Keep the vacation expenses down and the adventure level up with these affordable, kid-friendly hotels that are perfect for your next family vacation. Don’t think that these are bare-bones spots—scroll through to see all the amazing resort perks that are in store for your “budget” vacation! With rates of $200/night or less, you’ll have more bucks to spend on exploring the local area.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch | Scottsdale, AZ
The beauty of the majestic McDowell Mountains, palm trees, cacti, wildflowers, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired architecture, and the spirit of native peoples combine to create the Southwestern elegance of the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch. Enjoy the many recreational amenities this desert oasis has to offer including a 2.5-acre water extravaganza complete with 10 pools, 20 fountains, 45 water spills and its signature sandy beach.
Dry Creek Inn | Healdsburg, CA
Located in the gorgeous, family-friendly town of Healdsburg, the Dry Creek Inn offers easy access to restaurants, tasting rooms and shopping, as well as outlying wineries and bicycle trails. The property also offers two swimming pools, two hot tubs, a fire pit and outdoor fireplaces, so plenty of space to relax in style. There is also a steam, sauna and fitness room.
Guest rooms in the inn's Villa Toscana section have amenities like gas fireplaces, ergonomic workspaces, bathrooms with granite countertops, and jetted whirlpool tubs with separate showers. Some of these rooms have a private patio or balcony. The accommodations in the Casa Siena wing are more standard. All rooms have refrigerators, tea/coffee makers, and flat-screen TVs. Through the summer there are many nights when rates can be had right around $170/night. And, you can find our massive list of local family-friendly activities here.
Greek Peak Mountain Resort | Cortland, NY
Catering to adventurous kids and adults of all ages, Hope Lake Lodge at Greek Peak is located in the storybook village of Cortland, NY in the Finger Lakes region with amenities for the entire family with easy access to the Cascades Indoor Waterpark and the Adventure Center with zip-lines, ropes courses, Euro Bungee and mountain coaster.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Scottsdale, AZ
Set against the backdrop of Arizona’s McDowell Mountains, the AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess reflects its Southwestern setting with Spanish colonial-style architecture, expansive plazas and lush, flower-filled gardens. The resort features 750 oversized guest rooms, including 69 Fairmont Gold rooms and suites, six sparkling heated swimming pools—including a new white sand beach, the luxurious 44,000 square-foot Well & Being Spa, championship golf at adjacent TPC Scottsdale, the Trailblazers Kids Club & Family Adventure Center and personalized concierge services offering access to exciting activities to satisfy everyone.
Radisson Blu Mall of America | Bloomington, MN
Radisson Blu Mall of America is a top place to stay for families, conveniently connected to Mall of America via skyway and a short drive or Metro ride away from downtown Minneapolis. The hotel features 500 fashion-inspired guest rooms, a gym, indoor saline pool, farm-to-table restaurant, and gives families easy access to the nation’s largest indoor theme park, Nickelodeon Universe, located inside Mall of America.
To keep kiddos active during their stay, Radisson Blu Mall of America created family-friendly #BluRoutes perfect for a brisk or leisurely stroll around Bloomington. The hotel is also located within walking distance of the scenic Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, which offers over 46 miles of trails.
The Kimpton Goodland Hotel | Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL
Tucked just one block from the beach in Fort Lauderdale’s North Beach Village lies the brand-new Kimpton Goodland Hotel - Fort Lauderdale Beach. A sunshine-dappled world onto itself, this property is the perfect enclave to savor peaceful moments—and also shake up the party. As the area’s first true boutique hotel and the brand’s first-ever property in the destination, the 96-key property invites families to experience and celebrate a brand-new lodging concept in Fort Lauderdale.
An adaptive reuse of the historic Escape Hotel, which originally opened in 1950 as the first year-round resort in Fort Lauderdale, The Goodland blends in with the mid-century, nostalgic look and feel of its original structure and the neighborhood, offering a cool and carefree Fort Lauderdale experience. An iconic addition to the area, The Goodland spans three two-story buildings, inclusive of signature restaurant Botanic at The Goodland, two private pools, guest-favorite Kimpton services, amenities, and perks like morning coffee and tea service, evening social hour, complimentary PUBLIC bikes, in-room yoga mats, kid-friendly programming, and a pet-friendly policy.
Mar Vista Farm + Cottages | Gualala, CA
With 11 cottages and a small farm set upon nine acres along Mendocino County’s “secret coast,” Mar Vista is safety in seclusion, a mindful escape where life slows down, and physically distanced by design for guests to reconnect with the land, themselves and each other. You can find all our favorite things to do with kids in Mendocino here.
It’s a great spot for families with kid-friendly activities like feeding the on-property goat triplets, chicken chats and farm-fresh egg collection at the hen house, and the kids “Cottage 13” playhouse.
Edgewater Inn Restaurant & Marina | Ketchikan, AK
For those looking to book an affordable bucket-list trip of a lifetime, Edgewater Inn Restaurant & Marina in Ketchikan, Alaska (just 90 minutes form Seattle) provides a picture-perfect destination for families, groups or couples. Situated at the southernmost entrance to Alaska’s iconic Inside Passage, conveniently located minutes from downtown Ketchikan and with rates starting at just $180 per night, the hotel is the perfect home base for budget-minded families looking to explore spectacular southeast Alaska.
