From scavenger hunts to sea turtle sightings, these properties have everything you need to entertain the young at heart.
From beaches and theme parks to luxury resorts, the Sunshine State appeals to travelers of every generation. Even Florida residents like to break from routine and play tourist every now and then. “My family loves a staycation,” says Christina Nicholson, a Floridian family and lifestyle blogger. Nicholson resides in Wellington with her husband and three kids. “Living in South Florida, we are so lucky to have so many places to choose from.”
For advice on the best family resorts in Florida, we also got insight from Terry Ward, whose blog highlights her favorite spots around the state, and Orlando-based A-list travel advisor Jonathan Alder, CEO of Jonathan’s Travels, who has planned more than 30,000 trips.
Here’s the inside scoop on the best family resorts in Florida, with help from these local specialists.
01 of 21: The Breakers, Palm Beach
As Ward puts it, “There’s no more worthy splurge for a truly luxe family beach vacation than a stay at The Breakers in Palm Beach”—and this Palm Beach-based writer couldn’t agree more. “Even if just for a night or two, The Breakers is unbeatable for Old World elegance, one of the state’s best spas, and The Italian Restaurant, where kids have an adjoining play area,” Ward says. “It’s one of my family’s favorite spots in Florida.” Be sure to grab a bike and head out for an easy, breezy pedal along the scenic Lake Trail.
02 of 21: Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Orlando
Hotels don’t get much more family-friendly than Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando, both official Disney World hotels. The two properties make up a shared resort with a kids club, a three-acre lazy river, waterslides, a zero-entry pool, cabanas, and daily poolside games and activities, including arts and crafts, DJ dance parties, and hula-hoop contests. Kids can even learn to scuba dive in the pool, grab a raft for a dive-in movie, or learn to toss pizza dough at the Italian country kitchen, La Luce.
03 of 21: Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo, River Ranch
You don’t have to go out West for a ranch-style experience. Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo is an authentic Florida dude ranch and luxury glamping resort that spans 1,700 acres. Only an hour south of Orlando, the ranch is packed with adventures, from skimming the surface of the scenic Kissimmee River in an airboat to horseback riding, archery, and even an award-winning Saturday night rodeo. Best of all, accommodations include everything from typical lodge rooms and cottages to covered Conestoga wagons and luxe teepees.
04 of 21: PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens
Nicholson thoroughly enjoyed a recent stay at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, which is best known for golf but great for families, too. “Going into the weekend, I thought my kids would say the pool was their favorite part, but it was actually the arcade,” Nicholson shares. “I’m not going to lie, I’m with them—it really was a lot of fun.”
05 of 21: Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Key Largo
An hour south of Miami, Playa Largo Resort & Spa in Key Largo spans nearly 15 acres of pure Florida bliss. With 178 luxury rooms and suites and even a three-bedroom beach house, it’s the ideal destination for a family vacation to the Florida Keys. When the kids tire of the expansive waterfront pool and 745 feet of sandy beach, they can retreat to a private bungalow equipped with board games and a TV.
06 of 21: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
While southern and central Florida tend to get most of the attention for family vacations in the state, northern Florida has a beauty all its own, as exemplified at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. “We love leaving our home on Florida’s Gulf Coast for a stay on the Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Florida-Georgia border, at this gorgeous property,” Ward shares. “Amelia Island is a barrier island with miles of empty beachfront and bike trails to explore, plus a great little walkable downtown in Fernandina.”
07 of 21: JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Aventura
If an on-site waterpark is a feature you’d like in a hotel, here’s another option. “The JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort was a blast when we stayed,” Nicholson says. “Access to the Tidal Cove Waterpark made the weekend my kids’ favorite getaway.” Parents can try their balance on the FlowRider surf simulator or take a few laps around the lazy river to unwind.
08 of 21: The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples recently underwent a dramatic transformation, including the addition of the Vanderbilt Tower, a new lobby, three new dining experiences, new pools, and more spacious guestrooms and suites to accommodate larger families. “After undergoing a massive renovation, this beachfront resort in Naples is another ideal family paradise, with waterslides and pool amenities for all ages,” Alder shares.
