Good Housekeeping 2023 Family Travel Awards: Top Destinations, Gear & Services

Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Family Travel Awards: Your Essential Guide

Every family vacation promises adventure, relaxation, and treasured memories, but orchestrating the perfect getaway can feel daunting. To empower families, the Good Housekeeping Institute launched its inaugural Family Travel Awards — spotlighting standout destinations, innovative travel gear, and truly helpful services that make traveling with kids easier, safer, and much more fun. After a rigorous seven-month evaluation by travel experts, product analysts, and thousands of family testers, these winners represent the absolute best for every kind of trip and every type of family.

How the Family Travel Awards Were Selected

• Extensive Testing: Over seven months, hundreds of products, services, and destinations were scrutinized for family-friendliness by seasoned experts and real families.
• Firsthand Experience: Lab analysts and travel writers personally visited cities, resorts, and attractions for authentic feedback.
• Broad Survey: Responses from over 3,000 recent travelers helped pinpoint the most beloved vacation experiences, hotels, loyalty programs, and more.
• Key Criteria: Convenience, value, quality, safety, service, innovation, and inclusion guided all selections.

Best Family-Friendly Travel Destinations

The awards spotlight a diverse range of places, ensuring families will find options for every season and style.

Mountain Escapes

• Beaver Creek Lodge (Marriott Bonvoy): Praised for its amenities and snow sports, this cozy mountain retreat pleases all ages.

Tropical & Waterfront Retreats

• Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa: Winner for its family programs, the Sheraton Maui features a sprawling lagoon pool, direct beach access, cultural activities, s’mores nights under the stars, and spacious family suites.
• Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Saint Lucia: Celebrated for its baby-friendly vacation features, including supervised kid clubs and facilities tailored to young children.

Alaskan Adventures

• Majestic Princess (Princess Cruises): Cruises with immersive excursions and ample kid-friendly experiences, offering a blend of wilderness and comfort.

City Experiences

City-based destinations weren’t overlooked, with analysts ranking top metropolitan options for their ease of navigation, attractions suitable for all ages, and convenience for traveling families. (Specific 2023 winners available on the official awards list.)

Best Family Travel Gear & Essentials

Innovative gear can make — or break — a family trip. Here are the winners in must-have travel gear:

• BabyQuip: Named “On-Demand Essential” for its baby gear rental service, BabyQuip allows families to rent everything from cribs and strollers to sound machines at their destination — reducing luggage and restoring peace of mind. With a network of trained providers, equipment is hygienic, safe, and can be reserved through easy-to-use apps.
• No Reception Club Getaway Bag: This flagship diaper bag received high marks for being spacious, stylish, and superbly organized — ideal for flying or day trips.

Best Travel Services & Booking Platforms

• RVshare: As the first online RV rental platform to win, RVshare lets families embrace road-trip flexibility. Families can rent RVs tailored to their needs, making adventures more accessible.
• Hotel Loyalty Programs: Major programs like Marriott Bonvoy received praise for family value, flexibility, and access to amenities.

Top Travel Tips from Award-Winning Providers

• Book services that add convenience and safety — gear rentals like BabyQuip mean less packing stress and smoother routines for young children.
• Opt for destination resorts with robust onsite activities: pools, themed nights, and educational programs offer relaxation for parents and plenty of fun for children.
• Choose travel bags and gear with multiple compartments, waterproofing, and easy-access pockets to streamline on-the-go parenting.

Expert Insights: What Makes a Winner?

The Good Housekeeping Institute’s analysts and testers focused on what genuinely makes family travel rewarding and less stressful:

Featured Winner: BabyQuip

Founded in 2016, BabyQuip transforms family travel by providing vetted baby gear for rent at over 1,000 global locations. Parents can book essentials like car seats, cribs, and strollers, enjoy concierge-level service, and travel lighter. It empowers its network of “Quality Providers”, trained independent partners who ensure every item is clean, safe, and ready to use. BabyQuip’s user-friendly platform serves destinations across North America, Australia, and more, making what seemed like travel obstacles a breeze.

Featured Winner: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa

This Hawaiian resort stands out for its dedication to authentic family experiences. Kids and parents rave about:

• Its massive lagoon-style pool with dedicated play areas.
• Direct access to iconic Kāʻanapali Beach for snorkeling and water activities.
• Cultural immersion through daily Hawaiian-inspired programs.
• Core amenities like spacious suites and family dining options.
• Memorable moments, including nightly s’mores and local flavor at Black Rock Shave Ice.

Featured Winner: RVshare

RVshare reimagines family vacations, opening up road trips to everyone. Being able to book a vehicle designed for families — from comfortable sleepers to fully-equipped kitchens — means every journey is tailored to your needs.

Featured Winner: Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa

Saint Lucia’s Coconut Bay is designed with infants and toddlers in mind, offering thoughtfully crafted play spaces, certified babysitting, splash parks, and healthy dining options for even the littlest guests.

Featured Winner: Majestic Princess (Princess Cruises)

Families looking for a blend of adventure and luxury can set sail on Majestic Princess Cruises. With curated excursions, engaging onboard activities, and breathtaking views, it excels in balancing relaxation and exploration for all ages.

Must-Have Travel Products: The Getaway Bag by No Reception Club

Winner of the year’s best travel bag, the Getaway Bag fits the practical needs of spending hours on the move with little ones. Its organized compartments and durable construction make diaper changes, snacks, and playtime seamless wherever your trip takes you.

Tips for Stress-Free Family Vacations

• Use local gear rental services to minimize packing — look for trusted providers with high safety standards.
• Prioritize destinations offering supervised children’s programs so parents can relax.
• Book hotels and resorts with loyalty benefit programs for added value, such as complimentary breakfasts, activity credits, or late check-outs.
• Consider RV or cruise travel for flexible, multi-destination itineraries with built-in amenities.
• Seek out cultural excursions or interactive activities to make the trip memorable for the whole family.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How were the Family Travel Awards winners chosen?

A: The winners were selected after seven months of evaluation by Good Housekeeping Institute travel experts, product analysts, and through feedback from thousands of traveling families. Criteria included convenience, value, service, quality, safety, innovation, and inclusivity.

Q: What is BabyQuip and how does it help families?

A: BabyQuip is an on-demand baby gear rental service operating across over 1,000 locations. Families can rent clean, safe essentials including strollers, cribs, and car seats, reducing travel stress and bulk.

Q: Why is Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa a top family destination?

A: The resort combines spacious accommodations, a beachside location, unique pools, daily activities, and a commitment to cultural experiences, making it ideal for kids and parents alike.

Q: Which travel gear makes trips easier with kids?

A: Award-winners like BabyQuip rental service and the No Reception Club Getaway Bag make packing and mobility easier, allowing parents to focus on the enjoyment of the trip.

Q: Can families use RVshare for short vacations?

A: Yes, RVshare lets families rent an RV for weekend getaways or extended adventures, offering flexibility and comfort tailored to travel needs.

Plan Your Next Family Adventure

With the 2023 Family Travel Awards guiding your choices, adventure and family bonding is just a click away. Whether you prefer sunny beaches, mountain escapes, road trips, or curated cruises, you can travel with confidence — knowing these destinations, gear, and services have earned approval from both experts and real families. The journey to a stress-free, memory-packed vacation starts here.