

When planning a luxury family vacation, it’s no longer enough to offer a sandy beach and a few coloring books. Today’s discerning little travelers — and their relaxation-seeking parents —demand more. Fortunately, many of Forbes Travel Guide’s Star-Rated resorts in Florida are stepping up their game with imaginative programming, immersive experiences and dazzling play spaces that engage, educate and entertain.
Whether your child dreams of becoming a marine biologist, a soccer star or just wants to outscore you at ping-pong, these resorts will help. The properties are redefining the family vacation in Florida with kids’ clubs and other offerings.
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach
Chic and surprisingly relaxed, Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach blends the town’s signature elegance with thoughtful touches for families that make kids feel special. The property’s Kids For All Seasons program not only offers complimentary childcare for ages four through 12, but also presents a rotating schedule of beach games, nature-inspired crafts and treasure hunts designed to engage young minds.
Teens and toddlers will also enjoy the amenities. The former can unwind in a game room and the latter will love the colorful playroom. With beachside coconuts, a tyke-friendly pizza-making class, daily complimentary poolside gelato and intentional family programming (from movie night to trivia competitions), this Palm Beach gem effortlessly caters to multigenerational travelers.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Set amid a lush nature preserve and conveniently just minutes from Walt Disney World, Four-Star Waldorf Astoria Orlando offers a serene counterpoint to the region’s theme park frenzy. But parents aren’t the only ones who benefit from refined surroundings — children ages five to 12 are invited to WA Kids Club, where the fun is front and center. Daytime sessions can include anything from creative crafts to interactive games. It’s a careful blend of structure and spontaneity, all in a setting where families can truly unwind.
Even outside of the club, the property does things with consideration. Take dinner at Bull & Bear, the hotel’s outstanding steakhouse, for example. Even young diners are made to feel special — staff has been known to set a place for beloved stuffed animals and create other surprises that wow the littlest guests. Skip the fireworks and opt for an over-the-top dessert instead — some treats even release dramatic plumes of smoke that cascade across the table, delivering luxury with a whimsical twist the whole family will enjoy.

Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach
This oceanfront gem in Sunny Isles Beach, a family-friendly hideaway north of Miami, sets the gold standard for luxury family getaways. Five-Star Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach isn’t just a place to stay — it’s an all-encompassing experience. For young guests, that journey begins at the AcquaMarine program, a complimentary, marine-themed children’s camp designed in partnership with premium childcare company itavi.
The result is a vibrant hub where kids ages four to 12 dive into beach yoga, seashell crafts and marine life puppet shows, all while learning about the ocean’s wonders. Older children can enroll in pro-led sports clinics, stretch their creative muscles in painting classes or pick up scuba and swim skills through curated lessons. Even downtime becomes an adventure thanks to a foosball table, beachfront chess and daily lawn activities like kite flying and sandcastle contests.

The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
On a tranquil barrier island beach, Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island offers an elevated escape infused with natural charm. The Ritz Kids program is designed to bring even more of the property to life. Developed in partnership with Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society, the program invites small guests to explore the local ecosystem through themed adventures, scavenger hunts and science-based crafts. Between pirate ship-inspired playtime and shoreline discoveries, Ritz Kids aims to give kids a deeper appreciation for the world around them while parents indulge in the resort’s serene Four-Star spa or tee off at the championship golf course. Evening programming, like story time and s’mores around the fire pit, ensures the magic continues well after sunset.
For families seeking a shared adventure, the hotel offers the new Mouratoglou Tennis Center in partnership with Patrick Mouratoglou, coach of four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka. The property also curates a range of excursions for families, including dolphin- or crab-spotting cruises and guided hikes through the island’s pristine nature preserves, where guests may encounter river otters, alligators and other native wildlife.
At the end of a long day, bedtime gets an upgrade with in-suite camping or pirate and princess tuck-ins that include nighttime stories.

JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
Age doesn’t matter when you visit this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended treasure; everyone is in on the fun. While guests from three to 83 have a blast looking for small fairy doors hidden around the property, special visitors between five and 12 have the Hidden Garden Kids Club that they can call their own. Tucked behind a foliage-covered door, this supervised sanctuary of silliness houses a foosball table, shelves full of crafting materials and a slew of board games. There are also massive TVs showing Bluey episodes and a Sensory Calming Corner for those who need a break from all the stimulation.
But the amusement doesn’t stop inside Hidden Garden. Just outside the sixth-floor club’s doors is an impressive rooftop play area with amazing Disney World views, a rock-climbing wall and a miniature golf course that pint-sized patrons (and their parents) love playing on.

Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Dreaming of a South Beach getaway but unsure whether it’s feasible with children in tow? Fear not — Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Loews Miami Beach Hotel masterfully blends laid-back luxury with kid-approved sophistication. Parents can unwind with cocktails poolside or indulge at the spa while little ones immerse themselves in the SoBe Kids Club, designed for ages four to 12.
This is far more than a standard kids’ corner. Daily activities include beach walks, treasure hunts, arts and crafts, interactive storytelling and games — all led by a dedicated team in a bright, coastal-inspired space with an indoor play area. The programming rotates daily to ensure fresh experiences that keep children absorbed and parents relaxed.
Beyond the Kids Club, the resort delivers unique enrichment activities such as interactive photography classes and hands-on cooking sessions where small guests can learn to roll sushi or decorate desserts.