Family Resorts in Miami Beach Made for Joy

Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach South Beach

Courtyard by Marriott Miami Beach South Beach

Mariott Courtyard

Alright, ready, located at 1530 Washington Avenue, Mariott Courtyard seems to be a good choice to start with. It is at a strategic location, which is very close to the popular Lincoln Road Mall, very nice, and is two blocks away from the Convention Center, where the sand, sun, and sea are accessible.

This smaller version of the first Mariott at Miami Beach offers a family the choice to connect guests’ rooms, or up to 4 suites if you are willing to part with more money.

There are 8 one-bedroom suites available for smaller families. Older children would enjoy the 32-inch flat-screen TV as well as the high-speed internet access. They can rent game consoles and movies from the front desk. One perk for the parents is an in-house Starbucks available downstairs.

Photo Gallery

Guest Love: Excellent value for the money and location: Excellent location. very clean. confortable bed. there is a nice bar and bistro.

★★★
Mariott Courtyard

1530 Washington Avenue, South Beach – Very central
Seasonal pricing – click to check current rates

Distance to Beach: 550 meters
Location: Excellent, close to the beach
Comfort: Comfortable bed
Amenities: Nice bar and bistro

See Dates & Rates

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

The Ritz-Carlton South Beach for family

Ritz-Carlton South Beach

If you are looking for something high-end for your entire family to enjoy, then you should take a look at Ritz-Carlton South Beach located at One Lincoln Road. This oceanfront hotel offers the choice of one-bedroom suites or two adjoining rooms for families. Now, the best feature of the Ritz Carlton for families is hands down their in-house children’s program which would take care of your children aged 5 to 12 years old with pool-side activities and games for half a day, and even a full day.

The folks at the Ritz Kids Camp start working at 9 am, and all you have to do is register your kids and leave them there with sunscreen and swimwear, and they will be in the care of qualified supervisors.

Drop your kids there while you and your partner enjoy a rejuvenating couples massage at the Ritz Spa, as well as dinner for two at the in-house Evolution Restaurant headed by chef David Bouley.

Photo Gallery

Guest Love: Amazing stay, would stay here again next time in South Beach: The service and staff from the reception to the restaurants (shoutout to Gobi!) to the beach staff and cleaning crews went above and beyond for us.

★★★★★
Ritz-Carlton South Beach
One Lincoln Road, South Beach – Very central
Seasonal pricing – click to check current rates

Distance to Beach: 100 meters
Location: Excellent, close to Ocean Drive
Comfort: Comfortable bed
Features: Balcony and Spa

See Dates & Rates

Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Loews Miami Beach Hotel for family. Loews Miami Beach Hotel for family.

Loews Miami Beach Hotel

If you fear Ritz Carlton might burn a hole in your pocket, head over a block away at 1601 Collins Avenue and you will find the family-oriented Loews Miami Beach.

Depending on the size of your family, you could choose either connecting suites or junior suites for you and your family. Roll-out beds could be requested, and the suites are quite spacious, throughout 750 square feet which allows space for up to 2 rollaway beds.

The kids would also love to know that they are allowed to borrow Game Boys at the desk, as well as DVD players with age-appropriate titles to help them curb boredom – which rarely happens.

Photo Gallery

Guest Love: Exceptional: The location is ideal in the city, it has a very nice beach directly adiacent to the hotel pool, all is perfectly serviced by very nice personal.

★★★★
Loews Miami Beach Hotel
Collins Avenue, South Beach – Very central
Seasonal pricing – click to check current rates

Distance to Beach: 150 meters
Location: Near Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road
Comfort: Comfortable bed and pillow
Features: Fitness center and Golf course (within 2 miles)

See Dates & Rates

Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel Oceanfront South Beach

Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel Oceanfront South Beach laid-back playground

Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel

One more? Sure, right at 1717 Collins Avenue lies the Kimpton Hotel, a moderately priced popular hotel. Offering both city-view and ocean-view rooms and suites, the Surfcomber is often booked way ahead of time. Located only two blocks away from the Miami Beach Convention Center and directly north of the Ocean Drive hubbub.

It is strategically located right across Lummus Park and close to the ocean. Depending on your family size, you may choose either the one-bedroom suite which could home up to 4 guests or the two-bedroom suite could home up to six guests.

Photo Gallery

Guest Love: Amazing stay: Great location.. had a really lovely atmosphere and setting especially around the pool.

★★★★
Kimpton Hotel
Collins Avenue, South Beach – Very central
Seasonal pricing – click to check current rates

Distance to Beach: 250 meters
Location: Near Lincoln Road Mall
Comfort: Comfortable beds
Features: Balcony, Sea View, Spa

See Dates & Rates

What to do with your family

Party With The Monkeys

blankHead over to 14805 SW 216th Street in Cutler Ridge and your kids would love it if you take them to the Monkey Jungle there. Opened back in 1933, and originally as a place to study primates, it is now a wildlife park where visitors are allowed to walk in the enclosed center with the monkeys running free.

Buy some raisins from the gift shop for your little ones and give them the experience of feeding the ever-hungry monkeys. Howeverbe very careful here as the monkeys here are free, and could get in very close distance. Whether your child wants to feed them or not, do watch closely for naughty monkeys. There is also a Wild Monkey Swimming Pool and their exhibition of the Amazonian Rain Forest.

