The Most Epic Family-Friendly Resorts To Book Now
- 1/12
The Most Epic Family-Friendly Resorts To Book Now
If the only thing stopping you from booking your next big vacation is your kids, we got you. Children are expensive enough, and vacationing with little ones without the right amenities is hardly a vacation at all—especially when childcare costs more than a Michelin-star meal. From FREE nannies and playdates with Elmo and friends to teens-only rooftop lounges and nightclubs, you’ll want to check out (and in to!) these epic family-friendly hotels STAT.
Steve Sanacore - 2/12
Beaches Turks & Caicos in Turks & Caicos
Calling all Sesame Street lovers! At Beaches Turks & Caicos, kiddos can spend the day baking cookies with Cookie Monster, doing art with Julia or making puppets with Bert and Ernie—at no extra cost to mom and dad. Starting from birth, the resort also offers complimentary kids clubs—including autism-friendly kids camps—and certified nannies to families (during operation hours) free of charge. Um, sold!
Your older ones can kick back and relax in the Xbox Lounge or chill at the teens-only nightclub while you enjoy an adults-only dinner at one of the many upscale restaurants. Did we mention there’s also a massive 45,000 square-foot pirate-themed waterpark with a lazy river and surf simulator for the whole fam to enjoy?
John M. Finnerty - 3/12
The Boca Raton in Boca Raton, FL
Florida’s best-kept secret. Upon check-in at The Boca Raton, little ones are showered with gifts—ranging from rubber duckies, a blanket, a hat set and more for the youngest guests to sea creature toys, sunglasses and beach balls for the older ones. Stay in Tower, the newest resort on the property, to get a special movie snack (and more!) delivered by a super cool, joke-telling robot butler.
Planning on posting up poolside? You’ll definitely want to book a Kiddie Cabana in your child’s favorite theme: pirate, princess, mini chef or mermaid. There’s also an epic kids club, multiple water slides, a lazy river and a new surf wave simulator so you and your teens can hang ten.
The Boca Raton - 4/12
JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District in Savannah, Georgia
Delight the dino lover in your life with a trip to this T-riffic Savannah riverfront hotel, featuring a giant, 135-foot chrome-dipped dinosaur right inside the hotel lobby. For $40, your kiddo (ages 6-12) can join Dusty the Dino Ranger on the Ultimate Dinosaur Adventure back to the prehistoric times with a dino dig, fossil drop game and more exciting challenges as they brush up on their dino facts, play with excavation tools and discover how geodes were formed.
There’s also a learning opportunity (literally) around every corner, as guests can peek the power plant’s original steel tracks on display, see the world’s largest nugget of copper and even get a glimpse of an Ice Age bear! Plus, Savannah in general is just so family-friendly, and the food is next level.
Terryallenphotography.com - 5/12
The Toronto Marriott City Centre in Toronto, Canada
“Take me out to the ballgame” takes on a whole new meaning at this extra special Toronto hotel situated right inside a Major League baseball stadium. Book a field-view room or suite, with panoramic windows you can open to hear the Blue Jays play, and enjoy room service while you watch the game—honestly the dream for sports fans, big and small! There’s also an indoor heated pool to enjoy year-round and a large gym for a quick workout. The hotel is steps to the city's best family attractions, including the adjacent CN Tower and Ripley's Aquarium. Plus, it’s a short walk to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Toronto Mariott City Centre - 6/12
Nanuku Resort Fiji in Pacific Harbour, Fiji
Live the luxury island life you deserve at this stunning, 500-acre private tropical oasis on Fiji’s main island Viti Levu. Upon arrival at Nanuku Resort Fiji, kiddos aged six and under are paired with their own personal nanny (free of charge!) from 8AM to 8PM to entertain and stimulate them with sandcastle building, warrior drumming lessons and so much more at Nanuku’s Lailai Adventure Club. The big kids (6-12) get their own buddy/chaperone too so mom and dad can enjoy some much-needed R&R and a traditional Fijan massage. There’s also SO much fun for the whole family to be had. Go ziplining through the rainforest, snorkel the Beqa Lagoon, hike to a waterfall, sail out on a Hobie Cat, climb massive sand dunes and even witness a traditional firewalking ceremony.
Nanuku Resort Fiji - 7/12
Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa in Maldives
Pristine beaches, overwater villas and breathtaking views as far as the eyes can see at this resort. The little ones will love the complimentary Krakengiri Kids’ Club, outfitted with an interactive doodle wall, a spacious outdoor area with a sports ground, baby pool, splash park and all the crafts and games. You can even get them moving with some kids’ yoga!
