This is shockinly popular and we've done it a few times as we have family in the area.
Fly into Jacksonville, a very nice airport that's usually affordable.
Get a family suite with bunkbeds:
https://www.guestreservations.com/embassy-suites-by-hilton-st-augustine-beach-oceanfront-resort/booking?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=1620887982&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1620887982&gbraid=0AAAAADiMQMZiBNQ6sWCEN0sgNv1AwDPie&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4eHLBhCzARIsAJ2NZoIeAmmt38872zrQpm2Rft_XClpZV65HhjFsTWwM6S_0LxDmtOWiyG0aAtCDEALw_wcB&ctTriggered=true
Visit Alligator place near by during birding season. See awesome birds up close!
https://www.alligatorfarm.com/rookery/?p=1345

Anonymous wrote:Every single hotel or Vrbo we’ve ever stayed in! My son walks in and oohs and aaahs over “amenities” like a pen on the desk like OG Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel. I pray he never changes.

Ha, my kids are the same way! They love a Hampton Inn (or similar) with buffet breakfast and indoor pool.

Atlantis, Bahamas.

JW Grande lakes best lazy river

Marriott Grande Vista in Orlando. It’s a time share. We don’t own so we rented from someone on redweek. The kids loved the multiple pools, activities and the poolside restaurant. The week we were there, they had a golf cart parade, a Disney Princess tea and a reptile show.

Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, MD is my son’s favorite place.

Anonymous wrote:I just asked my kids, and they named some completely mediocre place we stayed in Cozumel with “the best room service chicken tenders ever.”

Lol

I just asked my kids, and they named some completely mediocre place we stayed in Cozumel with “the best room service chicken tenders ever.”

Every single hotel or Vrbo we’ve ever stayed in! My son walks in and oohs and aaahs over “amenities” like a pen on the desk like OG Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel. I pray he never changes.

Hotel Xcaret

mine loved Isla Bella in Marathon Key, FL and the Diplomat in Hollywood, FL.

My kids are not discerning, but one that they still talk about is the Magic Castle Hotel in LA. It is not at all fancy, and would meet the previous posters request for less expensive hotels. It's a quirky little place, with fun perks that my kids loved--a popsicle phone by the pool (you just pick it up and they bring you popsicles), free soft serve all day, free candy/snacks from the front desk. There's a magician at the included breakfast. But their favorite part was that guests are able to go to brunch and shows at the Magic Castle (which is a members only magician's club.) https://www.magiccastlehotel.com

Next summer we're spending a night at a Harry Potter themed hotel in London. We haven't stayed yet, so I can't personally vouch for it, but it looked fun. https://georgianhousehotel.co.uk/wizard-experiences/

Anonymous wrote:Marriott vacation clubs in Orlando (for younger kids with Disney trip). a 2 bedrooms with doors made a huge difference.

Marriott San Jose and El Mangroove Autograph hotel in Costa Rica

Westin Kierland, JW Camelback and Element Sedona in AZ

Springhill suites Bozeman MT on the way to Yellowstone and Grand Teton

I'm curious what your kids loved about this hotel. We're thinking of doing the same trip with kids this year.

Marriott vacation clubs in Orlando (for younger kids with Disney trip). a 2 bedrooms with doors made a huge difference.

Marriott San Jose and El Mangroove Autograph hotel in Costa Rica

Westin Kierland, JW Camelback and Element Sedona in AZ

Springhill suites Bozeman MT on the way to Yellowstone and Grand Teton

My kids loved Mauna Kea on the Big Island.

JW Marriott Guanacaste Costa Rica