These 12 family beach resorts go way beyond sandcastles and sunscreen
These 12 family beach resorts go way beyond sandcastles and sunscreen
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The Bucket List Family gives five tips for traveling with kids
The Bucket List Family sold everything to travel around the world. Here are their tips for traveling with children.
Packing up the kids and heading to the beach is one of the most popular family vacation ideas in the U.S. for a good reason. Whether you're into splashing in the surf, building (and destroying) elaborate sandcastles, or just lounging in the sun with a few beach essentials on hand, family beach vacations can be a relaxing reset for the whole family.
But relaxing isn't all you can do at the best U.S. beach resorts. In fact, the country's most kid-friendly beach hotels offer everything from soothing spa treatments and oceanfront restaurants to cool kids clubs, over-the-top pools, and more water sports options than you can shake a pool noodle at. From coast to coast, here are the most kid-friendly beach resorts in the US where sun, sand, and surf are just the beginning of the family vacation experience.
Why you can trust these picks: Read FamilyVacationist's methodology for selecting and recommending vacation destinations and hotels.
1. Hotel del Coronado
Coronado Island, California
Recognized as one of the best beach resorts in the U.S. and a National Historic Landmark, Hotel del Coronado on Coronado Island (near San Diego) blends more than 130 years of history with modern amenities for a truly unforgettable beach vacation. This kid-friendly beach hotel is finishing up a major multiyear $550-million revitalization to make sure it's ready for its next 100 years.
The resort's 938 guest rooms are located in different "neighborhoods," ranging from the original Victorian inn to Shore House at The Del, where one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences done up in modern beach house style are ideal for families. Spend family time on The Del's private beach or book surfing or stand-up paddleboarding lessons to get out on the Pacific Ocean. The beach resort's Ocean Explorers program for kids ages five to 12 offers immersive experiences at its indoor classroom and out on the beach, with a focus on preserving the ocean and its variety of marine life.
2. Inn by the Sea
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Located in Cape Elizabeth on the Maine coast, the charming Inn by the Sea is the premier East Coast beach hotel for dog lovers. With everything from gourmet pet menus and beach towels to comfy blankets and special turndown treats, the family pooch truly gets pampered at this dog-friendly New England hotel. Don't have a dog in your family group? You can head to the lobby to meet a shelter pup through a partnership with the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland. Guests can walk and even adopt the rescue dog if so moved.
The inn's suites offer plenty of space for families (and dogs) and include kitchens, fireplaces, and furnished outdoor decks. The property sits on a mile stretch of family-friendly Crescent Beach, and a seasonal outdoor pool, schedule of activities (like the Bug's Life program for kids), and complimentary bicycles provide even more summer vacation fun. Sustainability is a focus here, and the inn plants a tree for every guest reservation (amounting to about 7,000 trees a year).
3. Outrigger Ka'anapali Beach Resort
Maui, Hawaii
Situated on the sands of Maui's glorious Ka'anapali Beach, Outrigger Ka'anapali Beach Resort celebrates Hawaiian culture. Families can take part in complimentary activities like hula lessons, lei-making workshops, and Hawaiian storytelling sessions to learn more about the islands' traditions, and there's nightly live Hawaiian music at the on-site location of Maui Brewing Co.
The family-friendly beach resort's 432 recently redesigned rooms are situated in four wings surrounding a lush four-acre courtyard that's also home to the property's iconic whale-shaped swimming pool. Paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and catamaran sails help families get out on the water (and maybe spot some of the sea turtles that frequent the area), and Ka'anapali Beach's many shops, restaurants, and other activities are just a stroll away along a beachfront walkway.
4. Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa
Amelia Island, Florida
Occupying a peaceful stretch of Atlantic Ocean beachfront on Florida's Amelia Island, the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa features 402 guest rooms with balconies and ocean views. Cabanas, chairs, boogie boards, and beach games can be rented during the spring and summer to make your day on the sand even more enjoyable. Two heated pools, a splash park, and three fire features overlook the beach and offer even more fun for families.
Golfers can tee up at the resort's completely redesigned Oak Marsh golf course (reopening May 16, 2025), take on the 10-hole "Little Sandy" short course, or putt their way to victory at the 18-hole Heron's Cove mini golf course. The beach resort is also home to nearly two-dozen tennis courts, seven pickleball courts, and a Nature Center offering kayak and paddleboard tours and other activities. And when dinner comes around, even picky eaters will find something to munch on at the resort's nine dining options.
5. Chatham Bars Inn
Chatham, Massachusetts
Dating back to 1914 and open year-round, the Chatham Bars Inn on Cape Cod has 217 guest rooms and suites along with plenty of classic seaside charm. Book a cabana rental on the inn's private quarter-mile-long beach, or relax by the oceanfront heated pool. Complimentary bike rentals make it easy to explore the area and enjoy shopping on Chatham's nearby Main Street, while the inn's boats take guests on whale watching and fishing excursions.
The seasonal supervised "Kids Crew" program at this Massachusetts beach resort offers hands-on activities for little ones, while activities for the whole family include "dive-in" outdoor movies at the pool, lawn games, and crafts. Grownups can head to one of the five treatment rooms at the inn's spa or work up a sweat at a fitness class or personal training session at the 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center. (And for an indulgent escape without the kids, book one of the exclusive adults-only suites located above the spa.)
6. The Cavalier Resort
Virginia Beach, Virginia
If you want a family beach vacation with options, it's hard to beat The Cavalier Resort in Virginia Beach. Here you'll have three distinct oceanfront hotel choices: the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club (first opened in 1927), the modern Marriott Resort Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and the new Embassy Suites by Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront Resort. Families can choose the lodging that best fits their vacation style and then enjoy the nine restaurants and multiple pools found throughout the resort.
