The 2,024-room New York-New York Hotel and Casino is an upper-middle-range themed property with a roller coaster located right on the Strip, within easy walking distance of casinos, shops, and bars. The property offers all the usual features found at most other Vegas resorts -- including a lively casino and multiple restaurant options such as a buffet and steakhouse -- but the mellow vibe and huge arcade with dozens of machines make it more suitable for families than for young partiers. Rooms, while spacious and comfortable, have seen better days and lack coffeemakers and mini-fridges, though that’s common for Vegas. An outdoor pool, roller coaster, dueling piano bar, and provocative Cirque du Soleil show are some of the property’s standout features. Rates are reasonable for the location, but families looking to stay on the northern end of the Strip may want to compare rates at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino.
The 2,024-room New York-New York Hotel and Casino is an upper-middle-range themed property with a roller coaster located right on the Strip, within easy walking distance of casinos, shops, and bars. The property offers all the usual features found at most other Vegas resorts -- including a lively casino and multiple restaurant options such as a buffet and steakhouse -- but the mellow vibe and huge arcade with dozens of machines make it more suitable for families than for young partiers. Rooms, while spacious and comfortable, have seen better days and lack coffeemakers and mini-fridges, though that’s common for Vegas. An outdoor pool, roller coaster, dueling piano bar, and provocative Cirque du Soleil show are some of the property’s standout features. Rates are reasonable for the location, but families looking to stay on the northern end of the Strip may want to compare rates at Treasure Island Hotel & Casino.
Paradise doesn't come cheap. Striking but sober mood-lit design, impeccable service, three pools (each a different temperature), and a prime beachside location make the Setai one of the best hotels in Miami. The 133 rooms are huge and immaculate, with handmade Duxiana king-sized beds, espresso machines, rainfall showers, bathrobes and slippers, stocked minibars, and free Wi-Fi in all. Food and drink offerings range from the modern Asian restaurant Jaya to the poolside Ocean Grill, plus several of Miami's best restaurants are just half a block away. For even bigger rooms and a more kid-friendly vibe, consider 1 Hotel South Beach.
Paradise doesn't come cheap. Striking but sober mood-lit design, impeccable service, three pools (each a different temperature), and a prime beachside location make the Setai one of the best hotels in Miami. The 133 rooms are huge and immaculate, with handmade Duxiana king-sized beds, espresso machines, rainfall showers, bathrobes and slippers, stocked minibars, and free Wi-Fi in all. Food and drink offerings range from the modern Asian restaurant Jaya to the poolside Ocean Grill, plus several of Miami's best restaurants are just half a block away. For even bigger rooms and a more kid-friendly vibe, consider 1 Hotel South Beach.
The upscale 213-room Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa is located on the north end of Fort Meyers, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Matanzas Harbor. This self-contained, condo-style resort has several pools, including a kids' pool, and bright rooms all have full kitchens. Bowditch Point Park nature preserve is just next door, and the city's own bustling Times Square is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Breakfast is free, and the beach restaurant and bar are major highlights as well. The Pointe Estero Beach Resort has similar features and will be cheaper, but the Pink Shell's on-site activities make it a popular choice for families.
The upscale 213-room Pink Shell Beach Resort & Spa is located on the north end of Fort Meyers, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Matanzas Harbor. This self-contained, condo-style resort has several pools, including a kids' pool, and bright rooms all have full kitchens. Bowditch Point Park nature preserve is just next door, and the city's own bustling Times Square is a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Breakfast is free, and the beach restaurant and bar are major highlights as well. The Pointe Estero Beach Resort has similar features and will be cheaper, but the Pink Shell's on-site activities make it a popular choice for families.
The 251-room Princeville Resort is considered by many to be the premier luxury option in Hawaii, and given the stunning setting overlooking Hanalei Bay, it's hard to disagree. Guests can expect warm, sophisticated decor, suites with personal butler service, world-class golf, and a memorable breakfast buffet on a terrace with gorgeous ocean views. The discerning clientele this resort attracts will find little to fault, though if one had to nitpick, the formal dress code might not appeal to everyone, and food prices -- as one might expect at this caliber of property -- are steep. The location on Kauai's lush, ruggedly beautiful northern coast makes for natural beauty that's unparalleled, but rain is more frequent here and the beach, though lovely, doesn't have the finest sand.
