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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.