Don’t miss these 11 brand-new family resorts opening in 2024

Find everything from flight simulators to lagoon experiences at these new hotel options debuting in 2024.
Aerial rendering of St. Regis Longboat Key
(Photo: St. Regis Longboat Key)

I previously told you about 14 family-friendly hotels and resorts opening in 2024 that you should add to your want-to-go-there list. Since then, I’ve learned about even more new family-friendly properties that have opened or will open this year. Offering tropical beachfront getaways, mountain escapes, and cool features and amenities galore, these new hotels and resorts create even more options for memorable family vacations. 

We’re talking everything from paddleboarding on a manmade lagoon and swimming with tropical fish to learning cooking skills using farm-fresh ingredients and gazing up at the stars while roasting marshmallows for s’mores. Here are 11 more new family-friendly hotels and resorts that have got me dreaming of a stay.

SKIP THE PARKS: 10 Orlando hotels that are just as much fun as Disney or Universal 

1. Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman

Cayman Islands

Family Suite at Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman
Family Suites offer room to spread out at Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman. (Photo: Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman)

Opened in spring 2024, Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman reflects its island setting with artwork by local Caymanian and Caribbean artists and a design inspired by the natural landscape and cultural traditions. The hotel’s 288 guest rooms include Family Suites with king beds, bunk beds, living and dining areas, two bathrooms, a sofa bed, and private balconies, plus the option to book an adjoining standard room to sleep up to 10 guests.

BEST TRIP EVER: 50 best family vacation ideas for all ages

The resort fee includes complimentary beach towels, chairs, and umbrellas on scenic Seven Mile Beach, and the resort’s pool deck features two infinity pools separated by a waterfall feature, one designated for adults and another for families. A 24-hour fitness center means you never have to miss a workout, and outdoor yoga classes are offered three times a week. Make sure to catch the sunset from the ninth-floor Pom Pom rooftop lounge, one of the only rooftop lounges on Grand Cayman.

2. AVA Resort Cancun

Cancun, Mexico

A standard guest room at AVA Resort Cancun
All guest rooms, suites, and villas at AVA Resort Cancun have views of the Caribbean. (Photo: AVA Resort Cancun)

This just-opened all-inclusive resort is only 10 minutes from Cancun International Airport but feels like a total escape. All 1,622 rooms, suites, and villas have private terraces with views of the Caribbean Sea, and more than a dozen dining options range from upscale to casual.

BIG FAMILIES: 15 best all-inclusive resorts for families of 5+

Amenities at AVA Resort Cancun include a dedicated kids’ pool and water park, a family pool with a swim-up bar, and the almost three-acre AVA Bay, a manmade lagoon ideal for swimming, floating, kayaking, and standup paddleboarding. A kids’ club offers arts and crafts, games, movies, and other fun activities for young guests, while teens can head to The Lounge, where there’s a snack bar and table games like ping-pong, foosball, and pool. That gives grownups time for a workout at the two-floor fitness center or a spa treatment.

3. Firefall Ranch

Yosemite, California

The exterior of a cottage at Firefall Ranch
Enjoy indoor/outdoor fireplaces in the cottages at Firefall Ranch. (Photo: Firefall Ranch/Tracy Barbutes)

There’s a new way to stay for a trip to experience the popular Yosemite Valley and Yosemite National Park. Firefall Ranch offers 55 stand-alone one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages and villas, which all feature a double-sided indoor/outdoor fireplace, spacious covered deck, and high-style design elements. Located within minutes of Yosemite’s northwest entrance, the property’s built for rest and relaxation after busy days of outdoor exploration.

HOT TIP: Your 4th grader can get you into national parks for free

A Recreation Desk helps guests arrange guided excursions that range from snowshoeing outings to a private airplane ride over the park. But there’s also lots to enjoy at Firefall Ranch itself, like a heated pool and hot tubs, hiking trails, games in the Guest Lounge, and outdoor activities including bocce ball and horseshoes. A seasonally rotating activities calendar offers fun for the whole family, with options like nightly fireside s’mores, crafts, stargazing, and wine tastings.