Edgewater Inn allows guests to experience the best that Alaska has to offer, from enjoying a deep-sea fishing excursion or taking in the vast natural splendor of the Tongass National Forest to shopping in downtown Ketchikan. The hotel offers 46 charming guest rooms, with rustic, locally inspired décor, an on-site dock and full-service marina for fishing and sightseeing excursions. Guests can enjoy delicious meals at Edgewater’s on-site restaurant while enjoying beautiful waterfront views and fresh locally caught seafood dishes.
Retro Inn | Cortez, CO
Recently renovated, this fun motor-style inn—where all of the doors connect directly to the parking lot and each room has its own heating/air conditioner unit—features rooms themed for the year of the room number (i.e. Room 1956 for Elvis Presley). Retro Inn is pet-friendly and conveniently located in Cortez—only 10 minutes to the world-famous Mesa Verde National Park.
THE ROW | Reno, NV
THE ROW Reno offers affordable room rates, accommodations and activities for the whole family to enjoy. At all three of THE ROW’s distinct properties, Eldorado, Circus Circus and Silver Legacy, guests can find room rates under $200 (on select days), some even ranging in the double-digits. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the reimagined and remodeled Carnival Midway at Circus Circus, featuring 40 arcade-style games including the world largest Pacman and Space Invaders games all at the XP Arcade.
Boasting 25 restaurants across the three properties, there are plenty of dining options to choose from for the whole family to enjoy. Spice up the evening with a lively atmosphere and authentic Mexican cuisine at Circus Circus’ El Jefe’s Cantina or attend a comedy show with big-name headliners at the Laugh Factory.
Tru by Hilton Orlando Convention Center | Orlando, FL
Located just a short car ride from Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Downtown Orlando, Tru by Hilton Orlando Convention Center Area is the perfect hub for any family vacation. After fun-filled days at the parks, guests can come back to the hotel and enjoy a swim in the outdoor pool or play games in the lobby.
Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square - South | New York, NY
Just steps away from Times Square, families can discover New York City at their own pace while staying at Homewood Suites by Hilton New York/Midtown Manhattan Times Square - South, NY. Times Square, award-winning Broadway shows and Madison Square Garden events are all within walking distance. Families can also venture out and discover some of the best restaurants and attractions nearby. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast and WiFi.
Gravity Haus | Breckenridge, CO
Gravity Haus Breckenridge is the adventure destination and social community for the modern adventurer. The tech-forward boutique hotel features a modern alpine design and 60 distinctly-curated rooms that include an 'all-in-one' combination suits featuring both bunks and private sleeping areas for families. Designed to activate a community of like-minded outdoor enthusiasts year-round, Gravity Haus offers ongoing insider experiences ranging from outdoor excursions to social programming for families.
Through the brand’s in-haus Colorado Adventure Guides, guests can enroll in awe-inspiring year-round activities and guided trips tailored to all ability levels, from beginners to advanced, to help guests get out and explore the high country in Summit County. Excursions include backcountry and nordic skiing, snowshoeing, 14er accents, stand up paddle boarding, rafting, rock climbing, and more. The Colorado Adventure Guides team is made up of ski patrollers, search and rescue professionals, avalanche educators, and passionate mountain adventurers.
The Landmark Resort | Egg Harbor, WI
The Landmark Resort is located on 40 wooded acres in scenic Door County and offers free wireless internet access, heated swimming pools, whirlpools, steam rooms, casual dining and plenty of resort amenities for adults and children. The resort features 294 one-, two-, and three-bedroom suites that are great for families of all sizes. Kids will enjoy exploring the hiking path and playing on the on-site playground. Door County has loads of outdoor activities, fish boils and more—check out all of our recommendations. Rates start at $86/night.
Knott's Berry Farm Hotel | Buena Park, CA
Located steps away from the Knott’s Berry Farm theme park and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark, the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel perfectly combines comfort and fun to provide families of all ages with the most enjoyable stay possible. One of the hotel’s most unique and charming features is the 16-room wing of Snoopy-themed guest rooms. Each night, Snoopy visits these guest rooms and offers bedtime tuck-in services for kids for a dog-gone delightful ending to a fun-filled day at Knott’s Berry Farm! Suggestions for other activities in the Orange County area can be found here.
Ski Tip Lodge | Keystone, CO
Founded as an 1800s stagecoach stop and later as the homes to Keystone Mountain’s founding family, the Ski Tip Lodge is one of the most historical buildings in the ski industry today. As one of the longest operating lodges in all of ski country, Ski Tip Lodge is a beloved and charming B&B where locals and visitors alike come to enjoy fireside aprés and signature appetizers from Ski Tip's AAA Four Diamond Chef all year long. This past summer, Ski Tip Lodge underwent a refresh to it’s rooms and interior design to elevate the experience to match the level of service and quality of the restaurant while still keeping the charm and history of its past.
Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel | Waikiki, HI
This charming and affordable beach hotel in Waikiki is newly renovated, centrally located on Kalakaua Avenue next to Honolulu Zoo and directly across from the beach. The property features whimsical architecture (designed to resemble a Chinese lantern) and bright ocean-inspired interiors. Families will love the hotel’s perks: catch a free hula show under the banyan tree on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays; children receive a free beach pail, shovel and mini goldfish toy per room; and surfers can store their boards in a special locker.
—Kate Loweth
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