BETA
This is a BETA experience. You may opt-out by clicking here
Edit Story
Aerial drone image of hotels and resorts on St Pete Petersburg Beach Florida USA

The 15 Best Family Resorts In Florida

Aerial drone image of hotels and resorts on St Pete Petersburg Beach Florida USA getty

All products and services featured are independently selected by Forbes Vetted contributors and editors. When you make a purchase through links on this page, we may earn a commission. Learn more


Beth Luberecki, Contributor

Forbes Vetted


Family vacations and Florida go together like peanut butter and jelly. Miles of coastline appeals to families who want to spend time by the ocean, cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale lure families looking for lots of activity and Orlando serves up plenty of thrills and nostalgic, character-driven fun for both kids and adults. It’s no surprise, then, that Florida is home to a wide range of family-friendly accommodations. The best family resorts in Florida offer everything from oceanfront escapes to amenity-rich experiences.

For families looking to touch down in the Sunshine State this year, our top recommendation is The Breakers, a high-end Palm Beach getaway that’s been welcoming guests for more than 100 years. From Miami escapes to properties along the panhandle, we’ve also hand-picked the best from across the state, from the stylish Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa to the tropical island getaway Cheeca Lodge & Spa and TradeWinds Beach Resort’s Island Grand, which offers nonstop family fun. Below, the best family resorts in Florida in 2024.

Editor’s Picks:


Best Family Resort In Florida Overall: The Breakers

The Breakers

Who Will Love It: Families who appreciate both history and an amenity-packed, modern hotel stay
All-Star Amenities: Family Entertainment Center; a private beach and oceanfront family pool; “Spa Petite” hair and nail treatments for children ages 6 to 17; childproofing services and baby equipment for guest use
What Not To Miss: A family dinner at The Italian Restaurant located within the Family Entertainment Center, where parents can linger at the table while the kids play nearby
Location: Palm Beach

In operation for more than 100 years, The Breakers is a beloved Florida resort for a reason, and though it skews high-end, it’s also decidedly family friendly. The resort’s comfortably elegant guest rooms and suites can be childproofed ahead of a stay and must-have equipment like cribs, bottle warmers, strollers and mini-fridges are available for guest use. All 10 on-site restaurants welcome families, with all but one offering kids’ menus, coloring books and crayons for young diners. The resort’s stretch of private beachfront is a big draw, and four pools sit oceanfront, including a zero-entry family pool. Boredom should never be a problem here, with activities for the whole family that range from bike riding and kayaking to junior golf and tennis programs. Head to the indoor-outdoor Family Entertainment Center for arcade games, a nine-hole mini-golf course and outdoor basketball court, a shaded outdoor playground and activities for the whole crew like arts and crafts, family trivia and movie nights.


Best Family Resort In Orlando: Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

Who Will Love It: Families who want to stay close to Orlando’s many attractions but also have a place to escape from it all
All-Star Amenities: Access to five pools, two lazy rivers and waterslides; playground; 18-hole putt-putt course; fitness center and spa; multiple restaurants
What Not To Miss: A stroll around the centerpiece 10-acre lake and sitting by a fire pit while theme park fireworks light up the sky
Location: Orlando

Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek is just a few miles from the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, but staying at this 62-acre resort will make you feel like you’re in your own little world. The hotel sits at one end of 10-acre Bonnet Bay and shares a range of amenities with the multi-building Club Wyndham Bonnet Creek, which include five pools, two lazy rivers, eight hot tubs and a pirate ship-themed waterslide. There’s also a playground and 18-hole putt-putt course for even more family fun, as well as a fitness center and spa if parents want to trade off childcare duties and slip away for a little alone time. Book a family bunk room and the kids will have an area for themselves with their own TV, and end your day with a stroll around the lake, finding a fire pit or a bench swing by the water to catch the nightly fireworks shows at the nearby theme parks. If the family’s heading to Walt Disney World, the hotel offers a shuttle to the parks and a ticket desk in the lobby.


