With its beautiful beaches and numerous theme parks, Florida is one of my family’s favorite destinations. And when we visit, we like to stay in a full-service luxury Florida resort that has amenities such as bungalows, bunk beds, engaging play areas, supervised childcare, and a spa.
Several of my fellow SheBuysTravel contributors are also regular Florida visitors who’ve stayed in many of the state’s luxury resorts. Our top picks for a 5-star vacay include:
- Panhandle: Club Wyndham at Majestic Sun
- East Coast: Sandpiper Bay All-Inclusive, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
- West Coast: JW Marriot Marco Island Beach Resort
- Florida Keys: Hawks Cay Resort
We profile each of these family resorts plus others that are extra special. We’ve grouped the resorts by location – Panhandle, East Coast, West Coast, Florida Keys, Orlando and Disney – to help you in your search. And we’ve added an approximate per-night price for a Spring 2025 room that sleeps 4, exclusive of taxes, fees and other extras.
Following is our curated list of the top luxury family resorts in Florida.
Luxury Family Resorts on Florida’s Panhandle
This section is sponsored by Extra Holidays, which specializes in offering condo vacations at hotel prices in destinations around the world.
1. Club Wyndham at Majestic Sun
Located on Florida’s gorgeous Emerald Coast, Club Wyndham at Majestic Sun offers fully outfitted one- and two-bedroom condos. The units range from 566 to 1,143 square feet and can comfortably sleep up to eight people. All of the units have a kitchenette or full kitchen and washer/dryer. One-bedroom units have a king bed and queen sleeper sofa. Two-bedroom deluxe units have private bedrooms with a king bed in one room, two full beds in the other and a queen sleeper sofa in the living area, plus a whirlpool tub, dining room, and TVs throughout. Book through Extra Holidays to get a condo and all its features at hotel prices.
The Panhandle location means the resort is close to golf courses, white sand beaches, shopping and restaurants at HarborWalk Village, The Market Shops at Sandestin and Silver Sands Factory Outlet Mall. Or stay on property to swim in one of the five indoor or outdoor swimming pools or relax in one of the two outdoor hot tubs.
Read More: Is Extra Holidays Legit? We Take a Deep Dive Into this Vacation Rental Site
Other amenities include free WiFi, fitness center, activities program, eight tennis courts, bike rentals, video rentals and gift shop. Parking is available at the on-site garage for $12 per stay for owners and $15 per stay for non-owners.
Family Amenities at Club Wyndham:
- Five pools and two hot tubs
- All units have a kitchenette or full kitchen and a washer/dryer
- Large 2-bedroom suites can sleep up to 8 with two private bedrooms and a sleeper sofa in the living area.
- Free Wi-Fi
- Activities program, fitness center, 8 tennis courts and bike rentals to keep everyone active
- Accessible units available
- Expect to pay at least $300 per night
2. Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
This dreamy beachfront getaway is the largest beachfront resort on Florida’s Panhandle and one of our top Destin area resorts. It sits on some of the softest, whitest sand and one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the USA. And this Gulf of Mexico resort is the only one in the area that is actually on the beach, so there’s no need to pack up your beach toys and walk a long way to get to the water. It’s just past the two outdoor pools, poolside restaurant and large sunbathing deck.
SheBuysTravel Editor-in-Chief Cindy Richards raves about the super large rooms that include her favorite family resort feature – bunk beds for the kids! Read her full review of the Hilton Sandestin for more insider info.
Water sports on the Gulf at the
Family Amenities at
- Large guestrooms in the tower have pull-out sofas and bunk beds. Or order a crib or pack-and-play for your room.
- 7 onsite restaurants, plus room service and kid menus
- 2 large outdoor pools with a hot tub, an outdoor toddler pool and an indoor pool with a hot tub
- Air compressor for blowing up pool toys — or ask at the towel desk if there are pool toys you can borrow for the day
- Free parking
- Expect to pay at least $425 per night
Luxury Family Resorts on Florida’s East Coast
3. Sandpiper Bay All-Inclusive, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
You don’t have to fly to a Caribbean island to find an all-inclusive resort. Just head down to the Sandpiper Bay All-Inclusive, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in Port St. Lucie, Florida. This is where to head for a vacation when you’re in need of a real break. This full-amenity resort takes care of everything; you just have to show up, relax and have fun.
