10 Best Hotels for Families in the USA

For a truly spectacular family vacation, you must book a truly spectacular hotel. To compile this list of the best hotels for families in the USA, I asked family travel experts to submit their all-time favorite American hotels and resorts for kids. Then I narrowed it down to the best of the very best. These accommodations aren’t merely family-friendly — they’re family-focused. The lengths to which these properties go to please young guests and their parents reach far beyond standard hotel offerings. Let’s pull back the covers and climb in to enjoy a good night’s rest and an amazing hotel stay!

Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island (Photo credit: Don Johnston)

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1. Grand Hotel

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Kim Bousquet Reiner, Oh My Omaha

The historic Grand Hotel is an all-inclusive property on Mackinac Island, Michigan. A stay at the Grand Hotel is like stepping back in time, where are lawn games in the afternoon and a dress code for dinner. Kids will also love cooling off with complimentary snow cones at the Grand’s large outdoor pool. The island is car-free, so families will want to rent bicycles or take a horse-drawn carriage taxi to explore the island from the hotel.

Children are welcome at a daily Afternoon Tea. It features finger sandwiches, fresh-baked scones, an array of pastries, and hot tea. There’s sherry and champagne for parents, too. All of this is accompanied by live music.

Fairmont Grand Del Mar
Fairmont Grand Del Mar (Photo credit: Fairmont)

2. Fairmont Grand Del Mar

Del Mar, California

Katie Dillon, La Jolla Mom

Families choose this five-star property for its impressive array of activities. First of all, Fairmont Grand Del Mar is home to one of the only year-round kids’ clubs in San Diego County (for ages 5 to 12). Plus, the resort offers an onsite equestrian center, a roster of seasonal family programming, and a cool main pool with a sand play area. In summer, beach butlers take guests to and from Del Mar Beach with umbrellas, chairs, and water.

Even the resort’s Tom Fazio-designed golf course offers junior golf tees, complimentary junior TaylorMade clubs for kids to borrow, and complimentary green fees for ages 12 and under when they golf with adults.

No matter what time of year you visit, parents are sure to love ultra-fine dining at Addison, one of San Diego’s best restaurants.

Rainbow Reef is a unique place to try snorkeling with real Hawaiian fish at Disney Aulani
Disney’s Aulani Resort (Photo credit: Disney)

3. Aulani Resort

Oahu, Hawaii

Colleen Lanin, Travel Mamas

Always a family favorite, Disney’s Aulani Resort is featured on Travel Mamas’ lists of Best Hotel Pools in Hawaii for Families, the Best Hotels with Lazy Rivers, and Best Hotel Spa Pools. So, it goes without saying that this hotel has some truly incredible water features.

But Aulani offers so much more for kids than merely its swimming pools, fantastic though they are. To start, it’s the only hotel on the Hawaiian Islands that offers group childcare for kids as young as 3 (through age 12). What’s more, Aunty’s Beach House Kids Club is complimentary to hotel guests!

Open-air movie nights, ukulele lessons, family craft-making, and live musical entertainment by local artists are also included at no extra charge. Kids especially love the Menehune Adventure Trail, a high-tech scavenger hunt. Disney character breakfasts, Hawaiian-style makeovers for kids, and fire pit storytelling add to the magic of an Aulani stay.

The Resort at Paws Up with kids
The Resort at Paws Up (Photo credit: Sarah Hirsch)

4. The Resort at Paws Up

Blackfoot Valley near Missoula, Montana

Sarah Hirsch, Well Traveled Kids

Families looking for an extraordinary Montana vacation will find The Resort at Paws Up to be the perfect destination to unwind and reconnect. Staying at this resort is like having your own private national park all to yourselves! With 37,000 acres of Montana magic, it’s amazing to escape to big skies, fresh air, and old-fashioned fun.

Guests can choose to stay in luxury ranch homes. Or go glamping in luxury canvas tents complete with multiple bedrooms, marble bathrooms, chandeliers, and camping butlers.

Children will love spending time at kids’ camp playing with baby animals and exploring the great outdoors with new friends. Meanwhile, parents can get pampered at the spa.

Spend the day outdoors in the unspoiled wilderness under the big Montana sky. Amazing activities abound like riding horses, fishing, or playing water sports on the resort’s private island. Each night is filled with fine dining, campfires, s’mores, and unforgettable memories.

Four Seasons Hualalai
Four Seasons Hualalai (Photo credit: Four Seasons)

5. Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

The Big Island, Hawaii

Nancy Besharah, Luxury Family Travel Blog

On Hawaii’s Big Island, Four Seasons Hualalai makes a fantastic USA vacation destination for all ages. Active families will appreciate a climbing wall, tennis courts, and Jack Nicklaus Signature Championship golf course. Plus, a family-friendly Hawaiian cultural program and an expansive spa with salon treatments for kids as young as 4.

When parents need a break, children will have a ball at Kids for All Seasons, a complimentary club for guests ages 5 to 12. Older kids can get in on the fun during peak seasons at Camp Manitou, designed for ages 9 to 15.

The resort also offers a choice of seven swimming pools. Families adore the infinity Sea Shell Pool with waterfalls. There’s also a Keiki Pool just for little ones.

Basin Harbor Club on the shores of Lake Champlain with kids
Basin Harbor on the shores of Lake Champlain (Photo credit: Basin Harbor)

6. Basin Harbor Resort

Lake Champlain, Vermont

Keryn Means, Twist Travel Magazine

Basin Harbor Resort on the shores of Lake Champlain in Vermont is like a summer camp for kids but the whole family can attend. While parents enjoy a game of tennis, time by the water, or a trip to the spa, kids are at morning camp with their friends.

There are no electronics at this kids club, though. Nope, instead, campers learn how to make catapults out of sticks and marshmallows. Plus, endless games are being played to introduce kids to each other, and friendships are made.

