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Where to stay in Florida: 10 dreamy beach resorts perfect for families
By Allison Tibaldi,
1 day ago
With more theme parks and water parks than there are days in the week, Florida has long been a beloved vacation destination for families . But the Sunshine State is about more than just thrill rides and splash zones. With the kinds of accommodations, activities and amenities that are custom-designed to please the entire family, the best Florida beach resorts for families rank among the top family beach resorts in the country and make great vacation destinations all on their own.
Beyond everyday perks like flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers and a hotel fitness center, the amenities at the top beach resorts in Florida start with things like epic outdoor pools , movies under the stars, and private balconies to take in the ocean views. And they only get better from there. Here are my picks for the most family-friendly beach hotels and resorts in Florida this year.
An unspoiled wisp of a barrier island, Amelia Island offers miles of pristine beaches with sand dunes and unfettered access to the Atlantic Ocean, plus a forest of giant oaks draped in Spanish moss nearby just for good measure. The island provides loads of family activities , too, including a visit to well-preserved Fort Clinch State Park and a hands-on shrimping eco-tour. Though it feels remote, Amelia Island is only a 30-minute drive from Jacksonville International Airport.
Of all the beach hotels on Amelia Island, The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island best embodies beachside elegance. The hotel enjoys a magnificent location on an often-empty beach, and there's an indoor-outdoor flow to this resort that showcases ocean views at every turn. The patio, with comfy sofas and oversized chairs grouped around a large fire pit, overlooks the dunes. A series of wooden boardwalks leads to the beach, where dolphins swim close to shore. And this is one Florida beach resort that takes full advantage of its location, with activities like kayak excursions and surfing lessons.
The Ritz Kids program for children ages 4 to 12 provides kids with a lot of hands-on diversions, too, including a supervised evening program offered by Ritz-Carlton that's popular with families called Kids Night Out. Kids can have dinner, watch a movie, and play games while parents enjoy a child-free evening. For a special treat, book a pirate tuck-in at bedtime.
2. Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Palm Coast, Florida
Children love playing on the water slides at Hammock Beach. Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches
Northeastern Florida’s Palm Coast enjoys many miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The clean and sandy beaches are the big draw, as is the area's laidback vibe − it's a genuine slice of coastal Americana with locals fishing off the pier, teens surfing the waves, and kids building sandcastles by the water. Against this idyllic backdrop, Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa boasts a multi-level "fantasy pool complex" with a twisting waterslide and lazy river, tennis courts, and a full-service spa that sets it apart from other family-friendly Florida beach resorts and hotels.
The resort is known for its Jack Nicklaus-designed coastal golf course, with links that play directly alongside the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, offering dramatic ocean views. The grounds at Hammock Beach are carefully maintained and the rooms are amenity-filled, but it doesn’t feel fancy or stuffy. For guests ages 4 to 12, there are on-site morning and evening supervised programs for an additional fee. And on the rare days when the sun isn't shining, there’s a large indoor pool complex with table tennis and foosball options.
3. Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
Palm Beach Island, Florida
A Palm Beach Island vacation is all about sun, sand, and surf. Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa
Florida's Palm Beach has a reputation as a preppy playground, and while you will find a fair share of polo players, former presidents, and Lilly Pulitzer prints here, the county's crown jewel is its 47 miles of Atlantic Ocean surf − and there's nothing stuffy about that. Situated on a private beach surrounded by tropical gardens, the exclusive Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa takes full advantage of its location and goes above and beyond other Florida beach resorts right from the start.
A gorgeous lobby boasts sweeping ocean views and a cooling tropical breeze. Guest rooms are upscale and feature playful pops of nautical colors. Slather on the sunscreen and leave yourself plenty of unstructured time to build sandcastles and jump the waves at the resort’s beautiful beach. The supervised on-site kid's club, called Loggers, is for ages three to 12 and includes all kinds of fun activities plus a staff who make rambunctious young guests feel welcome from the get-go.
For teens ages 13 to 17, there's Hide Away, featuring table tennis, arcade games, and a cool space to hang with new friends. All this frees the adults to try an outdoor yoga class, a treatment from the full-service spa, or a dip in one of the splendid swimming pools.