Best Family Resort In Fort Lauderdale: Pelican Grand Beach Resort

Pelican Grand Beach Resort

Who Will Love It: Families who want a quiet spot on the beach that’s still close to area sights and attractions
All-Star Amenities: Private beach with lounge chairs, umbrellas and beach games; zero-entry pool; paddleboard rentals; spa and fitness center; kids’ camp; daily activities calendar
What Not To Miss: Floating in Fort Lauderdale’s only lazy river and ordering an ice cream cone from The Emporium
Location: Fort Lauderdale

The coastal chic guest rooms and suites at Pelican Grand Beach Resort offer views of the Atlantic Ocean or Fort Lauderdale skyline, providing it an air of old school elegance. Alongside access to the hotel’s private beach, lounge chairs, umbrellas and beach games are included as part of the resort fee, and paddleboard rentals are available. A beachside zero-entry pool and the only lazy river in Fort Lauderdale provide other ways to cool off, and if those don’t do the trick, try The Emporium, the resort’s old-fashioned ice cream parlor. Grownups can sign the kids up for Funky Fish Ocean Camp, where activities include snorkeling lessons, boogie boarding, tie-dying and crafts. A calendar of daily events offers other family-friendly fun, like scavenger hunts, bingo, sandcastle contests and coconut races in the lazy river. The resort’s location makes it easy to explore the area’s many attractions but also provides a quiet spot removed from all the action.


Best Family Resort In Palm Beach: Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa

Who Will Love It: Families looking for a stylish getaway befitting Palm Beach’s glamorous vibe
All-Star Amenities: Private beach; two pools; kids’ and teen clubs; complimentary dog amenities; kid under five eat for free with the purchase of an adult entrée
What Not To Miss: Exploring the Atlantic Ocean on a kayak or paddleboard available to guests free of charge and a day by the pool or beach in a private cabana
Location: Palm Beach

Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Palm Beach sets the stage for a particularly dreamy family getaway. Bright and cheery guest rooms designed by Jonathan Adler include a private balcony with a hanging chair for taking in the views, and suites offer more space to spread out. You can even bring the family pooch along with you, and kids five and under eat free throughout the resort with the purchase of an adult entrée. Take a dip in the Family Pool and adjoining turtle-themed splash pad, or head out onto the resort’s private beach, where beach chairs, umbrellas and the use of non-motorized water sports are complimentary for guests. At the recently reimagined Loggers kids’ club, young guests ages three to 12 can create their own glowing masterpieces on the four-foot-tall Lite-Zilla or imagine their own undersea world on the larger-than-life-sized Sketch Aquarium. Complimentary bike rentals make it easy to explore the area, and an ice cream cone from Melt serves as the perfect post-pedaling treat.


Best Family Resort In Miami: Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Who Will Love It: Families who want to be in the middle of the action in Miami Beach’s Art Deco District
All-Star Amenities: Beach with private play area for kids; zero-entry pool; kids’ club
What Not To Miss: A meal at the new Miami Beach location of Rao’s and the regular schedule of family activities that includes weekend poolside games, kids’ cooking classes, pop-up poolside treats and movies under the stars
Location: Miami Beach

Loews Miami Beach Hotel rolls out the red carpet for families with all kinds of amenities and programming offered year-round. That includes the SoBe Kids Club, where four- to 10-year-olds can take part in arts and crafts, STEM activities, cooking classes and other experiences curated in partnership with the Miami Children’s Museum and Frost Museum of Science. When it’s time to go for a swim, the hotel’s beachfront and zero-entry pool make it easy to cool off, and complimentary swim diapers, baby floaties and sunscreen are at the ready. On-site restaurants serve up plenty of options for pint-sized palettes, like the kid-sized buffet at Preston’s and the locally made ice cream at Miami Joe Coffee Co. There are options for adventurous eaters, too: a new Miami Beach outpost of legendary New York Italian restaurant Rao’s serves up penne vodka, linguine carbonara and other favorites. Sea Spa offers manis, pedis and haircuts for the 12 and under set (plus soothing treatments for the grownups), and guest rooms in the St. Moritz Tower provide easy access to many of the family-friendly amenities.


Best Family Resort In The Florida Keys: Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Cheeca Lodge & Spa

Who Will Love It: Outdoorsy families looking for a tropical island escape
All-Star Amenities: Two family pools; adults-only pool; 1,200-foot private beach; watersports facility for rentals and tours; Camp Cheeca kids’ activities and programming
What Not To Miss: A family dinner of pizza and other Italian favorites in view of the water at Mia Cucina; a stroll on the resort’s fishing pier
Location: Islamorada

Set on a 27-acre private estate on Islamorada, Cheeca Lodge & Spa has been welcoming guests since 1946 and recently underwent some major enhancements. Accommodations include guest rooms, oceanfront suites and bungalows, and 11 new private villas called The Casitas are ideal for family travel, with one or two bedrooms, full kitchens, furnished porches, a washer and dryer and plenty of room to spread out. Guests who opt for The Casitas also enjoy personalized butler service and access to an exclusive area with a private beach, pool and tennis courts. With its location in the “Sportfishing Capital of the World,” the resort helps guests get out on the water with a full-service watersports facility on property for arranging fishing and snorkeling tours, equipment rentals and lessons. Send the kids to Camp Cheeca for some arts and crafts, games and other activities. Grownups can book a spa treatment or grab a cocktail at one of the open-air Tiki Bars overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.


