Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort

Also available to book at Expedia

After a tsunami decimated the original property in 2011, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts rebuilt this iconic hotel and gave it a fresh design while preserving its original spirit. The result earned it a spot on Travel +Leisure’s 2023 It List—and rave reviews from guests, some of whom grew up visiting the resort with their families. Stretching across 81 acres, the current iteration maintains the family-friendly environment on multiple levels. A mix of suites and standalone hale provide flexibility and privacy for groups of all sizes, and the activities calendar is packed with options that celebrate the island’s spirit. Your crew can get out on the water together on an outrigger excursion or learn the art of hula at the Ka’uluola Cultural Center. The Keiki Club connects kids ages 5 through 11 with nature and Hawaiian traditions through hands-on experiences like fishing, making shave ice, and decorating a coconut “postcard” to send back to the mainland.

The Details:

• Location: Kailua-Kona, HI
• Distance from airport: 10 miles from Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA)
• Nearby attractions: Hualalai Volcano, the town of Kailua-Kona, Kikaua Point Park
• Accessibility: 17 ADA-compliant rooms; pathways are walkable, and complimentary golf carts are readily available.
• Rates: Starting at $2,500 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

Set on 30,000 immaculate acres, this all-inclusive resort impresses on every level—perhaps that’s why T+L readers named it their favorite Wyoming resort in back-to-back years. Comfortably stylish accommodations are split between three areas, though families will likely prefer staying in either the main lodge or the nearby Magee Homestead (open summer-only). Animal lovers are spoiled for choice with options like goat yoga and pasture walks, a llama hike and picnic, and horseback rides, while crews that crave a bit more adrenaline can opt for thrills like guided ranger tours, paintballing, and rock climbing. And with facilities that include a creamery, bakery, and distillery, the farm complex’s culinary experiences have true multigenerational appeal.

The Details:

• Location: Saratoga, Wyoming
• Distance from airport: 225 miles from Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Nearby attractions: Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
• Accessibility: The Queen Guest Room in Trailhead Lodge is ADA accessible.
• Rates: Starting at $3,500 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

Everything about this Lowcountry charmer invites families to settle into a slower pace. Situated on the banks of the May River, the T+L reader favorite is surrounded by a 20,000-acre nature preserve and shaded by century-old live oaks. Rope swings scattered around the property offer a relaxing vantage point to appreciate the scenery, but it’s experiences like guided nature walks and waterway ecotours that truly encourage the whole family to pause and soak up the coastal setting. There are also plenty of opportunities to tap into the area’s singular culture and traditions. Try your hand at shrimping during an excursion into the salt marsh estuaries, or get a unique perspective on American history when you take an excursion to Daufuskie Island, where Gullah Geechee culture still thrives.

The Details:

• Location: Bluffton, South Carolina
• Distance from airport: 26 miles from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV)
• 97 miles from Charleston International Airport (CHS)
• Nearby attractions: The treehouse at Wilson Village, Hilton Head Island, and Savannah, Georgia
• Accessibility: Common spaces and six categories of rooms are ADA accessible.
• Rates: Starting at $690 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

A trip to Disney World feels like a family-vacation rite of passage, and this resort is ideal for crews who want a luxe home base to retreat to after action-packed days at the theme park. Embark on a wildlife exploration tour with the staff resort’s nature guide, drift down the water park’s lazy river, or catch a dive-in movie. For a refined dinner, the Michelin-starred Copa delivers both refined steakhouse favorites and 17th-floor views of the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks shows. Of course, Disney fun abounds at this World’s Best Award regular, too. “The family pool, character breakfast at Ravello, and kids check-in area give off family-friendly vibes, and it’s all part of the charm,” writes T+L editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford, who stayed at the resort with her family. “Everyone embraced being there, and yes, you can wear Mickey ears.”

