Readers' Choice 2014: Top 20 Family Resorts

Each year, we ask our readers to vote for the best family resorts around the world. From classic Hawaii to the historically rich country of Ireland, learn more about our readers’ Top 20 family resorts.

1. The Cloister at Sea Island

Sea Island, Georgia — Renowned family-oriented resort and golf community on a 10,000-acre island estate connected by a causeway to St. Simons Island, midway between Savannah and Jacksonville.

2. Four Seasons Hualalai

Ka`upulehu-Kona, Hawaii — Grand resort in dramatic grounds along a half-mile rocky shoreline on the north Kona Coast, adjacent to Kona Village.

3. Four Seasons at Wailea

Maui, Hawaii — Luxurious resort on 15 oceanfront acres at the south end of Wailea Beach.

4. Blackberry Farm

Walland, Tennessee — Country house hotel owned by the Beall family since 1976, set on a 9,200-acre estate bordering Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 25 minutes south of Knoxville.

5. Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Kohala Coast, Hawaii — Justly renowned resort overlooking an exquisite white-sand beach on the Kohala Coast.

6. The Sanctuary Hotel

Kiawah Island, South Carolina — Beautifully appointed resort set along a 10-mile beach on private Kiawah Island, 35 minutes from Charleston.

7. Caneel Bay

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands — Eco-resort founded by Laurance Rockefeller amid 170 verdant acres bordered by seven secluded white-sand beaches.

8. Calistoga Ranch

Calistoga, California — Tranquil 157-acre resort of 50 cedar-clad freestanding guest lodges, sister property to Auberge du Soleil, in a wooded canyon at the northern edge of the Napa Valley.

9. Four Seasons Punta Mita

Punta Mita, Mexico — Seaside hotel on a scenic 1,200-acre peninsula with two pretty beaches, 45 minutes north of the Puerto Vallarta airport.

10. Four Seasons at Peninsula Papagayo

Guanacaste, Costa Rica — Gracious 175-room resort overlooking two beaches from the hilly Peninsula Papagayo.

11. Enchantment Resort

Sedona, Arizona — Dramatically sited resort secluded in a box canyon surrounded by sensational red rock formations, 15 minutes from downtown Sedona’s shops and galleries.

12. Four Seasons The Biltmore

Santa Barbara, California — Mission-style resort on a 22-acre estate across the street from the public beach. Red tile roofs, lantern-lit brick walkways, courtyard gardens and whitewashed cottages distinguish the 207-room enclave.

13. Wequassett

Chatham, Massachusetts — This resort near the historic village of Chatham contains 120 cottage-style rooms and suites spread across 27 acres of gardens, salt marshes and woodlands.

14. Otahuna Lodge

Christchurch, New Zealand — Evocative seven-suite Queen Anne manor amid century-old estate gardens, 20 minutes outside Christchurch. Magnificently appointed public areas include a richly paneled dining room, library and guest lounge. 

15. Stein Eriksen Lodge

Deer Valley, Utah — Stone-and-timber lodge located mid-mountain at 8,200 feet in the upscale Deer Valley ski resort above Park City. Heated walkways lead from the vaulted lobby lounge to a trio of ski-in/ski-out wings.

16. The Resort at Paws Up

Greenough, Montana — Resort complex set on a 37,000-acre estate in the valley of the Blackfoot River.

17. The Resort at Pelican Hill

Newport Coast, California — Lavish and well-managed resort on 504 acres south of Los Angeles, in the hills overlooking the Pacific between Newport Beach and Laguna Beach.

18. Ashford Castle

Cong, Ireland — Imposing castle-hotel in a 350-acre park on the shores of Lough Corrib. Battlements incorporate the remnants of a 13th-century castle.

19. Grace Bay Club

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos — Luxurious 11-acre resort along 1,100 feet of pristine sand on Grace Bay Beach.

20. Ocean House

Watch Hill, Rhode Island — Gracious and charming re-creation of an original Victorian mansion-style hotel, with wide verandas, soaring mansard roof and 64 rooms and suites, all with sea views.

1. The Cloister - © Al Payne 2. Four Seasons Hualalai - © John C. Russell 4. Blackberry Farm - © Beall and Thomas 6. The Sanctuary Hotel - © Steve Uzzell 19. Grace Bay Club - © Steve Passmore 20. Ocean House - © Chip Riegel