[family summer getaways]

South Seas Island Resort, Captiva Island

It may technically still be winter, but now is the time to book your Family Summer Getaway. Many hotels and resorts offer discounts during long summer months. Here are a few family friendly places worth investigating; all within driving distance (although we know you’ll miss air travel with the little ones!)
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Colony Beach and Tennis Resort
Longboat Key, Fl
Named the 5th best Family Resort in the United States by CHILD Magazine, The Colony Beach and Tennis Resort lives up to its accolades. Situated right on the Gulf of Mexico, many of their accommodations open up right onto Sarasota’s famous white sand. Two and three bedroom cottages are available which have kitchens, making functioning as a family a breeze. Their Kinder-Camp is FREE, that’s right—FREE, and is run from 9-4 for children ages 3-6 and 7-12. Everything from beach games to shelling and even tennis lessons is explored, with a break for lunch. Noted in many parenting publications for its family-friendliness, Colony Beach and Tennis Resort is particular attractive to us in Tampa because of the short road trip to get there—less than two hours!
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Jekyll Island Club Hotel
Jekyll Island, Georgia
A four-star gem on the unspoiled barrier island off of the southeastern Georgia coast, Jekyll Island Club Hotel is a national landmark just waiting for your family to descend. Lodging options range from hotel rooms to cottages and the grounds are huge with golfing, horseback riding, private beaches and is a short complimentary shuttle ride to Jekyll Island’s Summer Waves Water Park. This Historic Hotel offers Club Juniors, a day program that runs May 28th-August 10th offering fun and exciting activities for kids 5-12. Kids enjoy everything from biking and swimming to dolphin cruises. The cost is $33-46 a day, depending upon the activities being offered that day and you can register your child for half or full day (lunch is included with full day). And, parents are welcomed to come along!
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Water-Color Resort
Seagrove Beach, Fl
Within driving distance, yet a time zone away, lies Seagrove Beach on Northwest Florida’s Gulf Coast. With miles and miles of beach, comes every accommodation option possible, but what most struck our fancy was The Water-Color Inn, a four diamond resort that combines the sweetness of a beach cottage with the elegance of an old southern plantation. This jewel of the sea is truly amazing, offering its guest everything from beachside rooms to golfing, water sports and shopping and they even have a spa! And for the kids, it doesn’t get much better than CampWatercolor. This Camp boasts its own building with a craft and game room, amphitheater with stage for concerts and plays, and a special pool with geysers that pulse water. The camp is open everyday for children ages 4-12. Voted #1 Family-Friendly Resort in North America by Travel and Leisure Family Magazine 2006, this is definitely one family friendly resort!
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South Seas Island Resort
Captiva Island
A quick three hour drive away, this resort on Captiva (Sanibel’s north tip) is a true experience in relaxation. With the beach and the Gulf of Mexico literally at your doorstep, enjoying the beach has never been easier. Over six different accommodation options to choose from, but we especially like the beach cottages because they fit families so well. With a full equipped kitchen in your cottage, breakfast, lunch and dinners can be made inexpensively through your stay. South Seas Kid’s Camps are held Monday through Saturday from 9:30-1. The cost is $40 a day which includes lunch and a bevy of activities, including air hockey tournaments, girl’s nail polish party and tea, animal care and feeding, exploring tide pools, shell crafts and more. They even offer a teen camp for children over 12! With amazing restaurants on and off the resort, one night you may want to take advantage of the Kid’s Night Out themed dinner parties which run Tuesday-Saturday nights from 6:30-9:30. One place both the kids and adults will get a kick out of? The Bubble Room, a quick five minute drive from the resort.