The Wyndham Royal Vista has a blissfully perfect three full acres literally right on Ft Lauderdale Beach. Save yourself some back and forth to fetch that forgotten sand bucket, and make a beach bag checklist. Load up on goggles, fins, sunscreen, snacks and that paperback you picked up at the airport and head for the sand. Let the surf entertain the kids for hours as they search for shells to decorate their elaborate sand villages. Or park yourself poolside while the kids join in on the fun Play Days activities programs. Once the sun starts to fade, head for the playground, game room or fitness center before landing back at your vacation suite to map out a plan for dinner. Taking the night off from kitchen duty? Ask staffers about hidden gems popular with the locals, and plot the rest of your adventures over burgers or fresh catch. Options abound, from water sports and horseback riding to golf and tennis, shopping and salon/spas.

Super-spacious one- and two-bedroom suites range in size from 900 to 1,200 square feet, comfortably sleeping up to six exhausted parasailers and sand castle builders. Don’t get dinged by the airlines for extra luggage – there’s an in-unit washer/dryer so you can pack light. Fully equipped kitchens come complete with wine glasses, so you’re not sipping rosé from a coffee mug or juice glass. Each suite has a balcony and jetted tub for enjoying in either order. And there’s a spacious living room with large-screen TVs, DVD players and video game systems to keep your crew occupied while you put inflatables, goggles and game pieces back where they’re supposed to be.

Got a rain day? Check out the Museum of Art or the 200 interactive exhibits and IMAX at the Museum of Discovery & Science. Or spend the day shopping at Las Olas or Sawgrass Mills. While the beaches are the area’s main attraction, there’s plenty more to see. Stroll the Riverwalk Arts & Entertainment District, packed with outdoor shops, cafés, parks and galleries. Visit Butterfly World, and let the little ones count winged creatures until they run out of fingers – or spend a day touring the Everglades, 100 miles of grass in a tropical wetlands area unlike anything else on earth. (First one to spot a panther gets to choose the movie for later.) Chic South Beach is also a must-visit – an easy 45-minute drive away.