Traveling with kids can often mean making compromises, though the best family-friendly hotels and resorts ensure that everyone is catered for – offering fun, relaxation, and perhaps a little adventure for all ages. We’ve selected the best places to stay across the US for families traveling with kids, from properties with special rates and bigger rooms to resorts that come with access to onsite water parks.

Click through this gallery to see the best family-friendly hotels and resorts in every US state... 

Most of the hotels along Alabama’s Gulf Shores are situated across the road from the beach, and sometimes you need to get a shuttle bus to get to the soft pale sand. Not so with this Hilton eco hotel, which has direct access to sand and sea thanks to its enviable location inside the borders of Gulf State Park. Other great features include family-friendly restaurants, free use of bikes, fire pits for roasting s’mores, and options for connecting rooms.

Alyeska Resort is the place for a truly magical family ski holiday or summer break with access to nature trails, glacier cruises, and dog sledding. Open year-round but busiest in winter, the resort describes itself as a base camp for adventure and combines sleek style and luxury with an overarching sense of fun. There are sources of joy at every turn, from the large rooms inside the chateau-style building to its restaurant, Seven Glaciers, reached via an aerial tram that glides over glaciers and Turnagain Arm.

This Loews resort has been named among the best luxury, most romantic and best family-friendly hotels, which is a hard triple act to pull off. With a glorious setting in the Catalina Mountains and plenty of room for everyone across the resort’s facilities, which include two pools, two golf courses, and four tennis courts, this really is a place that should please everyone. Each room has its own balcony, with adjoining rooms available, and the Coyote Kids Club offers activity programs for kids aged four to 12.

A short drive from the trails and historic bath houses of Hot Springs National Park and close to downtown and the Ouachita River, Candlewood Suites is the perfect affordable option for families wanting to explore the area. All rooms have kitchens and separate living areas with extra sleeping space, and bigger families can book connecting suites.

The Resort at Pelican Hill proves that family travel can be glamorous too. The property is like an elegant coastal town in itself and offers a range of fun activities for kids. No age is neglected: Camp Pelican offers crafty activities and mini talent shows for ages four to 12, while a dedicated teen program runs excursions from hiking to surfing. There’s also plenty to bring families together too, including summer movie nights, a huge pool, and two 18-hole golf courses, stretching right to the coast.

The location is one of the best features of this fun hotel, which is located at the confluence of the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers in the Rocky Mountains. It’s also close to the mountaintop Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, though there are adventures within the hotel grounds too. Kids will adore the huge pool, fed by hot springs, and the indoor water park complete with slides, fountains, and a basketball hoop.

There’s a lot to love about Hampton Inn Shelton – not least the 150-foot (46m) waterslide that dominates the indoor heated pool. The location is great too, with various museums, Beardsley Zoo and the Sports Center of Connecticut nearby. Families will also appreciate saving money with free parking, a shuttle that takes guests anywhere within three miles (5km), and breakfast included in the rate.

With its boardwalk amusement rides, restaurants, and shops, all alongside a long stretch of sand lapped by the Atlantic, Rehoboth Beach is a wonderful place for a fun family holiday. The Avenue Inn & Spa is one of the highest-rated places for families to stay. The coastal-chic hotel is just a block from the beach and generously sized rooms and suites come with microwaves and mini-fridges. Breakfast is free too, while adults will appreciate the daily complimentary wine and cheese hour.

It is possible to stay somewhere that will make adults and kids smile, and Loews Sapphire Falls Resort has completely nailed it. The rooms are understatedly chic while thoughtful design details like stonework in the lobby and an island-themed pool complex with sandy beach and rocks should delight all ages. It’s part of Universal Orlando, and guests enjoy perks like early park admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and being right next door to Volcano Bay water park.

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration

Kids under 12 go free at this historic hotel in the heart of Savannah, just a short walk from the city’s best restaurants and attractions, including River Street. There are bigger rooms suitable for families, continental breakfast included, and a regular wine and cheese social hour. Families can also take a free guided tour of the beautiful building, dating back to 1851, to learn about its history and the city too.