This resort location made our list of the best all inclusive resorts in Florida. Formerly a Club Med, the resort was sold to Wyndham in 2022, but it remains an all-inclusive. Your room, meals, snacks, drinks and a long, long list of activities are included in the resort price.
Note: At the time of publication (November 2024), Sandpiper Bay is scheduled to temporarily close on December 1, 2024 for a major renovation. Plans are to reopen in 2025.
Family Amenities at Sandpiper Bay:
- Childcare available for kids 4 months and older
- 2 outdoor pools, a family pool and an adults-only pool that is open on the weekends
- Several outdoor activities, including tennis courts and a golf course
- Kids clubs for ages 4-17
- Unlimited water & land sports
- Day and night entertainment for the whole family
- Expect to pay at least $1040 per night (all-inclusive)
4. The Breakers Palm Beach
This Italian Renaissance-style hotel on 140 acres of oceanfront property was built in 1896, so it has withstood the test of time! Located in the heart of Palm Beach, The Breakers delivers luxury at every turn.
In his review of The Breakers, SheBuysTravel contributor R.C. Staab notes that the resort’s Family Entertainment Center is a wildly popular amenity for kids.
Other favorite family amenities, include childcare, activities for tweens and teens, a family pool and beach. The Breakers is known for its extensive holiday decor, which makes it a popular family resort for celebrating the holidays.
Family Amenities at The Breakers:
- Complimentary access to the Family Entertainment Center that features an indoor play space, arcade, outdoor playground, basketball court, nine-hole mini golf course, bicycle rentals and a family-friendly dining venue
- 4 oceanfront pools
- Free wifi
- 10 onsite restaurants
- Arcade featuring a video game lounge with Xbox Series S and PlayStation 5
- Complimentary chauffeured Tesla house car service
- Watersports excursions including snorkeling at The Breakers’ Reef, paddle boarding, kayaking and surfing
- Expect to pay at least $1900 per night
5. Boca Raton Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
The Boca Raton Resort & Club is stretched across 200 waterfront acres on the Atlantic Ocean just north of Fort Lauderdale. It has a reputation for catering to families and creating an environment that makes it easy to relax with your favorite people.
The resort, nearly 100 years old, is undergoing a renaissance, with reimagined rooms and suites, new restaurants and an adults-only all-suites hotel in the Yacht Club. There are 7 pools, oceanfront cabanas with butler service, golf, tennis and pickleball. Water sports include surfing, jet skiing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and banana boat rides.
The Bungalows work great for large families, says SheBuysTravel contributor Maria Smith, mom of four. The 58 two-bedroom suites in the Bungalows have terraces or balconies and a private pool. Some units have washers and dryers.
Family Amenities at Boca Raton Resort & Club:
- Boat charters can be reserved; it’s a fun activity for the entire family.
- The resort offers a variety of water sports including snorkeling, paddle boarding, beach catamaran and FlowRider surf simulator
- Banyon Bunch Kids Club play and babysitting for children ages 4-12 and The Break for kids ages 11-15 featuring a virtual reality gaming system, a recording booth where they can create their own podcast or film a 360-degree TikTok video
- Complimentary transportation around the resort by shuttle and water taxi and free rides within two miles of the resort
- Spa treatments available for kids ages 12-17 with an adult
- Dogs are welcomed at the Bungalows, Yacht Club and Cloister with water and food bowls and a plush dog bed; dog-friendly activities include walking trails and paddle boarding
- Expect to pay at least $1540 per night
6. The Palms Hotel & Spa
Take eco-conscious teens to The Palms Hotel & Spa, which is Florida Green Lodging accredited. This resort “employs a unique emphasis on total wellness, with environmental awareness and health-consciousness at the center of each guest experience.” Its “Inspired by Nature” Program includes efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle, a “Fill-A-Bucket” beach clean-up initiative, quarterly community cleanups and an in-house Green Team.
The hotel’s 251 newly renovated guest rooms include 141 City View rooms, 28 Partial Ocean View rooms, 78 Oceanfront rooms with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows overlooking The Palms’ tropical gardens, expansive shoreline and the Atlantic Ocean. SheBuysTravel Editor-in-Chief Cindy Richards has this to say about The Palms Hotel & Spa: “This oceanfront hotel on Collins Avenue has a traditional Florida resort feel with a strong eco twist.”
