America’s best waterfront resorts for families

There’s nothing quite like a waterfront resort. Whether it’s set on the shores of a sandy beach, beside a sparkling lake, or along a meandering river, a resort situated by the water offers a special kind of vacation experience. I drew on my own experiences and spoke with parents and other travelers around the country to learn about their favorite waterfront hotels and resorts in the United States. At these family-friendly resorts, scenic views and water adventures are never far away.
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Sea Island, Georgia
Georgia’s Golden Isles are a favorite vacation destination of mine, and a big reason for that is the area’s historic gems like Sea Island. Situated along the Atlantic Ocean, the coastal Georgia resort island has been welcoming guests since 1928. Lodging options here range from privately owned cottages to guest rooms and suites in The Cloister, a Spanish-colonial beauty of a hotel designed by Addison Mizner.
“It’s a cherished family resort where generations of families return year after year to create and keep traditions,” says Florida-based freelance travel writer and editor Angela Caraway-Carlton. “At night, a photographer roams the lobby of The Cloister to snap photos of families dressed in their best. I love seeing all of the kids dressed in their tiny suits and frilly dresses, ‘cheese’-ing for the camera.”
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Activities include vacation standards like pools and a beach club along with less typical offerings like horseback riding on the beach, beach shelling by golf cart, and the resort’s Hawk Walk. “It was crazy to watch fearless kids take part in the Hawk Walk on Rainbow Island, where a hawk lands on your gloved arm,” says Caraway-Carlton. “They didn’t even flinch!”
Ko Olina, Hawai‘i
When you combine Disney and Hawaii, it’s not surprising you wind up with a waterfront resort made for making memories. Where else can you meet Disney characters while also taking in Hawaiian sunsets, spotting sea life, and enjoying Hawaiian shaved ice?
“Our family loves the blend of Disney storytelling combined with an authentic Hawaiian beach vacation at Aulani,” says FamilyVacationist contributor Dave Parfitt. “A particular highlight was channeling our inner Moana and watching sea turtles float by during the sailing canoe tour. If your family loves Disney but prefers a laidback beach trip as opposed to the hustle and bustle of a theme park, Aulani’s the place for you.”
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“Aulani is not only our family’s favorite resort, but it was also the best vacation we’ve ever taken, according to my kids,” says Meagan Wristen, a mom of three who runs the blog Mommy Travels. “The teen program was one of the best we’ve experienced, the family activities were unique and fun, and of course Mickey was there.”
Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
Situated on a 72-acre peninsula of protected natural reserve in the shadow of El Yunque National Forest (the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System), Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico espouses a true vacation vibe. The waterfront resort’s motto is “doing nothing means everything,” and oceanfront hammocks, poolside cabanas, and a seriously soothing spa provide plenty of opportunities for totally chilling out.
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Of course, there are lots of ways to do more than just relax, whether that’s splashing in Puerto Rico’s largest lagoon-style pool, paddling a kayak in the Atlantic Ocean, testing your skills in a TopGolf Swing Suite, or teeing off at the 27-hole, Tom Kite–designed championship golf course. Seventeen food and beverage options include beachside food trucks for casual family meals.
The resort’s new hotel-within-a-hotel concept, Villas en la Reserva, makes a good choice for families, offering spacious villas with kitchenettes, separate living rooms with queen sleeper sofas, and balconies or patios with ocean views. Stay here and you have access to your own pool area, coffee shop, and poolside bar and restaurant. But my favorite part about staying in the Villas en la Reserva? The Monday and Tuesday morning deliveries of pan sobao, a traditional Puerto Rican bread served warm with honey butter and local cheese that tastes just as good as it sounds.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Located on a mile of sandy beach, Inn by the Sea makes for a picture-perfect spot for a multigenerational family vacation. Guests can choose from traditional rooms or spacious one- or two-bedroom suites, some of which have balconies and two-way gas fireplaces. A heated pool, full-service spa, and activities like yoga, beach ecology walks, and the kid-focused Bug’s Life Tour help the whole family (including the canine members) connect with the inn’s scenic setting.
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“Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth is a classic Maine seaside resort and my absolute favorite,” says FamilyVacationist contributor Allison Tibaldi. “You traverse a private walkway/boardwalk to Crescent Beach, a dreamy stretch of sand and sea with a view of a lighthouse. It’s the definition of New England charm. And Portland is only a 15-minute drive away.”
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Spacious suites. Three swimming pools. An arcade and kids’ club. An on-site cooking school and spa. There are a lot of reasons why The Osthoff Resort is an ideal spot for a waterfront family vacation.
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“Staying at The Osthoff Resort on the shores of Elkhart Lake felt like stepping into a luxury version of an iconic family summer camp,” says Nicky Omohundro, a mom of three and owner and editor of the site Little Family Adventure. “The lake is a huge draw, offering a range of activities such as swimming, sailing, fishing, and kayaking. Some of the best fishing I’ve enjoyed recently has been on this lake. But what made this resort truly special were the little touches that made it perfect for families.”