Best Family Resort On The Gulf Coast: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa

Who Will Love It: Families who like to be in and on the water in a variety of ways
All-Star Amenities: Three-acre water park with pools, waterslides and a lazy river; kids’ activity programming; spa with meditation pool; multiple restaurants; watersports rentals
What Not To Miss: Racing down the dueling waterslides; the private island experience available to guests at Big Hickory Island in Estero Bay Ecological Preserve
Location: Bonita Springs

Recently renovated guest rooms at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa set a coastal mood for a Florida family vacation, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that let the sunshine in and make it easy to admire views of Estero Bay and the Southwest Florida coastline. Kids, however, will probably be bigger fans of the resort’s three-acre waterpark, which offers five waterslides (including a pair of dueling waterslides for a little family competition), multiple pools (including a walk-in lagoon-style pool ideal for little ones) and a palm tree–lined lazy river. The pet-friendly resort also offers multiple restaurants, kids’ camp programming, a video arcade, a spa and a 24-hour fitness center. A must-do is the resort’s private island experience at Big Hickory Island in Estero Bay Ecological Preserve; guests take a 15-minute boat ride to the island, during which they might spot dolphins and manatees. On the island, chairs and umbrellas are set up on the white sand beach for prime relaxation, and light food and beverage options are also available.


Best Family Resort On The Panhandle: Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa

Who Will Love It: Families looking for spacious rooms with water views in close proximity to the beach and other attractions
All-Star Amenities: Access to watersports rentals; three pools, including an indoor pool; spa and fitness center; multiple dining options; tram service throughout the Sandestin resort area
What Not To Miss: A special family dinner at Northwest Florida’s first AAA Four Diamond steakhouse Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood; spending time on the white sand beach
Location: Miramar Beach

The largest full-service beachfront resort on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa has been a go-to family vacation spot for 40 years. A recent $35-million, property-wide refresh has made the resort even more appealing, with everything from the three pools and beachfront deck space to the multiple dining outlets getting an updated look. Rooms have modern, beachy decor and private balconies with partial or full Gulf of Mexico views, and the junior deluxe suites are perfect for families, with a bunk bed area with its own TV, one king or two double beds and a queen sleeper sofa. Down on the white sand beach, families can rent beach umbrellas and chairs as well as stand-up paddleboard and kayaks for exploring the emerald-green waters. Kids can enjoy the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a toddler pool and a new pizza oven at Sandcastles Restaurant. The resort offers tram service throughout the Sandestin resort area, including to The Village of Baytowne Wharf, where families can find restaurants, shopping, a zipline and ropes course and other attractions.


Best Beachfront Family Resort In Florida: Omni Amelia Island Resort

Omni Amelia Island Resort

Who Will Love It: Families who want to spend lots of time on the sand
All-Star Amenities: Expansive beach area with complimentary beach games; family-friendly pool and nautical-themed splash pad; “Gamer’s Lounge” with foosball and video games; 18-hole mini-golf course; bike rentals
What Not To Miss: The resort’s family-friendly, 10-hole Little Sandy golf course situated amid a scenic lowland oak marsh habitat; the Amelia Island Nature Center, where families can visit with rescued animals and book nature tours
Location: Fernandina Beach

Located on a barrier island off the northeast coast of Florida, Omni Amelia Island Resort makes it easy to get out on the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Chairs and umbrellas are available to rent; you can also spend your time strolling, shelling, building sandcastles or hunting for sharks’ teeth. There’s a family-friendly pool, nautical-themed splash pad and adults-only pool all surrounded by the largest pool deck in northeast Florida and overlooking the beach. Beyond the beach, families can play a round at the resort’s mini golf course, rent bikes for pedaling around the island or tee off at the family-friendly 10-hole Little Sandy golf course designed with beginning golfers in mind. Naturalists at the Amelia Island Nature Center share insight about the area’s flora and fauna, and families can book kayaking or biking tours or one of the Family Discovery programs offered by the resort. When it’s time to refuel after a day of fun, grab burgers and other pub food at Falcon’s Nest or order a pizza at Natural Slice. If parents need a little time alone, they can book a session for the kids at the resort’s Camp Amelia.