Open May to October exclusively for Historic Cavalier Hotel guests, The Cavalier Beach Club includes a seaside infinity pool and poolside bar and grill along with access to a semi-private beach. A calendar of activities offers fun for all ages, and the resort's We Scream ice cream and coffee shop makes an ideal spot for an afternoon treat. The beach resort is also home to the country's first in-hotel distillery, which is open for tours and tastings.
7. Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
What makes Kiawah Island Golf Resort one of the best beach resorts in the U.S. for families? Start with the scenic setting on a South Carolina barrier island that's only about 20 miles from historic Charleston. Then move on to the three lodging options available: the 255-room, much-lauded The Sanctuary oceanfront hotel and spa; the 500 resort villas and private homes available as vacation rentals; and The Cottages at The Ocean Course, consisting of four two-story, four-bedroom spaces ideally situated for golfers interested in playing the resort's five championship courses designed by famed golf course architects.
Amenities and recreational opportunities here include a tennis center, luxe spa, three pool complexes, bike and paddleboard rentals, and all kinds of activities for kids and teens. Later in 2025, the resort will open a new activity center at Night Heron Park with a new nature center, eight bowling lanes, an old-school arcade, a family-friendly pub, and two golf simulators. It all adds up to a special spot for both beach vacations and golf vacations.
8. Mauna Kea Resort
Big Island, Hawaii
Whether you choose to stay at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, The Westin Hapuna Beach Resort, or one of Mauna Kea Residences's luxury vacation rentals, you'll have access to all that the picturesque Mauna Kea Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii has to offer. That includes three pools (including two kid-friendly pools), two golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, and seven dining options.
Mauna Kea Beach Hotel sits along the white-sand Kauna'oa Bay, and The Westin fronts a stretch of family-friendly Hapuna Beach. Both offer complimentary beach activities like snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, and daily outrigger canoe experiences. Hawaiian art and cultural classes, the Mauna Kea Luau, and the resort's "Keiki Club" for kids help guests of all ages learn about the islands' history, while teens can enjoy experiences like the nightly Manta Ray Night Swim. And don't miss the collection of Asian Pacific art at the mid-century Mauna Kea Beach Hotel.
9. The Sanderling Resort
Duck, North Carolina
A U.S. beach resort situated on 12 acres between the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, The Sanderling Resort recently unveiled the results of a major transformation. The 123 redesigned guest rooms and suites (including poolside suites with private fire pits) exude a luxe coastal style, and six vacation home rentals offer another option for multigenerational groups. Opening Memorial Day Weekend 2025 is the resort's newest restaurant, Theodosia, which will draw inspiration from the culture and history of the Outer Banks.
Three private beach access points take you down to the sand, where you can book kayak, standup paddleboard, or surfboard rentals, lessons, and tours right at the resort. (The Sanderling's sandbar makes it a good spot for novice surfers.) Amenities include a zero-entry family pool, adults-only pool, fitness center, and spa with coastal-inspired treatments and views of Currituck Sound. On-site "adventure planners" are available to help you enjoy activities like golf, biking, and tours for spotting Corolla's wild horses.
10. Sandpearl Resort
Clearwater Beach, Florida
Sandpearl Resort sits on a 700-foot stretch of white-sand Clearwater Beach, a regular on lists of America's best beaches. Watersports rentals help you get out on the Gulf, while a family-friendly, zero-entry, lagoon-style pool offers another way to cool off and hosts seasonal activities like poolside movies.
Kids ages five to 10 can head to the resort's Camp Ridley for nature walks, arts and crafts, and scavenger hunts, giving parents time for a yoga session or beach-inspired treatment at the spa. The resort has multiple dining options and a convenient location for exploring local sites like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. And a recent renovation of all guest rooms and suites has not only amped up their beachy style but also added features like nightlights under bathroom counters and mirrors and multiple USB outlets that will definitely come in handy if you're traveling with teenagers.
11. The Ocean Lodge
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Overlooking a gorgeous stretch of Oregon's famed Cannon Beach, the 45-room Ocean Lodge is one of the best beach resorts in the U.S. for cozy comforts and nostalgic charm. Douglas fir beams and a two-story wood-burning river-rock fireplace set the scene in the lobby, where guests can find coffee and a cookie jar filled with fresh baked cookies throughout the day.
No two guest rooms are exactly alike at this Oregon beach resort, but they all have mini-refrigerators, microwaves, and gas fireplaces, and some feature decks and patios for enjoying ocean views. Select rooms are also pet-friendly, and the lodge offers a dog wash on the front lawn for rinsing off after a day at the beach. The grownups can partake in the daily evening wine reception or get a nightcap delivered to their room, while everyone in the family is free to enjoy the hotel's collection of games, books, and movies during a stay.
12. The Lodge at Gulf State Park, A Hilton Hotel
Gulf Shores, Alabama
Part of the Hilton brand, The Lodge at Gulf State Park is an environmentally friendly family beach resort designed for get-away-from-it-all, nature-filled escapes. Built to meet LEED Gold standards, The Lodge offers 350 guest rooms (including 20 suites) done up in casual contemporary style with views of the Gulf of Mexico or Gulf State Park and a window that opens slightly "to allow the gulf breezes into the room."
Amenities include a gulf-front infinity edge pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, and three gulf-front restaurants (including a family-friendly poolside bar and grill). The hotel sits within the 6,150-acre state park, which features two miles of beach, 28 miles of hiking trails, lakes for fishing and paddling, an Interpretive Center with exhibits, a fishing pier, and outfitters offering standup paddleboard, kayak, and bike rentals.
This year's top family beach resorts in the US originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
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