Spotlight Hotel
Family-Friendly Travel by Age
Where to Vacation with Babies and Toddlers
These resorts and cruises can help make vacationing with the littlest travelers less stressful – and a lot more fun.
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August 06, 2025
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While traveling with a baby or toddler might sound like an ordeal, more families are leaning in – and finding that it’s a worthwhile way to create early memories and get a welcome change of scenery. According to our 2025 Global Travel Trends Report, parents increasingly see travel as something to share with kids from the start, not save for later.
Set yourself up for success by staying at a hotel that understands what young families need: spacious accommodations, toddler-friendly pools, flexible dining options, and practical amenities at the ready.
To get you going, we've selected beachfront resorts with ample nonstop service from US cities, plus a few airlines and cruises doing right by families.
Explore our series of family travel recommendations by age:
Rosewood Baha Mar | The Bahamas
A beach escape doesn’t get much more laid-back than Baha Mar. Located along Cable Beach, this upscale resort collection offers spacious rooms, with cribs and playpens available upon request. Guests of Rosewood Baha Mar also receive complimentary entry to Baha Bay Waterpark, including shallow splash zones and mini slides on Kid Island. And when it’s time to wind down, stroll the lush, stroller-friendly grounds – home to flamingos, giant tortoises, and other wildlife.
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa | Cayman Islands
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, a Card Member favorite where families can take advantage of evening babysitting services for children ages 2+ (with advance booking). Older siblings can join the fun at Camp Seafire, an activity-packed program for kids ages 5-12 with a variety of crafts, supervised water play, and outdoor adventures. Everyone can cool off at Splash at Seafire, the on-site water park with gentle slides and shallow splash zones. And mealtime is one fewer thing to stress about thanks to three restaurants offering kid-friendly classics.
Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba | Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Ideal for families who need room to spread out, this tucked-away Riviera Maya resort offers an all-inclusive package, plus spacious three- and four-bedroom villas with full kitchens – convenient for keeping pace with unpredictable nap schedules and early bedtimes. Babysitting and certified nanny services give grown-ups the chance to sneak in a spa visit or poolside downtime. Fairmont Heritage Place, Mayakoba is within the the larger Fairmont Mayakoba property, meaning that its guests can access nature trails, stroller-friendly paths through mangroves and lagoons, and a variety of dining options.
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas | St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Right on the beach, this elegant resort caters to families with infants and toddlers through its Béaba Baby Concierge Service – ready to dole out everything from baby gear to baby food, so you can pack light. Toddlers will love the kids-only pool with a mini slide, along with the sensory fun of playing on the white-sand beach. Adults who score a little time to themselves can kick back at the private infinity pool. Peaceful and scenic, it’s a top pick for traveling with tiny humans. And with nonstop flights from major U.S. cities and no passport required for U.S. citizens, it’s also one of the easiest Caribbean getaways out there.
Loews Miami Beach Hotel | Miami, Florida
This South Beach spot makes swim time a breeze for families, thanks to a zero-entry accessible pool and amenities like swim diapers, floaties, toys, and sunscreen. To help navigate unpredictable moods and schedules, families can opt to rent a SOAK Cabana, complete with A/C, a bathroom, a TV with kid programming, a cabana concierge, and other perks for up to six guests. There's also a kids club available to entertain any 4-to-10-year-olds. Book a complimentary session with the hotel's photographers to capture baby's first SoBe stay -- and check our Miami Travel Guide for more advice.
Mission Pacific Beach Resort | San Diego, California
Steps from Oceanside Beach, this modern boutique resort blends coastal chic style and original artwork with family-friendly comforts. Suites with kitchenettes and cozy lounge areas make it easy to prep snacks and settle in for nap time, plus the resort can provide essentials like pack-and-plays. When it’s time to hit the beach, the resort offers complimentary lounge setups and cabanas for extra privacy and sun protection. From the resort, you can easily stroll the oceanfront pier and pop into restaurants and shops. It's a short drive to the San Diego Zoo, which has exhibits and play areas designed for the littlest humans.
*
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
Daily breakfast for two
$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Guaranteed 4pm check-out
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
*,3
12pm check-in, when available
Room upgrade upon arrival, when available1
$100 credit to use towards eligible charges2
Late check-out, when available
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
3The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
Royal Caribbean
If the idea of unpacking once and having everything you need in one place sounds appealing, a Royal Caribbean cruise might be your ideal setup. These ships are built with families in mind, with stroller-accessible walkways, dedicated splash zones, and plenty of changing stations. For parents of little ones aged 6–36 months, the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery offers supervised care and age-appropriate play while the parental caregivers take a load off. With kid-friendly dining, early boarding, and long stretches of onboard entertainment, cruising makes it easy to explore some of the best places to travel with toddlers – minus the hassle of planning it all out.
Plus, the Cruise Privileges Program* offers up to $300 in onboard credit per stateroom, plus earn 2X Membership Rewards® points, per eligible cruises of 5-nights or more bookings through American Express Travel on your Platinum Card.4
Learn more about how to find the cruise that suits your style.
4Ship and stateroom exclusions apply, please see full terms and conditions.
Qatar Airways
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines keeps it refreshingly simple: no seat selection fees so families can sit together, priority boarding for those traveling with kids under 2, and lap infants under 2 fly free.
Delta Air Lines
Delta helps make the in-flight experience more manageable for families. Kid-friendly meals are available on all international flights and on first-class domestic flights. Plus, Delta allows those traveling with car seats and strollers to board early after Delta One customers, Diamond Medallion members, and Delta Premium Select customers.
Qatar Airways
The Quad Qsuite offers forward- and rear-facing seats so you can keep your kiddos in sight while still having your own space. Bassinets are available for infants, and two adjacent Qsuites can convert into a double bed – perfect for stretching out.
Emirates
Families flying with babies and toddlers through Dubai International Airport (DXB) can take advantage of complimentary strollers and an airport trampoline playground before boarding. On the plane, young kids have access to more than 150 entertainment channels and fun take-home toys to help the hours fly by.
As a Platinum Card® Member, enjoy access to savings for up to 8 passengers per itinerary on select tickets in first class, business class, and premium economy with participating airlines on designated international flights booked through American Express Travel®. Eligible Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary. You may also find savings on select tickets with limited participating airlines on designated domestic flights. Platinum Card and Centurion Members receive reduced fares compared to fares available for other American Express® Card Members through Amex Travel™.
Get more out of your getaway with American Express
Enjoy savings on select tickets with Delta Air Lines on designated domestic flights through Amex Travel™ with Platinum Member Airfares™*. Platinum Card and Centurion Members receive reduced fares compared to fares available for other American Express Card Members through Amex Travel™. Plus, earn 5X Membership Rewards® points* on flights purchased directly from airlines or Amex Travel [up to $500,000 per calendar year] while also earning airline miles on these bookings as you typically would. Card Members must provide airline loyalty number when booking through Amex Travel™. Airline loyalty program rules apply and are subject to change.
Get more out of your getaway with American Express
Refuel in comfort thanks to the American Express Global Lounge Collection®. It enables Platinum Card Members to enjoy complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges in over 500 airports around the world. Terms apply.
Get more out of your getaway with American Express
Global Dining Access by Resy* gives eligible Card Members special access to sought-after restaurants across the globe when you add your eligible Card to your Resy profile. Access to exclusive reservations, premium dining experiences, Priority Notify, and more, all from the Resy app.
Get more out of your getaway with American Express
Make your trip unforgettable through unique tours and activities booked at gyg.me/amex. Terms apply.
Get more out of your getaway with American Express
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