This sprawling Disney resort was made for kids, yet there’s plenty for adults to love too. For a start, the location, overlooking Kohola Lagoon, is right by the beach. The pool complex, surrounded by palm trees and facing out to the ocean, is lovely too, while there are complimentary kids’ club activities and character meets. Throw in pool parties, Disney movie nights, and storytelling sessions rooted in Hawaiian culture and you might just have yourself the perfect family break.

Next to shopping destination Boise Towne Square and an easy drive from downtown Boise, this simple but colorful hotel is a favorite with families thanks to its bigger rooms, free hot breakfast, pool, and lovely little touches like complimentary cookies each evening. The hotel is also close to several family attractions, including Zoo Boise and amusement center Wahooz Family Fun Zone.

Forget family rooms. Swissotel Chicago, close to Millennium Park, has suites designed just for kids. Booked as part of a package with an adults’ room, each colorful suite is stocked with age-appropriate toys and games, while breakfast for everyone and an in-room movie are also included. The rest of the hotel continues the family-friendly vibe while still being super-sleek and stylish, and downtown attractions, from Navy Pier to the Chicago Riverwalk, are within walking distance.

This understated yet comfortable hotel is in downtown Indianapolis and close to the Indianapolis Zoo, Children’s Museum, and stadiums, so the convenient location already ticks a lot of boxes for families. Perfect for travelers with kids of all ages, rooms are sophisticated and stylish enough to please adults and teens, yet cozy and convenient to suit practical needs. There are family suites and standard rooms with two queen beds. Extended stay suites come with full kitchens and free use of bikes to explore.

Staying at Big Blue is like staying with extended family – that’s how warm the welcome is at this cute bed and breakfast. Its blue-gray Victorian building is in the heart of the small city of Adel, by the Racoon River with its hiking and bike trails, and has just four rooms that sleep up to 11 people. The hotel is owned by a former baker and her family, so guests can expect incredible breakfast options like crepes and biscuits in gravy.

A hotel with a water park attached? Great Wolf Lodge, a little outside Kansas City center, is basically a child’s dream of a hotel. Accommodation is in suites, the most fun (and kid-pleasing) of which have safari-style tents or cave-themed sleeping areas. Bigger families can book apartments with kitchens and living rooms that sleep up to eight. As well as the water park, which sprawls indoors and outdoors with a range of slides, there’s mini-golf and family-friendly restaurants to keep everyone happy.

A stay at Carter Caves State Resort Park is perfect for families looking for a little adventure or to spend some time in nature. The scenery, which can be explored by following signposted forest trails or by taking a tour of caves, is glorious, and evenings spent gathering around the fire should create some special memories. Lewis Caveland Lodge has 28 spacious rooms, each with a private balcony or patio overlooking the woods, while there are cottages for bigger families.

New Orleans might be known for its epic parties but the city has a lot to offer families too. It’s pure fun, with colorful buildings, music-filled streets, wonderfully weird museums, and ghost stories galore. Stay at Bienville House, just outside the bustling French Quarter and within walking distance of the Mississippi Riverfront and the city’s most famous attractions. Rooms are classic and cozy, there are two pools, and free lemonade and cookies are served on the rooftop terrace every afternoon.

In the pretty town of Bar Harbor and right next to Acadia National Park, Harborside Hotel combines a fabulous coastal location with thoughtful amenities for all ages. Rooms are decorated in breezy blue tones and most have views over Frenchman’s Bay out to the Atlantic, while lounging around the pool area feels like being aboard the most luxurious cruise ship – it’s right by the water. Book a family suite, with a semi-private bunk bed area for kids.

Jaw-dropping photos of America from above

This chilled out, family-owned resort, within walking distance of Ocean City’s famed boardwalk, has been a favorite since opening in 1953 and has plenty of ways to make kids smile. There’s a pirate-themed water park (open seasonally) with a hot tub, pools, and a snack bar to keep everyone happy. Rooms are relatively simple but that doesn’t really matter when there’s a playground, mini-golf, basketball and volleyball courts and a fun, 1950s-style diner on site.

