Best places to stay on the gulf

Suppose you love the idea of waking up each morning to breathtaking views of the Gulf Coast, endless water activities, delicious coastal cuisine, and warm weather. In that case, a family vacation to one of the resorts on our list may be in order!

There are a few things that the best Gulf Coast beach resorts for families have in common:

easy access to the beach, authentic seafood, and tons of attractions for the family to enjoy together. 

Here are our top picks for the best Gulf Coast Beach resorts for your family.

Some of the choices on the list have spas, others are close to aquariums, others have their own water park, and some include a golf course. Either way, every resort we’ve selected has so much to do that will bring the family together to create precious memories.

Hotel Galvez & Spa

Hotel Galvez & Spa is the perfect destination for a family vacation. The hotel offers views and activities on Galveston beach, which sits on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. There are 224 rooms in this historic hotel that offers genuine Texas charm and hospitality. 

Hotel Galvez & Spa has a restaurant on the premises that serves surf and turf meals featuring the freshest coastal seafood and huge Texas steaks. The diverse menu promises something to satisfy the whole family. 

Families can enjoy playing on the beach or taking a dip in the outdoor pool with a swim-up bar. Or, the hotel’s concierge services can arrange for everyone to get bikes and helmets to explore the nearby trails. 

Despite having a more Victorian feel, the rooms and suites at Hotel Galvez offer modern luxury to complement the historic charm. Choose between Gulf view, City view, Spa-inspired, and one to two-bedroom suites with upgraded amenities. 

The suites are better for families, as they are more spacious. Each room/suite has complimentary WiFi, Hi-definition 46-inch TVs, upgraded toiletries, separate sitting areas, a wet bar, refrigerator, and more. Room service is also available for guests, which is really helpful for families with small children who don’t feel like coming out. 

Additional family activities include visiting Moody Gardens, Pleasure Pier, the Galveston Children’s Museum, Galveston Duck Tours, and Seawall Urban Park. All of these attractions are nearby, and families can ask the hotel reception for recommendations on tickets and tours. 

Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach Resort

Clearwater Beach in Florida has much to offer residents and tourists alike. The Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach Resort is family-friendly, provides various accommodations, and is near several famous attractions. The resort is 45 minutes away from Busch Gardens and 90 minutes away from Orlando theme parks. 

Staying at the Wyndham allows families to experience the beautiful beach and take a short road trip to places where all the action takes place. The facility has a gym that is open 24 hours each day, and yoga mats, bottles of water, and towels are also available. 

Free coffee and newspapers are also provided to guests each morning in the lobby. The family can also enjoy live music and entertainment in the lounging area in the evening. 

The rooms and suites for the resort include standard rooms with an ocean view and two queen beds or one king bed. However, those traveling with children should opt for the deluxe king rooms with bunk beds. 

In particular, the Winter and Friends Room is a family suite with pictures of the famous dolphin Winter decorated throughout the space. Visit the Clearwater Aquarium as a family to see her in person!

Every room comes with fast and free WiFi, 50-inch flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, Keurig coffee makers, and more. 

Parents can sign their kids up for arts and crafts classes and even special spa treatment for children. Family activities include the movie night hosted by the hotel or relaxing in the heated pools in the evening. Feel free to take a stroll, go fishing, or visit the movie theaters on Pier 60 during your stay.

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa is a premier location for families looking for a tropical getaway. The resort has five restaurants on-site, an 18-hole golf course, a full-service spa, and more. 

There are five waterslides, four swimming pools, and even a slow river. Guests have access to the fitness center located within the Hyatt Regency. Families (especially those with children) can appreciate the free shuttle service to Big Hickory Island, which is only about 2.3 miles away. The Bonita Springs town center, which has tons of shops and dining options, is less than 15 minutes away. 

All of their rooms and suites offer a stunning view of Estero Bay, plus they have air conditioning, 70-inch TVs, coffee makers, mini-fridges, DVD players, and more. There’s plenty of space for families to kick back and relax, plus the beach is just a few feet away. 

Families can participate in numerous activities together, such as visiting the nearby theme parks together, parasailing on the beach, playing tennis on-site, renting bikes, going kayaking, and so on. There’s always something to do together! 

For parents that want to sneak away for a bit, babysitting services are available, and the resort offers Camp Coconut for children ages three to twelve years old. The camp hosts age-appropriate activities on a daily basis. 

The Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa is perfect for families that want to stay at a full-service resort while also having the option to go out and explore the local attractions. 

