Taking a trip with the whole family can live long in your memory, but it takes some planning to get it right. Choosing the right family hotel is a vital decision, whether it’s a short weekend break or a long-haul adventure – and there’s no do-over if you get it wrong.

We’ve scoured the US and top destinations overseas to bring you a list of family-friendly properties that stand out thanks to their exceptional facilities – whether that’s themed rooms, professional kids’ clubs, child-friendly restaurants, or indoor and outdoor swimming pools. But it’s not all about the kids – several of these properties have spa facilities, golf courses, and nearby shopping options to please mum and dad, too.

    • Families

    Four Seasons Resort Maui is an immaculate 5-star property in the high-end resort town of Wailea. The resort grounds open onto a small cove of fine and golden sand. There are moderate ocean waves to splash around in, or you could relax at any of the 3 on-site swimming pools. If you’re looking for water sports, equipment for snorkelling, scuba diving, parasailing, and stand-up paddleboarding are available. 

    Even for a Four Seasons brand property, the range of attractions tailor-made for families is truly special. This resort is especially good for pre-teens, with a full day of planned activities for children aged 5 to 12. Camp counsellors arrange treasure hunts, arts and crafts lessons, sports games, and more. This leaves parents free to get a relaxing massage or take part in various wellness activities.

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    • Families

    Arizona Grand Resort & Spa is an expansive 4-star hotel with a fantastic range of amenities for the whole family. This all-suite property has 1- and 2-bedroom room types spread over 5 floors. The leisure attractions on offer include a golf course, a shopping centre, and the Oasis Waterpark, which spans 7 acres, with a wave pool, lazy river, slides for teens, and paddling pools for toddlers. It’s actually one of the finest hotel waterparks in the world. 

    If you find time to leave the hotel grounds, family-friendly experiences like Legoland Discovery Centre and Sea Life Arizona Aquarium are a short drive away. 

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    • Families

    Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, Gourmet All-inclusive by Karisma is one of the best family hotels in the Dominican Republic. As the name suggests, this beachfront retreat is inspired by the iconic children’s TV franchise. Toddler-inclusive amenities like strollers, bottle sterilizers/warmers, cots, and highchairs are available upon request.

    You can enjoy hours of fun at the Aqua Nick waterpark, exclusive character meet-and-greets, and meals with performances by popular Nickelodeon characters. Club Nick hosts supervised programmes for kids aged 4 to 12, while Vassa Spa provides soothing massages and treatments for mum and dad.

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    • Families

    Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Centre is a 5-star property with mountain views and a rustic-chic design to suit its Rockies location. This sprawling resort has an incredible 1,387 rooms, with family rooms featuring bunk beds and free cots on demand.

    This is a truly kid-friendly property. Camp counsellors arrange scavenger hunts and animal feeding for younger children, while kids of all ages will enjoy the games arcade and excellent waterpark. Exclusive for resort guests, the Arapahoe Springs waterpark offers indoor and outdoor pools, waterslides, a lazy river (heated and open seasonally), and sun loungers. The outdoor pool is heated and open year-round. In winter, the hotel arranges seasonal activities like holiday decorations and ice tubing.

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    • Families

    Margaritaville Resort Orlando is conveniently located within several of Orlando’s most famous theme parks. It has a theme park shuttle service to take you to Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom®, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. The resort is also within a 5-minute stroll of Sunset Walk, where you can find plenty of shopping and dining options, together with Studio Film Grill and Island H2O Water Park. 

    Onsite facilities at Margaritaville Resort Orlando include 2 outdoor pools, an arcade/game room, and a children's centre called Fins Up Beach Club.

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    • Families

    Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa is an immaculately manicured 4-star resort on the outskirts of Palm Springs. The hotel boasts an impressive 9 swimming pools – including a 450-ft lazy river – and a wide variety of activities, including tennis, golf, cycling, and a jogging track that winds through the resort. From toddlers to teens, children of all ages are catered for.

    With 530 guestrooms, there are lots of choices at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort and Spa. Larger families looking for some private time will especially love the 2-bedroom villas, each with a private plunge pool and barbecue facilities. Extra cots are available on request. Surrounding the hotel, you’ll find The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and hiking trails through Coachella Valley Preserve.

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    La Cantera Resort & Spa

    San Antonio, Texas

    La Cantera Resort & Spa
    • Families

    La Cantera Resort & Spa is a 4-star property close to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. A free shuttle takes guests to San Antonio’s most thrilling theme park, which is home to extreme rides like Boomerang Coast to Coaster and BATMAN™: The Ride.

    The hotel has plenty of family-focused facilities to enjoy, including 2 separate pools overlooking verdant woodland, 1 of which is dedicated to families and has a waterslide for younger children. The kids club at La Cantera Resort & Spa caters to children between 4 and 12 years old, with a Naturalist Programme that focuses on the local environment. In the evening, you can enjoy a family film around a fire pit and toast some s’mores. Other facilities include a games arcade and various water sports.

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    • Families

    Orlando World Centre Marriott is a luxury property that’s ideally placed in Disney Springs, where you can enjoy many Walt Disney World Parks®. Despite the hotel's convenient location, a stay here is peaceful and secluded thanks to the surrounding greenery and water features. Guestrooms at this 4-star resort have large balconies for enjoying the evening breeze, but younger family members will be most excited by the on-site water park. River Falls Water Park features a central lagoon pool and splash zone with a choice of slides suitable for teens and pre-teens.

    The hotel has 9 different restaurants to choose from and, every evening, the resort hosts a 10-minute laser show over the pool area accompanied by a high-energy soundtrack. Keen golfers have plenty of choices as well, with several 18-hole courses surrounding the hotel, plus the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf.

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    • Families

    Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Centre is a renowned family-friendly resort on Galveston Island. Activities surrounding the hotel range from Moody Gardens amusement park and aquarium, an immersive 3D theatre, ziplines and obstacle courses, plus Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston. There are also seasonal activities, with beach games in the summer and an Ice Land built for winter.  

    There are so many things to do for families around Moody Gardens Hotel that you can spend your entire holiday here. But if you decide to escape from the resort for a few hours, Galveston Beach is less than 1 mile away where you’ll find the historic Galveston Pleasure Pier.

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    Atlantis, The Palm
    • Families
    • Luxury

    Atlantis, The Palm sits at the top of Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah luxury development. The hotel ground leads onto a private beach that sits alongside one of the world’s largest water parks. Other family-friendly amenities include 2 outdoor pools, an additional paddling pool, volleyball and basketball courts, a bowling alley, a games arcade, and 2 kids clubs. 

    The perks of staying at Atlantis, The Palm include a free 1-day pass to Aquaventure Waterpark, daily visits to Lost Chambers Aquarium throughout your stay, and access to both Royal Beach and Aquaventure Beach. Toddlers can have plenty of fun at the Little Pirates Playground, an outdoor play area with climbing ropes, tunnels, and a pirate ship. 

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