For a family summer holiday on the adventure playground that is the Cape Cod peninsula, you can’t beat this seasonal resort. Cape Cod Family Resort is, as the name suggests, designed for families traveling with kids. Basic but comfy rooms have mini-fridges, while stays come with free parking, breakfast, admission to the onsite inflatable amusement park, and even meals for guests aged 13 and under. It’s a good base for exploring the rest of Cape Cod or even hopping on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard. The hotel is reopening in June for the summer season.

This Bavarian-themed resort is within walking distance of history museums, riverboat tours and fun souvenir shops, though it’s also a destination in its own right. Bavarian Inn Lodge is right by the Cass River and the theme runs throughout every detail, from the traditional, comforting meals to the costumed staff and the decor in the cozy rooms. Less traditional, perhaps, are the family-friendly arcade games and the indoor water park, which has three pools plus hot tubs and slides.

Tucked in private woods right by Lake Superior, Larsmont Cottages has accommodation spread across its three-bedroom cottages, so you can stay in individual en suite rooms or book one privately so your family has exclusive use of a full kitchen and porch. It makes for a peaceful break with plenty to keep everyone entertained, whether just pottering around the woods, paddling in the water from the lake beach, or taking the provided bikes out on the lakefront trails.

Also known as Jellystone Park, this lakeside resort is a place to stay and play. The theme, of course, is everyone’s favorite picnic-basket-stealing cartoon character, Yogi Bear, though the activities on offer are designed to appeal to all ages. There’s a huge pool with slides, a mini golf course, a playground, tennis court, a 'human foosball' pitch, and even a giant 'jumping pillow', part submerged in the sand. Accommodation ranges from one-room cabins sleeping six to the tucked-away Lakeside Lodge, with room for 12.

The Lodges at Timber Ridge is perfectly positioned for families looking for a balance of world-class attractions and the great outdoors, which is what Branson happens to do best. Surrounded by the Ozark Mountains and a short drive from downtown Branson and Silver Dollar City, the resort has an on-site water park, several pools, two 18-hole golf courses, and even a theater showing Broadway-style musicals. Even the smallest villas sleep up to five people and come with kitchens, separate living areas, and private patios or balconies.

This cute and cozy hotel is so close to Yellowstone National Park that you can see its north entrance from some of the rooms. You might also spot elk grazing around the grounds. These are just a couple of the reasons why this is the best place for families to stay when visiting the park. Park Hotel Yellowstone is wonderfully warm and friendly too, and families can book suites with separate kitchen and living areas. It’s a very short walk to reach the park too.

Read about the amazing wild animals you can see in America’s national parks

This fun and funky hotel makes a wonderful base for families looking to explore Nebraska’s state capital, with attractions including Lincoln Children’s Zoo, and beautiful Sunken Gardens nearby. Graduate Lincoln has a colorful retro theme throughout, from rooms with bold patterns to common areas filled with art and games. Families will appreciate the swimming pool and suites with living areas, interconnecting bedrooms, and even arcade games.

It might be better known as an adults’ playground but the sheer spectacle of Vegas means it’s a delight for kids too, especially if you stay at a family-friendly resort like Mandalay Bay. The property, like many hotels in the city, has an enormous pool complex, complete with a wave pool and lazy river. Even better for kids is the Shark Reef Aquarium, where you can also see green sea turtles and golden crocodiles. Throw easy-going restaurants and shows on site and you have family-friendly Vegas in one package.

If you believe that ending each day with tired, happy children is a sign of a successful family trip, then Purity Spring Resort is the place for you. The family-run resort has rooms and two-bedroom cottages overlooking its private lake or facing the mountains, popular for skiing. There are in-room mini-fridges and microwaves, while the free parking, breakfast, and range of activities, from ice-skating to kayaking, helps keep the costs down.

Classic beach resort Wildwood is perfect for families – there’s so much fun and color at every turn, you can’t help but smile. It’s known for its equally fun and colorful strip of mid-century modern inns known as 'Doo Wop' motels, including this 1950s-opened property. Caribbean Motel, a short walk from the beaches and boardwalk, is a real charmer, restored in aptly retro style with plastic palm trees, crescent-shaped pool, and mid-century furniture. Double rooms come with an extra bed for kids.