As for your tweens (12+), you’ll barely see them because they’ll be too busy kicking it at the rooftop Re:Fuel Teens Club, sipping milkshakes whipped up by the dedicated baristas and chilling with new friends (away from their parents, duh). Families can explore the local ocean life with a dolphin cruise, turtle quest or rent glass kayaks and paddleboards. Some pampering at the resort’s world-class spa is also in order for tired moms and dads.
VRX Studios - 8/12
The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando in Winter Garden, FL
The only way to do Disney. Set on Lake Austin, this 106-acre water park hotel is located just six miles from the happiest place on Earth. And bonus: every single room is a two or three-bedroom suite, which means you don’t have to pretend to pass out at 7PM with your toddler. Each suite also comes with a fully-equipped kitchen to whip up family meals, multiple bathrooms for potty breaks and a washer and dryer so you can keep up with laundry—or just pack a lot less!
When they’re done with Disney, hit the resort’s Surfari Water Park, which includes a kid's activity pool with multiple water slides, a giant lazy river and a FlowRider Double surf simulator. As if that wasn’t enough, there’s also a state-of-the-art arcade with glow-in-the-dark mini golf, four dining options, a 24-hour fitness center and the Escape Spa (which you’ll definitely need).
Sammy Todd Dyess Photography sammy@samdyess.com - 9/12
Martinhal Sagres in the Algarve, Portugal
The Euro trip you never knew you needed. Set in a charming beach town (and a surfer’s paradise!) with gorgeous coastal scenery and great weather, Martinhal is a dream come true for families—with the option to book a suite or villa with your very own kitchen, living room and washer and dryer. Our favorite part, aside from the epic kids club for ages 6 months and up (complimentary during the low season and only 25EUR per session otherwise) and the endless water activities? The “Baby Concierge”, which makes traveling overseas with little ones sooo much easier.
Simply pre-book all the baby essentials, like potties, thermometers, bottle warmers, baby bathtubs, safety gates, changing mats and even carriers—all completely FREE of charge. They’ll even set your room up to be kid-friendly—with whole milk in the fridge, baby utensils, a crib, highchair and more—without you even asking. Plus, your babe gets a complimentary stuffy, sun hat and baby sandals upon check in. Um, BRB while we book a family vacation.
Martinhal Sagres - 10/12
Hamilton Princess Hotel & Beach Club in Bermuda
Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama! Seriously though, the five-star Hamilton Princess hotel is fit for family royalty, with all the luxury amenities adults love and the Prince & Princess Kids Club for your little ones. While they embark on educational scavenger hunts, create Bermuda sand art and play giant chess, you’ll sip on cocktails at the exclusive Beach Club or tour the hotel’s extensive art collection—featuring original works from Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Jeff Koons and more.
The best part though is all the money you won’t waste on food (your kids barely eat). Little ones 5 and under eat for free, while those ages 6-11 are at half price. Both the pool and Beach Club come equipped with all the kid essentials—from goggles to sunscreen, toys and towels—so you don’t have to stress.
Hamilton Princess - 11/12
Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY
Escape the hustle and bustle of New York City at Hudson Valley’s most iconic resort, which is also home to the ultimate summer camp experience for kids and teens. They’ll have a blast in the Junior Naturalist Program hiking, hunting for fossils, learning animal tracking, archery, horseback riding and more (FREE of charge!), while you visit the award-winning spa, munch on farm-to-table cuisine and explore the mountains or lake. There’s also SO much outdoorsy stuff you can do as a family—from rock climbing to guided nature walks, this place is a real breath of fresh air.
Mohonk Mountain House - 12/12
Grand Velas Los Cabos in Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico
Cabo, baby! This all-inclusive luxury resort has everything parents could possibly want—infinity pools, stunning ocean views, gourmet food, luxe spa treatments and, of course, entertainment for the kids. Teens can escape their parents in the state-of-the-art 2,700 sq. ft. Teens Club—with epic ocean views, endless video games, karaoke with an illuminated dance floor and even a lounge serving up mocktails, sodas and snacks. Kiddos 4-12 will have a blast at the 1,000+ sq. ft. Kids’ Club, while a designated baby concierge caters to your infant with everything from floaties to cribs, childcare and even organic snacks upon request.
Victor Elias