USA TODAY 10Best
Best Family Resort? Pennsylvania's Woodloch Resort
Best Family Resort (2021)
These American resorts cater to families with a host of awesome amenities, including programming just for kids, childproofed rooms (with multiple bedrooms), gourmet dining with child-approved kids menus and access to essentials, like cribs and baby swings, while on the road.
- Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort - Maui
- Hilton Waikoloa Village - Waikoloa, Hawaii
- Grand Hotel - Mackinac Island, Mich.
- The Breakers - Palm Beach, Fla.
- Big Cypress Lodge - Memphis, Tennessee
- Arrabelle at Vail - Vail, CO
- C Lazy U Ranch - Granby, Colo.
- Ludlow's Island Resort - Cook, Minn.
- Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa - Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
- Woodloch Resort - Hawley, Penn.
Photo courtesy of Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
No. 10:
The Grand Wailea Resort on Maui offers the best of all worlds for a Hawaiian family vacation. A tropical playground features pools for adults and children, waterslides, waterfalls, whirlpools, and saunas. While the adults enjoy a tennis game, round of golf, spa day, or shopping trip, children can visit Camp Grande, where supervised activities include nature walking, t-shirt dyeing, and lei making. With the “Grand Passport” they receive at check-in, children can collect stamps for completing educational activities around the resort.
Photo courtesy of Hilton Waikoloa Village
No. 9:
Families staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii could have a full vacation without ever leaving the property. The 62-acre oceanfront resort features three swimming pools, a 175-foot waterslide, four-acre ocean-fed lagoon for snorkeling and water sports, a luau and several restaurants and bars to choose from.
No. 8:
Guests at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island might find themselves on rocking chairs on the world's longest porch overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. There's a lot for families to love as well: a 220-foot heated swimming pool, biking and horseback riding, lawn games in the gardens and Family Added Value Days in the summer months with additional activities and savings.
Photo courtesy of The Breakers
No. 7:
The Breakers, a legendary resort in Palm Beach on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, blends and Italian-Renaissance ambiance with modern amenities. In addition to a gorgeous white sand beach, water sports and tennis, The Breakers also boasts a self-contained family entertainment center with an arcade, outdoor sports courts and toddler playground that all ages will love. Glamorous offerings continue with championship golf and spa – including one for kids!
Photo courtesy of Big Cypress Lodge
No. 6:
At Big Cypress Lodge, families will be inspired by the nature-themed activities and attractions and find the ideal place to connect and adventure into the “great outdoors.” Journey 300 feet up the Memphis Pyramid in the largest free-standing elevator in the US, and step onto glass observation decks to see downtown Memphis and the spectacular Mississippi River. Surround yourself with underwater sea creatures as you bowl at the Fishbowl bowling lanes, and spend educational time learning about wetlands, conservation, and native Mississippi fish.
Photo courtesy of The Arrabelle
No. 5:
There’s a famous saying around Vail of “I came for the winter but stayed for the summer,” which is certainly true for families staying at the Arrabelle at Vail Square. While adults and children can enjoy skiing and snowboarding during the winter, Vail Mountain in the summer months offers hiking, mountain biking, gondola rides (children ride free!), the Forest Flyer Alpine Coaster, water tubing hills, and fly-fishing.
Photo courtesy of C Lazy U Ranch
No. 4:
The traditions of the American West are alive and well at C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado. This luxury guest ranch offers 43 rooms of varying sizes, including three bedroom cabins ideal for families. Visitors to this four seasons property can go horseback riding, practice cattle pushing, hike, mountain bike, cross country ski or go snowshoeing between hearty, family-style meals.
Photo courtesy of Ludlow's Island Resort
No. 3:
This family-operated resort on Lake Vermillion occupies its own private island, where guests can spend their days swimming, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hydrobiking, paddle boating, rock climbing or scaling a giant floating "iceberg."
No. 2:
Inspired by the pillars of togetherness, storytelling and family, Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa offers park goers a welcoming place to kick back and relax in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee just minutes from the theme park. Amenities include an interactive splash pad, zero-entry pool, door-to-door transportation to the park and Dolly touches throughout.
Photo courtesy of Woodloch Resort
No. 1:
The Woodloch Resort welcomes families to the Poconos with accommodations ranging from single rooms to two-bedroom suites. Meals are served family-style, and guests enjoy access to a range of activities daily, with amenities like a rock climbing wall, indoor and outdoor pools, go karts, bumper cars and boats, kayaks and snow tubing in the winter.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning resorts!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Allison Taylor
The owner and content creator of Family Vacations... Read More
The owner and content creator of Family Vacations U.S is somewhat of a compulsive researcher when it comes to family vacations. Allison has 2 boys ages 10 and 12 whose antics keep her very busy, and being married to a firefighter adds a whole other element to the chaos! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Allison Taylor
The owner and content creator of Family Vacations U.S is somewhat of a compulsive researcher when it comes to family vacations. Allison has 2 boys ages 10 and 12 whose antics keep her very busy, and being married to a firefighter adds a whole other element to the chaos! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Anne Dimon
A 25 plus year travel writer and... Read More
A 25 plus year travel writer and journalist, Anne Dimon is Co-Founder and President /CEO of the Wellness Tourism Association and owner/ editor of TravelToWellness.com launched in 2004 as the first online resource for the wellness-minded traveler. Prior to her life as a journalist, Anne was president of her own public relations company specializing in hospitality. She has also worked in the hotel industry as a director of public relations. An acknowledged wellness travel expert and industry consultant, Anne is also the co-author of The Travel Institute’s new Wellness Travel Specialist Course, a collaboration with the WTA.
Anne Dimon
A 25 plus year travel writer and journalist, Anne Dimon is Co-Founder and President /CEO of the Wellness Tourism Association and owner/ editor of TravelToWellness.com launched in 2004 as the first online resource for the wellness-minded traveler. Prior to her life as a journalist, Anne was president of her own public relations company specializing in hospitality. She has also worked in the hotel industry as a director of public relations. An acknowledged wellness travel expert and industry consultant, Anne is also the co-author of The Travel Institute’s new Wellness Travel Specialist Course, a collaboration with the WTA.
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most... Read More
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