Homely rooms and a large hot tub tucked in lush gardens are among the features that make Fiddler’s Inn popular for family stays. There are six en suite rooms, some with kitchenettes and all with fridges and microwaves, while bigger families can book interconnecting bedrooms. In the southeast of the state, it’s perfect if you’re planning to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park, known for its bat-filled caves and desert setting, while there are parks, lake beaches, a water park, and Living Desert Zoo & Gardens nearby.

The city might never sleep but children need to – or you might not have such an enjoyable trip. Shelburne Hotel & Suites should be able to help with that, thanks to spacious suites with separate living areas and sofa beds as well as kitchenettes in studios. Specials for kids include board games, gift packs, coloring materials, and, for an extra fee, a ‘camp-in’ experience where kids can sleep in a teepee. It’s in Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighborhood, close to Grand Central Station and the Empire State Building.

Right by the beach and an easy coastal walk to popular Jennette’s Pier, Surf Side Hotel definitely wins on the location front and it’s great value too. The rooms are perfect for families, with a choice of spacious loft suites that offer an extra sleeping area upstairs, and family suites with three queen beds. There’s free parking, breakfast is included, and guests can also use the seasonal pool and barbecue area.

Motels can be great options for families as rooms are often on the spacious side and equipped with kitchenettes and separate living areas. They’re also usually great value, as with the Badlands Motel. In the heart of North Dakota’s Badlands and close to downtown Medora’s shops and restaurants, it’s a classic park-up-and-stay motor inn with Western-themed rooms, comfy beds, breakfast included, and a large outdoor pool – a much-needed joy on hot days. Larger families can request extra rollaway beds.

The retro, beachfront theme park of Cedar Point is perfect for families with kids of different ages. It sprawls across a peninsula jutting into Lake Erie, and Hotel Breakers offers guests direct access to the park while also spilling onto the beach. The summer resort has its own outdoor water playground and two pools, along with family-friendly restaurants and fun touches such as carousel horses in the lobby. The hotel reopens at the start of May for the summer season.

Motel 6 McAlester is a great budget option for families and ideal if you’re road-tripping through the state. It’s also great fun for all ages, with a pool, bowling alley, and 1950s-style diner that serves the usual burgers and shakes surrounded by memorabilia and cut-outs of Elvis and James Dean. Suites have extra sleeping space thanks to sofa beds, and the free breakfast, diner discount for guests, and use of barbecue facilities are wallet-friendly too.

Animal-loving kids (and adults, for that matter) will adore staying at this 1,800-acre ranch, just north of Bend. Brasada Ranch has an equestrian center where guests can visit the horses and perhaps hop in the saddle for a guided trek. There’s also an athletic center with two outdoor pools, water slide, lazy river and waterfall and a games room. An adults-only spa, plus a handful of adults-only suites, set apart from the family-friendly cabins, strikes a nice balance and keeps different travelers happy too.

Families booking into The Hotel Hershey can get savings on tickets to Hersheypark, a seasonal (April-January) theme park originally founded for Hershey chocolate employees in 1906. Guests also get early access to rides and free entry to attractions including Hershey Gardens and The Hershey Story’s Museum Experience. The hotel strikes a rare balance between elegance and fun, with classically decorated rooms and a kids’ club, the Cocoa Clubhouse. And, of course, there’s chocolate galore.

Free afternoon snacks, a private beach with butler service and a shuttle that will transport you around the area – Ocean House Resort has a lot going for it. It’s in a glorious spot overlooking Block Island Sound and guests can take surfing or paddle-boarding lessons from the sandy beach. The resort runs a summer children’s program, Sand Castles, with a range of fun activities. Book a studio for extra sleeping space (they come with sofa beds), or splash out on one of the cute cottages.

There’s no charge for children under 15 staying with their parents at Vancouver Motel, a wonderful budget option that’s right on the beach with clear views of the Atlantic. It’s just a 10-minute drive from the attractions and restaurants of Myrtle Beach, with Family Kingdom Amusement Park less than two miles (3.2km) away. Other family-friendly facilities include a pool, mini-fridges and microwaves in each room, use of barbecues and free parking. Some of the biggest rooms face the ocean and have full kitchens too.

