Contents
- 1. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- 2. Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
- 3. The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
- 4. Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
- 5. Sandpiper Bay Resort
- 6. The Don CeSar Hotel
- 7. Cheeca Lodge & Spa
- 8. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
- 9. Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
- 10. Hawks Cay Resort
- 11. PGA National Resort
- 12. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- 13. The Resort at Longboat Key Club
- 14. Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
- 15. Reunion Resort
- 16. Islander Resort
- Map of Family Resorts in Florida
With two coastlines; multiple islands, including the Florida Keys; warm and sunny weather year-round; and Walt Disney World; Florida is a dreamy, family-friendly destination filled with kid-focused resorts for all budgets. Whether you are taking your children on a dream vacation to Disney in Orlando or on a Gulf Coast beach holiday near Sarasota, Florida’s family resorts cater to all types of travelers.
From hotels for active adventurers and for those in search of all-inclusive properties to luxury resorts, where parents can have some alone time while kids partake in activities designed especially for them, you’ll find a Florida resort to meet your expectations.
Plan your trip with our list of the best family resorts in Florida.
1. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Accommodation: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
If your kids have been begging you to visit the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is one of the most luxe spots to stay. The flagship property for Walt Disney World, it is a four-star resort that is just a quick three-minute tram ride from the entrance to the park. Staying here also puts you near EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom should you wish to explore more.
The accommodation comes in a rainbow of sizes, with everything from standard rooms to multi-bedroom suites and villas. The Grand Floridian also runs activity programs, like Kids Nite Out, which give parents a chance to grab a romantic dinner alone while your children are safely entertained.
Hotel amenities are also plentiful and created with kids in mind. Make sure to check out the restaurant done up like an early 20th-century carousel. It does character-themed breakfasts and is just one of many restaurants on the grounds.
Address: 4401 Floridian Way, Orlando, Florida
2. Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
Accommodation: Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
From a kids’ camp with a slew of organized activities, like pajama and pizza parties, to a Junior Lifeguard Camp for teens, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Jacksonville is perfect for a family-friendly beach vacation. The hotel is right on a pretty stretch of sand, and if families would rather play together, there are ocean kayaks and SUP boards you can borrow.
The resort has a number of different room options, including suites with kitchenettes and separate living rooms. For meals, you can choose from one of a number of on-site restaurants.
Other amenities include a zero-entry family swimming pool, golf course, multiple tennis courts, a fitness center with more than 100 classes on offer each week, and a spa.
Address: 200 Ponte Vedra Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
3. The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
Accommodation: The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne
The five-star Ritz Carlton on Key Biscayne, a barrier island just across a bridge from Miami, is another fun family favorite for those in search of a luxury resort experience.
Parents can sign their littles ones up for Ritz Kids, which is for children between the ages of five and 12 and offers a number of different daily activities. Many have an educational and environmental focus, too.
Accommodation is in a range of different sized rooms and suites, but all are plush and comfy.
Amenities here include a spa; direct beach access; multiple restaurants; and two swimming pools, including one with zero-entry designed for families.
Address: 455 Grand Bay Drive, Key Biscayne, Florida
4. Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
Accommodation: Acqualina Resort & Residences On The Beach
Set on 4.5 acres fronting Miami’s Sunny Isles Beach, Acqualina Resort & Residences is a family-friendly luxury resort. The 5-star property is designed to resemble a Mediterranean villa, and you’ll find watermelon red and crisp, white colors in the pool cushions, umbrellas, and cabanas.
The resort caters to little ones with its award-winning AcquaMarine kids’ club. The complimentary program features thematically planned days for different age groups, from creative activities to outdoor games. There are two daily sessions, and the club is open by appointment only Thursday through Sunday. Other child friendly amenities include a kids’ pool.
There are 54 rooms and 44 suites to choose from. These come in a variety of floor plans, but all are decorated by Miami designer Isabel Tragash, and exude a modern, luxe Southern Florida vibe. If your dog is family, the resort welcomes pets in select rooms for a fee.
