Whereverfamily.com Announces the Winners of the 2024 Wherever Awards

WhereverFamily is the trusted source for family travel, bringing readers daily content on all things family travel at a variety of budgets, destinations, familial configurations and much more. Readers from wherever family.com selected their favorites in the world of travel during the voting period. And now it’s time for fun and celebration as we announce those winners. Congratulations to all the honorees in the 2024 Wherever Awards, now in its seventh year!

PHOTO: © UNITED AIRLINES

Instead of just the friendly skies, we call them the family- friendly skies, and we’re starting with those winners. United Airlines wins Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline for the fifth year, alongside its MileagePlus program, Best Family- Friendly Frequent-Flyer Program, also five years running. With these fifth consecutive wins in the same category, United Airlines receives Quint Status for those two accolades. The carrier upset a former Quint winner to take Best Family-Friendly Airline in North America this year. The international counterpart is Turkish Airlines, Best Family-Friendly International Airline.

Where can families call their home away from home? Let’s take a look at the winning family-friendly hotels and resorts. Marriott Hotels & Resorts earns two nods this year: Best Family-Friendly Hotel Chain, three years running, and Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Stay Program for its Marriott Bonvoy. Best Family-Friendly Individual Hotel goes to Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei, Hawai‘i, while Wyndham Hotels & Resorts takes the No. 1 spot for Best Family-Friendly Resort Chain. Paradisus wins its second Best Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Hotel. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts barks away with the Best Family-Friendly Pet Hotel accolade, and for kids clubs, the two-time winner is Terranea, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Best Family-Friendly Hotel Kids Club.

Moving on, we have three travel providers we’re proud to recognize: Best Family-Friendly Vacation Company goes to Club Wyndham, National Geographic Family Journeys takes its second Best Family-Friendly Domestic Tour Company award, and Best Family-Friendly International Tour Company goes to Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic.

Set sail with your family crew on our next round of winners — the cruise lines. For the third consecutive year, Celebrity Cruises wins Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line, while Azamara earns Best Family-Friendly MultiGen Cruise Line. When it comes to Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line Kids Club, the winner is Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean.

Swipe these three award-winning, family-friendly co-branded credit cards to help fund future family fun: United Explorer Credit Card from Chase, Best Family- Friendly Credit Card, seven years running (the duration of our awards!); Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase, Best Family-Friendly Credit Card Rewards Program, another seven-time winner; and Royal Caribbean Visa Signature Card from Bank of America, Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line Credit Card, with its second consecutive win.

Where to go with your family? Well, we have plenty of suggestions for you …

PHOTO: © MARCUS JONES | DREAMSTIME.COM

Fiji upset a four-time winner to win Best Family-Friendly International Destination. Domestically, Savannah, Georgia, is named Best Family-Friendly Domestic Destination. Dominican Republic wins Best Family-Friendly Caribbean Destination. In the Northeast, Ocean City, Maryland, wins Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Northeast/Mid-Atlantic, for the third consecutive year, while Tybee Island, Georgia, unseats a long-time honoree to take Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Southeast. Three Florida cities represent Best Family-Friendly Beach Towns based on location: Amelia Island, best in the east, for the second consecutive year; Tampa Bay in the west, also two years running; and Crystal Beach in Destin, in the panhandle. Holly Beach, Louisiana, is Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Gulf Coast; with other domestic winners including Galveston, Texas, Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Texas, for the third year in a row; Santa Monica, California, Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, West, second consecutive year; and Lāna‘i City, Lāna‘i, Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Hawaiian Islands, a three-time winner. Greece secures its spot as Best Family-Friendly MultiGen Destination of the Year for the second time.

There’s still more, as families need to know the winning college and sports towns and cities around the country. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, takes its second consecutive wins in two categories: Best Family-Friendly College Town, East, and Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/Town, Large. Best Family-Friendly College Town, South, is Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Ann Arbor, Michigan, wins Best Family-Friendly College Town, Midwest; and Best Family-Friendly College Town, West is Boulder, Colorado. For Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town, Large, we have San Diego, California, and as Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town, Mid-Sized, the winner is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Rounding out this category is Madison, Wisconsin, Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/Town, Mid-Sized; and South Bend, Indiana, home of Notre Dame, as Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/Town, Small, for the second year in a row.

