The 10 best family-friendly hotels in Key West, Florida for a super chilled vacation

Oceans Edge Resort and Marina pretty much blows most other Key West hotels out of the water. And water is a big deal here. This superb Stock Island resort has six - six! - delicious outdoor swimming pools, plus a list of family-friendly activities that takes longer to recite than it takes your three year old to respond to the instruction: go downstairs, please. This includes paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, cycling, parasailing, diving, snorkelling… and so on and so forth. You can also access day tours and other pre-arranged activities like a full-day catamaran experience, a Wild Dolphin & Snorkelling day and an excursion to the amazing Dry Tortugas National Park. They also provide extra cots for free, something very few hotels in this neck of the woods seem to do.

Mood? So. Much. To. Do. 
Location perks? All those pools mean you’ll never have to worry about overcrowding.
Budget range? You’d be surprised at some of the rates you can find here.

Situate yourself on the Gulf of Mexico for a holiday with big tropical vibes and even bigger rooms. One of the resort’s major boasts is offering the most spacious accommodation in town, whether that’s a room, a suite or a whole villa. As we all know, space is super important when traveling as a ‘we’ and not an ‘I’, but that’s certainly not the only reason to book a stay here. Seriously beautiful pools (all four of them), plus unrivaled beach access and a wide variety of water sports, plus diving and snorkeling all add to the allure. They also offer a specialized Garden View Family Suite with a full living room, two balconies and three beds. Added bonuses include free kids beach toys and games, a kids-friendly menu at the onsite restaurant and a kids Scavenger Hunt. 

Mood? A genuinely high class and family friendly holiday.
Location perks? Unbelievable waterfront views.
Budget range? Quite high but there’s a lot on offer here.

The Coconut Beach Resort is on the Atlantic side of Key West and encapsulates all that the town is famous for. Namely, a seriously laid-back attitude and great proximity to all things surf-and-sand. A family vacation is made easier thanks to the availability of suites with full kitchenettes (some even have stovetops and dishwashers). The beach is super close and the resort’s concierge can help with booking a whole host of watersports, including snorkelling, diving and fishing. The area’s famously delicious restaurants are all within a comfortable distance but you also have the option of using the onsite barbeque facilities and doing a little evening grilling (and pre-bed s’mores melting).

Mood? Cool, calm and relaxed.
Location perks? Check out the nearby Astro City Playground.
Budget range? A price that won’t raise your stress levels (too much).

Head to where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Atlantic Ocean to stay at a place saturated in sunshiny feelings. Its pool has a ‘zero-entry’ feature which makes it great for visitors with disabilities and for little ones who like to build up from a paddle to a swim. It’s another place where you can book true home-from-home suites with super useful kitchen facilities (extra points for a tumble dryer which might just save your bacon when the little one kicks off about putting on a slightly damp swimming costume). There’s fab access to a beach plus the options of snorkelling, windsurfing and fishing nearby. We love the spacious dining areas in the suites themselves but do remember you can also use the onsite barbeques. 

Mood? A fun, tropical holiday for everyone.
Location perks? Explore the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, directly opposite the hotel.
Budget range? Leaving you plenty to spend on Duval Street.

This welcoming hotel has much to attract families thanks to its combination of practical add-ons (a free shuttle into town; fridges and microwaves in rooms; connecting rooms available and a free extra cots policy) and its fun outdoor features including a geat, sweeping pool and some nice grassy areas with a tropical feel and an outdoor cinema screen. It’s just across the water from the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden, and you can borrow bicycles from the hotel to help you explore the wider area.

Mood? Perky and colorful.
Location perks? Take a ten minute stroll to the Old Town. 
Budget range? Some great prices to be grabbed here.

Yes, we know - a place with ‘margarita’ in its name doesn’t sound like somewhere to take your kids (and certainly not you want-to-be-older teen). But this extensive resort right next to Smathers Beach is a great place to rock up to with kids. The suites provide plenty of non-bedroom space (although note: no kitchen facilities) which is perfect if you want some breathing space while getting ready in the mornings. The pool is lush, it’s very close to the beach and there’s a family-friendly restaurant with coloring for the young ones. Best of all, there’s free cookies and lemonade in the lobby each day.

Mood? Wholesome island feels.
Location perks? Right next to the island’s largest beach. 
Budget range? Ranging from ‘mid’ upwards.

As refreshing as a warm sea breeze, the Opal Key Resort and Marina will get the grown-ups’ vote thanks to its stunning surrounds while also happily accommodating the kids too. The marina location makes it easy to combine lots of pool time with some more ambitious water sports (note: the outdoor pool is also heated, which is always a nice bonus). The bistro is family-friendly with kids meals available, and you can request extra beds and cots for free. If you need some downtime away from the children, there’s always the golf course less than 3km away.

Mood? That Florida Keys mood.
Location perks? Key West aquarium is definitely worth the short trip.
Budget range? Slightly steeper but still good value.

Key West is a great spot for beach lovers - we all know that, right? But if you’re more about the poolside experience (and, tbh, the contained environment of a pool can be a lot less stressful than a full-on beach day with a young family), we recommend coming here. This Marriott-owned hotel has an easy-on-the-eye pool with centerpiece poolside cabanas. The relaxed decor makes it feel welcoming to all-ages and there’s a buffet breakfast (useful for - don’t say ‘picky’- discerning eaters). You can also rent bicycles to use when exploring the wider area. 

Mood? Poolside life.
Location perks? A great spot to make regular Old Town trips from.
Budget range? OOh! Prices to snap up fast!

A stylish boutique hotel-slash-resort, The Capitana Key West comes with its own slice of private beach and a pretty damn nice pool to boot. There are opportunities for scuba diving, fishing and other activities nearby, or you can simply rent one of the six beach cabanas and while away the hours on the sand. The rooms come with fridges and microwaves and you can request extra cots at no charge. We really rate the general ambiance of the rooms here. They feel a little luxe while also being bright, beachy and relaxed - a lot like Key West, really!

Mood? Nautical coolness.
Location perks? Your own personal stretch of beach.
Budget range? In the middle - and a little cheaper than you might expect.

Suites are always a good idea when traveling as a family, particularly if your littles ones are still little enough to not be allowed their own separate hotel room yet. We particularly rate them, however, when it comes to a beach holiday like the one you might well be planning for Key West. The suites here all come with full kitchens (although the poolside smoothies and slushies will also get whole-family votes) and have a warmer, more homely feel to them than those in most places. There are two outdoor heated pools along with a whole splashy smorgasbord of watersports and bicycling adventures to be had. Children under 12 stay for free.

Mood? Cozy, homespun feels.
Location perks? Both beach and town await your footsteps.
Budget range? Middle-y.