Whether a high-end vacation is a matter of course for you and your family or a treat reserved for a special occasion, we present Family Travel Forum's 2006 Top 10 Getaways for Luxury Travelers awards.

Top Luxury Beach Resort

Hotel Del Coronado
San Diego, CA
619/435-6611

Southern California is known for its Pacific beaches, and one of our favorites fronts the Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island in San Diego, a city with a myriad of theme parks, zoos and family attractions. This 28-acre Grand Dame property, which has been a landmark for generations with its Victorian style and distinctive red roofs, has won enough awards over the years to paper its walls. But while the ambience is upscale -- complete with manicured gardens, elegant landscaping and fine dining -- the resort is proud of its humble beginnings in 1900 as a Tent City, where locals came to play and listen to concerts and vaudeville acts. In fact, the name of the children’s program, Tent City Kids, is an homage to its fun-loving past.

The hotel’s charming guestrooms are spread out into four areas of the property, including the original Victorian building and the newer Ocean Towers. All 679 rooms were renovated in 2005 to the tune of $10 million, and, even more luxurious accommodations will be unveiled in stages beginning in April 2007. The new area, called Beach Village, will feature 78 ocean-view guestrooms and suites with great rooms and fireplaces, as well as private swimming pools and a dedicated concierge staff.

For some serious pampering, the new Spa at The Del opened in December 2006 with 21 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, relaxation areas for men and women, steam rooms and a menu of teen treatments worthy of Mischa Barton. A second phase with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean is scheduled to open in April 2007.

If you can tear the children away from the ice rink, created seasonally on the Windsor Lawn, they will likely love the traditional ways of the Tent City Kids’ Camp, designed for ages 4 to 12. This A-List program’s activities include sandcastle building, beach games, scavenger hunts, bonfires and meals during afternoon and evening programs. Or drop them off at the one-hour arts and crafts program and let them spend the rest of the day surfing, kayaking or exploring the island on guided bicycle excursions under the guidance of super enthusiastic counselors.

2007 rates for a family of four range from $325/N for a standard double room to $5,000/N for a one-bedroom suite depending on season.