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas has become so popular, the shift is being labeled a "phenomenon" by travel and hospitality trend-watchers.
The family reunion has been elevated to a family getaway or mini-vacation as more families endeavor to combine maintaining and strengthening family ties with travel and adventure. With that in mind, an increasing number of innkeepers are opening their doors to families seeking a relaxed and turnkey environment in which to convene.
Inns and bed and breakfasts provide an affordable solution for gathering the whole clan under one roof -- a roof that belongs to someone else. Innkeepers can help with planning and orchestrating your gathering, which means less work for you if you are in charge of the arrangements on behalf of your relatives. Often, the family will take over the whole inn and either opt for catering or have the innkeeper reserve restaurants in the town for dinners. Breakfasts are almost always included in a reunion package, as are complimentary snacks and board games
According to hospitality expert Mary White, Founder of BnBFinder.com, "Bed and breakfasts and family reunions make a great combination. Common areas, gardens, and porches provide comfortable gathering spots for family members to reconnect and reminisce. Add bountiful breakfasts and innkeepers who know the best local spots for any activity or interest and you’ve got the ideal setting for an easy and enjoyable family reunion."
Keep in mind that there are inns to suit every family's style and preference: rural lodges, authentic ranches, Victorian mansions, and tropical cabanas are just a few examples of the choices available. Like families, no two inns are alike, so finding the perfect match between the B&B and the location is key to the success of the event. Additionally, B&Bs and inns offer a wide variety of inclusive packages, and often have creative themes around which activities are planned including hayrides, scavenger hunts, bonfires, and croquet tournaments.
Whatever your preference, bed and breakfasts are the ideal place for connecting great grandparents to the newborns in the family.
Here are some bed and breakfasts that cater to family reunions:
House Party - Do you dream of owning a family compound in a quaint seaside town in New England? Get a taste life on the water when your family rents the entire Captain Stannard House Country Inn in charming Westbrook, Connecticut. Located one block from the beach, the nine guest rooms will accommodate 18 of your closest relatives for six days - Sunday to Friday. This special includes daily homemade breakfasts and afternoon treats, and tasty homemade suppers will be served on three nights of your stay. Your chambers will be refreshed daily; the beach is a short stroll away, and the inn will provide you with complimentary beach chairs and towels. The Family Reunion special is generously discounted from the regular in-season rates, so call your kin and book this one fast!
Rocky Reunion - Fresh air, gorgeous views, and the wealth of outdoor activities available in the Rocky Mountains have been attracting families to the Eastholme in the Rockies Bed and Breakfast Inn for decades. Take up residence in this charming Victorian home, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and you'll experience the elegance and hospitality of a bygone era with the comfort of modern amenities including hot tubs, gas fireplaces, cable TV, and wireless internet. The main house accommodates up to 18 people, and two extra cozy cabins are available if you need them. A full gourmet breakfast, featuring baked goods and egg soufflés and frittatas, is served, and the inn will happily arrange catering services for your other meals either by their own talented chef or from a local caterer. Forget about having to spend precious time cooking or cleaning while reconnecting with your family; instead, head over to Pike's Peak or the Manitou Cliff Dwellings.
Beachcomber - Families that are feeling landlocked should set their GPS for Melbourne Beach, Florida and fan out around the pool deck or the beach, and enjoy that oceanic feeling that being close to the water can give. Port d'Hiver Bed and Breakfast is on a lush barrier island and provides reuniting families with a wonderful tropical backdrop for catching up and having fun. Mothers, mother-in-laws, and daughters can treat themselves to a massage or visit the Essentials Spa for pedicures and facials. Fishing will keep the men folk happy, and everyone can have fun exploring the mangroves and Pelican Island on a kayak tour. Within walking distance of the inn are restaurants serving favorite local fare such as burritos and fish tacos. Younger family members will be charged up with excitement when you take a day trip to the Orlando theme parks, which are only an hour or so drive from Port d Hiver. There are 11 guestrooms, which can sleep up to 25 guests. The popular “All Aboard!” reunion special includes a full breakfast – served either on the deck or in the dining room - and other amenities like a daily social hour with wine and appetizers. Complimentary bottled water, sodas, snacks, coffee, tea and cookies are available 24 hours a day. Take advantage of the concierge services, as they know the best activities for your family’s enjoyment. Don’t forget to look for the sweet treat after the evening turndown service! Also included are the beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and bicycle that your clan needs to set up at the beach. The longer your family stays, the merrier you will be: discounts of up to 40% are applied when your stay is five nights or longer. This package is available through October 31. 2010, so hop to it!
Ranch Redux - Even JR Ewing and his dynasty would be inclined to settle their disputes while attending their family reunion at the MD Resort in Aurora, Texas. The all-inclusive Family Vacation package at this sprawling country setting - located just outside Dallas - throws a pool and a heated hot tub into the family holdings. Add in a recreation room, outfitted with a pool table, ping-pong table, and board games, and no one will be bickering! Enjoy a quick match of outdoor volleyball or basketball with your friendly, kindred competition. Pack your bags and head to the nearest picnic site if you want to eat al fresco, Texas style. There is even a hay barn that was converted into a Party Barn if you want to have a catered hoedown one night. A variety of themed family reunions are available, and many include fun-filled itineraries with hay rides, scavenger hunts, and more. All reunion packages at the MD Resort B&B include daily homemade breakfast, light lunch, family-style hearty dinner, and snacks galore. This is your family’s chance for a unique and memorable experience of Texas-style hospitality and ranch living at its most fun.
Treat yourself and the entire clan to a B&B-hosted family reunion this summer by browsing through the Family Vacation specials on BnBFinder.com. Find a family-friendly inn by region or activity by using our Advanced Search Tool.
For immediate press requests, please contact Roberta Lawrence at 212.480.0414 x16 or press@bnbfinder.com
