20 fun hotels for kids that are basically vacations in themselves

Imagine waking up to the sound of chirping birds, the warmth of the sun peeking through the windows, and the excitement of a new adventure waiting just outside your door. The right hotel can be the ultimate destination for your family vacation, packed with activities and amenities that make you wonder why you ever bothered with an itinerary in the first place. When a hotel offers a pool with a waterslide that deposits your child into a pirate-themed splash zone while you relax nearby, you know you’ve found the perfect spot.

fun hotels for kids

1. Safari West, California

Experience the thrill of the Serengeti without leaving the United States at Safari West, a 400-acre wildlife preserve in Sonoma County, California. The property is home to a variety of animals from the African savannah, including zebras, giraffes, and antelopes. The safari drive-and-walk tour is a highlight of the stay, but sleeping on a wildlife preserve while hearing the sounds of the wild outside is an experience your kids will never forget.

Each luxury glamping tent is equipped with hardwood floors and real bedding, ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep. The guided safari tour allows you to get up close and personal with the animals, and the property’s tranquil atmosphere makes it the perfect place to disconnect from the world and reconnect with nature.

Approximate price per night: From $330/night

2. Under Canvas, Various Locations

Under Canvas offers a unique glamping experience near some of America’s most stunning national parks, including Yellowstone, Glacier, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. The safari-inspired canvas tents are luxurious and comfortable, with real beds, ensuite bathrooms, and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

By day, enjoy guided hikes, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and outdoor games. By night, relax around the campfire, roast marshmallows, and gaze at the stars. The locations are what set Under Canvas apart, offering an experience that redefines “camping with kids.”

Approximate price per night: From $250/night (varies by park and season)

3. Tanque Verde Ranch, Arizona

Established in 1868, Tanque Verde Ranch is one of the last great guest ranches in America. Spread across 640 acres at the base of the Rincon Mountains, the ranch offers an all-inclusive package that includes horseback riding, mountain biking, guided desert hikes, fishing, swimming, and a cowboy cookout under the stars.

The kids’ program, which splits into three age groups – Buckaroos (4-6), Wranglers (7-9), and Outlaws (10-12) – is like summer camp on steroids. The program runs all day with trail rides, crafts, swimming, and pizza making, ensuring your kids are always entertained.

Approximate price per night: From $300/night (all-inclusive packages available)

4. Sunriver Resort, Oregon

Sunriver Resort is a paradise for families, with a massive pool complex featuring a lazy river, water slides, and a pirate-themed splash zone. The resort also offers a variety of activities, including a ropes course, zip line, and a children’s play area.

The resort’s location in the heart of the Deschutes National Forest offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventures, including hiking, mountain biking, and fishing. The resort’s spacious rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities.

Approximate price per night: From $200/night

5. The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana

For an all-inclusive luxury dude ranch experience, head to The Ranch at Rock Creek in Montana. The ranch offers a range of activities, including horseback riding, fishing, and hiking, as well as a spa and wellness center for parents to relax and rejuvenate.

The ranch’s kids’ program is designed for children aged 5-12 and includes activities such as horseback riding, archery, and arts and crafts. The program runs all day, ensuring your kids are always entertained and engaged.

Approximate price per night: From $500/night

6. Auberge du Soleil, California

Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Auberge du Soleil is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, arts and crafts, and a games room. The resort’s pool complex features a lazy river and water slides, as well as a separate children’s pool for younger kids.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location in the heart of Napa Valley offers endless opportunities for wine tastings and vineyard tours.

Approximate price per night: From $400/night

7. El Dorado Royale, Mexico

Located on the Riviera Maya in Mexico, El Dorado Royale is a luxurious all-inclusive resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s club, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location in the heart of the Riviera Maya offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $600/night

8. Four Seasons Resort Orlando, Florida

Located in the heart of Orlando, the Four Seasons Resort is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location in the heart of Orlando offers endless opportunities for theme park visits and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $500/night

9. Miraval Resort, Arizona

Located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, Miraval Resort is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, arts and crafts, and a games room. The resort’s pool complex features a lazy river and water slides, as well as a separate children’s pool for younger kids.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location in the heart of the Sonoran Desert offers endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $400/night

10. Post Ranch Inn, California

Located on the Big Sur coastline, Post Ranch Inn is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, arts and crafts, and a games room. The resort’s pool complex features a lazy river and water slides, as well as a separate children’s pool for younger kids.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location on the Big Sur coastline offers endless opportunities for hiking, whale watching, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $600/night

11. Seal Harbor Beach Resort, Maine

Located on the coast of Maine, Seal Harbor Beach Resort is a luxurious beachfront resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location on the coast of Maine offers endless opportunities for beach activities, hiking, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $300/night

12. The Lodge at Woodloch, New York

Located in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, The Lodge at Woodloch is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, arts and crafts, and a games room. The resort’s pool complex features a lazy river and water slides, as well as a separate children’s pool for younger kids.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location in the heart of the Catskill Mountains offers endless opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $400/night

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13. The Resort at Paws Up, Montana

Located in the heart of Montana, The Resort at Paws Up is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, arts and crafts, and a games room. The resort’s pool complex features a lazy river and water slides, as well as a separate children’s pool for younger kids.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location in the heart of Montana offers endless opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $500/night

14. Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Italy

Located on the shores of Lake Como, Grand Hotel Tremezzo is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location on the shores of Lake Como offers endless opportunities for boating, hiking, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $800/night

15. The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii

Located on the Big Island of Hawaii, The Fairmont Orchid is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location on the Big Island of Hawaii offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, hiking, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $600/night

16. One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives

Located in the Maldives, One&Only Reethi Rah is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s villas are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location in the Maldives offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $1,000/night

17. Amanyara, Turks and Caicos

Located on the island of Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos, Amanyara is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s villas are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location on the island of Providenciales offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $1,200/night

18. Montage Kapalua Bay, Hawaii

Located on the island of Maui, Montage Kapalua Bay is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s rooms and suites are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location on the island of Maui offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, hiking, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $600/night

19. The St. Regis, Maldives

Located in the Maldives, The St. Regis is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s villas are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location in the Maldives offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $1,000/night

20. Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Located on the island of Bora Bora, Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is a luxurious resort that offers a range of activities for kids, including a children’s play area, water sports, and a kids’ pool with a waterslide.

The resort’s overwater bungalows are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including kitchenettes and laundry facilities. The resort’s location on the island of Bora Bora offers endless opportunities for snorkeling, diving, and exploring the local culture.

Approximate price per night: From $1,500/night