4. Sandpearl Resort
Clearwater Beach, Florida
The lagoon pool at Sandpearl Resort is like an aquatic playground for families. Opal Collection
On Clearwater Beach, the sand is as soft as sifted flour and as white as fresh snow. The warm Gulf waters are a shade of blue that’s fit for a jewelry box. Add a pier and the palm tree-lined Beach Walk Promenade, and you’ve got a seaside dream. Sandpearl Resort is located on a 700-foot stretch of beach, and as Florida's first Silver LEED-certified beach resort, it was built with the goal of contributing to the environment in a positive manner without sacrificing one ounce of creature comforts.
The welcoming staff makes guests feel at home from the moment they enter the luxurious lobby. Guest rooms and suites are decorated in soothing earth tones that mimic the natural hues of the seascape, with stunning ocean views. The beach hotel’s family-friendly amenities include a gigantic lagoon-style swimming pool, Camp Ridley kids club, outdoor movies by the pool, and family s'mores nights on the beach.
5. Fontainebleau Miami Beach
Miami Beach, Florida
Beach fun and big city entertainment are within easy reach at Fontainebleau Miami Beach. Fontainebleau
A revered Miami Beach landmark for more than half a century, Fontainebleau Miami Beach sits on 22 acres of the city’s oceanfront. A visual stunner among Florida beach resorts, the Fontainebleau blends elements of Miami’s glamorous golden era (think Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack) with stylish modern design. The beach hotel offers 11 swimming pool experiences, including an interactive waterscape for kids with a splash pad, waterslide and gentle 18-inch-deep pool. With miles of beach at your doorstep, it's easy to enjoy the day relaxing on a chaise longue under an umbrella, paddling a kayak, or swimming in the sea.
Miami Beach is a good vacation choice for families who crave a beach getaway with the excitement of a big city. There are more than a dozen beaches, all public, with light blue water and soft sand. Beyond the beach, the city’s zoo and children’s museum are fun options. You can also immerse yourself in Cuban culture while exploring Little Havana, check out the art deco buildings lining Ocean Drive, and visit the colorful murals at the Wynwood Walls open-air art gallery. After a day outdoors, enjoy Miami’s eclectic dining scene or eat in one of the beach hotel’s on-site restaurants, all offering special kids’ menus.
6. Hawks Cay Resort
Duck Key, Florida
It’s easy to see why Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys is one of the state’s best family resorts. Hawks Cay
A chain of islands south of Miami, the Florida Keys are famous for their laid-back atmosphere that feels a million miles away from the state's many theme parks. In the heart of the Florida Keys is Hawks Cay Resort , a classic Florida beach resort midway down the island chain, dotted with a sweep of palm trees and lush vegetation. Guests come here to swim in the sea, splash in the multiple swimming pools, fish, kayak, play tennis and bask in the sunshine.
When you arrive, you'll walk into the light-filled lobby, past the row of comfy rocking chairs on the front porch, and won't help but notice the tropical color palette that’s as cheerful as a fruit cup. In addition to standard guest rooms and suites, the resort offers two-, three- and four-bedroom villas perfect for multigenerational family vacations . They’re decorated with low-key contemporary furnishings that suit the casual feel of so many classic Florida beach hotels.
At the on-site kid's club for ages 5 to 12, called Camp Hawk, children can learn about the delicate Florida Keys ecosystem. Teens have their own separate drop-in space for video games, pizza parties, and other age-appropriate diversions. A pod of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins lives at Hawks Cay, making it the only beach resort in the mainland U.S. to offer dolphin interactions. Stand on the dock and watch them play, or book an in-water experience.
7. Edgewater Beach Hotel
Naples, Florida
There are two heated swimming pools at the Edgewater Beach Hotel. Opal Collection
One look at the white sand, palm trees, and azure Gulf waters and you’ll understand why Naples is considered some of the most stunning coastline in the United States. The white sand stretches for miles, and the calm waves of the Gulf of Mexico are easy for even the youngest visitors to enjoy. Naples is also home to a zoo, botanical gardens and the interactive Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, so there’s plenty to do beyond the beach.
