11 Great Family Resorts

We've picked 11 family-friendly beach and ski resorts that will help make your vacation be exactly what you need it to be—a vacation.

This 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), located on an enclosed beach in Runaway Bay. We'd offer more details, but we have a feeling we had you at ‘Vacation Nanny'.

Tahoe may sound like prime territory for celebs, but the Northstar Ski Resort is a welcoming getaway for the snowbound family 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 Floridian islands of Captiva and Sanibel, located off the coast of Gulf of Mexico, are perfect for families if you're not an all-inclusive type. 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.

Vermont's Smuggler's Notch (known as ‘Smuggs') offers three mountains and a big resort feel, with on hill rental homes scattered throughout the villages at the base of the mountains. Skating rinks, outdoor pools, babysitting, teen centres, dining options and more guarantees that everyone will have fun. And speaking of guarantees, Smuggs' ski lessons offer the caveat that if your kids don't learn or greatly improve their skills, you'll get your money back.

When it comes to the well-rounded Dreams resorts, the Punta Cana location in the Dominican Republic is particularly popular, and offers dozens of activities including golf, yoga and cooking classes. The Explorers Club for kids 3 to 12 has activities including arts and crafts, movies on the beach and oceanside trampolining.

Quebec's Le Massif de Charlevoix's claim to fame is that it offers the highest vertical east of the Canadian Rockies and is one of the best-kept ski secrets. The mountain has a dedicated beginners' area, with a magic carpet, easy runs and ski schools starting at age five, and the daycare welcomes kids two and up. Slope-side accommodation will be available soon, but in the meantime, there are plenty of small hotels, motels, inns and B&B's to choose from.

Recently renovated, Club Med Ixtapa Pacific in Mexico gets rave reviews overall for its stunning location, amenities, and food, and is a nice size for families (read: amenities are easier to access on foot). The onsite Baby Med for babies as young as four months, and other special programs for kids give everyone a chance to enjoy the vacation together—and apart—as best suits your family.

What's the big deal about British Columbia's second-largest ski resort, Big White? Pretty much everything according to its fans who swear by the gorgeous, champagne powder snow. A perfect mountain for any type of skier, Big White offers a large number of hotels and condos. Sundance is a particularly welcoming spot for families, with a games room, movie theatre, outdoor heated salt-water pool, pool slide and hot tub if they haven't had enough excitement on the hill all day. We bet they'll be asleep faster than you can say “Lights out!”.

To really get away from it all, family-owned The Buccaneer Resort in St. Croix can be found situated on three, seemingly deserted and stunning beaches. Kids are genuinely welcomed, with fun and engaging camps for kids aged 4 to 12. Although a pricier option than all-inclusives, the last thing the kids will be is bored as they partake in crab races (families ‘adopt' a crab during their stay) and more.

Okemo Mountain Resort is another Vermont spot offering a memorable snow-centric experience. Okemo is a smaller scene (as compared to Smuggler's Notch) but is well regarded for its attentive service, free skiing and boarding for kids under six, and inexpensive lessons (as low as $39). Accommodations are offered on—or close to—the mountain, and the 18,000-square-foot fitness and aquatic centre offers kiddie pools and hot tubs for sore muscles after a day of shredding down the hill.

Beaches Turks & Caicos resort is a win-win for families. The Pirate's Island Waterpark rivals any children's waterpark; Sesame Street characters parade around and have nightly shows; the kids' clubs offer tons of entertainment and the beach is spectacular. Food and accommodations are above average (for a typical all-inclusive) making you feel your hard-earned dollars were well spent.