The vintage-style rooms and cabins at Chalet Motel are cute as buttons and wonderfully cozy. Near Custer State Park in the heart of the Black Hills, the motel has rooms tucked within mini chalets that have pitched roofs, white stuccoed walls, and blue-and-green shutters. Accommodation is simple, with comfy beds and traditional, homely decor, while the free breakfast should set the family up for days exploring the area’s attractions, including Mount Rushmore. Chalet cabins and double queen rooms have two beds to accommodate families.

America's most classic motels for your next US road trip

Dolly Parton fans of any age will adore DreamMore Resort and Spa, part of her theme park Dollywood (guests enjoy early access and fast passes). Even kids who’ve never heard of the country music superstar are bound to love this fun, fanciful, and fabulously family-friendly resort. There’s an outdoor playground and swimming pool complex with waterfalls, plus a spa for adults. The resort is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains, so makes a great launchpad for a range of adventures.

Then and now: captivating images of America's oldest theme parks

Staying at this resort allows families to combine a fun pool holiday with some city culture and history. New Braunfels is known for its mix of history and art, food, and music scenes, while its Gruene Historic District is home to the state’s oldest dance hall. Spend mornings exploring the city and surrounding Hill Country attractions, then return to cool off at the resort’s huge water park or in the pool. There's a range of accommodation types to suit different budgets and group sizes too.

Southern charm: 50 cutest small towns, from Texas to Tennessee 

Babysitting services, family-friendly dining options and two gorgeous outdoor pools are among the features that make this a popular choice for a winter break, though it’s a lovely place to stay in summer too. The lodge has a good range of bigger rooms and suites with separate living areas and kitchens, while the most luxurious have hot tubs on the balconies. The ski slopes of Park City Mountain are a short drive away, while Main Street’s restaurants and shops are within walking distance.

The Essex isn’t just a great place for families to stay. If you like, staff here will plan a whole itinerary for you. The luxury resort has a partnership with nearby Catamount Outdoor Family Center, which has a range of hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country ski trails, and will also happily recommend the best places to eat and things to do in Burlington and on Lake Champlain. The resort itself has rooms sleeping up to six, and is surrounded by grounds with tennis courts, pools, and access to a golf course.

Just across the street from Busch Gardens Williamsburg, this resort has suites sleeping up to six people and options for combined suites sleeping up to 12, so it’s a great option for larger families or mixed groups visiting the park. The huge outdoor living museum of historic Williamsburg is close by too, for when people want a break from the rides and wildlife encounters of the theme park.

Some kids (and adults) might balk at the idea of going off-grid (there’s no wifi or phone signal here) but they’ll soon get over it. Kalaloch Lodge is the only hotel along this driftwood-strewn coastline, with rooms and various cabins to suit different families. Most have wood-burning stoves and small kitchens, so you can self-cater. But the best thing really is the location, with glorious beaches, trails, and the velvety-green Hoh Rainforest all on the doorstep.

Seek out America’s most unspoiled places

This activity hub and hotel is perfect if you just want to get somewhere – and stay there. There’s white-water rafting, rock climbing, horseback riding, and zip-lining, while the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is right next door. There’s also an on-site water park (open in summer) set on a lake, while roomy cabins come with their own kitchens and hot tubs. Children under five eat for free at the lakeside smokehouse.

Your state's most beautiful Airbnb revealed

You can walk to beautiful Lake Minocqua in around 10 minutes from this resort – or just hang around on site and enjoy the indoor and outdoor pool and water park (access included with every stay). Book a clean, cozy room sleeping up to six (including breakfast) that comes with microwaves and fridges, dine in the pub-style restaurant, and use it as a base for exploring nearby attractions, including Wildwood Wildlife Park.

These are the most unusual places to stay in every state and DC

Cowboy Village Resort is an ideal place to stay for a family trip to Grand Teton National Park, whose peaks, forests, and glacial lakes are a short drive away. It’s also just a short walk from Jackson’s lively town square and there’s a free shuttle taking guests to the ski slopes in winter. Accommodation is in cute cabins with a range of sleeping options (including bunk beds). Kids will love visiting the nearby National Elk Refuge, and you can add on a trip to Yellowstone National Park, a scenic hour’s drive from here.

Now discover the best B&B in every state and DC