Planning a family getaway? Taking your entire family on vacation can be costly, but these budget-friendly hotels may make that escape you’ve been dreaming of more doable. There is a little something for everyone, from tropical all-inclusive hotels to cozy mountain getaways.
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Breezes Resort & Spa - Nassau, Bahamas
Less than an hour by plane from Miami, not only can you frequently score cheap Bahamas flights, but staying at the Breezes Resort & Spa is an outstanding budget alternative to all of those pricey all-inclusive resorts that average $500 or more a night. One of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Bahamas, you’ll have access to a wide range of amenities for less than half that price, and there is no tipping allowed either. You’ll find three outdoor pools, a swim-up bar with submerged seating, and get direct access to the unspoiled white sands of Cable Beach. Nightly entertainment, sailing, rock climbing and more are all included, and there are five dining options, including a diverse buffet and a la carte options, along with four bars.
Ocean Coral & Turquesa - Puerto Morelos, Mexico
Ideal for families with children, the Ocean Coral & Turquesa in Puerto Morelos, Mexico has a children’s pool with built-in chaise lounges complete with air jets so the kids can splash around while parents relax in the water with an exotic drink. One of the cheapest all-inclusive resorts in the world, it features two side-by-side oceanfront resorts that share a beautiful stretch of beach shaded by palapas that are framed by an azure sea that holds the second largest barrier reef in the world, along with multiple pools, a luxury day spa and an array of restaurants serving international cuisines.
El Conquistador Resort, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico offers a gorgeous slice of the Caribbean at affordable prices – plus, as a U.S. commonwealth, no passports are needed, and flights from the mainland are relatively inexpensive too. Enjoy the exotic vibe with pristine sandy beaches, wildlife-filled tropical rainforests, and a private island stay at El Conquistador. Overlooking the Atlantic, it has its own water park, waterslides, pools, and a lazy river for the whole family. Rooms are extra spacious and feature flat-screen TVs – most come with ocean-view balconies. Book the inclusive package, and you have won’t to worry about constantly pulling out your wallet with rates that include access to the spa, games, golf, entertainment, dining, and more.
Holiday Inn Resort Beach House - Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head offers pleasant spring temperatures for enjoying the beaches and activities like kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, parasailing, horseback rides and golfing. There’s over a dozen championship golf courses and more than 50 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails along with value-priced hotels like the Holiday Inn Resort Beach House. One of the best oceanfront resorts in Hilton Head, it provides a refreshing coastal retreat for families just steps away from Hilton Head Island’s Coligny Beach on the most desirable strip of South Carolina’s shores. The onsite restaurant serves up delicious cuisine, along with breathtaking views of the Atlantic.
Royal Solaris - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Located on the beach in Cabo, the Royal Solaris is among the most popular option in Cabo for families when it comes to both affordability and perks. Enjoy multiple dining options, relaxing spa treatments, and a beautiful, large outdoor pool. The property hosts everything from four dinner shows every week to special themed nights and a kids’ club with water slides, kites, and dancing lessons allowing parents to relax while the younger ones play. The beach isn’t swimmable, but it’s the perfect place to unwind, with plenty of space and loungers underneath thatched umbrellas.
Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging - Cape Hatteras Island, North Carolina
Cape Hatteras Island offers a budget-friendly beach vacation, with a multitude of tranquil stretches of sand to relax on as well as the chance to enjoy more active pursuits like scuba diving, surfing, standup paddleboarding and fishing. You can stroll the pristine shore, search for seashells and other treasures, then visit Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, one of the most famous lighthouses in the United States. Stay at the highly-rated and inexpensive Lighthouse View Oceanfront Lodging, where you’ll find cozy rooms with mini-fridges, cable TV and coffeemakers, while upgraded rooms include furnished decks with lighthouse views and kitchenettes. Soak up the sunshine at the private beach, then enjoy the on-site pool, sundeck and hot tub.
Highland Center Lodge - Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
The White Mountains are considered the crown jewel of New Hampshire. They’re home to the highest peak in the Northeast and filled with pristine lakes and dense forest. By staying at the American Mountain Club’s rustic Highland Center Lodge, you’ll have access to all types of activities, including guided hikes to the Presidential peaks while learning about the area’s geology, nature and picking up some outdoor skills. Make a splash in the pools underneath Arethusa or Ripley Falls, or go rock climbing at nearby Frankenstein Cliffs. The lodge itself serves hearty home-cooked meals that will refuel you for more adventures, with all meals included in the room rates,
Moon Palace Resort - Cancun, Mexico
Moon Palace Resort is a huge all-inclusive that lies along the Mayan Riviera in Cancun. There are modern rooms to choose from, all featuring the usual amenities and then some. Kids and adults alike will appreciate the massive on-site pool, water park and swim-up bar along with multiple dining options, a mini-golf course, tennis court and one of the top kids’ clubs in the region. There are separately designed rooms that serve as various entertainment purposes, including a mini racetrack, mini-theater, arcade and art room. Perfect for a day of relaxation, parents can also visit the resort’s on-site spa for a luxurious body treatment.
Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort, Trinidad & Tobago
One of the best budget-friendly beach resorts across the globe, the Magdalena Grand Beach & Golf Resort is set among a virgin mangrove forest and lush tropical vegetation. Best of all, it offers the ultimate island escape at a more affordable price. It includes lots of family-friendly features, like three large swimming pools and an activity-packed kids’ club where little ones will have the chance to learn about Tobago’s green, leatherback and hawksbill turtles. A free shuttle will bring you to popular Pigeon Point beach, while the complimentary buffet breakfast offers lots of tasty hot items, including an omelet station. Rooms feature ocean-view balconies and even marble baths, along with numerous dining and drinking options, including a piano bar and a coffee shop.
El Cozumeleno Beach Resort - Cozumel, Mexico
Cozumel is considered one of the Western Hemisphere’s top diving destinations. If you want to explore this spectacular underwater world without shelling out an arm and a leg, El Cozumeleno, facing the Caribbean Sea directly on a white sand beach, is an affordable all-inclusive resort that can help make that a reality. The spacious rooms feature terraces and balconies with garden or sea views, while you’ll probably be spending most of your time in the water, diving, swimming, and snorkeling. There are five swimming pools too, including one with a swim-up bar.
Riu Palace Mexico - Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Although this Playa del Carmen hotel includes “liquor drips” with free tequila right in your hotel room, it’s not a destination for spring breakers, as no parties are allowed in rooms, and no wild partying can happen on the property either. It does, however, offer a memorable vacation at a budget price, surrounded by tropical palms on a beautiful powdery white sand beach. The buffet restaurant serves up a wide variety of dishes, while themed international restaurants and live cooking shows are included in the all-inclusive packages. You can also swim in the freshwater pool set right next to the sea and indulge in pampering treatments and massages at Renova Spa. Entertainment is offered daily and includes dancing, live music, and shows.
St. James Club Morgan Bay, St. Lucia
A family-friendly property along the beautiful shores of Choc Bay in St. Lucia, the St. James Club hosts a half-dozen restaurants, four swimming pools, a water sports pavilion and a fantastic kids’ club along with the impressive Tranquility Body & Soul Spa that overlooks the Caribbean. Treatments include massage and reflexology, salt glow scrubs, deep cleansing facials, and detox seaweed wraps. Despite the long list of amenities, its all-inclusive rates can’t be beaten anywhere on this island. Rates include food and drink at all of its eateries, along with a wide range of entertainment and activities. All rooms have a private balcony or terrace, and many come with full ocean views.
Founders Inn and Spa - Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach offers nearly 30 miles of beaches and three miles of boardwalk to stroll along with a wide range of attractions like the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center which showcases marine life like sharks, rays and sea turtles. Although it’s not right on the beach, the Founders Inn and Spa offers an affordable stay that includes a kids’ playground and an outdoor pool with a 25-foot-high covered waterslide and another indoor pool. Rooms come with modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges and coffeemakers.
Kelly Inn West Yellowstone - West Yellowstone, Montana
Yellowstone is a massive, nearly 4,000-square-mile park that is home to fascinating geothermal features, including hot springs, mud pots, and geysers, than anywhere else on Earth. The park is also famous for its wildlife, with an abundance of bison, elk, and Bighorn sheep, along with wolves and bears. By staying just outside the park, you’ll find multiple budget-friendly options, like Kelly Inn West Yellowstone just a 10-minute walk and a complimentary shuttle from Yellowstone National Park. The rustic rooms and suites feature pine-log furniture, flat-screen TVs, and pillowtop mattresses, while upgraded rooms have pull-out sofas. Unwind with a dip in the indoor pool or relax in the hot tub and sauna.
Waterside Inn - Chincoteague Island, Virginia
Waterside Inn offers you the chance to soak up the small-town charm of this serene island destination off the Virginia coast that’s home to wild ponies, foxes and more than 320 species of birds. If you time your visit right, you can watch the wild horses swim across the channel during the annual Pony Swim, which typically occurs in late July. The Waterside Inn is an ideal place to base your stay, with cheap room rates and a family atmosphere. It hosts its own pier for fishing and crabbing, a marina and a seasonal outdoor heated pool that overlooks Chincoteague Channel.