The 251-room Princeville Resort is considered by many to be the premier luxury option in Hawaii, and given the stunning setting overlooking Hanalei Bay, it's hard to disagree. Guests can expect warm, sophisticated decor, suites with personal butler service, world-class golf, and a memorable breakfast buffet on a terrace with gorgeous ocean views. The discerning clientele this resort attracts will find little to fault, though if one had to nitpick, the formal dress code might not appeal to everyone, and food prices -- as one might expect at this caliber of property -- are steep. The location on Kauai's lush, ruggedly beautiful northern coast makes for natural beauty that's unparalleled, but rain is more frequent here and the beach, though lovely, doesn't have the finest sand.
With rock-bottom rates and tons of family-friendly features, the mid-range Circus Circus Hotel & Casino is a popular option on the Las Vegas strip. The mega hotel’s 3,773 dingy rooms are not the main attraction, instead the on-site amusement park, waterslides, arcade, and hourly circus performances attract families looking for affordable fun on the strip. However, guests should expect crowds everywhere. Also on the downside, cleanliness issues are common throughout the property, and rooms are quite drab and worn, plus they lack mini-fridges. On-site dining options are limited (by Vegas standards) and other amenities like the fitness center and beauty salon are underwhelming. For better accommodations on the strip, families should check out Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, though it’s pricier.
With rock-bottom rates and tons of family-friendly features, the mid-range Circus Circus Hotel & Casino is a popular option on the Las Vegas strip. The mega hotel’s 3,773 dingy rooms are not the main attraction, instead the on-site amusement park, waterslides, arcade, and hourly circus performances attract families looking for affordable fun on the strip. However, guests should expect crowds everywhere. Also on the downside, cleanliness issues are common throughout the property, and rooms are quite drab and worn, plus they lack mini-fridges. On-site dining options are limited (by Vegas standards) and other amenities like the fitness center and beauty salon are underwhelming. For better accommodations on the strip, families should check out Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, though it’s pricier.
After a top-to-bottom $100 million renovation in 2016, the four-pearl Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui feels like a new property. The hotel’s 547 guest rooms are housed in low-rise buildings spread across the well manicured property. They’re decorated with sleek furnishings and are stocked with nice amenities like Nespresso machines and flat-screen TVs. Four pools and a water park cater to all kinds of travelers, and varied dining options keep the food scene interesting. Additional amenities include a spa, fitness center, family game room, and a small movie theater, but the biggest disappointment is the resort’s indirect access to Wailea Beach. Though it’s an oceanfront property, there is, ironically, no beach in front of the Wailea Beach Resort. Guests must walk to the nearby Grand Wailea in order to access the sand. Travelers looking for a truly beachfront property may prefer Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, though it isn’t as upscale.
After a top-to-bottom $100 million renovation in 2016, the four-pearl Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Maui feels like a new property. The hotel’s 547 guest rooms are housed in low-rise buildings spread across the well manicured property. They’re decorated with sleek furnishings and are stocked with nice amenities like Nespresso machines and flat-screen TVs. Four pools and a water park cater to all kinds of travelers, and varied dining options keep the food scene interesting. Additional amenities include a spa, fitness center, family game room, and a small movie theater, but the biggest disappointment is the resort’s indirect access to Wailea Beach. Though it’s an oceanfront property, there is, ironically, no beach in front of the Wailea Beach Resort. Guests must walk to the nearby Grand Wailea in order to access the sand. Travelers looking for a truly beachfront property may prefer Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, though it isn’t as upscale.
One of the only hotel-style properties in Kihei, the three-pearl Maui Coast Hotel offers some of the best amenities in the area. The 265-room hotel has a beautiful pool, an on-site restaurant and pool bar, a modern fitness center, and a nicely maintained tennis court. Plus, it offers freebies like parking, Wi-Fi, and borrowable beach bikes. Rooms are traditional hotel-style spaces (not condo units) with flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and outdoor spaces, but decor is generic. Maui Coast is a three-minute walk from Kamaole Beach Park I, and within walking distance of local shops and restaurants. The nearby Aston at the Maui Banyan might appeal to travelers looking for condominium-style units, but the property lacks Maui Coast’s on-site amenities.
