Everyone loves a trip to sunny South Florida, especially when you can find a hotel that caters to your current life (kids), rather than your former life (parties). Luckily, this list of resorts outlines the best of the best for traveling with the whole family—from amazing pools and kids clubs to babysitting and on-site dining; peruse these options and you’ll be itching to hop on a plane (don’t forget the sunblock). Best of all, many of these hotels are offering fall specials before “high-season” heats up.
1. The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton
The Diplomat Resort
Where: 3555 S Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL
Thanks to a newly finished $100 million transformation, the Diplomat is easily one of the all-around best family-friendly hotels in the region. With 10 culinary destinations, a kids club, numerous pools, cabanas, a gorgeous wellness spa, and even golf for those who want to get in a round, this is the kind of hotel you never have to leave. The bright, colorful décor of the lobby creates a happy “island time” mood immediately upon entrance. This vibe translates directly to the outsides—specifically in the Trina Turk-designed cabanas, which are outfitted with couches, air-conditioning, snacks and even TV. The numerous pools allow for multiple experiences—the kids “viewing window” from the top pool to the bottom waterfall is particularly special, while the splash pad and slide is appropriate even for the littlest swimmers.
Where: The food here is a real standout; anchored by Point Royal from celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian and Monkitail from famed restaurateur Michael Schulson. Both spots are extremely family-friendly, but also create a fine dining experience where the kids can expand their palates beyond chicken nuggets and fries. These are joined by a yummy pool restaurant, a to-go café, an ice cream and candy shop, and, across the street, the Italian restaurant Portico with a courtyard full of outdoor fun, and the burger joint Bristol’s Burgers with FREE arcade games (i.e. kid heaven/lifesaver on a rainy day).,
Good for: Overall family experience, newly renovated hotel, great pools
Loews Miami
Where: 1601 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL
The Loews Miami Beach Hotel has long been one of the city’s top family-friendly destinations, and the location’s recent $50 million renovation offers more for the little ones than ever before. Basic needs are met with enthusiasm—cribs, a lending library and a kids closet with toys, blankets and more ensure an easy start to your vacation. The state-of-the-art SoBe Kids Club is the newest superstar; the bright and modern space offers crafts, tech games, babysitting, outdoor sports, cooking, and an adorable lifeguard hut that children can play in.
Outside, the beach area is large and full-service, the pool houses a zero entry end and a fountain-filled play space, and the SOAK Cabana Deck features eight, fully air-conditioned cabanas with full bathrooms. The Loews also has fitting food options. Their Miami Joe Coffee Co. serves the legendary Azucar Ice Cream, while all on-site restaurants have kids menus, including a dedicated kids buffet at Preston’s Market. The hotel is also pet-friendly, so the whole family can travel together!
Good for: Large kids pool, kids program, spacious beach, central location, kid-friendly food and treats
The Biltmore Hotel
Where: 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL
Established in 1926, the Biltmore is one of South Florida’s oldest and most established hotels. A national historic landmark, the 273-room resort is located in beautiful, tree-lined Coral Gables. The resort is spread over 150 acres of tropical landscape and offers the largest hotel pool on the East Coast of the United States (including private cabanas), a major tennis center, a championship golf course and a myriad of restaurants.
The famed 23,000 square foot pool, once the scene of water shows featuring Esther Williams, feels like an aquatic wonderland, while the hotel’s Tennis Center, which is the location of the Annual Junior Orange Bowl Competition, offers daily classes and private lessons for kids. Three of the hotel’s restaurants have menus specially formatted for little travelers, or they can be cooks themselves through the Biltmore Culinary Academy program, which allows “junior chefs” to take over the kitchen. The Sunday brunch is a Miami institution—the decadent meal, served in the magnificent courtyard, features an extravagant buffet with everything from carved meats, omelets and raw bar with caviar and sushi. The “wall of desserts” will have your kids thanking you for days.
