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The Best Luxury Family Vacation Spots in Florida
Florida works for family travel in a way very few places do, but only if you choose the right destinations and the right place to stay.
The difference between a stressful trip and a great one often comes down to space, privacy, and whether your accommodation is designed for real family life, not just sleeping between activities. That’s where Florida’s best luxury family destinations stand apart: they combine warm weather, kid-friendly activities, and homes that feel integral to the vacation.
This guide focuses on the best luxury family vacation destinations in Florida – places that offer more than theme parks or beach access alone. Each destination is paired with Wander stays that give families room to spread out, amenities that keep everyone happy, and the flexibility that hotels simply can’t match.
→ Browse all luxury Florida vacation rentals here
At a Glance: Best Luxury Family Destinations in Florida
Best for beachfront family living: Anna Maria Island
Best for pool-first vacations: Marco Island
Best for space + entertainment: Destin
Best for quieter, uncrowded beaches: Palm Coast & Flagler Beach
Best for waterfront adventure: The Florida Keys (Marathon)
Best for scenic, under-the-radar trips: Melbourne Beach
1. Orlando (Kissimmee Area)
Why it’s ideal for luxury family vacations
Orlando may be famous for its theme parks, but the smartest family trips don’t spend every waking hour in them. Staying in Kissimmee allows families to enjoy Disney and Universal while still having a private retreat to come back to — one with pools, game rooms, and space to decompress.
January through spring and fall are especially good for families looking to avoid heat fatigue and peak crowds.
Family-friendly things to do
Walt Disney World and Universal Studios
Water parks and character dining
Resort pool days and rest days built into the schedule
Outlet shopping and casual dining
Golf courses and nature preserves nearby
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Orlando Fairway – Designed for families who want balance: a movie theater for wind-down nights, a hot tub for parents, an arcade machine for kids, and a meditation room when you need quiet.
Wander Orlando Cove – High-energy, high-comfort. A golf simulator, water slide, sauna, themed room, and movie theater make this ideal for multi-generational trips where everyone wants something different.
Wander Orlando Sky – A full resort-style home with pool, sauna, gym, hot tub, game room, movie theater, and fireplace — perfect for families who want luxury without leaving home base.
Wander Orlando Lotus & Wander Orlando Park – Both built specifically for memory-making, with themed rooms, game spaces, theaters, and layouts that actually work for families traveling together.
2. Anna Maria Island (Holmes Beach & Bean Point)
Why families love it
Anna Maria Island offers something rare: a beach destination that feels genuinely relaxed and safe for families, without sacrificing beauty or comfort. It’s walkable, bikeable, and slower-paced — which makes it ideal for traveling with kids of different ages.
Family-friendly things to do
Calm beach days on soft, shallow shores
Bike rides across the island
Dolphin cruises and paddleboarding
Sunset walks at Bean Point
Casual beachfront dining
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Holmes Beach – A Bali-inspired family retreat just steps from the sand, with a heated saltwater pool and fire feature that turns evenings into something special.
Wander Anna Maria Shores – One of the best family-focused luxury homes on the island, featuring a rooftop fire pit, heated pool with slide, arcade game room, and Gulf views — designed so kids and adults both feel catered to.
Wander Serendipity Sol – A beachfront stay with direct access, pool, gym, sauna, and watersports gear — ideal for families whose vacation revolves around the water.
3. Sanibel Island & Captiva Island
Why they work for families
These islands are perfect for families who want to slow things down. There’s less stimulation, more nature, and plenty of room for kids to explore safely. Wildlife, shelling, and biking paths make learning and play feel effortless.
Family-friendly things to do
Shelling walks in the morning
Biking across Sanibel
Visiting J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge
Boat tours to spot dolphins and manatees
Quiet beach picnics and sunset rituals
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Sanibel Views – A beachfront condo with direct sand access and community amenities, perfect for families who want ease and convenience.
Wander Sanibel Breeze – A rare standalone beachfront home with a pool and spa, ideal for longer family stays where space really matters.
Wander Captiva Eden – A once-in-a-lifetime beachfront estate with private beach access and heated pool/spa — perfect for milestone family trips.
Wander Casa Captiva – A refined beachfront sanctuary with pool and hot tub, designed for families who want luxury without formality.