There’s a heated outdoor swimming pool, expansive pool deck with lounge chairs and sun umbrellas and a Zen Garden with an outdoor Aveda Spa treatment cabana, a meditation circle and a trellis area with rope swings and hammocks.
Family Amenities at The Palms:
- The calm resort atmosphere. The Palms Hotel Miami is a long walk or short Uber ride from the South Beach crowds and activity.
- Secure beach access. This makes the resort feel safe and protected from strangers who might otherwise wander in from the beach.
- Beachside location. A pretty boardwalk through lush gardens leads to the wide beach, where there are plenty of blue cushioned beach chairs and umbrellas reserved for use by The Palms guests.
- Poolside food deliveries from the Tiki Bar.
- Free beachfront yoga classes.
- Expect to pay at least $500 per night
7. Diplomat Beach Resort
Located on Florida’s east coast, The 4 Diamond Diplomat Beach Resort has a retro, laid-back luxury feel that’s so welcoming, you won’t want to leave the resort. The property, one of
SheBuysTravel contributor Lucee Santini notes in her full review of Diplomat Beach Resort that families will really love the two (!) beachfront pools and splash zone.
Family Amenities at The Diplomat:
- Diplomat Kids’ Club, where children ages 4 to 12 engage in fun and educational activities such as scavenger hunts, beach excursions, castles in the sand, arts & crafts projects (like kite crafting and shell art) and more.
- 2 large beachfront pools, a zero-entry pool equipped with thrilling water slides and the Dip + Slide kids splash zone. And there are plenty of lounge chairs and umbrellas for shade.
- Free one-hour kayak or paddle board rental each day.
- Parents can get some well-deserved pampering at The Diplomat Spa.
- Close to the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport
- Expect to pay at least $500 per night
8. Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
The Acqualina Resort made our list of the best luxury spring break destinations for families. We’re not the only ones who have been impressed by this resort. In fact, it was named the #1 Best Resort in the U.S.A. and the #1 Best Hotel in the U.S.A. in the 2023 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hotels rankings.
The resort amenities are focused on luxury and convenience for the entire family. That includes the complimentary Aquamarine program that teaches kids ages 4-12 a new appreciation, love and respect for the sea through educational hands-on activities.
Each of the 54 guest rooms and 44 suites at this 5-diamond resort is 600-square-feet or larger and come with a private terrace with a view of the ocean or the Intracoastal Bay. There are four resort restaurants as well as special dinners on the beach and in-room dining.
Family Amenities at Acqualina Resort:
- 3 outdoor swimming pools
- Acqualina Spa by ESPA, the first ESPA-branded spa in the U.S (a 20,000-square-foot spa!).
- Curated childcare by providers trained in the itavi Method (an acronym for “it takes a village”) who lead children through dynamic programming that includes playtime, arts & crafts, movement, learning and reading.
- AquaMermaid experience that teaches guests ages 7 and older how to swim like a mermaid. Children ages 2-7 can “swim with a mermaid.”
- Family activities such as football, basketball, cornhole, soccer, sandcastle building, kite flying and water relay games are available daily, weather permitting
- Private swim lessons available
- You can arrange a family photo session
- Expect to pay at least $1600 per night
9. Hilton Cabana Miami Beach
The
Julie Diebolt Price, SBT Travel Writer, recently visited this hotel and loved all the amenities and her ocean-view room. According to Julie, the
Family Amenities at
- Two ocean-facing outdoor pools
- Free WiFi
- Complimentary bike rentals
- Paddleboarding – first 20 minutes complimentary
- Green Lawn has family-friendly games like Jenga, chess, ping pong, Connect Four, and more!
- Breakfast included
Luxury Family Resorts on Florida’s West Coast
10. JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
I’m a huge fan of the JW Marriott luxury resorts and I consider the Marco Island property to be one of the best Florida resorts for families. With its luxurious Balinese-inspired design and its prime location on 3 miles of private beaches, the JW Marco Island has all the amenities and activities you crave.
Whether you’re looking for a suite for bigger families or a room with a private balcony and an ocean view, this resort has it!
Activities range from water sports to golf on the two private championship golf courses.
