Fabulous resort water parks for the family
A young swimmer swings into the water at the Grand Wailea Resort on Maui, Hawaii. Credit: KRT / MICHAEL GOULDING
Diving boards and the deep end have been replaced by slippery slides, raging waterfalls and lazy rivers. Today's resort pools and water parks offer enough excitement to keep the kids engaged for a weekend or longer. Here are five cool pools worth the plunge.
1. Grand Wailea Resort, Maui, Hawaii
800-888-6100, grandwailea.com
This island haven may be most famous for its beaches, but don't pass up the chance to explore what the resort has to offer. The whole family will be eager to explore the 25,700-square-foot area that includes nine free-form pools. Travel via a "river" to check out the slides, waterfalls, caves, water elevator, swim-up bar, rope swing and more that are part of this water wonder. The tropical, 40-acre resort also includes an infant pool.
Rates: From $539 (plus $25 resort fee) in July
2. Atlantis Resort, Paradise Island, Bahamas
888-877-7525, atlantis.com
With more than 141 acres of water rides and pools available, who has time to hit the beach? From the Mayan Temple to the ominous Power Tower to fun-filled Splashers Island, water-play enthusiasts will find 18 adrenaline-pulsing slides for kids of all ages. Ride the waves and rapids in the Current. Lounge around your choice of 11 pools. Twist and turn through tunnels and emerge in an acrylic tube deep within a shark-filled lagoon. The thrills are many in this water-filled fantasy park.
Rates: From $355 (July)
3. Marriott World Center, Orlando
800-380-7931, marriottworldcenter.com
One million gallons of cool water. That's what you'll find at this Orlando resort where indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpools, waterfalls and a 106-foot-long slide make for an enticing recreation area.
Poolside fun includes sidewalk chalk, ping-pong and pool tables, limbo contests and scavenger hunts. Lounge on a deck or join in a game of water volleyball.
Rates: From $159 (July)
4. Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, San Antonio
888-591-1234, hillcountry.hyatt.com
Float through the resort's landscaped grounds aboard an inner tube, making your way 950 feet along the Ramblin' River. Stop by the activity pool and join a game of water volleyball or basketball. Or make it a beach day and settle on the private, man-made beach. Lounge on the sundeck before heading to the golf course or an afternoon at the spa.
Grown-ups can enjoy the Texas-shaped, adults-only pool, while the kids can take advantage of Camp Hyatt activities or teen-focused Underground events.
Rates: From $239 (July)
5. Fairmont Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Ariz.
866-540-4495, fairmont.com
With the magnificent McDowell Mountains as a backdrop, families relish this oasis in the desert. By day, keep cool within the 6,000-square-foot Sonoran Splash complex, featuring a deck area for the youngest children. Kids wade right into the water, just like at the beach. Have fun slipping down two of Arizona's largest slides. At night, enjoy dive-in movies from deck chairs or on a raft.
Rates: From $159 (July)
