Top 8 Best Places to Stay with Kids in the Houston Area
Check out our favorite Houston area resorts that are great for vacations and staycations, because hot and humid pairs perfectly with a margarita or ranch water and a lazy river! We’ve included resorts within Greater Houston, on nearby lakes, and Galveston beaches on this list. Enjoy your weekend getaway!
1. The Woodlands Resort– The Woodlands, Texas
The Woodlands Resort is a family resort with a turned-up pool situation in close proximity to Houston.
We find The Woodlands Resort is not as sprawling as the Hill Country Resorts, but the water park and other resort activities will still keep your whole family entertained all weekend! There’s a lazy river, fun water slides (including racing slides), and a “Sprayground” splash playground for the kiddos that you won’t want to miss.
When you get tired of the pool (like that could happen), there are also tennis courts, more than one golf course, and great shopping nearby. Our kids love the poolside family movie night and, of course, the nightly s’mores at The Woodlands Resort!
What we love most about it: Racing slides
Read our full resort review here: The Woodlands Resort
2. Grand Galvez – Galveston Island, Texas
The Grand Galvez, affectionately referred to as the “Queen of the Gulf” is a historic hotel that is synonymous with luxury on Galveston Island.
Along with the stunning Gulf views, the Grand Galvez offers guests a resort-style pool with a swim-up bar, a spa, and a restaurant with freshly caught Gulf seafood and a weekend brunch buffet.
This property is located across Seawall Blvd from the water and just a couple blocks from Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier with picturesque midway games and rides that extend out over the water. Grab a cocktail and take in the sunset with a sea breeze from this historic, beachfront property.
What we love most about it: Location and history… if those walls could talk!
3. Houstonian Hotel, Club, and Spa – Houston, Texas
The Houstonian Hotel, Club, and Spa is located near the beautiful Memorial Park in Houston, Texas.
It is a fitness-focused hotel, club, and spa that has multiple tennis and pickleball courts, an upscale gym, and walking and jogging trails on the property. The well-loved Memorial Park trail is easily accessible from the hotel as well.
There is also onsite dining with both upscale and more casual options as well as poolside dining available. Speaking of pools, the Houstonian has a sports pool for training, a garden pool for relaxing, and a resort pool complete with a water slide, waterfalls, water volleyball and basketball, and a baby pool for toddlers.
With its location, dining options, and resort amenities it is perfect for a health-conscious family getaway in Houston.
What we love most about it: the proximity to Memorial Park and Resort Pool
4. Moody Gardens Resort – Galveston Island, Texas
The Moody Gardens Resort is technically a “bayfront” hotel on Galveston Island. Basically all the relaxation of watching boats and waves on a large body of water, but with less wind (sign me up).
Moody Gardens Resort is a hotel located within the Moody Gardens complex, complete with 3 pyramids (aquarium, rain forest, and discovery-themed), a historic paddlewheel boat, and a (seasonal) water park, reserved separately. There is a resort-style pool with a swim-up bar, multiple dining options onsite, a spa, and golf course access for resort guests. Sounds like our kind of resort!
What we love most about it: Paddlewheel Boat Tours and the Water Park
5. San Luis Resort & Spa – Galveston Island, Texas
The San Luis Resort and Spa is a great beach resort for a “home base” during a family stay at the ultimate Texas Summer family destination, Galveston Island. The resort offers stunning views of the Gulf and close proximity to an Instagram-worthy checklist of kid-friendly activities in Galveston.
Spend your days near the San Luis Resort exploring The Strand, Moody Gardens, or Paradise Pier theme park. Then kick back at the San Luis Resort’s on-site spa or pool to relax, or grab a bite to eat at some of the best restaurants on the island while you watch the sunset.
The San Luis Resort also has some epic holiday buffets, especially for Christmas, which is a beautiful time to visit Galveston Island! Oh, also, there’s a swim-up bar.
What we love most about it: Holiday Buffets, the Spa…. and the swim-up bar – duh.
Read our full resort review here: San Luis Resort
6. Marriott Marquis Houston – Houston, Texas
The Marriott Marquis Houston is a hotel in the heart of downtown Houston. It is located just one block from Discovery Green Park, two blocks from Minute Maid Park (where the Houston Astros play for those in the back), and connected via a skybridge to the George R Brown Convention Center. It’s also close to several public transportation options making it a “home base” for exploring Houston with the family or for a conference.
While it is really a luxury hotel, it feels like a mini resort with its seven upscale dining options, rooftop swimming pool, and spa. However, it is probably best known for the Texas-shaped lazy river on the rooftop terrace.
What we love most about it: Is it even a question…. the Texas-shaped Lazy River!
Read our full resort review here: Marriott Marquis Houston
7. Margaritaville Lake Resort – Lake Conroe, Texas
The Margaritaville Lake Resort on Lake Conroe is about an hour northwest of Houston. With multiple accommodation options, you can choose to stay at the hotel or in a lakefront cottage with a private boat dock.
The Margaritaville Lake Resort has endless water-oriented options for your family trip. Take your pick between water slides, lazy river, private beach, or lounging at the swim-up bar at the Jolly Mon Water Park.
When you get tired of spending time in the pools, don’t forget you also have all the lake activities to enjoy as well! Rent a boat or climb aboard the nightly BYOB tiki cruise on Lake Conroe. And when you’re ready to dry off, there are sports courts, mini golf, and live music on-site to keep you entertained Jimmy Buffet-style. We see you parrot heads… and we like it!
What we love most about it: Nightly Tiki (BYOB) Cruise on Lake Conroe
Read our full resort review here: Margaritaville Lake Resort
8. Omni Houston Hotel – Houston, Texas
The Omni Houston Hotel is located in the heart of Houston near the Houston Galleria and Memorial Park. This hotel offers 378 rooms and suites for guests and families.
There are 2 outdoor pools, jogging and biking trails, and even 2 resident black swans. There is an onsite spa and 24-hour gym with Pelotons.
The Omni Houston Hotel also has an onsite restaurant open all day, Birdie’s Cafe and Bar, as well as the Moonshot Bar poolside. For more late-night entertainment, there is La Reserve Whiskey Lounge and Black Swan Nightclub.
What we love most about it: Black Swan feeding time!
Best Things to Do With Kids in the Houston Area
There are so many more kid-friendly things to do in Houston other than visiting NASA and going to the Houston Children’s Museum (although we love those too!). Check out our favorite sources for kid-friendly activities in Houston and Galveston.
- Houston On The Cheap – 40 Fun Things To Do in Houston With Kids and Toddlers
- 365 Things In Houston – Current Kid + Family Activities
- Kidventurous – 10 Best Things To Do in Galveston With Kids
- My Curly Adventures – Fun Things to Do in Galveston
- Woodlands Mommy – 50 Best Things to do in The Woodlands (2023 Attractions and Family Fun)
Houston is a BIG city with so many fun things to do with kids of all ages, can’t wait to see what memories you’ll make in the “Space City”!
From our family to yours, Happy Travels!
Please note that this page contains affiliate links and any reservations made through such links will award us a small commission at absolutely no extra cost to you. This helps keep our family traveling to new resorts to continue providing you with reviews of the best resorts in Texas for the best family vacations.