09 of 21: The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection, St. Petersburg
After a recent refresh, the iconic Vinoy Resort is better than ever. “My little girl gets giddy about any hotel painted pink, so we’re all smiles from the get-go when we check into the Vinoy in downtown St. Pete,” Ward shares. “You’re not on the beach here, but I never miss it. The property is in downtown St. Pete, about 15 minutes by car from the beaches.
10 of 21: The Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach
Alder loves The Don CeSar, another pretty-in-pink St. Petersburg hotel. “This St. Pete icon has amazing pools and the most perfect white-sand beach with crystal-clear water that’s nice and shallow at the beginning, with very few waves, making it ideal for families with children,” he says.
11 of 21: Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key
Located near Marathon on Duck Key, Hawks Cay Resort is a place Ward has returned to several times with her family. “We love staying right on the water in the two-story villas,” she shares. “The resort has traditional hotel rooms, too, and there’s a lovely sheltered lagoon with a sandy beach for swimming.
12 of 21: Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, Vero Beach
For boutique luxury feels on a tranquil stretch of the Treasure Coast, head to Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. “We settle in and make the two-bedroom suites with full kitchens and huge balconies our own,” Ward says. “At this lovely oceanfront resort in Vero Beach, you might even see sea turtles or their hatchlings doing their thing on the beaches.”
13 of 21: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, Riviera Beach
For close proximity to the best of South Florida and a laid-back, beach-town vibe, the family-friendly Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa is a solid choice. “We loved our stay,” Nicholson shares. “The green waterslide was a big hit with my kids. I loved the live music at the pool, my husband couldn’t get enough of the beach, and my kids loved finding seashells in the sand.”
14 of 21: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Kissimmee
In the land of theme parks and Disney, finding a hotel like the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center feels like a vacation within your vacation. It’s near everything, but also in a world of its own, thanks to towering glass atriums with native flora and fauna and scenes made to feel like other destinations in Florida, from St. Augustine to Key West.
15 of 21: Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina, Islamorada
The coral cays of the Florida Keys aren’t known for their beaches—but a lounge-worthy beach is exactly what you’ll find at the laid-back Postcard Inn Beach Resort.
16 of 21: JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island
Located on a barrier island south of Naples, Marco Island is a treasured getaway for many families thanks to its classic Florida vacation vibes. At the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, guests enjoy three miles of pristine private beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.
17 of 21: Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fort Lauderdale
There’s no word for the opposite of a babymoon—a vacation with a new baby in tow—but there should be. And for such a trip, you can’t ask for better amenities than those offered at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach.
18 of 21: Baker’s Cay Resort, Key Largo
Who’s in for foam parties, scavenger hunts, pool games, and trivia nights? Kids can expect all that and more at Baker’s Cay Resort, a 15-acre waterfront property in Key Largo, plus the many activities available in and around the waters of Florida Bay.
19 of 21: The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando
Staying at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, which fronts a lake not far from the theme parks in Orlando, also grants you access to the adjoining JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes, which has a lazy river ideal for post-park tubing.
20 of 21: Beach Place Guesthouses, Cocoa Beach
Looking for a place with fewer frills? Consider the family-friendly, resort-style Beach Place Guesthouses on Cocoa Beach, which offers suites with full kitchens. “I adore this oceanfront hideaway,” Ward says. “There’s a talking pet parrot near the reception desk, a fire pit for evening hangs, hammocks, and a deck where guests gather to barbecue.”
21 of 21: Acqualina Resort & Residences On The Beach, Sunny Isles Beach
Courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences
Acqualina is just close enough to Miami to add a bit of sizzle to your next family vacation, but also far enough away that a stay here feels like a true getaway. “Not only is this a beautiful five-star resort with a perfect beachfront location,” Alder says, “but it has large, nearly apartment-like rooms with full kitchens, making this ideal for families who want to make it a beachfront home away from home.”
