The 9 Best Florida Family Resorts of 2023

Florida-resorts-for-families-3266745 — Getty Images / Imgorthand

The Rundown

Best Overall: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island – See Rates at Tripadvisor

"Kids will love exploring 13 miles of pristine beachfront, or kayaking along the Intracoastal Waterway."

Best Runner-Up: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa – See Rates at Tripadvisor

"Enjoy hours of splashy fun at the water park, complete with four, three-story water slides, a lazy river, and four pools."

Best Budget: Tropical Beach Resorts – See Rates at Tripadvisor

"Best of all, rooms and suites allow you to save big bucks by self-catering in their fully equipped kitchens."

Best Walt Disney World Resort: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – See Rates at Tripadvisor

"Explore Bay Lake on a guided fishing trip, then return home for campfire activities and Movies Under the Stars."

Best Universal Orlando Resort: Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando – See Rates at Tripadvisor

"You get early admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and complimentary transportation to the different theme parks."

Best Luxury: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort – See Rates at Tripadvisor

"The resort grounds are a wonderland of gardens, pools, and palm groves, while Explorer Island water park is made for family fun."

Best in the Keys: Hawks Cay Resort – See Rates at Tripadvisor

"Make memories to last a lifetime while fishing, snorkeling, kiteboarding, or scuba diving together."

Best Urban: Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach – See Rates at Tripadvisor

"It occupies 4.5 beachfront acres in Sunny Isles Beach, and keeps Miami’s shops and cultural venues within easy reach."

Best Historic: The Breakers – See Rates at Tripadvisor

"Designed to replicate the Villa Medici in Rome, it has hosted American presidents and European aristocrats."

Best Overall: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island

Located on an idyllic, Atlantic barrier island, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island offers the ultimate, luxury beach vacation for families.

Kids will love exploring 13 miles of pristine beachfront, or kayaking along the Intracoastal Waterway. Spend summer afternoons playing in the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, or sign your family up for pro lessons on the oceanfront tennis court. When the weather turns, the game room keeps kids entertained with the latest gaming systems, sports tables, and a private movie theater.

Ritz Kids hosts conservation-themed activities for children ages five to 12, giving Mom and Dad the freedom to check out the spa, or play a round on the 18-hole, championship golf course. On Fridays and Saturdays, Kids' Night Out events include supervised games, movies, and dinner.

There are four restaurants to choose from at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island. Choose connecting rooms with one King or two double beds. Or, go for a spacious suite with a separate living room.

Best Runner-Up: Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa is the ideal base for adventurous families wanting to explore all that Southwest Florida has to offer, from the barrier islands of the Gulf to the wildlife-filled Everglades swamps.

There’s plenty to do on-site, too. Enjoy hours of splashy fun at the water park, complete with four, three-story water slides, a lazy river, and four pools. Your stay also includes a private ferry ride to Big Hickory Island, where you can collect shells and watch dolphins from the beach.

There are five restaurants and bars at Coconut Point. Head to Tanglewood for a relaxed atmosphere and kid-friendly pizzas and pastas. Cool Beans Marketplace sells on-the-go snacks and charms little ones with its old-fashioned candy shop display, while Corkscrew Pool Bar & Grill keeps everyone happy with a kids' menu and tropical cocktails for the grown-ups.

All rooms have a balcony, free Wi-Fi, and a 65-inch smart TV, while suites tout privacy, with a separate living room and two bathrooms.

Best Budget: Tropical Beach Resorts

For a family vacation that won’t break the bank, make your way to Tropical Beach Resorts on Siesta Key barrier island.

Rates start from around $190 per night, which reviewers say is exceptionally good value for money. Enjoy direct access to Siesta Key Beach, known for its safe swimming and fine white sands.

The space has its own beachfront rental service for kayaks, paddleboards, and parasailing. Tropical Beach Resorts offers preferential rates on jet ski rentals through an agreement with Siesta Key Jet Ski. When you get tired of swimming in the sea, heated, outdoor pools provide a change of scenery.

The most affordable family room has a Queen-size, pillow-top bed, a full-size sleeper sofa, and an outdoor patio and seating area. Best of all, the rooms and suites allow you to save big bucks by self-catering in their fully-equipped kitchens.

Other useful amenities include on-site laundry available 24 hours a day, a complimentary DVD library, and a host of family-friendly restaurants within walking distance.

Best Walt Disney World Resort: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

It’s hard to imagine a more family-friendly place than Walt Disney World Resort. Of more than 25 official accommodations, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge stands out for its (relatively) affordable price, excellent reviews, and ideal location near the Magic Kingdom.

Inspired by the turn-of-the-century National Park lodges, the resort channels the beauty of the Great Northwest, with stone fireplaces and totem poles. Outside, nature trails run through tracts of atmospheric pine forest. There are two pools: one with a 67-foot water slide and one with a water play area for smaller kids.

Explore Bay Lake on a guided fishing trip, then return home for campfire activities, and Movies Under the Stars. The resort has five restaurants, including Whispering Canyon Café (for all-you-can-eat buffet spreads in an Old West setting) and Artist Point (for Storybook Dining with Snow White and the Seven Dwarves).