The Details:

• Location: Lake Buena Vista, Florida
• Distance from airport: 22 miles from Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Nearby attractions: Walt Disney Resort, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs
• Accessibility: Accessible rooms and suites have features that include wide doors and roll-in showers.
• Rates: Starting at $1,095 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

The concept of energy vortexes might go over little ones’ heads, but chances are, they’ll still feel the grounding spirit of Sedona. Situated less than a mile from the red-rock canyons of Boynton Pass, this repeat World’s Best Awards honoree (most recently in 2024) has a tricked-out Trail House that serves as a jumping-off point for hiking, mountain biking, and other expeditions throughout the area, including tours of nearby archeological sites. Camp Coyote adapts all the fun for ages 4 through 12 with additional programming like identifying mystery tracks (to learn about desert animals) and geocaching (to build compass and navigation skills). At night, families can come together to examine the Milky Way with the resort’s expert astronomer.

The Details:

• Location: Sedona, Arizona
• Distance from airport: 126 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Nearby attractions: Grand Canyon National Park, Boynton Pass Vortex, Cathedral Rock
• Accessibility: Accessible rooms are available.
• Starting rates: From $854 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

Voted one of T+L readers’ favorite resorts in Florida in 2024, this Treasure Coast hotel excels on both practical and creative levels. Parents with infants can playards, tubs, and motorized swings from 4moms, as well as a Mini Me Milk Fridge, should they need a safe way to store breastmilk. Older kids can borrow Micro Kickboard scooters and helmets or get a swimming lesson from the resident mermaid. The game room features both lo-fi fun (a children’s library, board games, Lego stations) and high-tech entertainment (video game consoles, a large-screen TV). Another plus: plenty of complimentary treats to stave off hangry meltdowns. Keep your eyes peeled for staffers circulating with iced tea, lemonade, and sparkling water, plus popsicles and fruit skewers. Or head to the daily popcorn happy hour for a 4 p.m. snack.

The Details:

• Location: Vero Beach, Florida
• Distance from airport: 37 miles from Melbourne Orlando International Airport (MLB)
• Nearby attractions: Vero Beach golf courses, McKee Botanical Garden, Environmental Learning Center
• Accessibility: Accessible rooms are available, which have features like visual telephone ring signalers, visual alarm clocks, and visual smoke detectors. The property has several accessible amenities, too, including a beach wheelchair.
• Rates: Start at $376 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

Experiences at this Wasatch Mountains resort—named the No. 1 resort in Utah by T+L readers in both 2024 and 2022—are designed to stoke a sense of wonder and an appreciation for nature. Families with aspiring chefs can take a Mexican cooking class or meet with the resident beekeeper to visit the onsite hive and taste its honey. Harvest vegetables and get a crash course in sustainable practices before enjoying lunch at Gracie’s Farm School. Active pursuits range from archery and axe throwing to wildlife tracking and fat tire biking. The staff adeptly tailors many of the options to engage younger guests. For instance, a nature hike becomes a mission to find edible plants for a baking project or materials for mandalas, sun catchers, and other crafts.

The Details:

• Location: Wanship, Utah
• Distance from airport: 44 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
• Nearby attractions: Pony Express National Historic Trail, Upper Provo Falls
• Accessibility: Accessible rooms are available.
• Rates: Start at $1,299 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

Sometimes you want the conveniences of a city vacation without the hectic pace and crowds of a major metropolis, and that’s exactly what this 2024 It List property provides. Soak up the sun and ocean views at Crystal Cove, or catch the ferry to Balboa Island to ride the historic Ferris wheel. Spend an afternoon at the Sherman Library and Gardens or Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a dose of culture. If you’re feeling fancy, you can charter a boat to get on the water or indulge in high tea at Viamara. And when parents need an evening to themselves or a bit of pampering at the hotel spa, kids will have plenty to occupy their attention at Paintbox Kids Club, which offers a mix of artistic and active fun.

