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FamilyVacationist
7 best all-inclusive resorts in Florida for families
2024-08-19
Photo byLittle Palm Island Resort & Spa
With so many Florida beach resorts to choose from, it can be hard to know which Florida all-inclusive will be the best fit for your family. But whether you’re dreaming of a relaxing family beach vacation, traveling with a group that likes to get competitive on the volleyball court, or you fall somewhere in-between, there are some common amenities to look for in all the best family resorts in the Sunshine State.
Look for amenities such as a variety of room sizes, lots daily activities, access to swimming pools and the best Florida beaches, onsite dining, a waterfront location, and a private balcony. Also consider if you want a full-service spa, complimentary childcare and kids clubs, and proximity to the Orlando theme parks and water parks when deciding where to stay.
Best Florida all-inclusive resorts
If all of that sounds like your idea of a great family vacation, you're probably in the market for one of the best Florida all-inclusive resorts (or a resort with a nearly all-inclusive package). These seven resorts may be just what your family needs.
If Central Florida’s famous theme parks are on your itinerary, make Encore Resort at Reunion your home base. Rather staying in a typical hotel room or condo, guests at this Florida all-inclusive family resort can choose from vacation rental homes ranging from four to 13 bedrooms. Each home has a full kitchen, living and dining areas, yard, and a private pool and hot tub. Complimentary theme park transportation, water park access, fitness center and sport court access, and daily activities for families are all included with your rental. An arcade is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
There are three restaurants on property, as well as a small grab-n-go store with fresh fruit, smoothies, and snacks. If you really don’t feel like cooking, the resort has convenient restaurant and grocery delivery, as well as private chefs who will cook a meal in your kitchen. Guests can choose from an assortment of special packages, such as one that includes a credit toward theme park tickets and discounts for longer stays. Kissimmee is an especially good spring break idea for families on a budget because it's close to theme parks and other things to do in Orlando without the same hefty price tag.
2. Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Ideally situated on a quarter-mile of private beach in Fort Lauderdale and featuring an 8,000-square-foot Tropical Lagoon Pool, the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa knows just how to make a splash with its guests. The resort boasts on-site restaurants, bars, a juice shop, a Starbucks, and dining barefoot on the beach. Families are always welcome, and the Kids Surf Club (ages five to 12) keeps little ones entertained with a multimedia center, video games, and arts and crafts, for an additional fee.
Adults might prefer to spend the day relaxing at the 22,000-square-foot spa or simply lounging in a poolside cabana. The inclusive resort fee gets you two beach chairs per day, two welcome beverages, a one-hour water sports equipment rental (skim board, paddleboard, boogie board, or kayak) per day for two guests, two fitness classes per day, a spa treatment discount, and 90-minute tennis court and equipment use per day, among other amenities.
3. Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina
Ft. Myers Beach, Florida
Thanks to its muted pink exterior and ocean views from each of the 213 rooms, Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina is the epitome of coastal Florida charm. Rooms and villas have one or two bedrooms, a kitchen area, and an enclosed lanai, with the larger villas also boasting additional space for dining and relaxing. Select rooms and villas are ADA compliant as well.
As a guest, you'll enjoy complimentary breakfast as well as beach chair and umbrella rentals for the duration of your stay. The nightly inclusive resort fee also covers daily activities, pool, splash area, and fitness center access, valet parking, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and use of the onsite steam room.
For an additional fee, you can take advantage of guided fishing tours, sailing lessons, boat rentals, or a rejuvenating afternoon in the 6,000-square-foot full-service spa. Pink Shell’s three restaurants let you choose between indoor and outdoor dining, including a candlelit dinner on the sand.
4. Tradewinds Island Grand Beach Resort
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Tradewinds Island Grand Beach Resort is actually two oceanfront resorts in one (TradeWinds Island Grand Resort and RumFish Beach Resort) spread out over 31 acres of St. Pete’s famous white sand beaches. Both Florida all-inclusive resorts offer unique activities and experiences like a three-story waterslide, snorkeling, and a floating water park (open seasonally). Guests of either resort can enjoy the amenities at both properties.