If you can get away without the kids, the JW Marco Island offers the adults-only Paradise by Sirene. The hotel within the JW offers elevated dining, a private rooftop pool and stylish rooms and suites to guests ages 21+.
Family Amenities at JW Marriott Marco Island:
- 3 heated outdoor pools with free pool cabanas
- 12 onsite restaurants
- Full-service spa
- Tiki Time Day Camp for kids ages 5-10
- Two championship golf courses
- Live Fire Dancer show on the beach that pays homage to the resort’s Balinese inspiration
- Expect to pay at least $1000 per night
11. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
This luxury resort with private oceanfront guest rooms recently reopened after a full renovation following a direct hit from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Accommodations at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort are located in three different buildings – the Gulf and Bay Towers and the waterfront Beach House. The resort offers babysitting services through licensed and bonded childcare agencies so parents can book tee times at the La Playa Golf Club or spa treatments at Spaterre.
Family Amenities at LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort:
- Access to one of Florida’s most beautiful beaches.
- Children’s menus available at the Tiki Bar and beach service.
- Complimentary use of cribs and outlet covers.
- You can ask the front desk for sand castle toys to be used by young guests.
- A concierge is available to assist with reservations, activity planning and more.
- Expect to pay at least $750 per night
12. Tradewinds Island Resorts
Located on Florida’s beautiful Gulf Coast in St. Pete Beach, Tradewinds Island Resorts is comprised of two fabulous hotels: Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort. The resorts are set on 31 acres of beachfront property and are jam-packed with pools, restaurants and family-friendly activities.
Between the two hotels, there are seven pools, including an adults-only pool at each of the resorts. Beach activities abound, from water sports, such as parasailing, paddle boards and snorkeling, to beach volleyball, mini golf, tennis courts, a game room and a variety of other beach activities.
The 14 onsite restaurants and bars between the two resorts mean that there is an option for every appetite.
Family Amenities at Tradewinds:
- High Tide Inflatable Waterslide that is three stories high, 200 feet long and has four lanes to race to the finish line. (Note that kids must be 42 inches tall to ride the slide.)
- Daily resort fee covers a long list of family-friendly amenities, including unlimited use of the two-person cabanas right on the beach, unlimited rides on Island Grand’s waterway paddleboats, a family pirate show, guided beach walks, campfire s’mores and so much more.
- Room options include suites with kitchenettes.
- 15 onsite restaurants and bars, so there is an option for every appetite. One, RumFish Grill, boasts a 33,500-gallon touch tank, featured on Animal Planet’s hit series, “Tanked.”
- Great location just 40 minutes from Tampa International Airport and two hours from
Walt Disney World . - Expect to pay at least $450 per night
Luxury Family Resorts in the Florida Keys
13. Hawks Cay Resort
Ready to sit poolside and relax with your favorite people? The Hawks Cay Resort is a short distance from Key West and located on a small secluded island called Duck Key with clear turquoise waters and endless sunshine.
This beautiful resort has 117 elegantly decorated guestrooms and suites with private lanais and views of the lush resort grounds. There are even rooms that comfortably fit a family of five.
SheBuysTravel contributor Heidi Gollub said this about her stay at the Hawks Cay Resort: “So much to do. So little time. That’s what you’ll say when arriving at this Florida Keys resort. From water adventures to winding down at the spa, the most difficult choice will be in deciding what to do first.”
Family Amenities at Hawks Cay:
- Some rooms accommodate a family of five — a rarity among family resorts! The 376-square-foot 5th sleeper rooms have two queens and a child-sized pull-out bed and the 480-square-foot family rooms have a king and bunk beds with a twin and full-sized bed.
- Snorkeling, SNUBA and dolphin encounters available on property; excursions to the reef, sunset cruises, private excursions, paddleboard and kayak rentals available through Solé Watersports onsite.
- Coral Cay Activities & Adventure Club for kids ages 5-12 offers activities and educational programs, game room, pirate ship pool, playground, putting course and basketball and volleyball courts
- Daily resort fee includes basic wifi internet access, transportation throughout the resort, self-parking, daily access to Coral Cay Club and Calm Waters Fitness Center; unlimited use of the putting course, sports field, tennis and pickleball courts, and bikes, kayaks and paddleboards in the saltwater lagoon
- Expect to pay at least $500 per night
Orlando Luxury Family Resorts
14. The Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes
This AAA 5-Diamond luxury resort in Orlando, Florida is located only 10 miles from Walt Disney World, making it one of our top off-property Disney options. This is the Florida resort for active families, with a variety of onsite activities at The Ritz-Carlton such as kayaking, fishing, tennis courts and a championship golf course.