Best Family Resort In Florida For Activities: The Boca Raton

The Boca Raton

Who Will Love It: Families who like a lot of choices and a variety of ways to stay busy during a Florida vacation
All-Star Amenities: Harborside Pool Club with three pools, two waterslides, kids’ splash area and 450-foot lazy river; a half-mile stretch of private beach with watersports rentals and oceanfront pools; kids’ and teen clubs; junior tennis program
What Not To Miss: Riding the waves on the new FlowRider simulator; a snack delivery from The Tower’s two robot butlers, Johnnie and Ethel (named after the pet monkeys belonging to The Boca Raton’s original owner, architect Addison Mizner)
Location: Boca Raton

Families can choose their own adventure at The Boca Raton, where five different hotel options include the resort’s original, circa-1926 Cloister hotel and the recently renovated Tower with customizable suite layouts to best match your family’s needs. The Tower offers easy proximity to the Harborside Pool Club, which features three pools, two waterslides, a 450-foot lazy river, and a new FlowRider simulator for boogie boarding and surfing for hours of water fun. Kids ages four to 12 can head to the Banyan Bunch kids’ club for crafts, story time, yoga and other activities, while tweens and teens can hang at The Break, a new spot at the resort with a candy wall, virtual reality gaming system, podcast recording booth and 360-degree platform for recording TikTok videos. Complimentary water taxis travel around the resort, making it easy to take advantage of amenities like watersports rentals, tennis and pickleball courts, an 18-hole golf course, spa and fitness center (with complimentary classes) as well as bicycle rentals. An array of dining options includes the Burger Bar and a macaron and chocolate shop.


Best High-End Family Resort In Florida: Four Seasons Resort Orlando At Walt Disney World Resort

Four Seasons Resort Orlando At Walt Disney World Resort

Who Will Love It: Families who want to vacation in high style—even if they’re going to Florida’s theme parks
All-Star Amenities: The five-acre Explorer Island amenity with a family pool, lazy river, waterslides, and splash pad; complimentary kids club; The Hideout game room
What Not To Miss: The Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & Pals character breakfast at the resort’s Ravello restaurant every Thursday and Saturday
Location: Orlando

You don’t have to visit the Disney theme parks to enjoy the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. The expansive property is a vacation unto itself, with a five-acre playground for the whole family that includes pools, a lazy river, waterslides, a game room and a complimentary kids club with all kinds of activities for younger guests. If a theme park visit is on the itinerary, the resort provides complimentary motorcoach transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks located just a few minutes away and offers a Disney Planning Center in the lobby to help guests with arrangements and questions. You can also get in the Disney spirit without even leaving the resort by booking a table for the Good Morning Breakfast with Goofy & Pals held at the resort’s Ravello restaurant every Thursday and Saturday. After a long day of playing in the sun or riding rollercoasters, sophisticated but still comfortable guest rooms and suites make getting a good night’s sleep easy.


Best Affordable Family Resort In Florida: Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa

Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa

Who Will Love It: Families who want to watch their budget but still have a great beach vacation
All-Star Amenities: Private beach with complimentary chairs and umbrellas; oceanfront heated pool; complimentary baby gear
What Not To Miss: Watching the kids zoom around on Micro Kickboard scooters available in two children’s sizes for complimentary use during a stay
Location: Vero Beach

With off-peak nightly rates around $200, Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa makes family travel a breeze. The resort’s 113 spacious guest suites range from studios to three bedrooms, some with full kitchens, ocean views and/or lanais. Complimentary beach chairs and umbrellas are available, as well as access to watersports rentals, tours and private beach cabanas. There’s also an oceanfront pool ideal for cooling down after a family bike ride or workout at the fitness center, and you can start the day with complimentary morning coffee and tea in the lobby and wind down with a complimentary evening wine hour each day. Opt for the resort’s Stargazing on the Sea package on select dates, and the whole family can take a private river cruise featuring a star talk led by a local astronomer. Through a new partnership with the nearby Environmental Learning Center in the Indian River Lagoon, interactive pop-up events will take place at the hotel every Friday afternoon where kids can learn about topics like butterflies, gopher tortoises and beach shells.