By the end of your first day, your kids will be running off to say hi to their new friends while you sit back and connect with your own friends over a glass of wine, fresh lobster, and a sunset over the lake.

Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort
Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort (Photo credit: Disney Vacation Club)

7. Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Karen Dawkins, Family Travels on a Budget

Tucked away in Shelter Cove Harbor, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort is a family paradise. The resort offers spacious accommodations. There are mostly 2-bedroom condos where families have plenty of space to hang out.

The pools, beach, fishing pier, hammocks, playgrounds, and other amenities invite families to play outdoors together during the day. At night, enjoy songs and s’mores at the campfire or watch movies together under the stars.

What makes this Hilton Head Island resort truly special, though, is the incredible resort staff. Many have been there for decades and know regular families by name. But, even first-time guests will feel like family after a few days of fun games and activities with the recreation team.

Resort at Squaw Creek
Resort at Squaw Creek (Photo credit: Destination Hotels)

8. Resort at Squaw Creek

Lake Tahoe, California

Kirsten Maxwell, Kids Are a Trip

Resort at Squaw Creek is the ultimate getaway for families at any time of year. During the winter, families can dog sled, ice skate, hit the slopes, or have a family day at the spa. In the summer, kids will enjoy wildflower nature walks, biking to Squaw Village, and swimming in the resort pool.

Their Mountain Buddies kids club ensures children ages 4 to 12 will have the time of their lives. With a stunning location not far from the shores of Lake Tahoe, it’s a destination with something for everyone.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort Kids on the Beach
Kids on the beach at Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Photo credit: Kiawah Island Golf Resort)

9. The Sanctuary Hotel at Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Katrina Ellen, Mommyhood Life

Kiawah Island Golf Resort is an island-wide vacation destination packed with family fun. Accommodations range from beautiful suites at The Sanctuary Hotel to villas and even houses located around the island. This resort is the ideal spot to spend a vacation with extended family, with multi-level house rentals offering enough space for large groups. Amenities include playgrounds, pools, waterslides, beachfront access, bike rentals, kids camps, and a wide range of on-property dining options.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort also offers a constant lineup of activities and events. Expect everything from bonfires to marsh tours and archery contests. Annual holiday festivities such as tree lightings and turkey trots make this a great place to build family traditions.

Entertainment Courtyard at the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel
Entertainment Courtyard at the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel (Photo credit: Karen Heffren)

10. LEGOLAND Castle Hotel

Carlsbad, California

Karen Heffren, Desert Chica

Knights, wizards, and princesses can sleep steps away from LEGOLAND California Theme Park, LEGOLAND Water Park, and SEA LIFE Aquarium at the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel in Carlsbad, California. Children will love the separate kids’ area with LEGO blocks and scavenger hunt in each guestroom. Meanwhile, parents will appreciate free breakfast for the whole family every morning.

After your family is done exploring the theme park, let the kids play in the Entertainment Courtyard. There, you’ll find nightly live entertainment, playground equipment, and outdoor movies.

Every room at this hotel is themed to please LEGO-loving kids! Choose from a Knights & Dragons, Royal Princess, or Magic Wizard room.

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Book Your Family Hotel Stay with Travelocity

No matter which of these incredible properties you choose, you’re sure to have a fabulous holiday! Ready to reserve one of the best hotels for families in the USA? Book now with Travelocity!

Benefits of booking with Travelocity:

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Travelocity works hard to secure the best hotel rates in the most popular destinations. Browse hotels by destination to get started and check out our hotel reviews, written by customers just like you.

Azul Beach Hotel
Azul Beach Hotel in Riviera May, Mexico is one of the best beach resorts for families (Photo credit: Azul Beach Hotel)

Explore More Amazing Vacation Options

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Best Hotels for Families in the USA

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What’s your favorite hotel for families in the United States? Let us know in the comments below!

 

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21 Comments

  1. Traveling with children can be difficult and so finding a hotel that offers the comforts of home is imperative. I will share this with friends who still have kids at home.

  2. Wow! These hotels and resorts look amazing! I think my favorites are The Resort at Paws Up at Blackfoot Valley near Missoula, Montana and Basin Harbor! Because, hello beach and marshmallows!

  3. I want to take a US tour someday. There is so much to do and see in this beautiful country.

    1. I’m with you…a grand U.S. tour would be amazing! Especially if you get to stay at incredible hotels like these!

  4. What a fantastic list of hotels in the United States! I would love to stay at the Legoland Castle hotel when my family and I visit California.

  5. These sound like some amazing hotels. This is a great list! Thanks for sharing.

  6. Thank you for putting this list together. It helps narrow down our list for summer destinations. I always dreamed of visiting Hawaii, however, if we can’t make it this year, I’d be perfectly content with exploring The Resorts at Paws Up.

    1. You really can’t go wrong with Four Seasons Hualalai, Disney’s Aulani, or The Resort at Paws Up! All fabulous choices!

  7. these are some great hotel ideas for families! with summer break around the corner for my nieces and nephews, i will have to share these recommendations with them. thanks for the list!

  8. Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island seems like a good hotel. I should look it up and try to stay for few days.

  9. “Basin Harbour Club”‘….that is my pick. Anything to do with bonfires away from home is the deal!

    1. I love bonfires too! The campfire pic, though, is from Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort. You really can’t go wrong with either hotel!

  10. These are some awesome hotels for families! I’m torn between several of them, as Hawaii has always had that fantasy appeal.

  11. There are some AMAZING hotels for families on your list! Each brings something really special, not only in amenities, but location and area they’re in.

    1. Thanks! I really wanted to include a good mix of hotels from across the U.S. that have different amenities and qualities! So many good choices from these family travel experts!