These are the best of the best Florida resorts for families that will certainly provide a memorable beach vacation for all ages
Florida is a popular destination for a sandy beach vacation, a family reunion and a multigenerational gathering. The best Florida resorts for families provide incredible opportunities to unite with loved ones, both young and young at heart. From wholesome fun at world-famous amusement parks to palm-studded sandy shores, Florida offers many activities for bonding and memory-making. When it comes to choosing accommodations at this popular destination, Florida offers a wealth of exceptional resorts perfect for family fun.
A Remarkable Beach Vacation Awaits at These Best Florida Resorts for Families
Take a fantastic beach vacation at the best Florida resorts for families. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.
Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island – Amelia Island
Amelia Island is home to 13 miles of lovely Atlantic coast beaches and is known for its rich history. The luxurious Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, is one of the best Florida resorts for families thanks to its location and great amenities. In fact, it has earned an AAA Five Diamond rating and offers a wide variety of restaurants and attractions. Families can reserve curated nature experiences through the concierge and participate in other family activities, such as a beach vacation family photoshoot with a professional photographer. How about a private tennis instruction on the Ritz-Carlton’s oceanfront clay courts? Guest rooms offer impressive coastal views from balconies or terraces, while suites provide separate living areas and private bedrooms.
The Ritz-Carlton offers twelve different event spaces for large family reunions, and plenty of rooms afford panoramic seaside vistas. Guests can take surfing or stand-up paddle boarding lessons, explore the island by boat or kayak, and relax at the oceanfront pool or luxury spa. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, also offers an 18-hole golf course and lessons for all experience levels. The resort’s Ritz Kids programs provide fun-filled activities for children ages 5-12 and are popular with families. All activities focus on nurturing young minds through growing their understanding of Amelia Island’s culture, history and ecology. The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, also offers a Kid’s Night Out program on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Acqualina Resort & Residences – Sunny Isles Beach
The luxurious AAA Five-Diamond Acqualina Resort & Residences was named the best resort in the United States in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report rankings. This Mediterranean-style seaside villa resort on 4.5 beachfront acres features three oceanfront pools, a lavish two-story spa, and accommodations with spectacular views. Families can choose from one-bedroom rooms or two- to three-bedroom suites—all of which have balconies.
Acqualina Resort & Residences features Acqua Experiences, offering various curated experiences — from exploring the diverse culinary scene to scuba diving in the city’s beautiful ocean waters. Acqua Experiences such as Aquamermaid and Curated Childcare by itavi are popular with families. The resort’s AcquaMarine children’s program provides educational adventures for the resort’s youngest guests. In fact, it’s complimentary when booking accommodation. The activities offered may include beach yoga, Spanish lessons, and daytime marine biology programs for children ages 4-12.
At the Acqualina Resort & Residences, families can enjoy world-class dining from a selection of restaurants, including Italian, Japanese, and Greek cuisine. This certainly is one of the best Florida resorts for families wanting a memorable beach vacation.
Acqualina Resort & Residences is one of the best Florida resorts for families. (Photo Courtesy of Acqualina Resort & Residences)
Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club – Clearwater Beach
Named after rescued bottlenose dolphin Winter, who inspired the story of the popular movie Dolphin Tale, Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club is an eco-friendly resort located on a private beach. The cost of luxury doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense. Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club joined forces with Ocean Allies to eliminate single-use plastics, adopting ocean-friendly practices, including sea turtle-safe lighting, to protect marine life.
The best Florida resorts for families looking for experiential fun
The resort offers marine education twice a week —helping to foster understanding of the environment for young and experienced minds alike. The beach club also provides a rare chance for families to meet rescued marine animals through its alliance with Clearwater Marine Aquarium. In addition, families can enjoy bike rides along the beach, fishing, boating, island-style outdoor dining at Cabanas Coastal Grill, and relaxing poolside at the resort.
Winter The Dolphin’s Beach Club offers five different room styles, some of which can accommodate families of six, making this one of the best Florida resorts for families of all sizes.
Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge – Orlando
Located within the world-famous Walt Disney World, Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge is surrounded by lush savannas and exotic wildlife. Groups can enjoy the thrill of an African safari during their stay. Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to over 30 species of African wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu and flamingos. In fact, guests can learn about African animals and ecosystems during programs led by the resort’s Animal Specialists.
Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge’s villas are perfect for large families on a beach vacation or big reunion gatherings. Some accommodate up to 12 adults. These villas offer separate bedrooms, full kitchens, and in-unit washers and dryers. Resort rooms are designed for four to eight adults. All accommodations provide access to amenities like children’s waterparks, an 11,000-square-foot pool with a water slide, and Disney bus and Lyft services for easy transportation to and from parks.
Additionally, groups can explore the Lodge restaurants, wine bars, pool bars and lounges where guests can enjoy the flavors of African cuisine and their favorite American dishes.
The Breakers Palm Beach – Palm Beach
The award-winning Breakers Palm Beach features a serene private beach, four oceanfront pools, a variety of restaurants, and 25 bungalows. The resort offers elegant guest rooms and suites that sleep up to four adults with extra space for kids. Suites boast panoramic ocean views, multiple balconies, private living and dining spaces complete with a bar, and a personal concierge service.
The whole family can stay active during this beach vacation with access to daily fitness classes at the fitness center, tennis courts and 36 holes of golf, all of which come with instructors. The resort’s Family Entertainment Center features an indoor play space, arcade, outdoor playground, basketball court, a nine-hole mini golf course and bicycle rentals. After a long day of family fun, parents can relax at The Breakers’ luxurious spa. Guests can also use the resort’s shuttle or private chauffeur service for easy transportation from the property to the city’s main attractions.
