Florida resorts for families can be found in several distinct regions.
Florida Resorts: Amelia Island
Amelia Island-- in northern Florida near Jacksonville-- has lovely
beaches; a historic fort complete with actors who play period characters; quaint town with historic sections; delicious sea-food.
The Amelia Island Plantation covers 1350 acres, has Kids' Camps, nature walks, and daily poolside activities.
The Ritz Carlton Amelia Island has kids' program, fine dining, kiddie pool, indoor pool, and big celebrations at Thanksgiving and July 4th.
Orlando/Central Florida Resorts
Walt Disney World
Have a look at Before
You Book Lodgings at Walt Disney World, then check out six top Disney World choices from luxury to budget, from Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge and Grand Floridian to All-Star Sports.
Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn
Two terrific waterplay complexes; SpongeBob and other characters; and games and entertainment developed by Nickelodeon.
See more: More Top Orlando Resorts for Families, including excellent resorts at Universal Orlando (and guests get Front of the Line Passes for theme park rides); Ritz Carlton Orlando and J.W. Marriott, both at Grande Lakes, and sharing a lake for recreation, and a lazy river at the J.W. Marriott, and Ritz Kids Club; Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, whose 1500 acres includes nature trails and horse-riding; and Gaylord Palms, with 4-acre themed atrium and major winter ICE! event with ice sculptures, ice slides, ice caves, and more.
Treasure Coast Florida Resorts
Heading further south: the "Treasure Coast" --named for treasure from shipwrecks-- has beautiful beaches, surfing, coral reef in some areas, and revived downtowns.
Disney's Vero Beach Resort
Two hours SE of Disney World, this property with inn and villas is in the style of a grand old beach hotel. Fun includes: pool with 163-foot water slide; Pirate Ship wet-deck; miniature golf; kayaks, hobie cats, other watersports; biking; and maybe the chance to see sea turtles.
Club Med:
Sandpiper
A rare all-inclusive within the US, this Club Med -- two hours from Miami or Orlando airports--has great ambiance, and outstanding kids programs: Baby Club Med has groups for different ages, and clubs for older kids are action-packed. Resort activities include waterskiing, wakeboarding, trapeze, inline skating, golf lessons. Guests can take excursions to Walt Disney World, Kennedy Space Center, etc. Note: this resort is on the St. Lucie River, not the beach.
Florida Resorts - South:
The Breakers, Palm Beach
Would a place with medieval tapestries in the lobby welcome kids? I guess so, if it has a 6000 sq. ft. Family Entertainment Center. Another surprise about this landmark hotel that offers 4 oceanside pools, 30 holes of golf, 140 acres, and 1/2 mile of private beach: prices are reasonable.
Cheeca Lodge and Spa
In the Florida Keys, Cheeca offers snorkeling over
North America's only natural coral reef; "snuba"; kayaking, windsurfing, kiddie pool; saltwater lagoon; Camp Cheeca; scuba; golf.
Flamingo Lodge: Everglades National Park
A home base for exploring this wonderful Park.
Sanibel
Island
Off Florida's southwest coast are Sanibel Island and Captiva Island: two beautiful spots for nature lovers. No beach pollution; miles of beaches with shallow shoreline; famous for shelling.
Sanibel Island has several resorts that suit families, grouped together as the "Sanibel Collection", which includes the Sanibel Inn, with 8 acres of tropical garden, and the Sundial Resort, which has condominium suites with kitchens, 5 heated pools, and kids club (seasonal). The Sanibel Sunset Beach Resort has secluded 4 acres; affordable rates; guests can explore miles of shoreline, and have free use of bikes to explore miles of paved trails on Sanibel.
Not on Sanibel Island, but overlooking it is Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa: 85 acres, 400 units including concierge accommodations; dolphins in the harbor; no beach but shuttle runs to Sanibel Island.
Gulf Coast
Colony
Beach and Tennis Resort
This island getaway on Longboat Key is just off the coast of Sarasota (central west coast), south of Tampa Bay. (You can drive right to the resort.) 5-star Diamond resort; complimentary kids' programs, for ages 3-6 and 6-12; teen programs; tennis; lots of watersports.
Florida Resorts: Tampa Bay Area
St. Pete / Clearwater Beach
This affordable west coast area two hours from Orlando has
miles of top-rated beaches, nature outings, and some cultural gems. Read about local attractions such as the (free) Seacoast Seabird Sanctuary; fun outings such as dolphin-spotting, shelling, and Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise.
For lodgings, the Sheraton Sand Key is right on Sand Key Beach, where sea turtles nest. The TradeWinds Island complex is on St. Pete Beach. The family-friendly TradeWinds Island Grand, with 20 acres, kids club, multiple pools.
Northwest Florida Resorts
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
This giant 2400-acre destination has a beach side on the Emerald Coast and also a bay side. Kids' sailing, kids' tennis, kayaking, putting course, Jolee Island Nature Park with playground, kids programs, boogie boards (complimentary), Junior Golf Academy, complimentary bikes, and picture-perfect Village of Baytowne Wharf. Read a review of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and see many photos too.