Pink Shell Resort & Marina

The Pink Shell Resort & Marina in Fort Myers, Florida, has everything you need for a memorable family vacation. They have several pools, and their famous Octopool has waterfalls, underwater speakers, sponges, and giant seashells. As you can imagine, the kids love it! 

The resort also has multiple activities that are great for families to enjoy together, like guided kayak tours, boat sailing, paddle bikes, dolphin tours, arts and crafts events, and so much more. 

The Pink Shell has numerous suites and villas that can house small and large families. Most of them come with laundry machines in the room and full kitchens. There are also standard amenities such as coffeemakers, upgraded toiletries, separate seating and dining areas, and views of the Gulf Coast. 

Additionally, specific amenities for families include two drinks, two breakfasts, two bottles of water provided in-suite, a Pink Shell beach bag, and a daily set up for beach chairs and umbrellas. 

The nightly rate includes valet parking, free WiFi, steam room access, paddleboard rentals, and unlimited long-distance and local calling. Families that want to save money by being able to shop at the local grocery store and cook in their own kitchen will love staying at the Pink Shell Resort. 

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort

Naples, Florida, is home to the LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, excellent for families that want easy access to Naples Beach and spectacular views. Highlights of the property include four pools (lagoon-style), a beach butler service, free WiFi, and children’s menus at their on-site restaurant, the Tiki Bar. 

The LaPlaya Beach Resort also hosts fun activities for families like water sports on the beach. Start your day off with a yummy breakfast, and wait a while before you get the gang together for kayaking, jet skiing, pedal boats, parasailing, snorkeling, and more. 

Mom and dad get a chance to relax on the beach or at the spa while the children head to the Kid’s Aquatic Camp. If you have kiddos aged five to twelve, they can join in the festivities like arts and crafts, movies, beach games, and more, age-appropriate. Babysitting services are also available upon request for younger children. 

The suites and rooms at LaPlaya are spacious, and they offer casual yet sophisticated accommodations. The furnishings are elegant, the bedding is luxurious, and the artwork is tasteful. Every room has signature LaPlaya comfy beds, flat-screen TVs with movies-on-demand, Keurig coffee makers, full-length mirrors, and gorgeous views of the Gulf. 

Additional family activities such as taking a tour with the cruiser bikes, the nightly bonfires, or visiting the Boutique LaPlaya for unique gifts make this one of the best family resorts on the list. Families that want an upscale resort at a reasonable price, with low-key vibes and amazing views, will love LaPlaya. 

The Ritz-Carlton Naples

The Ritz-Carlton Naples hotel in Florida is along three miles of a white sandy beach and is the place to go for fun, sun, and everything in between. They have splash pools, heated saltwater pools, poolside cabanas, personal concierge service, and a plethora of water sports available. 

Consult with hotel reception to help you organize a family outing to go parasailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, paddle boarding, and other water activities. The Ritz also has a fantastic kid’s program that children can enjoy for half days or a full day, depending on the day of the week. There’s also a video game lounge called the Vue that’s open to the kids. 

Additionally, a program called Nature’s Wonders teaches kids aged five to twelve about nature and biodiversity in an environmentally-focused eco-sanctuary. This program also features eleven aquariums and showcases exotic crabs, sharks, eels, and turtles. 

Though there are a variety of rooms and suites available at the Ritz, the three-bedroom royal suite for eight people is best for families. It includes four balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and the resort pools. This suite also has expansive windows that bring in a lot of natural light to brighten the space. 

It has a huge dining room and three full marble bathrooms with comfortable robes and slippers for every guest. The separate dining and living room with a full kitchen makes you feel at home. All rooms and suites have LCD Smart TVs, a work desk, free WiFi, housekeeping services and laundry services upon request, and other standard amenities.

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Naples

The two most important things to know about booking your vacation at the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton are that each room they offer is a suite, and they have warm chocolate chip cookies waiting for you upon arrival! The hotel is only two miles away from the beach but close to many other attractions for the whole family.

The Naples Zoo, Everglades National Park, Naples Beach, Tamiami Trail (near the Cocohatchee River), Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples Botanical Garden, and many other venues are only 30 minutes away or less. These are great opportunities for the family to get out and spend quality time together. 

The Coconut Point Shopping Center is so nearby, and it has a lot of specialty stores, restaurants, gift shops, and clothing boutiques to get everything you need while you’re on vacation. 

The suites here are modern and spacious, with free WiFi, small refrigerators, connecting rooms for large families, and also high chairs and cribs if necessary. The DoubleTree is perfect for families that want to get the most value for their money and a lot of space for everyone to move about. If you’re okay with not being right on the beach but still close and near lots of attractions, you’ll love this family hotel. 