“The private beach and lakefront fire pit provided a peaceful end to our days,” she continues. “My best memories of the trip were made under a starry sky sharing s’mores and stories around those bonfires.”
Fernandina Beach, Florida
Omni Amelia Island Resort occupies a prime stretch of Atlantic Ocean beachfront on a barrier island off the northeast coast of Florida. Guests can rent chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas for relaxing by the shoreline, but you’ll probably spend a lot of time swimming, shelling, body surfing, and sandcastle building. A family pool, nautical-themed splash pad, and adults-only pool offer more ways to cool down, and other resort amenities include a mini-golf course, the 10-hole Little Sandy golf course ideal for novice golfers, bike rentals, and a nature center offering tours and family programming.
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“The luxury resort is known for its incredible spa, beach access, and its proximity to all of the fun in Fernandina Beach,” says Megan duBois, FamilyVacationist’s senior theme park editor. “And I love that every year the resort hosts Fish to Fork, a culinary festival that highlights the bounty of Florida’s waterways.”
Point Clear, Alabama
A local fixture since 1847, Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection occupies 550 acres overlooking Mobile Bay near the charming city of Fairhope. Options for family fun range from tennis and pickleball courts, croquet lawns, and two 18-hole golf courses to a seasonal outdoor pool with a water slide and splash pad. Guests also love the daily tradition that starts by the fireplace in the main lobby, processes to a ceremonial firing of a replica 19th-century cannon on the edge of Mobile Bay, and finishes with light bites back at the hotel.
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“I love the Grand Hotel; it’s the epitome of Southern charm,” says Caraway-Carlton. “I’ve gone there since I was a child. It’s not just for tourists; the locals go there just as much as visitors do. It’s beloved by the community, and nearby Fairhope is literally like stepping into a Hallmark movie.”
Cooper Landing, Alaska
Set on 47 acres along the Kenai River, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge serves up stunning mountain and water views. When you’re not on the resort’s deck taking in the Alaskan scenery, you can sit by the fireplace in the lobby or the wood-burning stove in your room after a day of hiking, rafting, sportfishing, and other activities.
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“Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge was more than a place to stay; it was an experience that connected me to nature, who I was with, and other guests staying at the lodge,” says Omohundro. “Waking up and enjoying morning coffee along the riverbank is one of my top travel memories.”
“While the guided fishing trips and rafting excursions were memorable, it was the downtime at the lodge that truly made this trip special,” she continues. “We lounged on the deck of our cozy cabin, soaked up the beauty of the surroundings, went on nature walks, and spotted wildlife along the river. And when night fell, we gathered with other guests for appetizers before dinner and around the bonfire to share travel stories.”
Wailea, Maui, Hawaii
With 413 one-bedroom suites and 37 two- and three-bedroom two-story villas, Fairmont Kea Lani offers lodging options for families of all sizes. In addition to the resort’s white-sand beach, there are two family pools connected by a 140-foot water slide (plus one pool reserved just for the adults). On-site Hawaiian cultural programming helps visitors connect with the islands’ history and culture, and the complimentary Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Experience that begins with a traditional sunrise chant is not to be missed.
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“The Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui was the most beautiful, family-friendly but also luxurious resort I’ve ever been to,” says Amber M. Shimel, a Florida-based mom of five who runs the blog Amber Likes. “My children still talk about the wonderful sitter the hotel provided one night. There were family-friendly activities, and the beach had lots of shade and a grassy area perfect for toddlers.”
Destin, Florida
Destin’s only luxury resort, Henderson Beach Resort & Spa offers everything from standard guest rooms and suites to vacation rentals with up to three bedrooms for a family escape to the Florida Panhandle. No matter how you stay, you get access to a stretch of white-sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico, pools and a lazy river, a kids’ club during the spring and summer, lawn games, complimentary bike rentals, and yoga classes and a fitness studio.
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“Most people think of Destin as a vacation rental destination, but that kind of ‘vacation’ takes a lot of work,” says Holly Johnson, a mom of two and family travel expert at ClubThrifty.com. “Henderson Beach Resort gives you the option to book a luxury resort stay like you would in other destinations. You can order food by the pool, visit the on-site spa, and more. You don’t have to do everything yourself like you do with a vacation rental; you can have people cater to you all day and night if you prefer.”
Stay in Lowcountry style at The Beach Club at Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina, where water views can be enjoyed from the resort’s wraparound porches. “The resort has a wonderfully clean, bright nautical theme to its decor, and there are two pools, one with a zero-entry that is perfect for little ones,” says Sharon Nolan, a longtime Philadelphia-area travel writer who’s traveled extensively with her three now-grown children.
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Activities abound, from an on-site sailing school and nightly bonfires to lawn games, a seasonal kids’ club, and yoga on the lawn. “I like the resort because you could have such a varied vacation here,” says Nolan. “There are a lot of possibilities, which can be great for families trying to please a variety of kids. In addition, the family suites provide closeness, but also allow parents the ability to stay up a bit later and not disturb the little ones.”
America’s best waterfront resorts originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations.