I’ve lived in Southwest Florida for 20 years, a stretch of time during which I’ve gotten familiar with the area’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks and preserves, and the many waterways that wind through the region. And those are just a few of the things that draw visitors to Southwest Florida, where you’ll also find spots showcasing everything from tropical plant life to Thomas Edison’s inventions and restaurants known for fresh seafood and sky-high slices of cake.
My daughter grew up here, and my husband and I have taken her shelling on Sanibel Island, on sightseeing cruises in Pine Island Sound, and up and down the Gulf Coast in search of fun places to eat and interesting things to do. So I understand why people want to vacation here. And when they do, these are the 12 best family-friendly hotels and resorts in Southwest Florida I’d recommend.
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1. LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
Naples, Florida
Thanks to a recent 18-month renovation, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort is refreshed and vacation ready. Guest rooms and suites have been done up in coastal-modern style, with some offering sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico (I couldn’t stop admiring mine during a recent stay) and others with beachfront firepits on the patio. But no matter which room you choose, you’ll be steps from the white sands and turquoise waters of Vanderbilt Beach, where staff will get you set up with towels, lounge chairs, and umbrellas and water sports rentals can be arranged.
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Three pools make it easy to beat the Florida heat, and family-friendly amenities include bike rentals; complimentary pack-and-plays during stays; and a regular schedule of activities like spike ball contests on the beach, hula hoop challenges, and beach yoga. Make sure to end the day with s’mores at one of the beachside firepits.
2. South Seas
Captiva Island, Florida
This longtime go-to for multigenerational family vacations at the tip of Captiva Island is undergoing something of a rebirth following damage sustained during 2022’s Hurricane Ian. But the 330-acre South Seas resort still retains plenty of its island charm and natural beauty (more than half of the resort is a dedicated wildlife preserve and estuary), and accommodation types now open for visitors include beach, marina, and tennis villas as well as beach homes.
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A phased reopening of the resort is continuing, but current amenities available for guests include the Bayview Pool Complex with three family-friendly pools, waterslides, and new poolside cabanas; a rebuilt fishing pier; The Clutch, a new 12-hole short course; and the Yacht Club Marina where fishing charters and nature tours can be booked. Look for seashells of all kinds at the resort’s private Sunset Beach, where a food truck serves up burgers sure to please the whole family. Still to come? The new Captiva Landing section with a new water play area, lazy river, vintage arcade, kids’ club, and additional dining options, scheduled to open in 2025.
3. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
Naples, Florida
After a nearly two-year closure, The Ritz-Carlton, Naples unveiled a dramatic transformation making the luxury resort even more luxurious. All of the resort’s 474 guest rooms and suites have been updated with a sophisticated coastal-inspired design, and the new 14-floor Vanderbilt Tower features a new Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge and more than 70 spacious club-level guest rooms.
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Families can take their pool time to the next level by reserving one of the 10 fully enclosed, air-conditioned poolside bungalows, each with its own private bath, TV and entertainment system, and service bar. The resort’s revamped Ritz Kids program takes place in a state-of-the-art Ritz Kids Room and features nature-focused programming created in partnership with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. While the kids are busy, the grownups can sneak off to the new Lobby Bar and check out its Signature Champagne Tasting Menu.
4. The Gasparilla Inn & Club
Boca Grande, Florida
My blood pressure always immediately lowers whenever I drive onto Gasparilla Island and head toward the community of Boca Grande. In that throwback downtown area where golf cart or bicycle is the preferred mode of transportation, The Gasparilla Inn & Club serves as something of a centerpiece and a taste of Old Florida.
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The much-loved resort offers a range of lodging options, from elegant rooms and suites in the historic inn to small cottages and luxe beach houses fronting the Gulf of Mexico. Families can fill their days with beach and pool time, bike rides along a paved trail, and kayak or paddleboard excursions through area waterways. Grownups will love the par 72, Pete Dye-designed golf course and relaxing treatments available at the on-site spa, and the whole family can enjoy at alfresco meal at local favorite The Pink Elephant.
5. Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa
Bonita Springs, Florida
A big draw for families at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa? The resort’s three-acre water park, which includes a palm tree–lined lazy river and a variety of waterslides that send riders twisting and zipping into the water. I can tell you from personal experience, it’s hard to get kids to leave this area.
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But you should be sure to make time for other amenities at the resort, like its 15-minute boat ride to Big Hickory Island, a private island that’s part of Estero Bay Ecological Preserve where you can spend a beach day. Back at the resort, there are firepits for making s’mores, a lakeside putting green for practicing your short game, and a full-service spa for some adult R&R. After all that activity, everyone should get a good night’s sleep, and the resort’s 462 recently renovated guestrooms and suites feature floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors for letting the sunshine in when it’s time to wake up and get moving.
6. Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village
Cape Coral, Florida
I’ve always considered Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village something of a hidden gem in Southwest Florida. The pet-friendly property isn’t located on the beach, but its waterfront setting along the Caloosahatchee River means guests enjoy scenic views that seem to go on for days and access to kayaking and fishing charters for getting out on the water.