Amenities are also plentiful. While kids are being entertained, parents can enjoy getting pampered at the ultra posh spa. There is also an adults-only swimming pool and a fitness center.
For on-site dining, choose from Costa Grill, which serves a Mediterranean meets Floridian menu just steps from the sand. Or try Il Mulino New York for acclaimed Italian. The resort’s newest restaurant is Ke-UH, which serves high-end Japanese fare.
Address: 17875 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
5. Sandpiper Bay Resort
Accommodation: Sandpiper Bay Resort
Sandpiper Bay Resort is an all-inclusive resort on the St. Lucie River, on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, in the town of Port St. Lucie, which is about halfway between Miami and Orlando.
The property caters to active families with a range of included activities, from golf to trapeze lessons and a Sports Academy with top-tier coaches. There are also age-specific activities at the kids’ club and a water park for everyone to splash around in. If you’d rather get pampered, a spa with treatments for adults and children 12 and up awaits.
The rooms come in a variety of configurations, but all feature contemporary decor and some have separate living and sleeping space.
There are also two on-site restaurants. One is a buffet, and the other has a la carte selections. Both are included in the daily rate.
Address: 4500 S.E Pine Valley Street, Port Saint Lucie, Florida
6. The Don CeSar Hotel
Accommodation: The Don CeSar
On St. Pete Beach, the legendary pink Don CeSar Hotel has been hosting families since 1928. The hotel has a prime beachfront location facing the Gulf of Mexico and is one of the top luxury resorts for families in Florida.
There are daily activities for kids and teens, including Kids’ Night Out events on Friday and Saturday nights that give parents a chance for some alone time.
The rooms and suites are spacious and elegantly decorated with a distinct Roaring 20s vibe.
On-site amenities include a number of restaurants and cafés, including Uncle Andy’s Ice Cream Parlor, where the whole family can indulge in shakes or sundaes.
Address: 3400 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach, Florida
7. Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Accommodation: Cheeca Lodge & Spa
Another iconic family vacation spot, the Cheeca Lodge & Spa on Islamorada in the Florida Keys has checked in everyone from presidents to A-list celebrities over the decades. The property features a kids’ club, and some of the suites here come with full kitchens, which is a perk for parents with little ones.
Other on-site amenities at his luxe resort include three restaurants, direct access to a white sandy beach, a fishing pier, full-service spa, and multiple swimming pools and tennis courts. There is also a nine-hole golf course on-site.
Address: 81801 Overseas Highway Mile Marker 82, Islamorada, Florida
8. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
In Bonita Springs, the upscale Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa was designed with families in mind. If your kids can’t get enough of the water, they will love the swimming pool options here. There are four different pools to check out and five waterslides, some of which are designed to race down on inner tubes.
Out of the water, the activities continue with lawn games, and there are fire pits where you can cook up some s’mores. If parents need a break at, say, the on-site spa or playing 18 holes of golf, there is a kids’ camp on the grounds.
Accommodations are spacious and comfortable, and there are also multiple restaurants on the grounds.
Address: 5001 Coconut Road, Bonita Springs, Florida
9. Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Accommodation: Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Just a few minutes away from all four of the Disney world theme parks in Orlando, The Hilton Bonnet Creek is set inside the 482-acre Bonnet Creek Nature Preserve and is a great choice for families with kids. The rooms and suites are contemporary and comfortable, and there are even specific wellness rooms to book for families with allergies.
Amenities on-site include a pool area with a three-mile-long lazy river and a waterslide. There is also a spa and 12 restaurants to check out between the Hilton and the adjacent Waldorf Astoria Orlando, where guests can also book spa appointments.
Address: 14100 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando, Florida
10. Hawks Cay Resort
Accommodation: Hawks Cay Resort
Halfway down the Florida Keys, on tiny Duck Key, Hawks Cay Resort is a great choice for an active family holiday. The property sits on 60 acres, and guests arrive via boat to what feels like a small village.
Accommodation is in a mix of rooms and villas. The latter have up to three bedrooms, full kitchens, and, in some cases, personal plunge pools.