Margaritaville Resort Biloxi

Margaritaville Resort Biloxi is the ideal place for families to experience an exciting vacation in Mississippi. The resort is an all-encompassing family-friendly resort designed to facilitate family fun and has a range of 371 comfortable rooms. 

This resort had on-site attractions such as a rooftop waterpark with a 450-foot-long lazy river; not only that, the resort features an entertainment center called Escape. The entertainment center is replete with an arcade, a bowling alley, a ropes course, and an exciting roller coaster simulator. This resort has convenient family fun written all over it. Without leaving the resort, you can have a wonderful time with the kids in the pool and on the waterslide.

Food is no issue either since you can stroll right to the Margaritaville Cafe and enjoy a delightful burger and many other things for their varied menu. There’s also the award-winning steakhouse Doe’s Eat Place that you can visit as well.

The luxurious rooms come with elegant bedding, WiFi access, coffee makers, HD LED televisions, writing desks, in-room safes, and more. Additionally, you’ll have access to the Rooftop Water Playground as a guest. 

JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort

The JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort is a family-friendly beachfront located on Florida’s Paradise Coast right on the Gulf of Mexico.

This resort has a host of upscale restaurants and sophisticated and elegant decor, which gives the resort its luxurious appearance. The resort’s design aims to keep the children entertained, such as the on-site waterslides and the comprehensive kid’s club. 

If you’re craving a bit of adventure outside of the beautiful beach that’ll be right before you, the Everglades is only a 90-minute drive away from the hotel, and it’s a great place to observe wildlife. Furthermore, you can explore the World Heritage Site by boat, which the hotel will be more than willing to arrange for you.

And if your children think the on-site waterslides are a blast, then they’d love the Sun-N-Fun Lagoon, a water park with five impressive waterslides.

There are multiple suites to choose from for you and your family, and there are also connecting room options for those with larger families. Even though this resort offers an abundance of activities, families can feel free to rent a car to venture off-site for an exciting day out.

JW Marriott Marco Beach Resort’s additional amenities include a hairdryer, room service, coffee maker or tea service, and a mini-refrigerator.

Longboat Key Club & Resort

Longboat Key Club & Resort is in a convenient location in the center of many attractions in the surrounding area of Longboat Key, Florida. 

This resort is home to a beautiful beachfront and boasts AAA Four-Diamond service with excellent amenities to boot. You have the freedom to enjoy the beach or even the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico itself. 

What’s more, you can have some fun off the water thanks to the  45 holes of championship golf and the award-winning tennis programs at your disposal. 

Don’t forget to enjoy the many water activities such as the boating and sailing charters. The resort provides kayak and paddleboard rentals while on the Gulf.

The resort will also, at your request, arrange spa and dining reservations or accommodate a unique amenity that you may have in mind, all in an attempt to allow you to have the best possible time.

This family-friendly resort has large rooms to accommodate all family sizes. Moreover, all guest rooms feature many amenities and welcomed comforts. Rooms have LCD plasma screen televisions and extra towels and linens. Guests also have exclusive access to the hotel’s golf course, spa, and outdoor pool.

Additional amenities to enjoy on your stay at this resort include a state-of-the-art fitness center with personal trainers available and Mind & Motion Studio with exercise, yoga, and meditation classes.

Edgewater Beach Hotel

Edgewater Beach Hotel is a family-oriented resort with a whole host of water activities for you and your family to enjoy in Naples, Florida.

Take your family on an exciting boating adventure to explore the golf or embark on a snorkeling expedition and uncover the underwater world and get a great look at the sea creatures that live in it. There’s also scuba diving, sailing, and more.

The rooms at the resort are regal, and they all feature a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and huge windows providing a panoramic view of the courtyard. All bathrooms come stocked with a hairdryer and bath sheets. The walk-in shower is a nice touch as well.

Guests have the option to have breakfast in the dining area. The beachside restaurant serves a variety of delicious dishes for guests to enjoy. You can stop by the on-site café bar if you’re a coffee person.

Additional amenities include babysitting services, cribs, video games, golf, tennis, free WiFi, a fully-equipped fitness center, bicycle rentals, scuba and snorkeling accommodations, and free parking.

Sandpearl Resort

The Sandpearl Resort is conveniently located in the city center and grants seamless access to the city’s main attractions. You and your beautiful family will have no problem finding family-friendly fun on your stay in Clearwater Beach, Florida.

