USA TODAY 10Best
Woodloch Resort named Best Family-Friendly Resort
Best Family Resort (2022)
These resorts cater to families with a host of awesome amenities, including kids programs, childproofed rooms (with multiple bedrooms), gourmet dining with kid menus, and access to essentials, like cribs and baby swings.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Family-Friendly Resort are as follows:
- Omni La Costa Resort & Spa - Carlsbad, California
- Barnsley Resort - Adairsville, Georgia
- Grand Hotel - Mackinac Island, Michigan
- C Lazy U Ranch - Granby, Colorado
- Big Cypress Lodge - Memphis, Tennessee
- The Broadmoor - Colorado Springs, Colorado
- The Phoenician - Scottsdale, AZ
- Lakehouse Hotel & Resort - Lake San Marcos, California
- Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- Woodloch Resort - Hawley, Pennsylvania
Photo courtesy of PeopleImages // Getty Images
No. 10:
Adventure is on the horizon at Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. Located near many tourist attractions, guests can easily access beaches and shopping districts. Pay a visit to the spa, play a round of golf, or dive into a swimming pool with the kids; anywhere you go, there is fun for the whole family. Exceptional services and in-room amenities include luxurious bedding, a custom-designed desk with convenient outlets and ports, and pet-friendly accommodations. Signature experiences like specialty shops, tennis courts, and the athletic club are also offered at the resort.
Photo courtesy of Barnsley Resort
No. 9:
Just an hour from Chattanooga and Atlanta, Barnsley Resort is a historic North Georgian estate filled with Southern charm. Exceptional cuisine, a relaxing spa, cozy accommodations, shops, and more add to the appeal that keeps bringing families back. Golf, horseback riding, archery, ax throwing, tennis, hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities appeal to those wanting to connect with nature or be inspired by history.
Photo courtesy of Grand Hotel
No. 8:
Guests at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island might find themselves on rocking chairs on the world's longest porch overlooking the Straits of Mackinac. There's a lot for families to love as well: a 220-foot heated swimming pool, biking and horseback riding, lawn games in the gardens and Family Added Value Days in the summer months with additional activities and savings.
Photo courtesy of C Lazy U Ranch
No. 7:
The traditions of the American West are alive and well at C Lazy U Ranch in Colorado. This luxury guest ranch offers 43 rooms of varying sizes, including three bedroom cabins ideal for families. Visitors to this four seasons property can go horseback riding, practice cattle pushing, hike, mountain bike, cross country ski or go snowshoeing between hearty, family-style meals.
Photo courtesy of Big Cypress Lodge
No. 6:
At Big Cypress Lodge, families will be inspired by the nature-themed activities and attractions and find the ideal place to connect and adventure into the “great outdoors.” Journey 300 feet up the Memphis Pyramid in the largest free-standing elevator in the US, and step onto glass observation decks to see downtown Memphis and the spectacular Mississippi River. Surround yourself with underwater sea creatures as you bowl at the Fishbowl bowling lanes, and spend educational time learning about wetlands, conservation, and native Mississippi fish.
Photo courtesy of The Broadmoor
No. 5:
The history of The Broadmoor — an iconic hotel in Colorado Springs — dates back to 1918 when it welcomed its first guests. John D. Rockefeller was the hotel's first celebrity guest, staying the night of June 1, 1918. Today, the 5,000-acre resort offers a full-service spa, three golf courses, and a stellar hotel restaurant, The Penrose Room. Accommodations are thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of every guest. Ziplining, fly fishing, and falconry are among the favorites of the outdoor excursions offered.
Photo courtesy of The Phoenician
No. 4:
Relax in luxurious style in a contemporary guestroom, casita, or suite at The Phoenician, an upscale resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. The spacious accommodations have oversized bathrooms with Italian marble accents and oval bathtubs, high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, and private terraces or balconies with breathtaking views. Some of the resort amenities include five pools, a five-star spa, an 18-hole golf course, complimentary wine tastings (while the kids enjoy the fabulous Kids Club), a 24 hour fitness center, and walking tours.
Photo courtesy of Lakehouse Hotel & Resort
No. 3:
Unwind and relax at the Lakehouse Hotel and Resort, where the fun is endless. Outdoors, the hotel offers firepits, hammocks to pass the time, tennis, pickleball, and golf. Throughout their stay, guests can enjoy family boat rides, swimming pools, and specially designed rooms and cottages. Join in on the local events throughout the year and explore the marina during your stay at Lakehouse.
No. 2:
Inspired by the pillars of togetherness, storytelling and family, Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa offers park goers a welcoming place to kick back and relax in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee just minutes from the theme park. Amenities include an interactive splash pad, zero-depth entry pool, door-to-door transportation to the park and Dolly touches throughout.
Photo courtesy of Woodloch Resort
No. 1:
The Woodloch Resort welcomes families to the Poconos with accommodations ranging from single rooms to two-bedroom suites. Meals are served family-style, and guests enjoy access to a range of activities daily, with amenities like a rock climbing wall, indoor and outdoor pools, go karts, bumper cars and boats, kayaks and snow tubing in the winter.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning resorts!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most... Read More
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a... Read More
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Lawrence Horwitz
Lawrence Horwitz is Executive Director of Historic... Read More
Lawrence Horwitz is Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. Based in Washington DC, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, the official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, include more than 300 of America’s most prominent historic hotels and more than 300 of the finest historic hotels in 45 countries worldwide. As the leader in marketing to the global historic, heritage and cultural travel market, both programs include historic hotels from more than 40 of the finest global chains, brands, and collections. As active partners of organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, White House Historical Association, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Organization of American Historians, and National Park Foundation, Horwitz leads a global marketing and tourism organization dedicated to increasing the recognition and celebration of the finest historic hotels and to promoting cultural and heritage travel to the world’s greatest prestigious treasures.
Lawrence Horwitz
Lawrence Horwitz is Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. Based in Washington DC, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, the official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, include more than 300 of America’s most prominent historic hotels and more than 300 of the finest historic hotels in 45 countries worldwide. As the leader in marketing to the global historic, heritage and cultural travel market, both programs include historic hotels from more than 40 of the finest global chains, brands, and collections. As active partners of organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, White House Historical Association, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Organization of American Historians, and National Park Foundation, Horwitz leads a global marketing and tourism organization dedicated to increasing the recognition and celebration of the finest historic hotels and to promoting cultural and heritage travel to the world’s greatest prestigious treasures.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
