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The Best Family-Friendly Hotels to Book in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Lago Mar is a Lauderdale landmark with a clutch of accolades and awards
Lago Mar is a Lauderdale landmark with a clutch of accolades and awards | Courtesy of Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club / Expedia

With its sunny beaches and golden sand, Fort Lauderdale in Florida is a great place to take the brood for a traditional summer break. The Venice of America is still a yachting and vacation hub that draws families and retirees from across the US and beyond. Read our guide to the best kid-friendly hotels Fort Lauderdale has to offer, bookable on Culture Trip.

Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, for a prime location

Spa Hotel, Resort, Chain Hotel

View towards beach and open water beyond the palm-lined outdoor pool area at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa
Courtesy of Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa / Expedia

With a pristine stretch of private beach and a location close to Las Olas Boulevard, you can choose between sunbathing and shopping at this Marriott hotel. Rooms and suites are minimalist and comfortable, though you may not spend much time in them regardless. Take your offspring down to the Kids’ Surf Club, a multimedia area with arts, crafts and video games. BlueFoot Pirate Adventures, an interactive river cruise, is just up the street, and Flippo’s indoor recreation area is five minutes away by car.

The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, for watersport fans

Hotel, Chain Hotel

Sea-view outdoor dining area with several tables and chairs on wooden decking at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort
Courtesy of The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort / Expedia

Ready for the beach? At this Westin resort, a handy skywalk will take you from the pool to the golden sand, where you can snorkel from the shore. If you’re traveling with older kids, book a jet ski lesson or sport fishing experience for an adventurous day out. Back at the hotel, rooms are modern with clean lines – bonus perks include Starbucks coffee makers and 24/7 room service. If you can escape the kids for an hour, make sure to sample the ceviche and tequila flights at on-site Lona Cocina restaurant.

Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, for an educational kids club

Spa Hotel, Hotel, Luxury

Oval outdoor pool at Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, surrounded by lounge chairs, white parasols and ocean views
Courtesy of Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach / Expedia

This all-suite behemoth, right on the beach, is one of the best family hotels in Fort Lauderdale. Drop your kids off at GO H2O! where they can learn about the ocean from qualified marine biologists while you enjoy an aromatherapy massage in the spa or an extraordinary artisan cocktail in the Atlas bar. Upstairs, each room comes with a 50sqft (5sqm) balcony and kitchen, convenient for whipping up your kids’ favorite snacks.

W Fort Lauderdale, for those with teen kids

Spa Hotel, Luxury, Hotel

The fifth-floor outdoor pool at W Fort Lauderdale, lined with day beds and overlooking the ocean
Courtesy of W Fort Lauderdale / Expedia

The beachside location and ocean-facing pool are the highlights at this glitzy, five-star resort – but don’t forget to soak up the panoramic sea views from your suite’s floor-to-ceiling windows as well. Families can hop on free beach cruiser bikes or rent segways to explore the area together, while teens will love the escape room experience at Escapology. Afterwards, refuel at on-site El Vez Mexican restaurant – they serve seriously good nachos and tacos.

The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale, for a luxury getaway

Chain Hotel, Hotel, Luxury

Exterior of the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale, with palm trees and an oval-shaped pool between it and the sea
Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale / Booking.com

Perched on the beach with an elevated swimming pool that looks like the bow of a ship, this nautically themed Ritz outpost is as luxurious as a five-star cruise liner. Rooms range from twin doubles to three-bedroom residences. Admire views of the Atlantic or Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway, both of which you can explore with your kids when you rent a boat, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Dine on farm-to-table dishes at Burlock Coast restaurant – your little ones won’t be able to resist the chocolate chip waffles for breakfast.

The Atlantic Hotel & Spa, for a beachfront stay

Hotel

Two people swim in beachfront outdoor pool with three handrails and steps at the Atlantic Hotel & Spa

North of the city center in a prime, sea-facing location, the Atlantic’s terraced facade – which includes a rooftop pool – boldly embraces its fine beachfront vistas. Rooms are large and families are amply provided for in condo-sized, two-bed ocean suites; penthouses feature marble bathrooms and jacuzzis. Dine at the Wild Thyme restaurant, which serves kid-friendly favorites such as pizza and chicken fries. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a great spot nearby for biking and kayak rentals.

Pelican Grand Beach Resort, for kid-friendly pools

Chain Hotel, Hotel

A suite at Pelican Grand Beach Resort with a stylish sofa and a balcony with two seats overlooking the ocean
Courtesy of Pelican Grand Beach Resort / Expedia

Just beyond the northern tip of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, the Pelican’s gleaming yellow facade seemingly reflects the glorious golden sands over which it looms. A 500ft (152m) private beach, a palm-fringed pool and a sinuous lazy river make it a particularly good family option. During school vacations, there are daily activities to keep little ones entertained – from scavenger hunts to sandcastle-building contests.

Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club, for active families

Chain Hotel, Hotel

Luxurious communal area at Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club, with soft brown sofas, upholstered chairs and a marble floor
Courtesy of Lago Mar Beach Resort & Club / Expedia

Lago Mar stands close to where Stranahan River meets the Atlantic on the barrier island’s southern tip, virtually surrounded by a knot of canals and lakes. This expansive, family-owned beach resort is a venerable Lauderdale landmark, with wooden and rattan furnishings epitomizing its elegant Old Florida style. Abundant facilities – including a private beach, two pools, and tennis, volleyball and basketball courts – mean you’ll never need to stray beyond its gardens.

This is an updated version of an article originally by Amar Grover.

For more hotel options, check out our pick of the best cheap hotels in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bookable on Culture Trip.

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