9 Miami Beach Hotels for Families that Promise Plenty of Sandy Fun

A grand retreat in the heart of South Beach, the Loews Miami Beach offers a resort feel with expansive grounds, multiple on-site restaurants, and a gorgeous pool surrounded by luxurious cabanas. The spacious suites are ideal for families, with separate sleeping and living areas to accommodate different sleep schedules.

The hotel’s SOBE Kids Club has full- and half-day programs for kids between the ages of 4 and 12, with activities like crafts and pizza-making classes. Little ones will love having their own breakfast buffet at Preston’s Market, while parents will appreciate the Family Happy Hour at Nautilus poolside bar, where drink specials and lawn games go hand in hand.

The beach is just across the boardwalk, with rows of padded chaises and a toy area set up with supersized Connect Four and sandcastle-making supplies. Cap off your visit with a complimentary photo session with a professional photographer on the beach just outside the hotel.

Sure, this classic Miami Beach resort is known for having one of the most notorious nightclubs in the city on its grounds, but the Fontainebleau also happens to be an ideal destination for families. Part of that has to do with its size—there are over 1,500 guest rooms, 11 different pool experiences, and enough restaurants to please even the pickiest eaters.

Chef Michael Mina’s Pizza & Burger is especially welcoming for families, with table games, lively music, and an approachable menu of crowd-pleasing fare. Fontainebleau’s on-site bakery Chez Bon Bon is the perfect place for an after-dinner treat. As for entertainment, the shallow family pool is ideal for youngsters, while the poolside cabanas are an indulgent place to escape the heat. FB Kids’ Camp is led by certified Adventure Guides who keep attendees (ages 4-12) busy with scavenger hunts, music, and games while parents relax in the spa or by the beach.

Situated in a historic Art Deco building on busy Collins Avenue, the Surfcomber has a more intimate feel than some of South Beach’s larger resorts. The rooms are casual and colorful with a midcentury modern vibe—a look that extends into the hotel’s Instagrammable common areas.

The pool is a modest size, surrounded by inviting chairs and lush vegetation along with a few life-size grazing farm animal statues that kids love. Poolside cabanas offer shade and comfortable, private seating with perks like bubbly and fruit trays. The beach is just a few steps away, with chaises and beach beds reserved for guests. Check the hotel’s calendar for family-friendly activities like family yoga, ping-pong competitions, concerts, and arts & crafts.

There’s a high-end look to the W South Beach, but parents with well-behaved kids will fit right in with the hotel’s fun and funky vibe. One-, two-, and three-bedroom suites are available for all different family sizes, and there are studios for those who want more of a homey vibe with a private kitchenette.

W’s large heated pools mean swimming is on the agenda all year long, while the rooftop tennis courts give guests a dryer alternative with a side of ocean views. First time playing tennis? Newbies can sign up for a junior tennis clinic with a tennis pro through the concierge.

The hotel boasts a wide swath of beach with cheery red-and-white striped umbrellas, and a beach bar called Irma’s that’s perfect for a round of happy hour cocktails and mocktails. Want to explore more of South Beach? Grab a few loaner bikes and hit the boardwalk for a family ride.

With Miami Beach’s longest pool stretching from its lobby to the beach, the National Hotel offers plenty of room for guests of all ages to splash around. Though renovated in 2014, the historic hotel maintains close ties to its Art Deco past, with a subdued, classic style that stands out from the bling of so many South Beach properties. The popular Sunday Blues Brunch keeps the timeless vibe going with live music by the pool and bottomless mimosas.

From here, it’s a quick walk to local attractions like Lincoln Road, Espanola Way, and the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. You won’t find a ton of kid-focused amenities here, but it’s a comfortable, central, and budget-friendly spot for families to base their Miami explorations.

Natural touches abound at the 1 Hotel South Beach, from reclaimed wood accent walls to organic mattresses and sheets. The hotel’s seven dining options highlight local, organic purveyors. For health-conscious families on the go, the on-site Neighbors market is quick and convenient.

The 30,000-square-foot Center Pool has 180-degree ocean views and an adjacent casual restaurant serving coastal fare. For fun beyond the pool, check the schedule for diverse events like fitness classes, butterfly releases, full moon parties, and concerts. And for the kiddos, 1 Hotel’s Seedlings program has a natural, educational focus, inviting little guests to join activities like tree-planting and shell-hunting.

Offering a “European approach” to family-friendly travel, Cadillac Hotel and Beach Club put an emphasis on distinctive experiences for the whole family. There’s a family pool area with a shaved ice cart and a kids’ concierge who can give you advice on what to do while you’re in town. They also host regular events like Family Movie Night.

The hotel claims a full city block stretch of sand, with chairs, umbrellas, games, and snorkeling equipment available for rent, along with food and drink service right to your beach chair. Inside Cadillac, the guest rooms have a Mediterranean feel, with views of Biscayne Bay and the city skyline or the Atlantic.

Upscale and artsy, the Faena Hotel doesn’t overlook its youngest guests. This mid-beach hotel arranges activities and entertainment for kids like expert-led pastry classes and sand soccer.

The palm-fringed pool is small compared to some, but welcoming and relaxing, with butlers standing by to supply fruit-infused water or sunglasses-cleaning. Comfy chaises and umbrellas are complimentary on the beach, which tends to be a bit less crowded than parts of South Beach. Inside Faena, the guest rooms and common areas are decorated in a vibrant, over-the-top style that kids and adults alike will appreciate.

Don’t be put off by the luxe look of the Miami Beach Edition. This hotel is all about fun, from its on-site bowling alley and skating rink to the two ocean-facing pools surrounded by park-like gardens.

The hotel’s standard rooms and suites are decorated in a soothing color scheme with rain showers, high-end linens, and 24-hour room service. For even more space and luxury, opt for a one- or two-level bungalow. The top-level bungalows include a roof deck and a private plunge pool.

Families flock to the Sandbox, a little tropical nook just off the pool with a ping-pong table, hammocks, and an outdoor movie screen. Just beyond that, the beach has exclusive access for hotel guests with comfortable chaises, umbrellas, and towel service. When hunger strikes, Market at Edition is a food hall-style eatery from Michelin starred chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten that’s equal parts patisserie, boulangerie, and salumeria—and totally kid-friendly.