9 Best Fort Myers Hotels for Families

A sister property to DiamondHead Beach and part of the SunStream Hotels & Resorts brand, beachfront Pointe Estero Resort is condominium living with all the comforts of home. Located on Estero Island, the property features one- and two-bedroom suites with extra touches like wraparound private screened balconies with Gulf views, in-room DVD players, living rooms with sofa sleepers, washers and dryers and fully equipped kitchens. In addition to the beach with beach cabana rentals, fishing, shelling and water sports, resort amenities include a heated swimming pool, outdoor hot tub, tennis, picnic gazebo and barbecue area, and fitness room.

A third Fort Myers Beach SunStream Hotels & Resorts property, GullWing Beach Resort offers plenty of space for families with one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums with washers and dryers, living and dining rooms, DVD players, Jacuzzi tubs, private screened balconies and full kitchens along the white sands of the southern end of Estero Island. Activity programs, a heated outdoor pool, barbecue area under a beachside gazebo, tennis, hot tub, fitness room and complimentary bicycle rentals keep families busy during their stay.

Located just south of Fort Myers, the 454-room Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa set on 26 acres has its own island and beach. Its three swimming pools include an Adventure pool with a 140-foot corkscrew waterslide. Two hot tubs are also available. A spa, fitness center, water activities, seven restaurants and lounges, an 18-hole championship golf course, tennis, video arcade, and bicycle rentals are among the non-stop fun. Camp Hyatt for ages 3 to 12 includes the chance to learn about the local flora, fauna and native Calusa Indians who once lived in the region. The best part may be the 50 percent savings for parents on a second room for the kids.

Affordable rates, a private beach on the north end of Estero Island, and extra in-room amenities make BEST WESTERN PLUS Beach Resort a top choice for families. Each guest room has a full kitchen and private balcony facing the Gulf of Mexico. The complimentary daily hot breakfast jumpstarts the day before mom, dad and the kids lounge at the beach or on the deck of the heated outdoor swimming pool, or spend time playing shuffleboard or in the playground. Water sports rentals and excursions are available right at the beach. When it"s time to explore outside the resort, less than a half-mile walk (or drive) takes you to shops and restaurants and there is plenty more to do beyond that.

Extras at this beachfront resort include two daily breakfasts, two drinks, two in-suite bottles of Voss water, a Pink Shell Resort beach bag, and daily beach lounge chair and umbrella rentals. A lagoon-style pool with waterfalls is one of three heated pools, plus there is a splash area for kids with fountains and sprayers. Water sports, arts and crafts and bike rentals are among the family activities. Sparky"s Kidds Kampp entertains guests ages 4 to 12. Choose from studios, one- and two-bedroom condos and villas. All have kitchenettes or kitchens, enclosed lanais, and some also feature washers and dryers. A full-service spa, fitness center, two restaurants and even dinner on the beach round out all there is to do at Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina.

The newly updated British West Indies décor in the 63 rooms overlooking the Gulf and a 300-foot white sand beach on Estero Island set the tone for this low-key, family-friendly resort. Two outdoor heated swimming pools (one for adults only), water sports rentals, shuffleboard and barbeque gas grills make for long days outdoors. Kitchenettes and kitchens turn studios and one-bedroom suites that sleep up to six into homes-away-from-homes. Catering to family reunions, Sandpiper Gulf Resort offers discounts for groups booking 10 rooms or more per stay.

For nearly 50 years, The Neptune Inn has been welcoming families to its beachfront property. Many of its guests return year after year to the newly remodeled hotel. Studio, one- and three- bedroom suites feature private balconies, kitchenettes, and Gulf or pool views. Guests enjoy two heated swimming pools, a fitness center, lighted shuffleboard courts, picnic tables and gas grills. You can easily walk to the historic Fort Myers Beach Pier, shops, restaurants and entertainment.

The Tiki Bar may make you think you"re somewhere in Polynesia, but this 144-room property welcomes guests to a casual atmosphere that fronts a white sand beach on Estero Island. Opt for an Adirondack chair for relaxing at the beach. The heated swimming pool, table tennis, beach volleyball and live entertainment will keep you in relax mode at Outrigger Beach Resort. Two restaurants take their cuisine seriously with the homemade muffins not to be missed at the Deckside Café and fresh fish and a 55-item salad bar at Charley"s Boat House Grill among the must-try list.

Location is a big selling point for DiamondHead Beach Resort & Spa, which not only is set along the white sands of Fort Myers Beach, but also is walking distance to the entertainment district lined with boutiques and restaurants. The 121 newly remodeled one-bedroom suites feature private screened balconies with Gulf of Mexico views, living rooms with queen-size sofa beds, king-size beds in bedrooms and an efficiency kitchen and dining area. A heated swimming pool, two hot tubs, a full-service spa, free use of bicycles, and a variety of water sports are all part of the fun. Kid and family activities include painting birdhouses, sand art, hermit crab races and making your own ice cream sundaes.