4. Marco Island
Why it’s a luxury family favorite
Marco Island offers resort-level polish in a residential setting. Families who value comfort, calm water, and private outdoor space tend to love it here — especially those traveling with teens or grandparents.
Family-friendly things to do
Dolphin-watching boat tours
Pool mornings followed by beach afternoons
Exploring the Ten Thousand Islands
Day trips to Naples
Relaxed dining with Gulf views
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Marco Crystal – A luxury home with a custom saltwater pool, spa, and outdoor kitchen — designed for all-day outdoor family living.
Wander Marco Shores – A modern canal-front retreat with a pool/spa and thoughtful interiors that work well for groups.
Wander Marco Pearl – Waterfront living with bay views, a private dock, pool, and hot tub — perfect for boat-loving families.
5. Destin (Emerald Coast)
Why families choose Destin
Destin delivers classic “Florida beach vacation” energy — white sand, clear water, and lots of space. It’s especially good for larger families and group trips where entertainment and outdoor living are priorities.
Family-friendly things to do
Henderson Beach State Park
Dolphin cruises
Beach days with shallow Gulf waters
Pool-focused afternoons
Casual evenings grilling at home
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Destin Beach Crystal – Steps from the beach, with a heated private pool, game room with bar, and multiple balconies that make it easy for families to spread out.
Wander Destin Beach – A three-story luxury home with a heated pool, spa, putting green, kids’ game room, and even a free golf cart — ideal for big family trips.
6. Palm Coast & Flagler Beach
Why it’s great for quieter family trips
These coastal towns are perfect for families who want beach access without crowds. January through spring and fall are especially appealing for relaxed, routine-free days.
Family-friendly things to do
Long beach walks
Coastal parks and nature trails
Day trips to St. Augustine
Simple evenings around the fire pit
Fully unplugged days
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Palm Coast Waterfront – A Cinnamon Beach retreat with pool, hot tub, infrared sauna, rooftop terrace, and resort amenities — designed for families who want comfort and calm.
Wander Flagler Beach Modern – A beachfront home with sauna, hot tub, fire pit, elevator, and game room — perfect for family stays where the house is part of the experience.
7. The Florida Keys (Marathon)
Why families love it
The Keys offer a different kind of family trip — slower, more outdoorsy, and centered around water. Marathon is especially well-suited to families thanks to its accessibility and variety of activities.
Family-friendly things to do
Snorkeling and reef tours
Sombrero Beach days
Fishing charters
Sunset dinners on the water
Easy day trips along the Keys
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Sombrero Oasis – A waterfront showpiece with a private dock, saltwater infinity pool, and rooftop patio — ideal for water-first family vacations.
Wander Marathon Key – A three-story retreat with pool, hot tub, dock, and expansive balconies overlooking the ocean. A great option for longer family stays (7-night minimum).
8. Melbourne Beach
Why it works for families
Melbourne Beach is under-the-radar in the best way. Families who want beach access, outdoor activities, and a more local feel without crowds often find it’s exactly what they’re looking for.
Family-friendly things to do
Kayaking and paddleboarding on the Intracoastal
Fishing and dock days
Evening beach walks
Pool afternoons and BBQ dinners
Flexible, no-rush itineraries
Where to stay with Wander
Wander Melbourne Beach – A renovated waterfront home with a pool, hot tub, private dock, putting green, games, and a fireplace — designed for families who want togetherness and space.
Wander Melbourne Beach Shores – A modern oceanfront home with sweeping Atlantic views, private beach access, and a sparkling pool. Floor-to-ceiling sliders fill the space with light and open directly to the coastline, creating an easy, elevated beachfront stay that works beautifully for relaxed family trips.
Why Luxury Family Travel in Florida Works So Well With Wander
Luxury family travel isn’t about being flashy – it’s about ease.
It’s about having enough bathrooms, enough space, enough privacy, and enough to do without constantly leaving the house. Wander’s Florida vacation rentals are designed with that reality in mind, offering pools, game rooms, saunas, movie theaters, private docks, and layouts that actually support family life.
Whether your ideal family vacation looks like beach days, theme parks, island exploring, or doing very little at all, Florida offers the setting, and Wander provides the stay that makes it all feel seamless.
Explore luxury vacation rentals in Florida with Wander →
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