Many a family vacation starts in an airport, so let’s take a moment here to acknowledge the winning family- friendly airports in this year’s survey: Miami International Airport is Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airport; its international counterpart is iGA Istanbul Airport, Best Family-Friendly International Airport, third consecutive year. The Turkish airport also wins Best Family-Friendly Airport Dining. Four-time Best Family- Friendly Airport Shopping winner is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

PHOTO: © GEORGESHELDON | DREAMSTIME.COM

Drumroll please for this year’s last three winners: Hersheypark, as Best Family-Friendly Amusement Park; Massanutten Resort in Virginia, as Best Family-Friendly Waterpark; and SIXT, Best Family-Friendly Rental Car Company for the second year in a row.

Congratulations to the 2024 Wherever Awards winners!

FAMILY INNOVATORS OF THE YEAR
In addition to the Wherever Awards, we acknowledge family travel providers leading the way in the industry. Our Family Innovators of the Year accolades recognize leaders among airlines, hotels, resorts, rental cars, travel providers and destinations. These winners were nominated by our staff and chosen by our subscriber board. Congratulations to this year’s honorees!

Turkish Airlines helps parents by caring for young children during meal times and bathroom breaks. Special kids’ meals keep children happy in flight, and the airline is a favorite of the Bébé Voyage community of traveling parents. These are just some of the reasons why the airline was named Family Innovator of the Year, Airline.

The Plaza Hotel in New York City keeps things fun for children, especially lovers of the Eloise book series. The fictional 6-year-old resided in the famous NYC icon, and today’s little guests can enjoy a themed suite and other packages and amenities that bring the books to life. This earned The Plaza Hotel the title of Family Innovator of the Year, Hotel.

With direct beach access, saltwater pools, a children’s pool, beachfront accommodations, Paintbox and Paintbox Petite children’s programs, Montage Merit Badges, an UPPAbaby rental program, teen spa treatments, and more, it’s no wonder Montage Laguna Beach is Family Innovator of the Year, Resorts.

Hertz stands out for its Hertz Gold Plus Rewards programs as well as many options for add-ons. The benefits and perks of loyalty help make car rental less-stress or stress-free for families. The Family Innovator of the Year, Rental Car also offers a range of child safety seats and car options.

In the spirit of the recent summer season, our Family Innovator of the Year, Travel Provider helped ensure families had greater access than ever before to the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the official hospitality provider for the Paris Olympics, On Location Experiences let families make memories like never before.

There’s something for those of all ages in the Dominican Republic. From museums — such as Trampolin Children’s Museum — and zoos to incredible beaches and adventure activities, the Caribbean nation offers an abundance specifically for family travelers, earning this year’s Family Innovator of the Year, Destination honor.

THE PROCESS
Whereverfamily.com conducted a survey of its readers Nov. 1, 2023–July 1, 2024, with open-ended questions for the best in many categories important to the family travel market (including multigenerational families). This survey was conducted online at whereverfamily.com/wherever-awards and emailed during the period in question. Only those questionnaires with more than 50 percent of the questions completed were counted. Those with less than 50 percent answered were discarded. Employees of the magazine or individuals associated with the travel industry could not participate.

WINNERS’ CIRCLE

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline
1. United Airlines
2. Delta Air Lines
3. Alaska Airlines

Best Family-Friendly Airline in North America
1. United Airlines
2. Air Canada
3. Delta Air Lines

Best Family-Friendly International Airline
1. Turkish Airlines
2. Air Canada
3. United Airlines

Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Flyer Program
1. United MileagePlus
2. Air Canada Aeroplan
3. Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Best Family-Friendly Hotel Chain
1. Marriott Hotels & Resorts
2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
3. Hilton Hotels

Best Family-Friendly Resort Chain
1. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
2. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
3. Meliá Hotels International

Best Family-Friendly Individual Hotel
1. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Kapolei, Hawai‘i
2. Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, British Columbia, Canada
3. Four Seasons Resort Seychelles

Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Stay Program
1. Marriott Bonvoy
2. IHG One Rewards
3. Wyndham Rewards

Best Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Hotel
1. Paradisus
2. Hyatt Ziva
3. Club Med

Best Family-Friendly Pet Hotel
1. InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
2. Loews Hotels
3. Westin Hotels & Resorts

Best Family-Friendly Hotel Kids Club
1. Terranea, Rancho Palos Verdes, California
2. Sea Island, Georgia
3. Beaches, Turks & Caicos

Best Family-Friendly Vacation Company
1. Club Wyndham
2. Marriott Vacation Club
3. Holiday Inn Club Vacations

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Tour Company
1. National Geographic Family Journeys
2. Adventures by Disney
3. REI Adventures

Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line
1. Celebrity Cruises
2. Disney Cruise Line
3. Royal Caribbean

