As this school year kicks off like no other, many families are exploring opportunities to take their families away and on vacation at a time of the year that is truly unique. They are ready for a break from their homes and are seeking a change in their remote perspective. Hotels are jumping on schoolcations, a new trend, by offering vacations that include the ability to distance learn with dedicated classrooms and study space.
Montage Hotels & Resorts
Montage Hotels & Resorts has launched Montage Academy, a new resort-based, back-to-school program to enhance distanced learning for families whose children are experiencing remote learning this fall. Debuting September 8, 2020, at Montage Deer Valley, Montage Laguna Beach, Montage Los Cabos, and Montage Palmetto Bluff, Montage Academy offers access to an all-day monitored study hall and educational programming for guests ages six – 17, including a range of afternoon elective activities from yoga to hiking, art to cooking and woodshop to conservation, as well as downtime for parents to stay on top of work or relax while enjoying the luxury resort setting around them.
“We’re delighted to be adding enriching programs and offerings to help families with remote learning and working during this very unusual time,” said Alan J. Fuerstman, founder, chairman and CEO, Montage International, in a statement. “With children continuing virtual school sessions, we saw the need to create an environment that is conducive to remote learning and working. Montage Academy is designed to move students forward in their education while giving parents – who by now are likely well aware of the challenges of remote learning – a much-needed break to enjoy the many pleasures that our properties provide.”
The Montage Academy includes: Access to an all-day monitored study hall during the school week, with start and finish times tailored to the individual participant’s home school remote learning structure and time zone; high-speed internet; and 24/7 access to instant virtual tutoring on 180+ subjects through Tutor.com, a service of The Princeton Review; daily healthy snacks and lunch will be provided; movement breaks, sponsored by Spa Montage, to encourage stretching and mobility throughout the day; one elective per day, including PE, Art, History, or Life Sciences; and a Montage Academy swag tote bag complete with headphones, hand sanitizer, notebook and gift from Tutor.com, a service of The Princeton Review.
Students may enroll in Montage Academy on an à la carte basis with five-day advance notice at $175 for a full day or $725 for a full school week (Monday – Friday). Pricing may vary based on Montage property.
Salishan Coastal Lodge
Offering a socially distant option for working and learning is Salishan Coastal Lodge in Gleneden Beach, OR with its new Work From Learn From package. Rates for this package start at $159 per night, a 33% discount based on a four-night stay, along with a $25 per night lodge credit to use for dining and adventure.
During work and school hours, the lodge offers a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to keep work and school schedules. Guestrooms provide quiet settings, natural light, and a private balcony or patio, and free WiFi to connect, perfect for a schoolcation. Or step outside and opt to work/learn in the more than 40,000 square feet of available structured outdoor spaces. There is also more than 16,000 square feet of indoor meeting room space, perfect for conference calls or zoom classes.
But, when work and/or school is done, it’s time to enjoy an outdoor adventure or two. There are hiking and walking trails, complimentary bikes and even an Aerial Park that provides a challenging course above the trees while tackling a series of obstacles along 15 platforms and 21 elements.
Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs
Another hotel offering a remote learning package is Kimpton The Rowan Palm Springs in downtown Palm Springs, CA. After school, families can enjoy The Rowan’s rooftop pool, explore downtown Palm Springs or just take in the majestic mountain views.
Remote Learning at The Rowan starts at $239/night and is available for stays from Sunday through Thursday. The package includes daily access to a meeting room for distance learning during the day with complimentary use of The Rowan’s meetings WiFi network and a large monitor, two daily lunchboxes curated by Executive Chef Dan Grunbeck, and a complimentary branded Rowan notepad.
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita has a new Knowledge for All Seasons program to make distance learning convenient and fun for parents and kids in their home-away-from-home. As an extension of the Resort’s Kids for All Seasons programming, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita supports learning remotely with a new world schooling program that features a tech hotline; study buddy program; and art, culture, history, and after school sports classes to encourage educational learning through travel. Parents can also enjoy some downtime poolside, at the spa, or in fitness classes while their kids are studying as well as spend family time together once the kids are done with school for the day, providing a fun schoolcation experience for everyone.
“Traveling is a life journey, as is knowledge acquisition. Learning can truly happen anywhere. At Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, we are here to support kids and parents in this new learning paradigm with educational classes inspired by our destination and caring team members to help kids with their schoolwork. We have tech amenities and creative workspaces to make learning fun too,” says John O’Sullivan, general manager, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, in a statement. “And let’s not forget the ‘-cation’ in all of this. Parents can have both time on their own relaxing and working out as well as time with their kids in their private home-away-from-home with family-style meals prepared by our chef followed by after dinner walks on the beach, as life goes by one sunset at a time.”
Highlights include a tech hotline, a study buddy who will help kids with their homework and schoolwork and can sit in on their classes to provide additional learning supervision, professional educational support, study cabanas, world schooling classes, art and culture, history, Spanish classes, science, after-school sports, and community giveback programs.
For more inspirational stories about future travel, go to #AmazingDaysAhead.