One of the only hotel-style properties in Kihei, the three-pearl Maui Coast Hotel offers some of the best amenities in the area. The 265-room hotel has a beautiful pool, an on-site restaurant and pool bar, a modern fitness center, and a nicely maintained tennis court. Plus, it offers freebies like parking, Wi-Fi, and borrowable beach bikes. Rooms are traditional hotel-style spaces (not condo units) with flat-screen TVs, microwaves, and outdoor spaces, but decor is generic. Maui Coast is a three-minute walk from Kamaole Beach Park I, and within walking distance of local shops and restaurants. The nearby Aston at the Maui Banyan might appeal to travelers looking for condominium-style units, but the property lacks Maui Coast’s on-site amenities.
The massive upper-middle-range Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark is one of Orlando's best options for families outside of a theme park. Its 777 stylish suites, all with kitchens or kitchenettes, are spacious and well designed to sleep families. Even better, there's a huge range of kid-pleasing features including two water parks, an enormous arcade, and a "4D Experience" theater, making this resort an attraction onto itself. While the resort provides plenty of entertainment on-site, it also offers shuttles to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld, though -- unlike Disney's Pop Century Resort -- it doesn't provide any park perks.
The massive upper-middle-range Holiday Inn Resort Orlando Suites - Waterpark is one of Orlando's best options for families outside of a theme park. Its 777 stylish suites, all with kitchens or kitchenettes, are spacious and well designed to sleep families. Even better, there's a huge range of kid-pleasing features including two water parks, an enormous arcade, and a "4D Experience" theater, making this resort an attraction onto itself. While the resort provides plenty of entertainment on-site, it also offers shuttles to Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld, though -- unlike Disney's Pop Century Resort -- it doesn't provide any park perks.
Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino is a three-and-a-half pearl property with a hip vibe and a convenient central Strip location. Its 2,496 air-conditioned guest rooms have a modern monochrome style plus excellent bathrooms and modern amenities. The casino includes all of the standard Vegas games plus go-go dancers and a clubby soundtrack. Unfortunately, its two pools -- including one for adults only -- get crowded and poolside loungers are limited. However, the FlowRider surf simulator is a hit. Planet Hollywood’s 11 restaurants range from chain eateries to an excellent Gordon Ramsay burger joint, and other amenities include a spa and gym. Big-ticket celebrity residencies like Pitbull and Britney Spears are also big draws. Travelers who'd like a more Euro-inspired theme might opt for the equally over-the-top Paris Las Vegas, though its features are slimmer.
Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino is a three-and-a-half pearl property with a hip vibe and a convenient central Strip location. Its 2,496 air-conditioned guest rooms have a modern monochrome style plus excellent bathrooms and modern amenities. The casino includes all of the standard Vegas games plus go-go dancers and a clubby soundtrack. Unfortunately, its two pools -- including one for adults only -- get crowded and poolside loungers are limited. However, the FlowRider surf simulator is a hit. Planet Hollywood’s 11 restaurants range from chain eateries to an excellent Gordon Ramsay burger joint, and other amenities include a spa and gym. Big-ticket celebrity residencies like Pitbull and Britney Spears are also big draws. Travelers who'd like a more Euro-inspired theme might opt for the equally over-the-top Paris Las Vegas, though its features are slimmer.
European chain YOTEL is known for its hip atmosphere and affordable rates. This Midtown West outpost is certainly hip, featuring an enormous rooftop terrace, a sleek restaurant and bar, and funky, outer space design. And it's usually affordable, at least for the area. Rooms are tiny, and the location on quiet 10th avenue is a bit out of the way, but the cool factor will make this a worthwhile option for a young, well-heeled hipster set. Dream and Hudson Hotel are similar in price, room size (small), and trendiness, so it's worth weighing your options.
European chain YOTEL is known for its hip atmosphere and affordable rates. This Midtown West outpost is certainly hip, featuring an enormous rooftop terrace, a sleek restaurant and bar, and funky, outer space design. And it's usually affordable, at least for the area. Rooms are tiny, and the location on quiet 10th avenue is a bit out of the way, but the cool factor will make this a worthwhile option for a young, well-heeled hipster set. Dream and Hudson Hotel are similar in price, room size (small), and trendiness, so it's worth weighing your options.