In nearly all seasons, Florida is an ideal destination for a family getaway. We’ve curated our favorite kid-friendly Florida resorts that will please the little ones and cater to mom and dad’s desire for an upscale getaway.
1. The Breakers Palm Beach
Seaside glamour abounds at The Breakers Palm Beach, which was founded in 1896 and maintains the same family ownership today. The resort boasts 140 oceanfront acres, nine restaurants, four pools and four poolside bars. The recently renovated Spa at the Breakers is consistently ranked as one of the best hotel/resort spas in North America.
For the kids: Camp Breakers, the hotel’s kids’ club, features two groups: Shortboards (ages 3-5) and Longboards (ages 6-12). There is also a 6100 sqft Beach Club, an indoor/outdoor space devoted to kids.
Fun fact: In 1959, Lilly Pulitzer launched her brand of bright shift dresses in Palm Beach, sparking an obsession that’s still going strong today.
Make sure to pack everyone’s Lily!
2. The Ritz Carlton, Amelia Island
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is located in Fernandina Beach about 36 miles northeast of downtown Jacksonville, Florida. It features many recreational activities, including paddleboarding and nature walks. All of the hotel’s rooms offer private balconies with coastal views.
For the kids: The hotel’s kids’ club, Ritz Kids, is designed for ages 5-12. Families can choose from a wide range of half-day or full-day programs with themes like “Oceans,” “Sharks,” and “Coral Reefs.” On Friday and Saturday evenings, guests can arrange a “Pirate Tuck-in” where a pirate and princess bearing milk and cookies read a pirate story to your children.
Fun fact: Amelia Island was a safe harbor for pirates and privateers because the port is one of the deepest on the southeast coast of the U.S., which would allow large pirate ships to enter even at low tide.
Sun lovers’ essentials:
3. Acqualina Resort, Sunny Isles
Acqualina sits on Sunny Isles Beach, halfway between Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The hotel has four swimming pools (one adults-only), a 20,000-square-foot ESPA spa, and popular Italian restaurant, Il Mulino. It’s well known for its world-class service and large, well-appointed rooms.
For the kids: The hotel’s kids program, AcquaMarine, offers an array of activities for children ages 5-12. AcquaMarine focuses on all things pertaining to the ocean, combining education, exercise, and fun to keep kids learning and laughing all day long. The program is complimentary to hotel guests.
Fun fact: In 2018, Acqualina debuted Acqua Experiences, a collection of highly curated lifestyle offerings such as painting, yacht cruises, etiquette classes for children, and photobiography sessions.
Prepare yourself for sophisticated relaxation:
4. The Four Seasons, Orlando
The Four Seasons, Orlando, which opened in 2014, is the largest Four Seasons in the world. It boasts a 5-acre water park that includes a family pool, an interactive Splash Zone, two waterslides, and an expansive lazy river. Although it is not a Disney-owned hotel, it offers a character breakfast with Goofy, transportation to Disney parks, and benefits such as Extra Magic Hours and FastPass+ selections up to 60-days in advance of their stay.
For the kids: The hotel’s kids’ club, Kids For All Seasons, is complimentary for guests ages 4-12 and is available daily.
Fun fact: Families can take advantage of Mix it up at The Mansion, a family hangout spot with outdoor table tennis, pool tables, bocce ball, a fireplace and an observation deck.
Don’t forget your Disney gear and pool stuff:
5. South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island
South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island is tucked into the southwest coast of Florida, just west of Fort Myers. This full-service 330-acre resort has 18 swimming pools, private restaurants, a full-service spa, a nature center stocked with live animals, a family interactive center, and a 9-hole beachfront golf course. Trolley shuttles ensure guests can easily navigate the resort, which takes up the northern third of Captiva Island.
For the kids: The resort offers supervised children’s recreation programs. Activities include fishing, arts and crafts, and kayak adventures.
Fun fact: In the 1880s, South Seas Island Resort was originally a key lime plantation. In 1946, it transitioned to a fishing resort and today it is a 330-acre destination beach resort and wildlife refuge.
Things to pack for fun in the sun:
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