It’s a treasured photo in our household: our 13-month-old daughter perched on her dad’s shoulders, sporting her little white coverup and glamorous daisy sunglasses. They’re grinning, standing in the courtyard of the JW Marriott Marco Island in south Florida. Our first true getaway as a family of three, the weekend fills me with vivid, happy memories— thanks in large part to the resort staff’s conscious effort to cater to families with littles.
Of course, vacationing with a toddler has a lot of potential for meltdowns, snags and sideways looks from other hotel guests. To guarantee smooth sailing and happy campers, look to a property that specializes in crowd-pleasing for all ages, from parents to preschoolers. Here are eight foolproof options.