4. The Ellie Beach Resort Myrtle Beach, Tapestry by Hilton

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Lobby bar at Ellie Beach Resort
The Lobby Bar sets the tone for an oceanfront getaway at Ellie Beach Resort
Myrtle Beach. (Photo: Ellie Beach Resort Myrtle Beach, Tapestry by Hilton)

Located on 30 acres of beachfront on the quieter south end of Ocean Boulevard, The Ellie Beach Resort Myrtle Beach, Tapestry by Hilton makes for a great home base for a family vacation in the popular South Carolina destination. All 238 guest rooms and suites have private balconies offering ocean views, and some suites feature full refrigerators for stocking up during a stay.

MAKE MEMORIES: 25 best family vacation spots in the U.S. for all ages

Guests enjoy direct access to the beach from the hotel, and six swimming pools and a lazy river provide additional options for cooling off. For active types, there’s a fitness center and volleyball court, and a mini-golf course and bocce ball court stand ready for a little family competition. The hotel’s well-situated for enjoying all sorts of area attractions, including the Broadway at the Beach shopping and entertainment complex, Family Kingdom Amusement Park, and SkyWheel Myrtle Beach.

5. Marriott Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort

Cancun, Mexico

Kids' pool area with waterslides at Marriott Cancun
Kids will love the pool area with a lazy river and waterslides. (Photo: Marriott Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort)

Marriott International’s first-ever all-inclusive property opened in spring 2024 in the popular Yucatan Peninsula vacation zone. The turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea serve as the backdrop for activities and amenities at the resort, which include a state-of-the-art fitness center and full-service spa.

TEEN-FRIENDLY TRIPS: 10 best vacation ideas for families with teenagers

Guests can find their ideal spot at the all-inclusive’s three pools: an adult pool, a family pool, and a kids’ pool featuring a lazy river and waterslides. An immersive kids’ club is scheduled to open during summer 2024, and Cancun’s many attractions are located close by. Nine resort restaurants serve up cuisine from around the world and include kid-friendly options like a pizzeria, sports bar, and burger and shake shop.

6. St. Regis Longboat Key Resort

Longboat Key, Florida

View of the Gulf of Mexico from St. Regis Longboat Key
Cool off at the beach or pools at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort. (Photo: St. Regis Longboat Key Resort)

A new luxury lodging experience will soon be available near Sarasota, Florida, when the beachfront St. Regis Longboat Key Resort opens in summer 2024. Located on 18 acres on the barrier island of Longboat Key, the resort is the only St. Regis property opening in the U.S. in 2024. Water views can be enjoyed at every turn, whether from the 800 feet of private white-sand beach, one of the rooftop dining spots, or the hotel’s 168 guest rooms, which include 26 suites with terraces.

FLORIDA FUN: Why Sarasota might be the perfect Florida vacation spot for families

Guests of all ages can cool off at the resort’s multiple swimming pools or explore the lagoon wildlife experience, a 350,000-gallon habitat with nearly 50 stingrays and more than 2,800 local reef fish spanning 50 native species. The Reef Rangers Children’s Club will offer activities for younger guests, while the grownups will love the impressive St. Regis Spa, which includes oh-so-soothing features like a hydrothermal area with Finnish sauna, eucalyptus steam room, snow shower, and cold plunge and a Relaxation Lounge leading to an infinity-edge pool overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

7. Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod

Hyannis, Massachusetts

King guest room at Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod
Some rooms will have views of the indoor water park at Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod. (Photo: Margaritaville Resort Cape Cod)

Opening in summer 2024, Margaritaville’s first lodging location in New England will offer four-season fun in Hyannis on Cape Cod. Expect amenities like an indoor water park, outdoor pool, arcade, fitness center, pickleball courts, and on-site spa (opening fall 2024) sure to please guests of all ages.

SET SAIL: 12 best family cruises and ships in the world

Some guest rooms will have water park views, and all will be done up in the brand’s easy-breezy, island-inspired style. Other signature Margaritaville touches will include live entertainment at the resort and dining and drinking options like the LandShark Bar & Grill and 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar. It’s a taste of the tropics on charming Cape Cod and a new option for a beach vacation on the peninsula.

