In the mood for a relaxed beach holiday? The Outer Banks is the place for you. As there are not ton of hotel options, vacationers here opt to rent homes, which come with all the comforts of, well, home. It also makes for a great family reunion spot, as many of the homes have lots of extra rooms. Little towns dotted with gift shops, horse tours, spas, and unique dining experiences (the Islands are definitely upping the ante on the food offerings lately) make this a great place to go, whether your children are babies or fully grown.
If you'd like a more upscale experience with where you stay (and not have to worry about cooking or cleaning), The Sanderling is where you want to be. It also has a full-service spa across the street and has several sunrise yoga classes held through the week, too.