The Details:

• Location: Newport Beach, California
• Distance from airport: 4 miles from John Wayne County Airport (SNA), 24 miles from Long Beach Airport (LGB), or 44 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Nearby attractions: Catalina Island, Balboa Island, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
• Accessibility: There are three categories of accessible rooms: the Garden View King, Garden View Queen, or Corner Suite.
• Rates: Start at $470 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

This new addition to the popular ski hub only debuted in November 2024, but it’s already a crowd pleaser. “When I visited the 436-room hotel, there were families seated on plush sofas around a fireplace, decompressing after a day of skiing and enjoying artisanal hot chocolates with Oreo cupcakes,” says articles editor Denny Lee, who wrote about the property for T+L’s 2025 It List. “Kids played chess in their pajamas. Couples shared bottles of wine. Down a long hallway, teenagers in bathrobes and flip-flops were running to the heated outdoor pool, which overlooks Deer Valley.”  If the weather isn’t cooperating, young guests will still find plenty to do in Camp Hyatt’s indoor facilities, whether they want to cozy up in a reading nook or test their gaming skills in the arcade. Custom experiences are still taking shape, and a spa is due to open in the coming months. Until then, there’s tons to do in Park City proper, from boutique shopping and nightlife to a killer art scene.

The Details:

• Location: Park City, Utah
• Distance from airport: 41 miles from Salt Lake City International (SLC)
• Nearby attractions: Jordanelle Reservoir, Homestead Crater, Heber Valley Railroad, Utah Olympic Park
• Accessibility: There are accessible guest rooms, public areas, and parking.
• Rates: Start at $338 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

Chances are, when you think of a nature-based Oregon family vacation, you picture a road trip along its dramatic coastline or camping near a postcard-perfect lake with mountains rising in the distance, but that’s part of what makes this high-desert homestead such a welcome surprise. Families can base themselves in one of the recently refurbished two, three, and four-bedroom Sage Canyon Cabins, which feature cozy touches (gas fireplaces, soaking tubs) and practical amenities (gourmet kitchens, washer/dryers). Togetherness comes easily while sharing hot cocoa under the stars, painting kindness rocks to leave around the ranch, or creating fused glass keepsakes to take home. Farm-to-table meals at the Ranch House satisfy a broad range of preferences, and the casual atmosphere means feathers won’t be ruffled by a squirmy baby or toddler. But if the need or desire arises, you can also order a platter of seasonal, ready-to-cook entrees and sides to prepare in your private kitchen.

The Details:

• Location: Powell Butte, Oregon
• Distance from airport: 13 miles from Bend Municipal Airport, 16 miles from Roberts Field Redmond Airport (RDM), 157 miles from Portland International Airport
• Nearby attractions: Ochoco National Forest &Crooked River National Grassland
• Accessibility: Accessible rooms are available. Common spaces are wheelchair-accessible, and you can request complimentary Ranch Rovers (a golf cart).
• Rates: Start at $259 per night

Also available to book at Expedia

There’s plenty of fun to be had on the links or in the video-game arcade at this Houston area hotel—a repeat World’s Best Awards honoree for best resorts in Texas—but the biggest all-ages draw is the Forest Oasis Waterpark. For thrills, there’s the 30-foot tower with a racing slide, and for relaxation, there’s a 1,000-foot lazy river, three pools, and a “sprayground” for kids. (If your family wants to maximize their swim time, book one of the first-floor walkout rooms, which have direct access.) When it’s time to burn off some energy, challenge each other to a tennis or pickleball match at the courts, or set aside a morning or afternoon to grab bikes and explore the 200-plus miles of trails through the East Texas pineywoods.