There are various activities and the trainers there would be more than happy to answer questions regarding the primates. However, if your children do not fancy the wildlife, enjoy a game of bowling instead at the Lucky Strike Lanes off Lincoln Road.

Dining Options For the Family

Head over to 1654 Meridian Avenue to enjoy Cuban cuisine at David’s Two Café. They offer a very good menu, and the prices are affordable. Among their signature dishes is the Arroz Con Pollo, a Cuban cuisine that serves yellow rice with chicken in huge portions – enough to pass around. Another good choice is the Bistec Empanizado, which is popular among children, a steak which had been sliced thin and breaded, served alongside rice with black beans. A must-try for the parents is their Café Cubano, a super-strong espresso that would re-ignite that energy for a continued walk.

When you bring your family on a vacation at Miami Beach, you should be on a budget as the headcount is higher and it is easy to overspend. However, it does not pose a problem to dine with a budget. For a good and affordable breakfast, head over to 516 Espanola at Espanola Way and enjoy the French pastries at A la Folie Café.

If you and your kids love pizzas, Hosteria Romana is located just nearby at 429 Espanola.

The waiters here are very sporting and they do their best to entertain guests while taking orders. For hearty sandwiches intended for beach picnics, La Sanwicherie at 229 14th Street east of Espanola. Their fresh-baked croissant, known as baguette is very delicious, especially if you add on sliced meats and salads with sauces. Their juice bar offers healthier drinks like vegetables and fruit smoothies.

If you are not a fan of sandwiches and would prefer grilled hot dogs and beef, head over to Dogma at 15th Washington. Another affordable steakhouse and grilled food is the Classic Steakhouse located at 1 Washington Avenue. During the quiet nights, bring your family to Taverna Opa to experience a truly Greek dining experience at 36 Ocean, where it is loud, and party all week long.

Once you had enough of the boisterous Greek diner, you could try out Smith & Wollensky, which is very much the opposite. It has a great view of the sea though. Once everyone is full of dinner, take a family walk at South Pointe Park.

There are plenty of places for you to bring the kids if they ever have a sweet tooth and feel like having some ice cream. Frieze Ice Cream Factory is one of the popular spots to head to which would help quench that sugar craving, located at 1626 Michigan Avenue.

They offer a variety range of flavors that would satisfy any ice cream freak. They also serve sorbets for those who want to watch their figures while enjoying the sinful taste of delicious ice cream. The Ice Box Café is worth a visit as well at 1657 Michigan Avenue, as it is dubbed by Oprah Winfrey as the “Best Ice Cream in America“. This place is perfect for family, but it only opens during brunch, lunch, and dinner times. You could enjoy their ice cream on the sidewalks, perfect for taking a walk.

Family-Friendly Fun in Miami

Take your kids shopping at Genius Jones or Gap Kids on Lincoln Road, close to Lucky Strike Lanes, a rock and roll-themed bowling alley for kids until 9 pm. For a fun, wet experience, head to Flamingo Park (11th Street & Jefferson Avenue), where kids can enjoy the interactive pool for just $4. The park opens at 8:30 am until sunset and offers a sports complex and gym for parents.

If you’re willing to travel, visit Parrot Jungle Island on Watson Island, home to wild cats, monkeys, and the famous Godzilla lizard. Kids can feed the animals and take photos with them, while enjoying shows like “Reptile Giants” and “Winged Wonders.” The Lakeside Café offers affordable meals for families.

For outdoor adventures, take the family to Oleta River State Park for biking, kayaking, and canoeing. The nearby Marlin Café offers seafood and affordable kids’ meals. Enchanted Forest Elaine Gordon Park offers horseback rides, or kids can pet and feed ponies.

For a sweet treat, visit Knaus Berry Farm for fresh strawberry milkshakes and cinnamon swirls. From January to April, pick your own fruit.

Lastly, check out Miami Metro Zoo or the Miami Seaquarium for more wildlife adventures, including feeding sessions and wildlife shows. If you’re up for a longer trip, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo offers activities like snorkeling, swimming, and a glass-bottom boat tour.

Stop by Mutineer Restaurant in North Miami to enjoy a meal and feed waterfowl and goats with provided food.

Back To The Sandy Beaches!

It is your final few days in Miami,so it is time to enjoy the sandy beaches of Miami Beach. A family-friendly beach would be Biscayne Bay, especially with its tour boats which could bring you and your family on a Miami Beach tour.

The Duck Tours offer the best boat tour rides as they choose the best spots for sightseeing, and are often a hit with families. Another popular tour ride is the El Loro Pirate Ship, a more pirate-themed tour suitable for your children.

A whole day at the beach would make anyone hungry, so bring your kids for a hearty snack at the food court located on the second floor of the Bayside, or if it is dinner time head over to Los Ranchos instead to enjoy Latin-inspired steaks and seafood grills. The prices here are quite affordable as well. For a more American meal, head over to Hard Rock Cafe located at 401 Biscayne Boulevard.

There are so many things to do in Miami for special family time.

There’s no better way to bond with your family compared to take them on a family vacation, and Miami provides the chance to experience the best family vacation. Just be sure to make proper planning ahead, and you should be able to enjoy your time with your family and ensure everybody returns home with smiles on their faces!

0 replies on “Family Resorts in Miami Beach Made for Joy”