Best Family Resorts in Florida

About 20 minutes south of Disney's Magic Kingdom, the sprawling 360-room Reunion Resort is one of Orlando's most popular condo resorts, thanks to its three signature golf courses, huge water park with a lazy river, and well-equipped villas. The one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas have full kitchens and flat-screen TVs, while other top features consist of 10 pools, a kids' club with all-day activities, and multiple restaurants, including one offering views of Disney fireworks. The five-acre water park has lifeguards, a freeform pool, multiple waterslides, beach volleyball courts, and a kids' play area with a jungle gym. The 18-hole golf courses are some of the best in Orlando, with one designed by Arnold Palmer, one by Jack Nicklaus, and one by Tom Watson. A spa and arcade room add even more appeal.

Located in Duck Key, Hawks Cay Resort has the feel of a small village due to its massive size, multi-bedroom villas, and many amenities -- the Florida Keys property even has its own 85-slip marina. Many guests arrive by boat, as this 60-acre resort is located in a secluded spot far from Key West's main airport. The property largely attracts families looking for a quiet vacation. Family-friendly features include a dolphin experience, a kids' club, five swimming pools, a man-made lagoon with paddleboarding, and several restaurants. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, plus there are villas that come with full kitchens and laundry facilities. Restaurants vary from casual poolside grills to upscale eateries serving steak and seafood.

The 140-acre Breakers Palm Beach is a historic, iconic property that draws travelers with its wedding packages, elaborate Sunday brunches, and two 18-hole golf courses. Originally built in 1896 (but reconstructed in 1926 after a devastating fire), The Breakers has retained its luxurious old-world charm and architecture, and the oceanfront grounds are packed with stellar features, including five swimming pools, 10 tennis courts, and nine restaurants. The Breakers sits on a lovely stretch of private beach, which is suitable for snorkeling or sunbathing on a lounge chair. The 540 rooms include modern amenities -- minibars, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and iPod stereos -- and Club-level units add perks such as a free buffet breakfast, afternoon tea, and beverages.

Modeled after a traditional "kraal" (village), Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is a huge Orlando resort offering guests a hands-on safari experience with roaming animals, an 11,000-square-foot freeform pool with a waterslide, and 972 rooms with African decor. Besides a large swimming pool and cool safari features, the hotel has other family-friendly perks such as a kids' club, an arcade, and regularly scheduled kid-centric activities like campfire s'mores or African instrument lessons. Disney perks include Extra Magic Hours and express luggage transport, and there's a large on-site gift shop with Disney souvenirs. Multiple restaurants are available, serving Western and African fare. Guests should keep their eyes peeled for zebras, giraffes, gazelles, and flamingos.

Set between Fort Myers and Naples, the Hyatt Residence Club Bonita Springs, Coconut Plantation is an upscale timeshare resort with lots for families to do. Set in lush landscaped grounds bordering a golf course (with several other golf courses nearby), the resort offers four outdoor swimming pools and a 1,000-foot lazy river ride, a playground, a kids' club with video games, a rock-climbing wall, and a putting green. The 108 spacious suites are ideal for families and long stays, thanks to fully equipped kitchens, living and dining spaces, and washer/dryers. Additionally, guests receive free access to an exclusive private island beach shared with the nearby Hyatt Regency. A small grocery store, Starbucks coffee shop, and restaurant open for lunch are all on-site.

As the largest property on Captiva Island, about an hour's drive from Fort Myers, Florida, the upper-middle-range South Seas Island Resort is a stellar option for family getaways. Extensive features -- wide private beaches with hammocks and volleyball courts, three outdoor pools with waterslides, a scenic yacht harbor, and a nine-hole golf course -- make this resort stand out. Varied dining consists of casual spots like an ice cream shop and tiki bar, plus three restaurants -- one with chic outdoor seating overlooking the harbor. A full-service spa and well-equipped gym provide additional recreation for adults, while organized kids' activities keep little ones occupied. Pleasant rooms, villas, homes, and condos have flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges or kitchens, and scenic views from furnished balconies.

The 287-room Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa is an upscale hotel that towers like a pink sandcastle near the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It's located across the street from a white-sand beach, while on-site family-friendly amenities are numerous. The eighth-floor heated pool with a secured kiddy pool is a highlight, and the luxurious spa, kids' club with daily activities, wedding venues, and fitness center offer more to love. All rooms are done in an attractive contemporary style, and come with full-size kitchens, couches, flat-screen TVs, and furnished balconies -- some with Gulf of Mexico views. An excellent fine-dining restaurant specializing in steak and seafood, a poolside restaurant, and a coffee and lobby bar offering snacks are available for those who don't want to cook.