The Details:

• Location: Woodlands, Texas
• Distance from airport: 22 miles from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Nearby attractions: The Woodlands Waterway, Market Street, Riva Row Boat House, Texas TreeVentures
• Accessibility: This resort has accessible rooms, amenities, and common spaces.
• Starting rates: From $207 per night

Families in search of a true Western adventure can find it at this elevated homestead. Occupying 6,000 acres at the base of the John Long Mountains, the Relais & Châteaux property has garnered raves from T+L readers, who named it the No. 1 resort in Montana in the 2022 World’s Best Awards. With Flint’s Forest Rangers Kids Club, children ages 4 through 12 can unleash their energy while learning about ranch life and the surrounding ecosystem. One day might involve exploring Rock Creek and nearby ponds to find and catch fish; the next might focus on outdoor survival skills or local wildlife. Older kids and adults have an even wider array to choose from. Join forces to tackle the challenging ropes course, pan for sapphires, lace up snowshoes to hit the trails, or capture photos (along with memories) during a scavenger hunt or guided workshop. Meals here are just as impressive, with seasonal menus grounded in local and regional ingredients.

The Details:

• Location: Philipsburg, Montana
• Distance from airport: 101 miles from Missoula Montana Airport (MSO)
• Nearby attractions: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest
• Accessibility: The Remington Room in Granite Lodge is ADA-compliant
• Rates: Starting at $2,300 per night (all-inclusive) in winter; from $2,800 in spring and fall; from $3,600 in peak season; and $4,000 during peak holiday

One of the South’s most luxurious resorts has been described as everything from “magical” to a “once-in-a-lifetime experience” by T+L readers, who’ve made it a fixture in T+L’s World’s Best Awards. Set in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, this Relais & Châteaux property has made a name for itself thanks to its bucolic setting and outstanding food and wine program. Join a tour of the working farmstead’s gardens, pastures, dairy barn, and kennel to say hello to the resident animals, or have a blast searching for salamanders, crawdads, and other creatures in Hess Creek. Mix up the quality bonding sessions with dedicated grown-up time (the wine and spirits tastings are both outstanding, as is the spa) while kids 4 and up dabble in culinary arts, crafts, wellness, and more at Camp Blackberry. Babysitting services are also available.

The Details:

• Location: Walland, Tennessee
• Distance from airport: 18 miles from McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS)
• Nearby attractions: Dollywood, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
• Accessibility: Two rooms in the Guest House (Indian Paint, Holly Glade’s Bluebird) and one in the Carriage House (Tim Whiskey) are accessible.
• Rates: Start at $1,145 per night with a three-night minimum

Operating for more than a century, this refined dude ranch is frequently recognized as one of our readers’ favorite Colorado resorts in the annual World’s Best Awards—and for good reason. Whether you choose one of the family cabins near the Main Lodge or one that’s more secluded, you’ll have easy access to the property’s full range of all-season excitement. Among the winter activities are horseback riding, snowmobiling, and skating on the pond. In the spring and summer, give the ropes course a try or join “the jingle,” when the resident horses go out to and return from their pasture. The dialed-in kids’ program splits young guests into three groups (Cowpokes for ages 3 to 5, Mustangs for ages 6 to 12, and Teens for ages 13 to 17), with trained counselors organizing everything from cookouts to talent shows.

The Details:

• Location: Granby, Colorado
• Distance from airport: 114 miles from Denver International Airport
• Nearby attractions: Rocky Mountain National Park
• Accessibility: Two accessible cabins with entrance ramps and roll-in showers with support bars; a wheelchair lift in the Main Lodge to access the dining room; and golf carts for getting around.
• Rates: Starting from $886 per person per night in summer; from $605 per adult per night and $403 per child per night in spring/fall/winter

Tucked amid the picturesque Golden Isles, this private retreat features a slate of family-friendly activities that showcase Coastal Georgia’s enchanting scenery. Amateur naturalists can patrol for sea turtles, search for migratory and native birds, and head into the tidal marshes to scout for dolphins. Those who want to take a sportier approach might prefer fishing or crabbing off the Cloister Dock or a kayaking tour. All but three of the 15 onsite dining options at this 2024 World’s Best Awards honoree are kid-friendly, and each has its own merits. Sea Strike & Pub, for example, has the added benefit of a built-in bowling alley, while the Beach Club’s Snack Shack offers convenient kids’ boxes. But the biggest temptation, no matter your age, will likely be Wonderland, an ice cream parlor slash candy shop. “The young and young at heart will love learning about local wildlife at the Sea Island Nature Center, bowling at Sea Strike & Pub, splashing around in the ocean, and diving into a signature Gold Brick Sundae (trust me, it’s delicious),” said special projects editor Elizabeth Rhodes.