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Another option is the two-hour dolphin tour that runs twice a day, seven days a week and is complimentary to guests (as part of the resort fee). Four pools, tennis and bocce ball courts, running trails, complimentary two-hour bike rentals, a fitness center, daily yoga classes, and a spa will keep the whole crew busy. Dining options can be found at both the resort and adjacent Marina Village, and the 308 guestrooms and suites all feature Westin’s “Heavenly Bed” and screened-in balconies for taking in the area’s stunning sunsets.
7. Edgewater Beach Hotel
Naples, Florida
Edgewater Beach Hotel occupies a prime stretch of professionally managed white-sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico. The all-suite boutique hotel offers plenty of space for families to spread out, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites featuring fully equipped kitchens and private balconies.
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Two outdoor swimming pools are heated year-round, with the larger leisure pool ideal for family fun and a two-lane lap pool for keeping up with your exercise routine. If that’s not enough, there’s also a fitness center with cardio and strength-training equipment and Peloton bikes and a new Wellness Studio offering private yoga classes and personal training. The hotel’s well situated for visiting nearby family-friendly attractions like the Naples Zoo, Naples Botanical Garden, and Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
8. ’Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa
Captiva Island, Florida
A longtime favorite on Captiva Island, ’Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa sits in a picture-perfect spot between the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound. The water literally surrounds you here, and you can enjoy it at the resort’s private beach or by booking a fishing charter, shelling or sightseeing cruise, or kayaking tour at the resort’s marina.
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Back on land, there are spots for tennis, pickleball, and beach volleyball; free two-hour bicycle rentals; and two pools, one with a lot of activity and the other for quiet relaxation. You can stay in a standard guest room, studio, or multi-bedroom suite. But I’d recommend trying for one of the 19 historic cottages at the resort, done up in colorful paint jobs and named after past Captiva Island visitors like Anne Morrow Lindbergh and Teddy Roosevelt.
9. Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach
Fort Myers Beach, Florida
Fort Myers Beach was hit hard by 2022’s Hurricane Ian, but Margaritaville Beach Resort Fort Myers Beach has been helping to breathe new life into the popular beach destination. The new property on Estero Island is situated on more than seven acres and offers direct access to the beach, where guests can rent beach chairs and umbrellas and book activities like jet skiing and parasailing.
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The pool has a walk-in entry ideal for young kids, and the year-round calendar of events and activities includes daily games and live entertainment. The on-site St. Somewhere Spa offers tropical treatments like a Key Lime Hydrating Body Wrap and Paradise Pina Colada Facial, and a “cheeseburger in paradise” or margarita are easy to find at the resort’s restaurants and bars. Guest rooms and suites are done up in the brand’s bright beachy style, with some offering views of the Gulf of Mexico.
10. Naples Grande Beach Resort
Naples, Florida
There’s a lot to keep families busy at Naples Grande Beach Resort. Beach days begin with a five-minute tram ride or 15-minute walk on a boardwalk through a 200-acre protected mangrove estuary to the resort’s secluded beach, where chaise lounges, umbrellas, kayaks, and paddleboards await guests. If you’d rather head to the pool, the family-friendly Mangrove Pool has a beach-style entry and 100-foot twisting waterslide for all-ages fun.
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Sporty types can head to the Rees Jones–designed, par 72 championship golf course or the resort’s 15 tennis courts. Those looking to take it easy can book a massage or facial at the resort’s spa, which also offers manicures and pedicures for tweens. Spacious guest rooms feature private balconies for taking in the water views, while the resort’s suites are a great choice for larger family groups.
11. Sunseeker Resort
Charlotte Harbor, Florida
This sprawling new spot built by the folks behind Allegiant Air sits on the shores of Charlotte Harbor. There’s a total of 785 guest rooms at Sunseeker Resort, but the Sunsuites are a good option for families. Not only do they have one- to three-bedroom layouts, full kitchens and dining areas, and outdoor balconies, but they also give guests access to a lounge with complimentary nonalcoholic beverages and snacks throughout the day.
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But beyond that, there are 20 different dining concepts at the resort, including a sports bar and a food hall where even picky eaters should be able to find something to enjoy. A family-friendly pool occupies a prime waterfront location, while the rooftop pool is reserved for adults only. Hotel guests get exclusive access to the championship-level Aileron Golf Club, and the city of Punta Gorda’s charming downtown is just across the harbor from the resort.
12. Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
Sanibel Island, Florida
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa reopens for overnight stays in fall 2024 after suffering damage from Hurricane Ian in 2022. Condo-style accommodations make it a great option for families, with one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites among the options. The resort sits right on a shell-strewn stretch of Sanibel beachfront, where you could spend hours searching for whelks, coquinas, conchs, and other finds. (I know, because I have.)
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Once you’ve had your fill of shelling, head to one of the five heated pools on property, which includes the main pool with a children’s waterslide. Tennis and pickleball courts are ready for some friendly competition, and complimentary kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes are available for guest use. Wind down at the on-site spa, or a grab a bite in view of the Gulf of Mexico at one of the resort’s restaurants, which serve everything from sushi to tacos.
