Anonymous
01/06/2026 21:25
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
Ohooo diseases woo hoo
Anonymous
01/06/2026 21:24
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
Anonymous wrote:Looking for a beachfront resort in FL to stay over Spring Break (last week of March / first week of April) that’s higher end but good for families. So nothing as lux as the Breakers or Ritz Carlton, but something that feels a little more high end but welcoming towards kids (ages 3 and 8). Looking for something more south as we want it to be warm enough for beach days. Have seen recs for JW Marriott in Marco Island, the Palms Hotel & Spa (Miami) and Margaritaville Hollywood Beach. Any opinions on these hotels or other recommendations? Thank you!
There is no such thing.
Florida is not high end anywhere it’s garbage
Signed a 4th generation Floridian who is in the 1 percent of this country
Anonymous
01/06/2026 21:22
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
Jupiter Beach Club is such a sleeper hit in my opinion. We live in Orlando & went twice this past year alone. It’s nice, but not luxe. The location is perfect and it’s right on the beach. Tons of good snorkeling within walking distance and the hotel restaurant is excellent (and frequented by locals).
Delray—maybe the Seagate (they have a great shuttle to their beach club) is another very nice option.
The Four Seasons in Ft Lauderdale is a beautiful hotel directly across from the beach, but it didn’t scream family friendly to me.
Further north, you could do Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Stunning location & beautiful property right on the beach. Or St Augustine has a couple of decent beachfront hotels that are surprisingly good.
Delray—maybe the Seagate (they have a great shuttle to their beach club) is another very nice option.
The Four Seasons in Ft Lauderdale is a beautiful hotel directly across from the beach, but it didn’t scream family friendly to me.
Further north, you could do Ponte Vedra Inn & Club. Stunning location & beautiful property right on the beach. Or St Augustine has a couple of decent beachfront hotels that are surprisingly good.
Anonymous
01/06/2026 21:09
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
If prez day looks like JW marco is sold out. I think key west will be tough for $800 a night.
Too cold for Amelia island, 30a and Clearwater then.
Too cold for Amelia island, 30a and Clearwater then.
Anonymous
01/06/2026 21:03
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
Anonymous wrote:I am a JW kind of girl and I think that the market is lacking in quality resorts between JW and Four Seasons level. There is a huge price difference, and I don't really see the value in a Ritz, and I wouldn't spend money on a Four Seasons with my kids.
If you don't want breakers level and you want beach front and high end ish, then I think you are looking at:
St regis Longboat Key
Don Cesar
Sandpearl
Wyndham in Clearwater (better pool at sandpearl)
Singer Island Marriott
Ritz Naples
Marriott Harbor Beach
Casa Marina Key West
Opal Grand Delray
Edgewater Beach Hotel
JW Marco
Hilton Marco (not even close to as nice as the JW)
Hyatt Coconut Point
The Boca Raton
Eau Palm Beach
Island Grand at Tradewinds
Southernmost in Key west
Pelican Grande
Isla Bella
Ritz Amelia is cheaper than most ritz bc it's more north
Baker's Cay Key Largo
Westin Ft Lauderdale
Lowes Miami Beach
Margaritaville Key West
Pink Shell
Opal Sands/Sol in Clearwater
Tranquility Bay
Cheeca Lodge
LaPlaya
Conrad Ft Lauderdale
Edgewater Beach Hotel
Hollywood Beach Marriott (quieter, but still walkable to Margaritaville)
ritz Ft Lauderdale
Watercolor Inn
Hollywood, FL is kind of dumpy and the Margaritaville is right on the boardwalk.
I have stayed at the JW Marco a few times. I am not sure that I would go there for spring break, and I think it's already sold out. I don't think it's worth $1000 a night for two queens. They do have two pools, but the kids' pool with a tiny slide is shaded a lot of the morning (at least it was the times I was there). The beach is very nice there, but there isn't a ton for kids to do besides the pool. There aren't a lot of waves, but that makes it easy to wade in the water since your kids are young.
You might like the Sandpearl. There is the sugar sand festival going on that time. There are also other nice hotels in Clearwater. Walk to everything, a little trolley to explore other towns, an aquarium. Wyndham, Sandpearl, JW, Opal Sands and Opal Sol are the nicest. Sandpearl has a private beach.
Not OP but I am bookmarking this list for when we need a quick beach vacation in winter!
Anonymous
01/06/2026 21:02
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
OP here - thanks for the responses so far! On budget, willing to pay up to about $800/night. Ideal would be something between $600-$800.
and looking at my original post, I made a mistake. This would be for mid-February (over Presidents’ Day Weekend) to the extent that affects any answers.
and looking at my original post, I made a mistake. This would be for mid-February (over Presidents’ Day Weekend) to the extent that affects any answers.
Anonymous
01/06/2026 20:36
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
Hiy send too soon re Sandpearl. Winter last spring break and loved it. They have huge one bedroom suites for around $1000 a night. It’s right on the beach. Decent sized pool, though no slides. Movies at the pool every night, smooth on the beach each night, activities for kids during the day. Walkable to everything. There is a marina about a 1/2 mile away that has boats for dolphin watching tours, the aquarium is where winter the dolphin was housed, Busch gardens in tampa, the tampa zoo. Tons of shells on the beach.
The Wyndham is also nice there but the pool is smaller and you have to cross a road to get the the beach. The pier 60 sugar sand festival was fun and it has a huge water slide and the sand sculptures. There are vendors by the pier. Just something to do when you want a break from the beach/pool.
The Wyndham is also nice there but the pool is smaller and you have to cross a road to get the the beach. The pier 60 sugar sand festival was fun and it has a huge water slide and the sand sculptures. There are vendors by the pier. Just something to do when you want a break from the beach/pool.