On-site activities include a number of water activities, from renting WaveRunners to snorkeling excursions. There is also a lagoon, multiple swimming pools (including one reserved for adults), a spa, and five restaurants.
Address: 61 Hawks Cay Boulevard, Duck Key, Florida
11. PGA National Resort
Accommodation: PGA National Resort
In Palm Beach Gardens, the PGA National Resort & Spa is perfect for families who like a lot of activities in a property, along with an opportunity to play golf on one of the six different courses.
There are a number of kid-focused activities, including arts and crafts sessions, contests, and cotton candy and snow cones by the swimming pool.
Accommodation is in a mix of rooms, suites, and cottages. The cottages are perfect for families, as they have kitchens and washers and dryers. Other amenities include a spa, fitness center, and nine restaurants.
Address: 400 Avenue of Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
12. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Accommodation: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
If your children love animals, then you’ll want them to experience the magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
The Orlando resort feels as close as you can get to an African safari lodge in the U.S. Here, you’ll wake up and watch giraffes from the balcony. You can also go on a safari through the four savannas on-site and see up to 30 species of animals.
There is also a giant swimming pool with a waterslide, and multiple restaurants are on-site. And, of course, guest have easy access to the other Disney parks.
Address: 2901 Osceola Parkway Lake Buena Vista, Orlando, Florida
13. The Resort at Longboat Key Club
Accommodation: The Resort at Longboat Key Club
Located between Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico just off the coast by Sarasota, the Resort at Longboat Key Club welcomes families with a number of different amenities. There is Camp Loggerhead with age-specific activities, as well as opportunities for mothers and daughters to bond over manicures at the spa.
The resort is right on a beautiful white-sand beach, and there is also a swimming pool fronting the sea.
Rooms and suites are elegant and comfortable, and suites have kitchens (minus ovens) and dining space. There is also a spa, multiple tennis courts, and 45 holes of golf to play on the expansive grounds.
Address: 220 Sands Point Road, Longboat Key, Florida
14. Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
Accommodation: Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
Families love Playa Largo Resort & Spa for its kid-friendly amenities and easy-to-access location. The luxury property is just an hour by car from Miami on Key Largo, set on 14 acres of secluded beachfront. There are hammocks and sun loungers on the sand, and guests can take out kayaks and paddleboards for free. Activities, including water sports, eco tours, and glass-bottom boat rides can be arranged.
There are 177 rooms, suites, and bungalows to choose from. All are nicely decorated in beach style and come with balconies and tech-forward features like Smart TVs and iPads.
Amenities include a kids’ club, swimming pool lined with chairs, a spa, and fitness center. There is also a restaurant on-site, and some nights there is live music. If you are interested in chartering a boat, head to the on-site marina – try one of the sunset sailing charters.
Address: 97450 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, Florida
15. Reunion Resort
Accommodation: Reunion Resort
Located around 20 minutes south of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Reunion Resort is a great choice for multi-generational family trips, as accommodation is in condos or vacation homes of various sizes. These also all come with full kitchens.
Amenities for families are equally plentiful. There is a five-acre water park with a lazy river, as well as 10 different swimming pools. There is also a kids’ club with daily activities. For parents, there are three golf courses and a full-service spa on-site.
Seven restaurants (with kids’ menus) round out the amenities picture.
Address: 7593 Gathering Drive, Kissimmee, Florida
16. Islander Resort
Accommodation: Islander Resort
Also on Islamorada in the Florida Keys, Islander Resort sits right on a beautiful stretch of white-sand beach that is known for its amazing sunsets. The beach here also has a shallow and sheltered area that works for small kids who want to swim without being pounded by waves.
The family-friendly resort features a mix of rooms and suites, but all come with, at a minimum, full-sized refrigerators and microwaves. You can also rent townhouses here if your family needs more space (these come with full kitchens).
On-site amenities here include two restaurants, two saltwater swimming pools that face the sea, and a splash pad for children. There are also basketball and volleyball courts.
Address: 82100 Overseas Highway Mile Marker 82.1 Oceanside, Islamorada, Florida