Good for: Escaping South Beach, Miami history, golf & tennis, famous (decadent) brunch
Where: 4441 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL
Where: While the Fontainebleau may be famous for its celebrity guests, you’ll find a large number of families here, thanks to its substantial facilities. Of the eight hotel pools, the separate kid’s pool is one of the largest at the resort, featuring a slide, a mushroom fountain and a maximum depth of four feet. The seven-days-a-week private babysitting is a big plus (they truly have well-screened sitters available at a moment’s notice), while the FB KIDS program is like a day camp filled with games, sports, art, movie nights and more. There is even an adorable pastry class every Wednesday and Saturday where kids and parents get to work side by side with Fontainebleau’s talented pastry chefs. Another major bonus: the hotel’s newest restaurant, Pizza & Burger is absolutely perfect for kids, and the parents will love it too. The hotel’s chocolate shop is a nice tool in case of meltdowns & bribery as well.,
Good for: Amazing kids pool, great babysitting and kids club, on-site dining
Where: 2901 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL
Where: Between a bowling alley, ice skating rink, two pools, a spacious beach and some of the best homemade ice cream in the city, one would think the EDITION is swarming with kids every which way. But thanks to a chic clientele and smart placement (the rink/alley are in the basement, which also serves as a late-night club), this hotel strikes a nice balance between convenience and style. While not explicitly built for this purpose, the secondary pool is shallow and perfect for kids, while the lawn features plenty of green space for running around and playing games. The outside restaurant has easy food, as well as your typical kids menu, while the indoor restaurants, both from Jean-Georges Vongerichten, include Market—a food hall style eatery with everything from pizza and ceviche to charcuterie and amazing pastries; and the award-winning Matador Room—a swank dining destination with global cuisine and a gorgeous, historical dining room (get a sitter for this one).,
Good for: Chic families, unique on-site entertainment, kid-friendly restaurant
6. Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Key Largo
Playa Largo Resort
Where: 97450 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL
Just an hour south of Miami, the Florida Keys begin. One of the northernmost islands is Key Largo, where the new resort Playa Largo (first new resort built in Key Largo in 21+ years) has been quickly drawing families from far and wide. Situated on 14 gorgeous beachfront acres, this hotel brings a level of luxury and amenities previously unheard of for this typically casual area. The 144 luxury rooms & suites offer gorgeous views and ideal connecting options, while the 10 secluded, two-story bungalows with kitchens & living rooms are perfect for large families. The facilities include a large resort pool, two fire pits, basketball and tennis courts and a kids playroom. Four on-site restaurants, including La Marea, the first steakhouse in the upper keys, make on-campus dining easy and varied.
What you’ll find here and nowhere else, though, is an unbelievable array of water sports, all centered around one of the largest reefs and most popular fishing areas in the entire world. Everything from fly fishing classes to parasailing, Everglades & reef tours, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and sunset cruises will keep your family busy and happy. In addition, complementary fishing poles and unlimited bait make for easy fishing adventures.
Good for: Island escape, adventure, water sports
Where: 17875 Collins Ave, Sunny Isles Beach, FL
Where: Acqualina Resort & Spa, the five-star, five-Diamond hotel in northern Miami has covered all the bases when it comes to family travel. The luxury seaside hotel offers 4.5 beachfront acres, three full-service restaurants and a market, three oceanfront swimming pools and the immersive “AquaMarine” children’s program. Here, kids learn all about sea animals and can even see sea turtle nesting and migration when the timing is right. The resort also houses a newly designed, ultra-modern Children’s Center, where all ages are considered through everything from a toddler bike program to a “teen scene” initiative. Play space is maximal on the property and includes a beachfront basketball court, soccer lawn, foosball and ping-pong tables, and oceanfront king-sized chessboard. If you get the kids cared for, be sure not to miss the Acqualina Spa by ESPA, a decadent, 20,000-square-foot sanctuary of relaxation of every mom’s dreams,
Good for: STEM-y kids program, numerous sports & play spaces, great spa for moms
Where: 19999 W Country Club Dr., Aventura, FL
Located in the northern Miami city of Aventura, Turnberry is a 300-acre resort known for its two championship golf courses, award-winning restaurants, an elite tennis school, a kids club, a newly renovated spa and an amazing, kid-haven pool. This old-school style Florida resort allows for a one-stop-shop; there is no need to leave (unless you’re dying to go to the enormous mall just down the street). The pool is the real focal point here, easy to spend a full day playing at (there’s actually two, but one is an adult pool). The 7,500-square-foot Laguna pool features a 1,600-foot long lazy river, a 35-foot high waterslide, splash pool and cabanas. The poolside Laguna Grill is great for mid-day eats.
The kids club program is also quite complete, offering everything from arts and crafts and fitness classes to literature and performances, team games and sports. The hotel houses two great, full-service restaurants- Bourbon Steak and CORSAIR; and while neither is necessarily casual, both are entirely family friendly. And in case you missed our previous story— the CORSAIR weekend brunch is basically the best invention ever made for parents.
Good for: Peaceful surroundings, amazing kids pool, kids camp, on-site dining, golf
