Sunshine, blue skies, hair-killing humidity and gorgeous beaches lined with palm trees are what you’ll notice first and foremost in Florida. A born and raised sunshine state native, I’ve lived in Florida my entire life – almost 33 years. It’s not all beaches and sand, but it kind of is. Growing up here means weekends on the Gulf boating, jet skiing and having fun. It means family fun nights at Disney, it means swimming in December, and it means luxury. Florida is not just a retirement community. It’s an affluent state big on golf, boats and upscale enjoyment – and we know how to have the most fun. From local hometown casual fun to luxury family experiences in some of the most beautiful locales, it’s not easy for me to narrow it down to just 10 of my favorites, but I don’t have all week – I have to pack for my luxury vacation in the Keys next week, after all.
Disney World
With four kids under 7, we practically live at Disney. We have annual passes, and it’s the best way to have fun with the kids. To add a little luxury to our visits, we always choose to stay the night at either the brand new Four Seasons Resort at Disney or the gorgeous Grand Floridian Resort and Spa at Disney. Both hotels are upscale, gorgeous and feature some of the most amazing views you’ll ever see in the middle of the state. If you can, try to book your luxury experience with a few spa treatments, dinner at any of the hotel restaurants (Citrico’s at the Grand Floridian is amazing, but 1900 Park Fare lets you dine with your kids and all the characters from Cinderella, and that’s more fun than them asking how much longer every 30 seconds) and during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You will not regret either event.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
This is your one-stop shop for every single thing necessary to make for the most amazing family vacation. It’s less resort and more compound, and it’s breathtaking in every way. You can choose from a hotel, a rental house, a villa, and any number of other accommodations onsite with ocean views, lake views or resort views. You can rent golf carts and/or bikes to get around, eat at the many restaurants onsite, go bowling, fishing, skating, walking, riding or just playing on some of the most beautiful beaches you’ll ever have the luxury of setting foot on. Believe me when I tell you that this part of Florida is home to the most beautiful beaches – forget down south.
Discovery Cove
For $269 per person, per day, you know this is going to be a luxury experience. Your kids will never forget their day here, and that’s a good thing. It’s here you will find that you are able to swim with the dolphins, snorkel with gorgeous tropical fish and tour one of the most impressive aviaries in the entire world. It’s the much better, much more upscale version of Sea World, and an experience you cannot miss. We haven’t taken our twins, but we did take our oldest daughter and she is in love with her dolphin and still asks about him religiously.
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island
My all-time favorite hotel in the entire state is also conveniently located in one of the most scenic, breathtaking locations. It’s five-star all the way, from the bottle of champagne that’s always waiting for us to arrive in our room to the gorgeous sprawling lawn that sits just outside the lobby overlooking the beach. It’s here you will find beautiful stone fire pits where we sit with our kids while our waiter keeps our wine glasses filled and our kid’s s’mores ingredients filled. He will even help them make their s’mores if they’re struggling. The rooms are gorgeous, the pool is pristine, and the dining is everything you might expect.
The Breakers Palm Beach
Our kids think it’s a castle, and we love to tell them that a princess might want to meet them if they’re on their very best behavior. Each room comes with its own private balcony, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine in the evenings after the kids go to bed. The spa is home to one of the best massages I’ve ever received, and the two onsite golf courses are lovely. The family pool is one of the most beautiful in the state, and our kids love that they always have their own waiter quick to provide them with frozen lemonade and even sneak them a cookie here and there when the kids think we are not looking. It is classic elegance at every turn, and kids are revered here.
Fontainebleau Miami
Luxury comes at a price, but that price is worth everything you get here. Don’t be fooled by the celebrities; this is the most amazing family hotel. A family pool and a family concierge make it all worthwhile. Our kids know that they can ask the man at the front desk for some games and he will provide them with whatever they want from his treasure box, as long as they promise to bring them back to him in one piece. There is a family concierge at the hotel that can schedule an entirely family-friendly day for you and your little ones, and everything here is luxury personified. Just don’t forget that here your kids are going to be treated just a bit better than you, because kids are the most important guests.
The Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate
This hidden gem is our favorite Orlando resort. Beautiful, perfect and amazing in every way, I cannot say enough about this resort. We’ve been coming to the Omni since long before we had kids, and for good reason. The valet knows us by name and recognizes us at every visit. The front desk staff provides the kids with little backpacks with their own crayons, paper, toys and even a cup that they can carry around and receive free drinks throughout our stay. Each night at turn down, the staff leaves cookies or M&Ms for the kids, and the woman at the front desk actually made a note in our Select Guest account that I was pregnant with twins and craving Snickers bars once, and now there is always a Snickers bar in our room for me.
The kid’s pool is zero-entry, and it has water slides. There’s an in-pool basketball hoop, a lazy river, and every Saturday the pool is jumping with music, an activities coordinator getting kids to participate in competitions, races, games and dance parties. There’s also Camp Omni, which is amazing. The food is amazing, and I recommend you always upgrade to the Florida Suite. It’s got a separate bedroom and bathroom, a second bathroom and a full living room, kitchen, dining room and massive balcony overlooking the pool so that we can enjoy ourselves when the kids go to bed.
Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo
If you love to camp – and you will never find me doing it – you will adore this resort. It’s luxury camping in Florida, referred to as glamping. It’s perfect for the adventurous family that still loves luxury. Each Luxe TeePee is approximately 651-square foot, and it’s got a stone fireplace, kitchen, and even a living room and beds – oh, and did I mention it’s also air conditioned and heated? I don’t camp, but if you forced me to, it would be here.
Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Any family looking for some time away in Miami will adore this resort. You can do whatever you want while knowing your kids are safe and having more fun than you at Loew’s SoBe Camp. While there, they are learning to roll sushi, they’re searching for shells and they are even participating in a championship sand castle building competition. The staff loves to offer the kids milk and cookies, their own gift at check-in, and they’re always considered VIP guests. You will have some fun, too, on the beach, at the spa and at the bar.
Foxy Lady Cruises
Don’t be fooled by the name. It’s not nearly as tawdry as it sounds. This is a company that hires out private yachts to anyone willing to pay the $2,400 fee. It is a gorgeous dinner cruise yacht that can be customized to your design. We did it with several other couples as a family adventure a few years back, and it was delightful. We chartered for an afternoon of sightseeing along the St. John’s River, followed by a gorgeous sunset dinner. The kids danced away to the music playing, ate entirely too much amazing food and had the best time in Jacksonville. You can fit dozens of your friends and family on the boat, so it’s always something we recommend for big family vacations and special events.
