Celebrated Secrets
April 2025
We know that for many of your clients, planning a multi-generational vacation can be daunting as they balance interests, mobility, energy levels, and even mealtime! But the reward? Unforgettable memories shared across generations. As always, we are here to elevate their trip and make the entire travel experience seamless and designed with each family member in mind.
Our team’s expert knowledge of room types and configurations will ensure the perfect accommodation fit for each family. Handpicked Celebrated Guides offer enhanced memory-making opportunities that surprise and delight. Whether it’s a wine-tasting tour in Rome, a visit to a traditional Irish sheep farm near Galway, or a guided hike through Italy’s exalted Dolomites, we know the Secrets that turn good vacations into lifelong family stories.
In true Celebrated Secrets style, we’ve handpicked three thoughtful, family-friendly escapes that strike the perfect balance of comfort, connection, and just the right dose of adventure with experiences so memorable, your clients will be coming back to you again and again for their future travels.
The Lodge at Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland
You already know of our close partnership with iconic Ashford Castle, but many travel advisors are still discovering the exceptional charm and value of the other Celebrated Hotel on the Ashford Estate — The Lodge at Ashford Castle – one of our favorite Secrets! The Lodge at Ashford Castle is a characterful four-star country house that offers exceptional value and so many clever rooming solutions for families. Guests that are fortunate enough to stay here also benefit from the many world-class activities that the Ashford Estate is famous for.
Set on the same breathtaking estate in Cong, straddling the counties of Mayo and Galway and along the Wild Atlantic Way, the estate is accessible to Shannon, Dublin, and Ireland West Airport Knock (great for private aviation access). The Lodge is a stylish, characterful four-star country house offering an extraordinary blend of luxury, flexibility, and value — particularly for families and multi-generational travelers. With 64 thoughtfully designed Deluxe rooms and suites, including family-friendly layouts that can accommodate up to seven guests, it’s a hidden gem that caters to modern needs while embracing traditional warmth. Children under 12 even stay free on a bed and breakfast basis in suites or family rooms, making it one of the best values in Ireland.
The Ashford estate is an authentic, cultural playground for every member of the family. Children can enjoy exploring the estate by bicycle, boat cruise on the lake, pony rides and fishing, while older generations try their hand at falconry and clay pigeon shooting. When it’s time to unwind, Guests can reserve a Spa treatment at the Spa located in the castle and from the end of June Éalú (the Irish word for escape) the Leisure complex on the estate is open for guests and families to enjoy.
With family-friendly menus at Wilde’s Restaurant – serving produce from the estate and locally sourced, your guests are sure to find a delicious meal for even the pickiest palate.
Be sure to recommend Mrs. Tea’s Boutique and Bakery (within walking distance) for a memento to take home and cherish of their time on the Ashford Estate.
Guests of The Lodge at Ashford Castle don’t have to venture far, with distilleries, scenic hiking, boutique shopping, and historic sites on the doorstep of the estate. Lively Galway is only 45 minutes away, with excellent food walking tours, live music, and colorful streets. Connemara National Park is outstanding for outdoor adventures and embracing the ever-changing Irish weather. Our handpicked local Celebrated Guides are eager to lead each bespoke excursion we personalize!
Rates at The Lodge at Ashford Castle start at around $450/night including VAT.
Celebrated Perks: Private tour of the Polytunnel Greenhouse with a chef at The Lodge at Ashford; Breakfast included.
Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa, Dolomites, Italy
Set in the quintessentially Italian village of Ortisei in the heart of the Dolomites, Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa is a luxurious alpine retreat that warmly welcomes multi-generational families seeking both adventure and serenity. Family-owned for three generations, this recently renovated mountain oasis combines heartfelt hospitality with world-class amenities.
The hotel’s thoughtfully designed rooms and two-bedroom chalets feature private outdoor spaces as well as air conditioning (a rare offering in the Dolomites), that make it easy for families to spread out and relax.
The adventures and activities on offer are a great way for families to bond while having fun! Teenage and college aged kids love the action. Popular activities include skiing, snowboarding, paragliding, mountain biking, e-biking and rock climbing. Gardena Grödnerhof offers an innovative Kids Club. The first floor is reserved for children aged from 3 years old, while the second floor is for older children and teenagers, equipped with a climbing wall, Formula One simulator, cinema, and more! A great Secret for your clients is Dolomiti Super Ski, the largest ski area in the world – only one pass gains you access to three Italian regions! And don’t forget that those clients with an Ikon Pass are entitled to 7 complimentary ski days in this area. Perfect to train for the Winter Olympics, coming to the region in 2026!
Whether visiting in summer or winter, the surrounding landscape becomes the family’s playground. Parents are always grateful for the expansive 22,000-square-foot Gardena Spa, complete with saunas, pools, and treatments designed to sooth body and soul.
With four outstanding restaurants on-site, including the Michelin-starred Anna Stuben, locally inspired dishes are presented with an elegant flair. Meanwhile, the lush gardens offer space to relax, play, and explore.
As a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Dolomites captivate with jagged peaks, alpine meadows, and postcard villages, made for family memories. In the summer hikers enjoy trails among wildflowers and the scent of pine. In winter skiers are blessed with powder and hundreds of miles of terrain. Celebrated guests usually arrive in Milan or Venice for a cultural city stop, before embarking on a scenic guided drive into the mountains, with one of our Celebrated Drivers.
Rates at Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa start at around $750/night including VAT.
Celebrated Perks: Welcome bottle of local wine, Spa voucher for €50 per room, per stay (no cash value if not redeemed in full), and early check-in if available on arrival.
Sina Bernini Bristol, Rome, Italy
Located in the historic Piazza Barberini, just a short walk from the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Villa Borghese gardens, Sina Bernini Bristol offers a great base for families visiting Rome. This beautifully refurbished five-star hotel (fully renovated in 2022) offers easy access to the city’s most beloved sights, without the need for long car rides or complicated logistics. A big ‘tick’ for families!
Sina Bernini Bristol opened in 1874 in a palace in the heart of the Eternal City. A favorite for luminaries like the Emperor of Brazil, the Czar of Russia, the Prince of Wales, The Rockefellers, and the Vanderbildts, we love the Secret storied history.
Beautifully updated rooms and suites, including an exclusive Penthouse family suite, offer flexible configurations for guests of all ages. The rooms are generous in size for city hotels with the entry-level Superior Rooms starting at nearly 300 square feet. Spacious layouts, connecting rooms, and modern amenities ensure that young children, parents, and grandparents alike feel comfortable and cared for. Many rooms also offer stunning views of the Eternal City, adding a magical touch to morning cappuccinos and evening aperitivos on the balcony.
Of course, Italian dining is a delight for all ages. The hotel’s signature restaurant, Il Vizio, serves exquisite local cuisine alongside a creative Fusion Sushi menu—perfect for parents seeking elevated dining, while also offering approachable options for younger palates. (We’ve yet to meet a 5-year-old who doesn’t love a classic spaghetti and meatballs!). The rooftop terrace feels like a special Secret, a peaceful retreat where families can gather to watch the sun set over Rome’s skyline.
When it’s time to explore, our Celebrated Guides can help organize private, family-friendly tours of the Vatican, the Colosseum, and more, with skip-the-line access and local experts who bring history to life across generations.
Rates at Sina Bernini Bristol start at around $750/night including VAT.
Celebrated Perks: $100 F&B credit in hotel restaurant (not combinable, not valid on room rate & no cash value if not redeemed in full); Breakfast included.