Choose a room with two Queen beds, or upgrade to a Deluxe Villa with separate bedrooms, a full kitchen, and private laundry facilities.

Best Universal Orlando Resort: Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando

Verdant landscaping, melodious waterfalls, and the distant sound of steel drums combine to give Loews Sapphire Falls Resort a distinctly tropical feel.

Located on-site at Universal Orlando, it offers exclusive park benefits. These include early admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and complimentary water taxi or shuttle bus transportation to the different theme parks. Back at base, the star attraction is the pool, with its white sand beach, water slide, children’s play area, and huge hot tub.

When you want a little time to yourselves, check out the fun, supervised children's activities. After a tapas-style lunch and rum tastings at Strong Water Tavern, reconnect over a family dinner at Amatista Cookhouse, featuring tasty Caribbean cuisine and an exciting open kitchen.

Rooms and suites come with free Wi-Fi, an HD TV, a mini-fridge, and a coffee maker. Special Kids' Suites accommodate children in a separate, connecting bedroom with two twin beds, while cots and childproofing kits are available upon request.

Best Luxury: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

Located at Walt Disney World Resort, Four Seasons Resort Orlando is one of Florida’s most luxurious stays.

You’ll have access to park benefits, such as 30 minutes early theme park entry to any theme park of choice daily, while Ravello restaurant hosts regular character breakfasts. You can even experience the park with your own VIP Tour Guide. The resort grounds are a wonderland of gardens, pools, and palm groves, while Explorer Island water park is made for family fun, with water slides and a lazy river.

Sign up for pro lessons on the tennis courts, indulge in a spa massage, or tee off at the Tom Fazio-designed golf course while your children have the time of their lives at the complimentary kids' camp.

There are six resort restaurants. Choose PB&G for its casual poolside setting and kids' menu, or treat older children to dinner at Capa, a rooftop steakhouse with spectacular views of the fireworks over Cinderella Castle.

Suites offer the most luxurious stay, with generous living rooms, marble bathrooms, and the option to connect multiple bedrooms.

Best in the Keys: Hawks Cay Resort

The Florida Keys is a dreamy destination for a family vacation: think magnificent sunrises and sunsets, and endless opportunities for ocean fun.

One of the best options is Hawks Cay Resort, located halfway down the island chain on tiny Duck Key. Make memories to last a lifetime while fishing, snorkeling, kiteboarding, or scuba diving together. Or, introduce your little ones to the resort’s resident dolphins. There are five swimming pools to choose from, as well as a wide range of sports courts.

Camp Hawk (for children ages five to 12) offers supervised fun in the form of nature programs, pool games, and other fun children's activities. Meanwhile, teens can make friends over the video games and sports tables in the Entertainment Room.

With seven restaurants you’re spoiled for choice at meal times. Head to Hawks Cay Marketplace for fast, family-oriented pizzas and pastas, or have the chefs at dockside Angler & Ale prepare your catch for you.

Accommodations range from family rooms to vacation homes with up to four bedrooms and a private pool.

Looking for activities? Check out our Florida Keys Travel Guide.

Best Urban: Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach

Acqualina Resort is the perfect choice for urbanite families who want to stay close to the action. It occupies 4.5 beachfront acres in Sunny Isles Beach and is within easy reach of Miami’s shops and cultural venues.

Despite its luxuriously chic aesthetic, the resort is amazingly child-friendly. Children aged six months and older can sign up for private swimming lessons in one of three oceanfront pools; while family experiences range from interactive wildlife presentations, kayaking tours, and yacht cruises.

If your kids are older, scuba diving, art, or culinary tours of Miami are also on the menu. Little ones ages four to 12 will love the complimentary, marine biology-based AcquaMarine children's program—giving you the opportunity to relax at the spa, or enjoy a romantic meal at Il Mulino New York fine-dining restaurant.

Family-friendly eateries include beachfront, Costa Grill and Greek-focused Avra Miami. Choose a luxury room with a pull-out sofa bed, or go VIP in a suite with three separate bedrooms and a gourmet kitchen.

Best Historic: The Breakers

The Breakers is an iconic space that has been welcoming guests to Palm Beach since 1896. Designed to replicate the Villa Medici in Rome, it has hosted American presidents and European aristocrats—and now you.

Fall in love with its stretch of private beach, where opportunities for surfing, snorkeling, and kayaking abound. Explore four oceanfront pools, 10 tennis courts, and two championship golf courses. Both the tennis courts and golf courses welcome families, with pro instruction for kids and adults alike.

Alternatively, children can have their own fun at the Family Entertainment Center. Discover indoor and outdoor playgrounds, an arcade and video lounge for teens, and a special play area for toddlers.

The most family-friendly of the resort’s 10 restaurants are also located here: The Italian Restaurant. Expect hearty pizzas and pastas, and plenty of entertainment to keep the little ones busy while you eat. Suites have separate living rooms and pull-out sofa beds, and can be connected with other rooms for more space.