Best Family Resort In Florida For Pools: Orlando World Center Marriott

Orlando World Center Marriott

Who Will Love It: Families who plan to spend a lot of time making a splash during their Florida vacation
All-Star Amenities: Zero-entry, lagoon-style swimming pool; seven waterslides; lazy river; two kids’ splash zones; arcade; mini-golf; scheduled shuttle service to the Disney theme parks
What Not To Miss: Plummeting down the speed slide and catching the high-energy nightly laser light show at the Falls Pool area
Location: Orlando

As the world’s largest Marriott property, Orlando World Center Marriott doesn’t skimp on amenities. That includes its pool scene, which offers gallons of fun for the whole family. At the Falls Pool Oasis, the zero-entry, lagoon-style swimming pool and splash zone are ideal for younger kids, while two twisting waterslides and a 90-foot speed slide offer bigger thrills for older kids (and grownups). The new River Falls Water Park (included in the daily resort fee) amps up the aquatic action with three high-octane inner-tube waterslides, including the aptly named Boomerango that sends riders up a seemingly gravity-defying chute. An “aqua playground” and 575-foot-long lazy river calm things down a bit. The fun continues after dark, when a nightly laser light show set to music illuminates the Falls Pool area and mermaids join the fun for glow parties on select nights throughout the year. Outside of the water, kids can head to the arcade, play mini-golf, or take part in regularly scheduled activities like arts and crafts and animal encounters. The resort also offers complimentary scheduled shuttle service to the Disney theme parks—if you can get the kids to leave, that is.


Best Family Resort In Florida For Adventurous Families: Tradewinds Beach Resort’s Island Grand

Tradewinds Beach Resort’s Island Grand

Who Will Love It: Thrillseekers of all ages who want a Florida beach vacation with plenty of action and excitement
All-Star Amenities: Access to one beach cabana per room; five pools; inflatable surf simulator; touch tank experience; mini-golf; paddleboats; nightly s’mores
What Not To Miss: Ziplining by the beach and splashing down a three-story inflatable waterslide on the sand
Location: St. Pete Beach

Five pools, a three-story, 200-foot-long waterslide, an inflatable surf simulator and a three-story zipline over the beach are just some of the amenities included in the resort fee at TradeWinds Beach Resort’s Island Grand. The property shares acres of Gulf of Mexico beachfront with sister hotel RumFish Beach Resort, and a stay at either gives families access to lots of thrills and activities in the sand and surf. You’ll need a vacation from your vacation after enjoying everything that’s included with a stay, like volleyball and other beach games, a touch tank experience, mini-golf, paddleboats, family pirate shows, ping-pong, shuffleboard, nightly s’mores, morning beach yoga classes and use of one beach cabana per room. If you want to add even more to the experience, fee-based options include standup paddleboard and kayak rentals, jet ski tours and fishing charters, banana boat rides, parasailing and a floating water park with slides and trampolines. When everyone’s tuckered out, head back to your guest room or villa done up in tropical style with marine-inspired artwork, mini-fridges and microwaves.


Best Family Resort In Florida For Outdoorsy Families: Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo

Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo

Who Will Love It: Families looking for a dude ranch experience that doesn’t require roughing it
All-Star Amenities: Glamping and other unique lodging options; petting farm; seasonal outdoor pool; tennis and basketball courts; multiple dining options
What Not To Miss: Experiencing the resort’s Saturday Night Rodeo, featuring barrel racing and bull riding and admiring the scenic setting on horseback or by airboat
Location: River Ranch

Set on 1,700 acres overlooking the Kissimmee River in Central Florida’s Polk County, Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo gives families a dude ranch-meets-glamping experience with an Old Florida feel. Guests can choose their way to stay here, with options that include glamping tents, Conestoga wagon–inspired cabins and lodge-style guest rooms. A seasonal outdoor pool, tennis courts, basketball courts and petting farm are available to guests free of charge during a stay at the largest dude ranch east of the Mississippi. Families can pick from a range of add-on activities to create their perfect trip, with options like horseback rides, archery, airboat rides, a Saturday night rodeo and the new Cowboy Adventure Park with activities like a mechanical bull, bounce pad and rock-climbing wall. On-site dining options serve up everything from steaks and barbecue to pizza and ice cream, and the S'mores 'N Pours experience gives both the kids and grownups a treat with two deluxe s’mores kits and a bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon hand-delivered during a stay.


About Beth Luberecki, Your Florida Family Resorts Guide

I have been a professional writer for more than 25 years covering a range of topics including travel, business, real estate and home decorating. My travel stories have appeared in publications and on websites such as USA Today, FamilyVacationist, Smarter Travel, TripAdvisor, Times of the Islands and Gulf + Main. My work has also appeared in the Washington Post’s Express and Florida Trend. I have lived in the Sunshine State for almost two decades and have written about it extensively, from tips and advice on visiting Walt Disney World to where to stay for a romantic getaway or fun family trip. The Orlando area is a region I know well. I’m always looking for new places to discover in Florida with my husband and teenage daughter.