USA TODAY 10Best
Best resort for families? Readers vote Woodloch Resort
Best Family Resort (2019)
These 10 American resorts cater to families with a host of awesome amenities, including programming just for kids, childproofed rooms (with multiple bedrooms), gourmet dining with child-approved kids menus and access to essentials, like cribs and baby swings, while on the road.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Family Resort are as follows:
- Four Seasons at Walt Disney World Resort - Orlando
- Smugglers' Notch Resort - Smugglers' Notch, Vt.
- Club Med Sandpiper Bay - Port St Lucie, Fla.
- Fairmont Scottsdale Princess - Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Fairmont Kea Lani - Maui
- Snowpine Lodge - Alta, Utah
- Ludlow's Island Resort - Cook, Minn.
- Great Wolf Lodge Southern California - Garden Grove, Calif.
- Hawks Cay Resort - Duck Key, Fla.
- Woodloch Resort - Hawley, Penn.
Photo courtesy of Don Riddle / Four Seasons Resort Orlando
No. 10:
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort may be a mouthful to say, but it's a pleasure to stay, whether you're traveling with family or not! Smack in the middle of Walt Disney World Resort's beautiful Golden Oak community, the FS Orlando's gorgeous zero-entry pool, incredible castle-themed water park and lazy river and complimentary Kids' Camp (not to mention character breakfasts with Goofy and pals!) make this a sumptuous stay with all the right Disney touches.
Photo courtesy of Smugglers' Notch Resort
No. 9:
Non-stop activities at Smugglers’ Notch Vermont are diverse so plan to stay awhile in one of their spacious, full-service condos. The resort is famous for being one of the best skiing venues for families. However, other outdoor fun includes llama treks, geocaching, mountain biking, zip-lining, tennis and more. Young kids can enjoy the million-dollar child center, while older kids can participate in special interest camps that take advantage of the resort’s natural setting. Teens have their own programming, too.
No. 8:
One of the country’s only truly all-inclusive resorts, Club Med Sandpiper Bay caters to active families. It’s located in between Miami and Orlando along the St. Lucie River where beach and swimming activities are available. Expert pros in the resort’s multi-sport Club Med Academy are on hand to coach beach volleyball, tennis, golf and fitness for those who want to improve techniques. Parents may also take advantage of the age-appropriate child care and supervised activities.
Photo courtesy of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
No. 7:
Six separate pools create a giant outdoor playground in the Scottsdale desert for visitors of all ages. At the heart of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess pool complex, the 6,000-square-foot Sonoran Splash features two waterslides, a zero entry pool deck and a sandbox play area, perfect for families with young children. The Trailblazers Family Adventure Center offers a host of activities for kids ages 5 to 12.
Photo courtesy of Fairmont Kea Lani
No. 6:
At the Fairmont Kea Lani, families enjoy three swimming pools (including one just for mom and dad), a Hawaiian cultural program, water sports, beach activities and the Keiki Lani Kids Club — a state-of-the-art facility for children between the ages of 5 and 12.
Photo courtesy of Snowpine Lodge
No. 5:
Built in 1938, The Snowpine Lodge was the first ski shelter in the Alta and Snowbird area. Today, the lodge offers ski-in, ski-out service and recently renovated accommodations to fit a range of budgets and family sizes. Each guest starts the day with a warm skier's breakfast and finishes it with a gourmet dinner. An outdoor whirlpool tub, spa treatment room and fire pit offer plenty of options for relaxation off the slopes.
Photo courtesy of Ludlow's Island Resort
No. 4:
This family-operated resort on Lake Vermillion occupies its own private island, where vacationing families can spend their days swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hydrobiking, paddle boating, rock climbing or scaling a giant floating "iceberg." Kids enjoy a range of guided activities, and cabins range in size from one to five bedrooms to accommodate even the biggest families.
Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Resorts
No. 3:
Located a stone's throw from Disneyland, this Great Wolf Lodge property in Anaheim is California's only indoor water park resort. Spacious suites give families plenty of room to spread out and make themselves at home, while young guests enjoy bonuses like character appearances, lunchtime activities, story time and PJ parties.
Photo courtesy of Hawks Cay Resort
No. 2:
Hawks Cay Resort caters to both families with kids and adults looking for a peaceful escape. Families have plenty of space to spread out, with access to four swimming pools (including the popular Pirate Ship pool) and an enclosed saltwater lagoon. The Coral Cay activity and adventure center caters to families with programs for kids ages 5 to 17. The newly re-opened Hawks Cay Marina serves as a base for aquatic sports of all varieties.
Photo courtesy of Woodloch Resort
No. 1:
The Woodloch Resort welcomes families to the Poconos with accommodations ranging from single rooms to two-bedroom suites. Meals are served family-style, and guests enjoy access to a range of activities daily, with amenities like a rock climbing wall, indoor and outdoor pools, go karts, bumper cars and boats, kayaks and snow tubing in the winter.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning resorts!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr is the Founder and... Read More
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist, one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel guides. Named a "Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger” by USA Today 10Best, Parr has also been selected as the official winner in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ 2023 list of the “Top 50 Best Luxury Influencers and Bloggers in the World.” In addition to Pursuitist, Christopher is a contributor to numerous travel and luxury publications and TV shows, including being the host of Travel Tuesday on CBS. Follow along on Twitter.
Christopher Parr
Christopher Parr is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Pursuitist, one of the world’s most influential luxury lifestyle and travel guides. Named a "Top 10 Luxury Travel Blogger” by USA Today 10Best, Parr has also been selected as the official winner in Luxury Lifestyle Awards’ 2023 list of the “Top 50 Best Luxury Influencers and Bloggers in the World.” In addition to Pursuitist, Christopher is a contributor to numerous travel and luxury publications and TV shows, including being the host of Travel Tuesday on CBS. Follow along on Twitter.
Eileen Ogintz
Eileen Ogintz, a leading national expert on family... Read More
Eileen Ogintz, a leading national expert on family travel, is the author of the Tribune Interactive syndicated column Taking the Kids that appears around the country, creator of the popular website TakingtheKids.com and co-chair of the TMS Family Travel Conference which draws top family travel influencers and major travel brands. She is the author of the 11-book Kids Guideseries; The Kid’s Guide to Acadia National Park is being released in April 2019. The Kid’s Guide to NYC is now in its 3d edition and The Kid’s Guide to Washington, DC the second edition.
Eileen Ogintz
Eileen Ogintz, a leading national expert on family travel, is the author of the Tribune Interactive syndicated column Taking the Kids that appears around the country, creator of the popular website TakingtheKids.com and co-chair of the TMS Family Travel Conference which draws top family travel influencers and major travel brands. She is the author of the 11-book Kids Guideseries; The Kid’s Guide to Acadia National Park is being released in April 2019. The Kid’s Guide to NYC is now in its 3d edition and The Kid’s Guide to Washington, DC the second edition.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel... Read More
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
