With flights, hotels, rental cars, bathroom breaks, snacks, and keeping kids entertained to consider, family vacations can be fun yet stressful—not to mention expensive. To ease the hassle and costs, I often opt for family resorts where kids stay free. Even places that don’t advertise such deals may offer spacious rooms, cabins, or suites that accommodate families at no extra cost.
Beyond free stays for kids, these hotels excel as destinations themselves, featuring kids’ clubs, activity centers, and nanny services, allowing parents some downtime. Amenities like cribs, kid-friendly meals, pools, water slides, and playgrounds keep younger ones happy, while golf courses, spas, and sports cater to teens and adults. Here are my top picks for family resorts where kids stay free in the U.S. (and one in Canada).
Why you can trust these picks: Read FamilyVacationist’s methodology for selecting and recommending vacation destinations and hotels.
1. The Central Station Memphis, Curio Collection by Hilton
Memphis, Tennessee
At Central Station Memphis, kids and teens up to 17 stay free, making it a great choice for families. Located in a renovated early 1900s train station, the hotel features beautifully designed suites with spacious living areas and mini-fridges for snacks. A functioning trolley, just $1, takes you downtown, where attractions like the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum, National Civil Rights Museum, and historic Beale Street await. Beale Street offers family-friendly shops, eateries, and stops like Beale Sweets Sugar Shack for a sweet treat. Central Station combines history, comfort, and convenience, making it a standout destination in Memphis.
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2. Cambria Hotel Madison East
Madison, Wisconsin
Kids 18 and under stay free at the recently renovated Cambria Hotel Madison East, just seven miles from Dane County Regional Airport and three miles from East Towne Mall. The hotel features a large indoor pool, a lounging area for games, free Wi-Fi, and parking. Parents will appreciate the on-site laundry facilities and spacious rooms, with suites offering separate living areas and sleeper sofas. Madison is a family-friendly Midwest vacation destination with lakes, parks, and attractions like the Henry Vilas Zoo, the Tropical Rainforest Aviary, kayak tours on Lake Mendota, and Vitense Golfland’s mini golf and climbing gym.
3. Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler
Whistler, British Columbia, Canada
At the family-friendly Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler, there’s no additional charge for kids under 18 staying in the same room as their parents. Among the resort’s 291 guest rooms are spacious suites and private residences with kitchens, living areas, and laundry facilities. Families benefit from cribs, high chairs, kid-sized robes, activity kits, and a seasonal playroom. The heated outdoor pool, fitness center, and spa enhance the experience, while dining is a treat for the budget with free meals for kids under five. Minutes from Whistler Village, the resort offers easy access to shops, dining, the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola, and outdoor adventures like kayaking on Alta Lake.
4. Comfort Inn Rehoboth Beach
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
With its laidback coastal charm and iconic boardwalk (not to mention funnel cakes and saltwater taffy), Rehoboth Beach was one of my favorite family vacation spots growing up. Now as a mom, I appreciate that Comfort Inn Rehoboth Beach makes it affordable by offering free stays for kids under 18 when sharing a room with parents. Located near the boardwalk, the hotel has cozy rooms with spacious bathrooms, and suites with extra seating areas. Guests enjoy free continental breakfast, parking, and an outdoor pool. Nearby attractions include Jungle Jim’s Water Park, Midway Speedway Park, and Browse-A-Bout Books, a must-visit independent bookstore with a cozy coffee shop where you can find your next vacation binge-read.
5. Woodloch Resort
Hawley, Pennsylvania
The all-inclusive Woodloch Resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains is equally popular with toddlers and teenagers, and it’s easy to see why. Guests can take part in more than 30 scheduled activities each day, from pool games and scavenger hunts in the warmer months to holiday-themed activities and winter sports when the weather turns cold. At different times throughout the year, Woodloch also offers kids-stay-free deals for children six and under; check the resort’s promotions page frequently to see if there’s a special package price for your travel dates.
5. The Waves Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
Wildwood, New Jersey
Kids 18 and under stay free at The Waves Hotel in Wildwood, New Jersey, making it a wonderfully budget-friendly option just three minutes from the beach. The hotel features recently renovated rooms and helpful amenities like a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. You can enjoy a seasonal outdoor pool, complimentary parking, and a free continental breakfast, too. Wildwood’s expansive beaches and family-friendly attractions, like Morey’s Piers, a water park, rides, and classic boardwalk food, are nearby. Wildwood also boasts diverse dining options, including Goodnight Irene’s brew pub and Alumni Grill.
6. Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz, New York
Located in the scenic Adirondacks, Mohonk Mountain House features kid-friendly amenities like a children’s program, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a rock climbing wall, and nature walks. During winter, families can enjoy ice skating and sledding. Kids ages five to 12 can participate in supervised nature-based activities through the kids’ club. Children five and under stay always free, and the resort also offers family-friendly accommodations with spacious rooms and suites.
7. Sandpiper Bay Resort
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Kids 11 and under stay, eat, and play for free at Sandpiper Bay Resort, recognized by FamilyVacationist as one of the best truly all-inclusive family resorts in the United States. The resort offers a range of activities for children, including a water park, mini-golf, and a kids’ club, and there are also multiple sports programs like tennis and golf designed to engage children of all ages. With spacious rooms and all-inclusive meals, Sandpiper Bay makes it easy for parents to relax while kids are entertained.
8. Alta Lodge
Alta, Utah
With its beautiful mountain setting and family-focused services, Alta Lodge provides a memorable experience for children and parents alike. Kids 12 and under can stay free when sharing a room with their parents, a particularly good option for skiing families thanks to its ski-in, ski-out access, kids’ ski lessons, and cozy lounge area for families to relax together after a day on the slopes. Parents can also enjoy the lodge’s spa and dining options while kids are entertained.
9. Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts
Multiple Locations
At Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts locations around the U.S., kids under 18 enjoy free accommodations when sharing a room with parents, making it a cost-effective option for families. The hotels provide kid-friendly amenities such as children’s menus, pools, and spacious rooms. Many locations also have family suites with extra space and comfortable seating. Additionally, the brand’s widespread locations make it easy to find a family-friendly option wherever you travel.
10. Oceana Resorts
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Children ages 17 and under always stay free at any of the eight Oceana Resort locations in Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach. Kids will love the easy access to the beach, while parents can relax knowing there are plenty of activities to keep children entertained. Many properties offer free playpens and other family-friendly amenities, too, making them ideal for family beach vacations.
11. Great Wolf Lodge
Multiple Locations
A nationwide chain of indoor water park resorts, there are more than 20 Great Wolf Lodge locations across the United States (and one in Canada). Kids under two get free access to the water park and lodging. In addition to multiple indoor play areas, water slides, lazy rivers, soaking tubs, most Great Wolf resorts also have an outdoor pool area and loads of dining options to satisfy even picky eaters. Rooms and suites feature rustic log beds, mini fridges, free Wi-Fi, and microwaves. Special suites themed as cave-like sleeping dens are extra fun for the kiddos.