The vibe at the Edgewater Beach Hotel is chic and casual. The more than 100 suites are both attractive and functional, with a kitchen, living area, and separate bedroom, a hit with visiting families seeking spacious accommodations at an oceanfront location. Outside your suite’s door sits a stellar swath of soft sand where you can relax in a comfy beach chair, rent a kayak or standup paddleboard, or go for a swim in the warm water. There are two heated swimming pools and delectable onsite dining options at this Florida beach resort, too.
8. Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
Acqualina Resort is right on the beach and close to both Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Acqualina Resort
If you’re looking for a seaside haven just minutes from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach is perfection. It’s set on more than 4 acres with its own stunning beach just for guests. Families love the oceanfront soccer field, dual basketball hoop and marine biology-inspired activity program called AcquaMarine. And with four swimming pools, including one at the spa and one reserved for adults, there are plenty of ways to stay cool.
The Beach Club pool is surrounded by comfy lounge chairs and private cabanas, while the Recreational Pool is the place for games and activities led by the friendly staff. Guest rooms and suites are richly appointed with classic furnishings, private terraces, and bathrooms with marble floors. Tech-savvy teens will enjoy large-format Smart 4K Ultra TVs and up-to-date multimedia perks. Many suites have full kitchens, while the multiple on-site dining options should satisfy everyone’s appetite. And if you have a little one who wants to learn to swim like a mermaid? Well, they're in luck, because the AquaMermaid program teaches kids seven and up a combination of synchronized and monofin swimming.
9. Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Vero Beach, Florida
Teams from Disney Conservation and the Sea Turtle Conservancy released two sea turtles over the summer of 2023, as part of the 16th annual Tour de Turtles event at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Disney
Situated on Florida's Treasure Coast, Vero Beach is a paradise for nature lovers, boasting miles of unspoiled Atlantic beaches as well as the Indian River Lagoon, North America’s most diverse estuary and home to a large population of manatees. It's also home to one of the top Disney hotels in Florida. Unique among Florida beach resorts, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort sits on an idyllic swath of sand and sea that's also nesting ground for the loggerhead sea turtle (and it was constructed in such a way as to have minimal impact on the turtles’ nesting patterns).
After a few hours on the beach, kids can continue splashing in the Mickey Mouse-shaped outdoor pool and slipping down the Pirate’s Plunge water slide. Accommodations include traditional guest rooms and roomy villas with kitchens popular with Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members. Sustainable seafood and fabulous desserts are on the menu at the onsite Wind & Waves Grill, plus you’ll find handy grab-and-go meals and snacks at the resort's Wind & Waves Market.
10. South Seas
Captiva Island, Florida
South Seas resort boasts 2.5 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. South Seas
Both Captiva and neighboring Sanibel are barrier islands easily reached from mainland Fort Myers by causeway, but don't let the ease of access fool you − this is authentic Florida with hardly a chain store in sight. Some of the most colorful seashells in the world pepper the islands' beautiful beaches, and savvy shell collectors know that an hour before and after low tide is prime time to find sand dollars, conchs and the rare Junonia washed ashore.
South Seas enjoys a 2½-mile swath of perfect coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, with hundreds of seashells blanketing the clean sand. Once the site of a key lime plantation, today the resort helps guests get up close with Captiva’s ecosystem and marine habitats while taking a beachside walk or a stroll around the 330-acre property.
South Seas is continuing its phased reopening after suffering damage from 2022's Hurricane Ian. Amenities available to guests include the Sunset Beach area, offering beach chairs and umbrellas along with a food truck serving up burgers, and the Bayview Pool Complex, with family-friendly pools and waterslides plus a fishing pier, taco truck and pool bar. A new 12-hole golf short course takes full advantage of the scenic setting, and fishing charters and nature tours are available from the marina. Additional amenities and dining options opening throughout 2024 and into 2025 include the family-focused Captiva Landing, with a new water play area, lazy river, arcade and kids club.
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