How To Find Budget-Friendly Family Resorts & Rentals

Sometimes the best family vacations are the ones that plan themselves, which is why budget-friendly family resorts are my go-to when I don’t want to plan every day or detail of our getaway. 

With meals, activities, and entertainment already bundled into the experience, I can actually relax while the kids are having fun, without constantly checking the itinerary or swiping my card. 

But when we’re craving a little more space, flexibility, or a tighter grip on the budget, a vacation rental is our next best bet.

I’ve booked stays at resorts with water parks, kids’ clubs, and free meals for under $150/night — and I’ll show you exactly how to find them.

Redefine “Budget-Friendly”

The vacation mindset can allow many to check out of their smart budget habits and spend wildly because they deserve it. 

Do you deserve a trip away? No doubt about it, but you also deserve to come home feeling rested without buyer’s remorse. 

In order to strike this balance, you need to prioritize your needs and splurges ahead of time. Avoid spending $50 on mediocre meals your kids won’t touch, versus spending $50 on the best gelato you still rave about months later. 

Here are a few ways I do this.

Book hotels with kitchens or free breakfasts 

I look for one or both of these features when I book a hotel. Both allow you to plan for special meals out while saving time and money on the other meals. 

I would rather spend extra money on unique food experiences in the area instead of forgettable meals I could have made myself — i.e., I happily spent $20 to eat a poke bowl on the beach in Kauai and saved money by having a 20-cent instant oatmeal package for breakfast. 

Look for kids-eat-free programs

There are quite a few hotels, resorts, and restaurants that offer a kids-eat-free program with a paid adult. 

Beaches' all-inclusive resorts mean every meal, snack, drink, and dessert is complimentary for adults and children alike. 

Holiday Inns offer free meals for guests 11 and under with a paid adult when eating on-site. 

Even if you don’t stay at these accommodations, select Denny’s and IHOP locations offer a free kid’s meal with a paid adult meal.

RELATED: How to Manage Food Costs on Family Trips

Ask about complimentary activities

One resort we stayed at offered free horseback rides, water and lawn games, drive-in movies, and arts and crafts. 

Don’t forget to check the community events page for other activity ideas in the area you are staying in. 

Lighten your luggage load with laundry perks

Look for resorts or rentals that come with a washer and dryer. 

If laundry’s not complimentary, expect to pay $2 to $4 per wash and dry. Bring your own detergent to avoid paying inflated prices. 

We knew our resort in Kauai came with a washer and dryer in each room, so I was able to pack a backpack rather than a full suitcase. Plus, I didn’t have the dreaded suitcase full of dirty clothes when I arrived home either. 

When to Book for the Best Deals

Not only do you avoid the crowds when you travel off-season, but you can also save 50% to 60% off your vacation price tag. 

For example, it is typically cheaper to fly to and stay in New York in January, and Hawaii in October or November (before Thanksgiving). 

Beach houses and hotels along the Florida Panhandle are heavily discounted in January and February, along with discounted tickets to local attractions. 

But if you only have time to travel in the spring or summer, consider planning a trip to a ski town. Once the snow melts, ski cabin and hotel prices drop drastically, but you are still able to enjoy family-friendly activities such as biking, hiking, and paddleboarding in nearby lakes. 

Pro tip: Set Google Flights alerts so you can keep track of price drops on potential destinations. 

READ MORE: How To Find the Best Family Travel Discounts & Deals

Negotiate Like a Pro (Yes, It’s Possible!) 

You would be surprised how far a nice request can take you, especially for independently owned vacation rentals. 

Some possible discounts you can ask for before you book are a reduced price for an extended stay or a group rate discount if your friends or family are also staying in the same place. 

Even if they are not able to get a price reduction, you might be able to get other perks, such as an upgraded room, free parking privileges, or a loyalty discount for booking again in a year. 

Use Points and Rewards to Slash Costs

Before you whip out the credit card to pay for your vacation, use your reward points to reduce your overall cost. 

You don’t even need a hotel-branded card. You can make general travel credit card rewards go further by transferring points to a hotel or airline loyalty program that offers you a better value per point. 

For example, Chase Ultimate Rewards® offers a 1:1 transfer rate with Hyatt. Pair this transfer with Hyatt’s relatively low redemption rates and the perk of a fifth night free to stretch your points further. 

For some Hyatt properties in the off-season, it will only cost you 3,500 points per night (and all-inclusive resort stays start at 12,000 points per night). 

READ MORE: How To Stay in Hotels for Free Using Travel Points

Book With Trusted Platforms

Even though you are eager to save money in any way possible, it is best to stick with trusted platforms when booking. 

I appreciate that Airbnb bookings come with free AirCover to cover you if something happens with your booking or if the rental listing isn’t as amazing in real life. 

When choosing a VRBO versus Airbnb for families, VRBO can be a better platform for whole-house rentals — i.e., there’s less chance you will get the surprise that you are sharing the space with the host. 

And Vacasa is good for scoring affordable vacation rentals without the pressured 90-minute sales pitch. 

Renting baby gear or lugging it along with you can be a pain, but Kid & Coe offers affordable family vacation rentals state-side and internationally that also come with a lot of family perks, such as cribs, toys, baby monitors, and children's dinnerware. 

Whichever platform you book with, make sure you fully understand the refund and cancellation policy, as well as how well you are covered if something happens. 

It is always wise to book with a credit card that offers extra travel coverage perks, too. 

READ MORE: Airbnb vs. Hotel: Which Is Better for Your Trip?

All-Inclusive vs. À la Carte: Which Saves More? 

All-inclusive resorts are amazing because you pay upfront, and every meal, snack, drink, and activity is covered along with your room. 

These resorts typically flaunt a hefty price tag, though. Before booking, compare the cost to what you'd realistically spend on a vacation where you pay as you go.

Add up estimated expenses for dining out, entertainment, transportation between activities, and tips, and see how it stacks up against the resort’s all-in rate (don’t forget to include resort fees in that calculation). 

You can also look for semi-inclusive resorts, such as the Mahekal Beach Resort in Playa Del Carmen, which offers half board policies that cover breakfast and dinner for half the cost of all-inclusive. 

Hidden Fees to Watch Out For

Don’t fall for a cheap price only to be swindled by resort fees, service fees, and taxes after you book. 

The website ResortFeeChecker allows you to see resort fees, pet fees, parking fees, and even if there is a fee for requesting a rollaway bed. 

You can use this site to help you decide between two hotels or resorts. Some places might not be a great deal after you add up all the fees. 

Most resorts do come with some type of fee, so make sure you are getting the most value for these fees or ask if there are any perks for booking directly with the resort, such as free activity or dining credit. 

If you are planning on bringing your pet with you, look up pet-friendly listings or hotels to save an average of $20 to $50 per night on excess pet and cleaning fees. If your pet is a certified service animal, you might be able to get this fee waived. 

FAQs About Family-Friendly Resorts

TL;DR: Finding Affordable Family Resorts

When you want to get away but don’t want to plan a dozen activities for your family vacation, a family-friendly resort will do the trick. Or vacation rentals near fun beaches or towns can give you plenty to do within walking distance. 

Book off-season and look for places that include free meals and activities to make your budget go further. 

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Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.