Anonymous
01/06/2026 20:19
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
I am a JW kind of girl and I think that the market is lacking in quality resorts between JW and Four Seasons level. There is a huge price difference, and I don't really see the value in a Ritz, and I wouldn't spend money on a Four Seasons with my kids.
If you don't want breakers level and you want beach front and high end ish, then I think you are looking at:
St regis Longboat Key
Don Cesar
Sandpearl
Wyndham in Clearwater (better pool at sandpearl)
Singer Island Marriott
Ritz Naples
Marriott Harbor Beach
Casa Marina Key West
Opal Grand Delray
Edgewater Beach Hotel
JW Marco
Hilton Marco (not even close to as nice as the JW)
Hyatt Coconut Point
The Boca Raton
Eau Palm Beach
Island Grand at Tradewinds
Southernmost in Key west
Pelican Grande
Isla Bella
Ritz Amelia is cheaper than most ritz bc it's more north
Baker's Cay Key Largo
Westin Ft Lauderdale
Lowes Miami Beach
Margaritaville Key West
Pink Shell
Opal Sands/Sol in Clearwater
Tranquility Bay
Cheeca Lodge
LaPlaya
Conrad Ft Lauderdale
Edgewater Beach Hotel
Hollywood Beach Marriott (quieter, but still walkable to Margaritaville)
ritz Ft Lauderdale
Watercolor Inn
Hollywood, FL is kind of dumpy and the Margaritaville is right on the boardwalk.
I have stayed at the JW Marco a few times. I am not sure that I would go there for spring break, and I think it's already sold out. I don't think it's worth $1000 a night for two queens. They do have two pools, but the kids' pool with a tiny slide is shaded a lot of the morning (at least it was the times I was there). The beach is very nice there, but there isn't a ton for kids to do besides the pool. There aren't a lot of waves, but that makes it easy to wade in the water since your kids are young.
You might like the Sandpearl. There is the sugar sand festival going on that time. There are also other nice hotels in Clearwater. Walk to everything, a little trolley to explore other towns, an aquarium. Wyndham, Sandpearl, JW, Opal Sands and Opal Sol are the nicest. Sandpearl has a private beach.
If you don't want breakers level and you want beach front and high end ish, then I think you are looking at:
St regis Longboat Key
Don Cesar
Sandpearl
Wyndham in Clearwater (better pool at sandpearl)
Singer Island Marriott
Ritz Naples
Marriott Harbor Beach
Casa Marina Key West
Opal Grand Delray
Edgewater Beach Hotel
JW Marco
Hilton Marco (not even close to as nice as the JW)
Hyatt Coconut Point
The Boca Raton
Eau Palm Beach
Island Grand at Tradewinds
Southernmost in Key west
Pelican Grande
Isla Bella
Ritz Amelia is cheaper than most ritz bc it's more north
Baker's Cay Key Largo
Westin Ft Lauderdale
Lowes Miami Beach
Margaritaville Key West
Pink Shell
Opal Sands/Sol in Clearwater
Tranquility Bay
Cheeca Lodge
LaPlaya
Conrad Ft Lauderdale
Edgewater Beach Hotel
Hollywood Beach Marriott (quieter, but still walkable to Margaritaville)
ritz Ft Lauderdale
Watercolor Inn
Hollywood, FL is kind of dumpy and the Margaritaville is right on the boardwalk.
I have stayed at the JW Marco a few times. I am not sure that I would go there for spring break, and I think it's already sold out. I don't think it's worth $1000 a night for two queens. They do have two pools, but the kids' pool with a tiny slide is shaded a lot of the morning (at least it was the times I was there). The beach is very nice there, but there isn't a ton for kids to do besides the pool. There aren't a lot of waves, but that makes it easy to wade in the water since your kids are young.
You might like the Sandpearl. There is the sugar sand festival going on that time. There are also other nice hotels in Clearwater. Walk to everything, a little trolley to explore other towns, an aquarium. Wyndham, Sandpearl, JW, Opal Sands and Opal Sol are the nicest. Sandpearl has a private beach.
Anonymous
01/06/2026 19:35
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
I liked the Palms - on the beach. Could walk to South Beach. Great location. Spa was awesome.
Anonymous
01/06/2026 19:32
Subject: Re:High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
Boca Raton Resort (either main resort or beach club). Wonderful and $$$
Anonymous
01/06/2026 18:56
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
OP, if you have Amex check the travel portal for deals using points too (if you haven’t already). We use the Breakers to use up a lot of our Amex points and I get the feeling many families are there doing the same.
Anonymous
01/06/2026 18:34
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
What is your budget per night? It will probably be $400-800+ a night at most full service or resort hotels, and like 250-400 a night at Fairfield/ Hampton inn type places.
Also look at opal resorts, they are all over Florida
Also look at opal resorts, they are all over Florida
Anonymous
01/06/2026 18:03
Subject: Re:High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
La Playa in Naples.
Anonymous
01/06/2026 17:21
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
Definitely Palms out of these three. Marco Island I think is boring, Hollywood Beach is a little seedy and Margaritaville not that nice. Palms is great because it's a quieter area but walkable to a lot.
Anonymous
01/06/2026 17:15
Subject: High end beachfront resorts in Florida for families
Looking for a beachfront resort in FL to stay over Spring Break (last week of March / first week of April) that’s higher end but good for families. So nothing as lux as the Breakers or Ritz Carlton, but something that feels a little more high end but welcoming towards kids (ages 3 and 8). Looking for something more south as we want it to be warm enough for beach days. Have seen recs for JW Marriott in Marco Island, the Palms Hotel & Spa (Miami) and Margaritaville Hollywood Beach. Any opinions on these hotels or other recommendations? Thank you!