8. Pendry Natirar

Somerset County, New Jersey

Evening view of a restaurant at Pendry Natirar
A sustainable farm and cooking classes add to the dining options at Pendry Natirar. (Photo: Pendry Natirar)

Though it’s only an hour from New York City, Pendry Natirar will feel like a world away when it opens in fall 2024. Situated on a hilltop and surrounded by conservation land in New Jersey’s Somerset County, the hotel will offer amenities like a fitness center, full-service spa, swimming pool, tennis courts, and trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Sixty-six guest rooms, including 21 suites, blend traditional and contemporary country style and will offer all the comforts of home and then some.

GET OUTSIDE: Beautiful and less crowded alternatives to the 10 most popular U.S. national parks

The property’s sustainable farm will supply on-site dining outlets with fresh produce and humanely raised meats, and a cooking school will give the whole family the chance to learn basic techniques and beyond. On-site bike rentals will make exploring easy, and the Paintbox kids’ club will offer crafts, entertainment, and activities for guests ages five to 12.

9. AutoCamp Asheville

Asheville, North Carolina

Rendering of AutoCamp Asheville along the French Broad River
AutoCamp Asheville will offer easy access to the French Broad River. (Photo: AutoCamp Asheville)

Located on 16 acres along the French Broad River, AutoCamp Asheville will offer multiple lodging options for guests, including 55 of the brand’s signature custom-designed Airstreams, two cabins, and six “Bambi Suites,” a new accommodation category well-suited for single travelers or couples. Scheduled to open in September 2024, the property will provide easy access to the river along with all the other outdoor recreation opportunities in the Asheville area.

PLAN A VACATION: These 15 trip ideas will please the whole family

On-property amenities at AutoCamp Asheville will include an all-season plunge pool and spa and the Clubhouse, where The Kitchen offers freshly prepared foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the General Store stocks AutoCamp’s signature Grill Kits and s’mores kits plus local beer and wine. It’s a convenient option before one of the property’s outdoor movie nights or live performances from local musicians.

10. Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique

Punta Cacique, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

A rendering of the outdoor amenity area at the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica
Waldorf Astoria will offer a high-style stay on the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica. (Photo: Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique)

Natural wonders will meet high style at Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, opening in late 2024. Situated on the peaceful Playa Penca of Punta Cacique on Costa Rica’s northern Pacific Coast, the resort will include 148 guest rooms and 40 suites offering both privacy and a spacious stay. Ocean views abound here, and the hotel’s modern design will help connect guests with the natural environment.

SUN AND SAND: 11 best all-inclusive beach resorts in the world

Guests will be able to lounge by the multilevel pool or head to a secluded stretch of beach for swimming and paddleboarding. Younger travelers can play and socialize at the resort’s well-equipped kids’ and teen clubs, while the adults can visit the holistic wellness center featuring a cenote-inspired spa, state-of-the-art gym, movement studio, outdoor yoga areas, and lap and thermal pools. Multiple restaurants will offer everything from locally inspired cuisine to coffee and ice cream.

11. Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Wintertime view of Hotel Polaris
Hotel Polaris offers an outdoor escape at any time of year. (Photo: Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy)

With 14,115-foot Pikes Peak in its backyard, Hotel Polaris at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs will serve as a great lodging option for both visits to the academy and exploring the Rocky Mountains when it opens in late 2024. Taking design inspiration from its scenic setting, the 375-room resort-style hotel will offer an outdoor pool and sun deck and six restaurants and bars, including a rooftop bar and a rec room–style family restaurant and bar.

TAKE FLIGHT: 17 best flight booking sites for cheap airfares

Befitting its location, Hotel Polaris will feature the only immersive flight simulators at a hotel in the United States, where guests can test their skills at the throttle. The full-service, six-room spa and wellness center will include a balcony overlooking the Rockies, and a menu of wellness programs will help visitors embrace the hotel’s natural surroundings via group hikes, sunrise yoga classes, and other activities.

More from FamilyVacationist:

Beth Luberecki
Beth Luberecki is a Florida-based freelance writer who writes about travel, business, and lifestyle topics for a variety of publications and websites. She enjoys exploring destinations close to home and farther afield with her husband and teenage daughter. Visit her website at bethluberecki.com or find her on Instagram at @bethlubereckiwrites and @findingfloridafun.