The Details:

• Location: Sea Island, Georgia
• Distance from airport: 70 miles from Jacksonville International Airport (JAX)
• Nearby attractions: Georgia Sea Turtle Center 
• Accessibility: Accessible rooms are available.
• Rates: Start at $359 per night

Feasting on fresh seafood at a clambake, catching a water taxi to downtown Edgartown, cruising along coastal trails on a two-wheeler—all the quintessential Martha’s Vineyard pleasures you’d expect can be found at this charming property, voted the No. 1 New England resort in T+L’s 2024 World’s Best Awards. The smartly landscaped grounds stretch across 11 acres and encompass 54 rooms and suites, as well as cottages, townhouses, and three- and four-bedroom rentals well-suited to multigenerational groups. Summer days here entail relaxing on a private stretch of South Beach, swimming in the two outdoor pools, or playing corn hole and other lawn games. If grown-ups want to head out on an oyster farm tour or indulge in a massage, they can rest assured their youngsters will be having the time of their lives with the complimentary daytime drop-in program. Sandcastle contests, pirate crafts, and tie-dyeing are just a few of the rotating counselor-guided activities. Before you leave, take a spin in one of the property’s vintage vehicles: a 1931 Model A Ford bus or a pumper fire truck from 1956.

The Details:

• Location: Edgartown, Massachusetts
• Distance from airport: 7 miles from Martha’s Vineyard Airport (MVY), 93 miles from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), 97 miles from Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
• Nearby attractions: Morning Glory Farm, Martha’s Vineyard Museum
• Accessibility: Accessible rooms are available on the ground floor.
• Rates: Starting at $325 per night

If you’re a former drama club star or camp counselor—or nurturing the next generation—it’s hard to think of a better summer vacation spot than this idyllic hideaway on the shores of Kezar Lake. On the surface, it’s the platonic ideal of a sleepaway camp, with no-frills cabins, lake sports, and ample space for throwback games like tetherball and shuffleboard. What takes the experience to the next level is the live theater, opera, and chamber music performances. Guests get a kick from chatting up members of the resort team, who nimbly move between their staff roles and the spotlight. The lack of Wi-Fi and minimal cell phone service encourages real chats and connection among family members and other guests, many of whom return year after year.

The Details:

• Location: Center Lovell, Maine
• Distance from airport: 55 miles from Portland International Jetport (PWM)
• Nearby attractions: Conway Scenic Railroad, Diana’s Baths
• Accessibility: Accessible rooms are available and public areas are wheelchair-accessible.
• Rates: Starting at $700 per night

What started as a modest 10-room inn has become a palatial Hudson Valley icon. And considering Mohonk Mountain House has been owned and operated by the same family since it debuted in 1869, it’s not surprising that the all-inclusive experience incorporates thoughtful touches for the whole crew. Daytime activities make the most of the property’s setting within the Mohonk Preserve, which encompasses 40,000 acres of protected forest. In the winter, zip down the nearby hill in an inner tube or ice skate in an outdoor pavilion overlooking the glacial lake. In the warmer months, hit the local trails on horseback or foot, swim or paddle out on the glacial lake, or compete in one of the many lawn sports on offer. After dinner in the main dining room, end the evening by watching a movie with popcorn (alfresco in the summer) or roasting marshmallows around the fire.

The Details:

• Location: New Paltz, New York
• Distance from airport: 83 miles from Albany International Airport (ALB), 94 miles from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Nearby attractions: Mohonk Preserve, Minnewaska State Park Preserve, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Culinary Institute of America, Dorsky Museum of Art
• Accessibility: Accessible guest rooms are available and public spaces are wheelchair accessible.
• Rates: Start at $800 per night