The Breakers Palm Beach offers amazing amenities for the perfect beach vacation. (Photo Courtesy of The Breakers Palm Beach)
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa – Miramar Beach
One of the best Florida resorts for families who love golf is the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa. Located on a stunning white sand beach fronting the Gulf of Mexico, the resort features three pools, whirlpools, and an expansive sunbathing deck. Adults can relax at the award-winning full-service spa and salon or continue their fitness regime at the 24-hour fitness center. Guests also have access to four award-winning championship golf courses at Sandestin.
From jet skiing to beach volleyball to shopping at antique stores in the vibrant downtown, the resort boasts an array of fun for a carefree beach vacation. Perfect for a family stay, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort and Spa has room options that feature bunk beds for the kids. The resort also accommodates families with infants and toddlers by providing cribs and other equipment upon request.
Hawks Cay Resort – Duck Key
Escape to this secluded island in the Florida Keys. Hawks Cay Resort offers a variety of accommodations, including multi-bedroom units, perfect for family reunions and multigenerational groups. Hawks Cay Resort has been recognized as a AAA Four Diamond resort—an award only granted to approximately six percent of AAA Diamond properties. That’s why this deserves a spot on our list of the ten best Florida resorts for families.
Groups can choose from spacious resort rooms or private villas. They are all complete with kitchens, living and dining areas, a private pool and yard perfect for playing games together. Families can also enjoy water sports or swimming with dolphins as part of the resort’s Dolphin Connection program. Hawks Cay Resort offers a massive saltwater lagoon, kids and teens programs, as well as on-site pickleball and tennis courts.
Hawks Cay Resort features a wide array of delectable sea-to-table dining options. All six resort restaurants incorporate fresh local ingredients into dishes prepared by world-renowned chefs.
Hawks Cay Resort is one of the best Florida resorts for families located in the resplendent Keys. (Photo Courtesy of Hawks Cay Resort)
Reunion Resort and Golf Club – Kissimmee
Located in Kissimmee just south of Orlando, Reunion Resort and Golf Club is another one of the best Florida resorts for families who want to play a round. This resort makes a perfect beach vacation homebase as it offers spacious rooms and plenty of activities for family fun. Families enjoy Reunion’s water park and its proximity to the Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida amusement parks. Groups can also have a good time fishing at Lake Tohopekaliga and dining together at restaurants along the lakeshore.
Reunion’s accommodations range from private villas perfect for small groups to massive 15-bedroom vacation rentals for larger families. In addition to full kitchens, many villas include washing machines and dryer units. Guests can choose from seven restaurants, with something to satisfy everyone’s cravings.
Reunion has tons of features for family adventure, including Footgolf—played with a soccer ball and large holes on a golf course, tennis, bocce ball, pickleball, regular golf and miniature golf, pools, playgrounds, water parks, and bike rentals. Children will have fun at the Kids Crew day camp, offering activities for young guests ages 4 to 12. Additionally, families can also purchase tickets to major theme parks and use Reunion’s complimentary shuttle as reliable transportation to all the parks.
Island Grand Beach Resort – St. Pete Beach
The Island Grand Beach Resort offers many benefits for families on a beach vacation, such as multiple dining options and kids’ clubs. The resort’s wealth of all-inclusive choices eliminates the stress of planning the minute details of a multigenerational trip or family reunion. The Island Grand is set on a nationally ranked white sand beach along the Gulf of Mexico, and it also features five pools and hundreds of cabanas. Accommodations range from standard rooms to entire multi-bedroom villa suites—perfect for small and large family groups.
Two of the best Florida resorts for families in one stay
The Island Grand Beach Resort is one of two connected TradeWinds resorts on St. Pete Beach, and guests can enjoy RumFish Beach Resort’s amenities as well. The two resorts feature water parks – one with a three-story water slide – restaurants and bars, and daily water activities like paddle boating. Additionally, groups can snorkel in RumFish Beach Resort’s 33,000-gallon aquarium as part of the property’s “Swim with the Fishes” experience. How about a ride on a three-story zipline? Also on the itinerary, play together at TradeWinds’ Floating Water Park in the Gulf of Mexico, or trade stories by a campfire while making s’mores. Island Grand’s KONK Club Drop-off Camps offer fun activities for kids aged 5-12.
Island Grand Beach Resort is a fun place for a beach vacation with the gang. (Photo Courtesy of Island Grand Beach Resort, Steven P. Widoff, photographer)
Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa – Fort Lauderdale
From Fort Lauderdale Beach to Port Everglades, a wide variety of entertainment and attractions are available near this luxury resort and spa. For families, the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort has its own “Kids Surf Club” for guests ages 5-12 and offers watersports, beach games, arts and crafts and video games. One of the best Florida resorts for families, they offer suites with oceanfront views and private balconies. Wake up and gaze out over the golden beaches of the Atlantic coast and Fort Lauderdale’s saltwater rivers and canals.
Activities and amenities at the resort include a massive lagoon-style pool, lounge beds under poolside cabanas, and a spa offering therapies tailored to the body, mind, and spirit. There are numerous dining options available at the property, including three family-friendly restaurants and a Starbucks and HB Fresh cafe for quick pick-me-ups.
You can find more great family reunion and beach vacation ideas when you subscribe to the current issue of Destination Reunions today.
By Grace Condon
Header photo courtesy of Island Grand Beach Resort, Steven P. Widoff, photographer