Best Family-Friendly MultiGen Cruise Line
1. Azamara
2. Seabourn Cruise Line
3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line Kids Club
1. Royal Caribbean Adventure Ocean
2. Disney Cruise Line Oceaneer Club
3. MSC Cruise Line Junior Club

Best Family-Friendly Credit Card
1. United Explorer Credit Card from Chase
2. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card
3. Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Visa

Best Family-Friendly Credit Card Rewards Program
1. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card from Chase
2. Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card
3. Delta SkyMiles American Express

Best Family-Friendly Cruise Line Credit Card
1. Royal Caribbean Cruises Bank of America Visa
2. The Carnival Mastercard from Barclaycard
3. Celebrity Cruises Visa Signature Card

Best Family-Friendly International Destination
1. Fiji
2. Greece
3. Tahiti

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Destination
1. Savannah, Georgia
2. Charleston, South Carolina
3. Arizona

Best Family-Friendly Caribbean Destination
1. Dominican Republic
2. Aruba
3. Jamaica

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Northeast/Mid- Atlantic (Maine–Maryland)
1. Ocean City, Maryland
2. Kennebunkport, Maine
3. Southampton, New York

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Southeast (Virginia– Georgia)
1. Tybee Island, Georgia
2. Savannah, Georgia
3. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (East)
1. Amelia Island, Florida
2. West Palm Beach, Florida
3. St. Augustine, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (West)
1. Tampa Bay, Florida
2. Sarasota, Florida
3. Marco Island, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Florida (Panhandle)
1. Crystal Beach, Destin, Florida
2. Rosemary Beach, Florida
3. Seagrove Beach, Florida

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Gulf (Alabama/ Mississippi/Louisiana)
1. Holly Beach, Louisiana
2. Orange Beach, Alabama
3. Dauphin Island, Alabama

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Texas
1. Galveston, Texas
2. Seabrook, Texas
3. Corpus Christi, Texas

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, West Coast
1. Santa Monica, California
2. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
3. Monterey, California

Best Family-Friendly Beach Town, Hawai‘ian Islands
1. Lāna‘i City, Lāna‘i
2. Waikīkī, Oahu
3. Kailua-Kona, Big Island

Best Family-Friendly Multigenerational Destination of the Year
1. Greece
2. Ireland
3. Italy

Best Family-Friendly College Town, East
1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2. Boston, Massachusetts
3. Princeton, New Jersey

Best Family-Friendly College Town, South
1. Chapel Hill, North Carolina
2. Tampa, Florida
3. Raleigh, North Carolina

Best Family-Friendly College Town, Midwest
1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
2. Lawrence, Kansas
3. Madison, Wisconsin

Best Family-Friendly College Town, West
1. Boulder, Colorado
2. Seattle, Washington
3. Tempe, Arizona

Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town, Large
1. San Diego, California
2. Houston, Texas
3. Seattle, Washington

Best Family-Friendly Sports City/Town, Mid-Sized
1. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2. Cincinnati, Ohio
3. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/Town, Large
1. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
2. San Diego, California
3. Seattle, Washington

Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/Town, Mid-Sized
1. Madison, Wisconsin
2. Lawrence, Kansas
3. Durham, North Carolina

Best Family-Friendly College Sports City/Town, Small
1. South Bend, Indiana
2. Bloomington, Indiana
3. Stillwater, Oklahoma

Best Family-Friendly Amusement Park
1. Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania
2. Sesame Place, Langhorne, Pennsylvania
3. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

Best Family-Friendly Waterpark
1. Massanutten Resort, Virginia
2. Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resorts, South Padre Island, Texas
3. Great Wolf Lodge

Best Family-Friendly Rental Car Company
1. SIXT
2. Hertz
3. National Car Rental

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airport
1. Miami International Airport
2. Tampa International Airport
3. Chicago O’Hare International Airport

Best Family-Friendly International Airport
1. iGA Istanbul Airport
2. Hamad International Airport, Doha
3. Incheon International Airport

Best Family-Friendly Airport Dining
1. iGA Istanbul Airport
2. Hamad International Airport, Doha
3. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Best Family-Friendly Airport Shopping
1. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
2. Miami International Airport
3. iGA Istanbul Airport

FAMILY INNOVATORS OF THE YEAR

Airline
Turkish Airlines

Hotel
The Plaza Hotel

Resort
Montage Laguna Beach

Rental Car
Hertz

Travel Provider
On Location Experiences

Destination
Dominican Republic

QUINT STATUS
Fifth Consecutive Year

Best Family-Friendly Domestic Airline
United Airlines

Best Family-Friendly Frequent-Flyer Program
United MileagePlus