The Resort Report

About this time every year, we develop an incurable itch—the kind caused by the highly contagious travel bug. Another symptom of this affliction is delirium, which explains the decision to travel with very small children.
Since we’ve also been around the block a time or two, we know that beaches work for family travel (think: giant sandbox), as do mountains for the slightly older and adventurous. Even if you’re not an all-inclusive type, you need a place that caters to kids and families. After all, this is your break too. So we’ve found 11 Great Family Resorts to get you started.

The Floridian islands of Captiva and Sanibel, located off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, are perfect for families. Captiva’s South Seas Island Resort provides well-appointed villas with full kitchens, while kids 6 to 10 can enjoy Sanibel Sea School with programs on marine conservation as well as swim lessons, tennis lessons and arts and crafts. Kids will love the H2Whoa! waterpark with slides and a zero-entry pool. Good to Know: Rooms on the third floor offer best views and privately owned villas may be rented through sites like Vacation Rental by Owner.

Tahoe may sound like prime territory for celebs, but the Northstar Ski Resort is a welcoming getaway for the snowbound set. Just 45 minutes away from Reno airport, it offers over 100 runs and trails. Stay in a resort, a condo or a timeshare steps from the mountain, and embrace an active, yet still-relaxing winter getaway. For kids two to six who may not ski yet (or have the stamina to do it for long), the Minor’s Camp will keep them busy indoors as you celebrate the outdoors.

The Franklyn D. Resort feels like a Jamaican paradise for any number of reasons, not the least of which is the well-vetted Vacation Nanny that comes with every booking. This popular all-inclusive resort revolves around kids and families (especially for kids eight and under), with comfortable and completely functional one, two and three bedroom suites, located on an enclosed beach in Runaway Bay. We’d offer more details, but we have a feeling we had you at ‘Vacation Nanny’.