There are 582 luxury guest rooms and suites and 11 onsite restaurants, plus a 40,000-square-foot spa, 24-hour fitness center and 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course. In addition to the resort pool, there’s a private lap pool at the spa and Ritz guests can use the Grande Lakes Waterpark at the adjacent JW Marriott featuring a lazy river, waterslides and Jacuzzis.
Grande Lakes Sports Experiences feature a fishing school and private guided Eco-Tours on Shingle Creek, the headwaters to the Florida Everglades
SheBuysTravel contributor Maria Smith says The Ritz-Carlton brand has some of the best luxury hotels for families around the world. However, families are a special focus at the Orlando property. Oversized rooms, unsurpassed service by the staff and tons of activities mean you never have to leave the resort.
Family Amenities at Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes:
- In addition to the resort pool, there’s a private lap pool at the spa and Ritz guests can use the Grande Lakes Waterpark at the adjacent JW Marriott Orlando featuring a lazy river, waterslides and jacuzzis
- A variety of onsite restaurants
- Plenty of recreational activities for kids and Ritz Kids drop-off programming
- A 40,000-square-foot spa with a salon.
- An 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf course
- Easy access to many family-friendly attractions near the resort.
- Only 10 miles to MCO airport and
Walt Disney World . - Expect to pay at least $1000 per night
Disney’s Best Luxury Resorts for Families
15. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Walt Disney World’s resort options are classified by price as Value, Moderate or Deluxe. The Grand Floridian is a top pick in the Deluxe category. Its Victorian architecture, heightened level of elegance, next-level service and easy access to Disney theme parks by walking path, monorail and boats make this resort worth the splurge.
The resort has one of the best Disney resort pools, the spa is unparalleled and there are a variety of room choices, from standard guestrooms to villas with full kitchens.
Note: As of publication (spring 2024), the Grand Floridian is undergoing refurbishment. Check the Disney website for details.
Family Amenities at Disney’s Grand Floridian:
- It’s the closest resort to Magic Kingdom.
- You can travel to and from Magic Kingdom by foot, monorail or water taxi.
- You can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the resort.
- The resort’s Disney theming is sophisticated, appealing to teens and adults.
- Expect to pay at least $1100 per night
16. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
We’ve visited Disney World many times and the Animal Kingdom Lodge is by far my family’s favorite Disney resort. Waking to a safari right outside your window each morning is as thrilling for my husband and me as it is for our kids. The savanna is home to 30 species of African wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, gazelles, kudu and flamingos. There are few things as exhilarating as walking out onto the balcony in the morning and being face-to-face with a giraffe! Look for a Wildlife Field Guide in your room to help the kids identify what animals they’re seeing.
The pools at Animal Kingdom Lodge are some of the best at Disney World resorts. And Animal Kingdom Lodge has some of the best dining at WDW.
Room choices range from standard hotel rooms that sleep four to villas at Kidani Village that come with full kitchens and can sleep up to 12, ideal for large families and multi-gen groups.
Family Amenities at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge:
- 11,000-square-foot Uzima pool with waterslide, zero-depth entry point; children’s wading pool; 2 whirlpool spas; Samawati Springs Pool.
- A variety of safari-themed resort activities for kids.
- Awesome savanna-view balcony rooms.
- Excellent dining venues (Boma, Jiko, The Mara and Sanaa) bring the flavors of Africa to Orlando.
- Expect to pay at least $650 per night
How To Book Luxury Disney World Resorts at a Discount
Book a stay at the Grand Floridian or Animal Kingdom Lodge as well as many other Disney World resorts using other people’s Disney timeshare points through David’s Vacation Rental. You don’t have to be a DVC member; in fact, there is no membership required. Visit David’s Vacation Rental to see which Disney hotels are available during your travel dates.
SheBuysTravel contributors and other families have saved thousands of dollars on a Disney vacation by booking this way.
Read more about renting DVC points.