Some of the resort's activities involve an additional fee, but your resort amenity fee does cover water slide rides at the floating water park, beach cabanas, mini golf, access to seven swimming pools, beach volleyball, dive-in outdoor movies, and more. Food is not included, but certain inclusive packages do include drink vouchers.
TradeWinds' KONK (which stands for "Kids Only, No Kidding") childcare and camps are located at Island Grand and geared toward children ages five to 12. They do require an additional fee, but while your kids play, you can relax by the pool, visit the full-service spa for spa treatments, or lounge in a VIP poolside cabana.
Rooms are done up with colorful decor and furnishings that match the St. Pete beach vibe, and options range from standard hotel rooms to two-bedroom suites for families of all sizes. Pet-friendly and accessible rooms are also available. Tradewinds is a designated special needs-friendly resort, offering everything from gluten-free menus to room safety kits to meet your child’s individual needs.
5. Sandpiper Bay All Inclusive Resort
Port St. Lucie, Florida
This former Club Med all-inclusive resort is now Sandpiper Bay Resort and part of the Trademark Collection by Wyndham collection. It's still a true all-inclusive Florida resort (recognized as one of the best all-inclusive resorts in the U.S., in fact) and it still caters to families who like a little adventure with their rest and relaxation. Situated along the serene St. Lucie River and only about 10 minutes from Florida's Atlantic coast beaches, Sandpiper Bay Resort offers an activity-rich (think tennis, volleyball, jet skiing, and swimming) experience for families.
The spacious rooms are designed to sleep up to four people and include furnished balconies that make it easy to enjoy the bay or garden views. Connecting rooms are available for larger families of up to eight. Note that Sandpiper Bay is one of the biggest Florida resorts, so if accessibility is a concern, be sure to request a room closer to the main hub. This Port St. Lucie resort has age-specific kids' clubs starting with its Mini Club (for children ages four to 10) and Latitude 27 (teens and tweens ages 11 to 17). An evening Pajama Club for kids comes at an additional feel but gives parents some free evening time.
6. Sirata Beach Resort
St. Pete Beach, Florida
Located just steps from St. Pete’s sugar white sands and gorgeous turquoise water, Sirata Beach Resort is a beach-lover’s dream come true. The entire Florida all-inclusive property was recently renovated with pools, restaurants, and guest rooms all getting an overhaul. There are two pools to enjoy, and kids will love the sea-turtle themed Sprouts Slash Zone. Sirata Beach Resort has lots of specials and packages to choose from, some of which can cover a portion of your daily meals and drinks.
Each of the 382 rooms and 170 suites offer beachfront views, and some have furnished private balconies. Even the brightly furnished standard rooms are spacious enough for families, but studios and one-bedroom suites are available if you need a little more room to stretch out. Accessible and pet-friendly rooms are available, and this St. Pete Beach resort even offers a pet menu so your dog can dine just as well as you.
Speaking of dining, guests can choose from three delicious restaurants, two of which are right on the beach. The friendly resort staff organize an array of daily activities, including scavenger hunts, corn hole, kickball, and more, all included with your daily resort fee. Also included is a daily complimentary happy hour, beach essentials like two beach lounges per family, boogie boards, and a discount on water sports rentals.
7. Little Palm Island Resort and Spa
Little Torch Key, Florida
A true Florida Keys island oasis, Little Palm Island Resort and Spa is a luxury retreat perfect for adult families. (Guests under 18 are not permitted.) The recently renovated resort's beachfront bungalows are inspired by a British West Indies aesthetic, and modern amenities likes indoor/outdoor spa treatments and world-class outdoor dining add an extra dose of relaxation. The luxury bungalows are also ADA-compliant.
What really sets this Florida Keys resort apart, though, is its many unique excursion opportunities. From back country fishing and reef diving to aerial sightseeing and sky diving, Little Palm is a perfect base for once-in-a-lifetime activities, Florida-style. Book the Culinary Indulgence package (two-night minimum), which features breakfasts, three-course lunches, and four-course dinners, plus other amenities like a spa credit for a nearly all-inclusive Florida resort experience.
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