The resort’s number one goal is to ensure its guests are comfortable. There is 24-hour front desk access, and the security is also on-site for 24 hours. Moreover, the resort has facilities to accommodate the needs of the disabled as well.

The rooms are sophisticated and crafted with quality. Standard rooms include LCD / plasma screen television, towels, and linens. For the fitness buff or the person who simply wants to relieve some stress, you can do so at the resort’s high-end recreational facilities, including a fitness center, outdoor pool, spa, and hot tub.

Additional amenities to enjoy on your stay at the Sandpearl Resort include beach chairs and umbrellas, beach sports rentals (jet skis, paddleboards, and kayaks), a beachfront fire pit, and even luxurious poolside cabanas with HD TVs and fans available for daily rental. Families will love the professional concierge services and WiFi in guest rooms and public spaces.

The South Seas Island Resort

The South Seas Island Resort in Captiva Island, Florida, is a resort that prides itself on the family unit and makes its facilities conducive for family fun and convenience. 

At South Seas Island Resort, fun is the name of the game, and it comes in many different and exciting forms such as kayak turps,  guided and self-guided family fishing trips, family cruises. What’s more, the resort features three swimming pools and an outdoor Ambu Yoga center!

Moreover, perhaps on one of your walks or bike rides, you just might encounter a manatee or dolphin swimming near the waterways and mangroves. Such encounters are a sight to behold, so be on the lookout for such beautiful events.

Sign the family up for an exciting Waverunner tour at the resort’s water sports center. For experienced boaters, you can rent a pontoon boat to explore the surrounding waters. There are also several waterslides and outdoor activities for the family to enjoy.

At the South Seas Island Resort, every room and villa has a private balcony, access to free WiFi, and a coffee maker. Those who decide to go the villa route will enjoy an additional fully loaded kitchen. You’ll be sure to have all of your family’s needs met here at South Seas Island Resort.

Moody Gardens Hotel

Moody Gardens Hotel is one of the better destinations for a family looking to make extraordinary memories on a fun and unforgettable vacation. There’s virtually no chance of your children becoming restless and bored, thanks to just how many potential activities will be at you and your family’s disposal in Galveston, TX.

Moody Gardens Hotel gives new meaning to what a hotel should be. This hotel has individually ticketed attractions for you and your family to embark on, such as the vast pyramid-covered grounds that include a paddlewheel boat ride. 

Moreover, there’s also a 3D and a 4D theater and a rainforest attraction to enjoy as well. There’s even an on-site golf course that you can take advantage of if you wish.

This resort is simply impressive, and it doesn’t stop with the attractions above. Moody Gardens Hotel has a 1.5 million gallon Pyramid Aquarium, which is one of the largest aquariums in the southwest. The aquarium houses exciting animals such as seals, sharks, and penguins.

The suites offer spacious living and dining areas, and there are spectacular views of Galveston. The one-bedroom suites have a king-sized bed with a connecting parlor. The two-bedroom suites feature a 900-square-foot living and dining area with a main bedroom, while a standard bedroom has two queen-sized beds.

Perdido Beach Resort

Perdido Beach Resort is one of the greatest coastal resorts for families visiting Alabama. There are simply an endless amount of water activities to get into while you’re at this coastal resort. 

Your days will turn into blurs, and you and your family explore the surrounding waterways by boating, kayaking, or even parasailing. If you don’t mind being on the sea, you are assured to witness some majestic sights as you meander through the sea. 

For those that truly enjoy snorkeling, Perdido Beach Resort has some beautiful places for you to explore. The seas are calm and conducive to having the best snorkeling experience possible. There are even private family cruises that you can take advantage of on your stay at the Perdido Beach Resort.

This resort also has food covered with both casual and upscale restaurants for you and the family to experience. For example, the Voyagers restaurant has spectacular waterfront views with local and elegant seafood dishes for you to choose from. On the other hand, Perdido Beach Pizza Co. makes personal pizzas for their customers while churning out hand-dipped ice cream cones for the little ones.

All of the suites at this resort come with the same thoughtful amenities. The upgraded rooms only offer larger floor plans for those with bigger families or for people who enjoy having more space. You can choose between one and two-bedroom suites with courtyard options.

Are You Ready to Visit These Gulf Coast Beach Resorts for Families?

Finding the perfect location to suit everyone’s needs can be challenging. That’s why we were as detailed as possible in our reviews, to help you make an informed decision and have a wonderful family getaway on the Gulf Coast. 

Whether you’re seeking to relax or ready to take advantage of countless activities, you will find the perfect match for you and your family in this list of resorts.