Located in Miramar Beach, one of the 15 beach neighborhoods in South Walton County, the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is a lovely, sprawling property that's organized like a little town with its whopping 1,600 rooms and huge array of leisure facilities. It can be broken down into four resorts and 30 separate neighborhoods -- each with different decor and price range -- allowing families to choose between a standard hotel room, condo, villa, or town home. In addition to a village and market full of shops, restaurants, and entertainment, this resort is packed with recreational activities such as a staggering 19 pools, a 98-slip marina, 15 tennis courts, four golf courses, and over seven miles of beachfront. Kids can also make use of an adventure park with a zipline and rope bridges, as well as race cars, an arcade, and a laser maze.

The upscale JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort is a 664-room property famous for its white-sand beach and family-friendly water sports. Numerous outdoor and indoor features keep adults and kids busy, with the highlights being two outdoor pools, one of which has a waterslide and fun play area. Guests also have access to a full-service spa and gym, a kids' camp with activities, a game room, dive-in movies at the pool, and arts and crafts. Several on-site restaurants offer everything from sushi and steak to pizza and frozen yogurt. Rooms and suites, which have pullout sofa beds, are lovely and feature balconies, and the ocean views are spectacular.

The Diplomat Beach Resort Hollywood, Curio Collection by Hilton is a 1,000-room luxury hotel with a beachfront location in Hollywood Beach, 10 exceptional restaurants, and a stellar spa. Set between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, The Diplomat provides direct access to a pretty public beach, a marina area across the street, and two huge outdoor pools with bar service and cabanas. The 24-hour gym and spa offering couples' massages, a eucalyptus salt steam room, and sauna provide wellness options. A kids' club and non-motorized water sports are available, as are standout conference facilities. The hotel is split between two towers to separate business and leisure travelers. Sophisticated, ocean-inspired rooms have Bluetooth music players, HDTVs with Chromecast, and great bathrooms with showers and separate tubs.

Equidistant from Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Trump International Beach Resort is a family-friendly amenities-packed hotel right on the beach in Sunny Isles. It's more casual than other Trump properties, and there are several kid-centric features on offer: a free kids' club with organized activities, a large grotto-style pool with a shallow area that's great for little ones, and direct access to a beach with calm water. Additionally, all of the spacious rooms here come with kitchenettes, and washer/dryers are in many suites. The main restaurant is elegant, but casual enough for kids, and a poolside grill offers moderately priced sandwiches and wraps. Two tennis courts, a spa, salon, and fitness center provide recreation for adults.

Located directly on St. Pete Beach, a 40-minute drive from Tampa, Florida, TradeWinds Island Grand Beach Resort is a sprawling 584-room hotel with a host of features that make it a popular pick for both overnight stays and day passes. The hotel sits on 20 acres of beachfront property and offers a number of water-based activities: five heated swimming pools and two whirlpools -- including an adults-only pool and options for families -- a 60-foot blow-up slide on the beach, and a 15,750-square-foot Splash Island Water Park that floats in the ocean. Plus, water sports equipment such as jetpacks, paddleboards, and wave runners are included in the resort fee. The modern rooms include kitchenettes, and there are several dining and entertainment options here, such as nightly live music at the SandBar.

Located on a beautiful stretch of private beach on the Palm Coast, the upscale Hammock Beach Resort is a stellar pick, thanks to its two highly-rated golf courses, top-notch spa, and large water park with five outdoor pools, a lazy river, and indoor pool complex. There are several accommodation options, but families particularly will appreciate the spacious three- and four-bedroom suites that have fully equipped kitchens, as well as living and dining areas. Suites in the Ocean Towers and villas add laundry rooms with washer/dryers. The extensive amenities continue with five restaurants -- Italian, seafood, and sushi options -- three bars (including a cigar bar), a large fitness center, and eight-court tennis complex. One of the 18-hole courses was designed by Jack Nicklaus, while the other was designed by Tom Watson. Guests receive free access to the driving range after 2 p.m. and a free-to-use nine-hole putting course is on-site.

The Sundial Beach Resort & Spa is the best family-friendly property on Sanibel Island, offering a beautiful private beach, five outdoor pools, and well-equipped rooms. The main resort pool, with its small kids' slide, separate whirlpool, and ample lounge chairs, is the center of the action. The other four pools are spread among the condo buildings. Also available are tennis courts, a full-service spa, and a sea school for kids with fun activities like nature walks and classes. Additionally, the resort provides free rentals of bikes, paddleboards, and kayaks. Studios and one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites offer kitchens, living rooms, and screened patios -- some with beachfront views. A variety of dining options consist of a stylish cafe with gulf views, a pizzeria, a bakery, and a pool and beach bar.