Villas in Florida

Florida is made for filling the itinerary. Take an airboat ride through the Everglades in search of alligators and birdlife, watch a rocket launch from the Space Coast, snorkel in crystal-clear freshwater springs or head south for island-hopping, kayaking and spectacular sunsets in the Florida Keys.

There’s plenty for sports fans too, from championship golf and watersports to catching the action at Daytona International Speedway. Along the coast, boating, paddleboarding, fishing and dolphin-watching trips offer plenty of excuses to get out on the water, while Miami brings Art Deco architecture, shopping, galleries and a food scene worth exploring in its own right.

And then, of course, there are the theme parks. Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and the rest of Orlando’s headline attractions could comfortably fill an entire holiday, never mind a paragraph. So rather than attempt the impossible here, we’ve given them a section all of their own…

Orlando is the undisputed theme park capital of Florida, and for many families, the reason the holiday gets booked in the first place. Walt Disney World Resort alone has four theme parks, with Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom offering everything from classic Disney magic to Star Wars adventures, thrill rides and immersive experiences.

Then there’s Universal Orlando Resort, where Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure are now joined by Universal Epic Universe, bringing even more rides, themed worlds and reasons to extend the park days. Add Volcano Bay when everyone fancies swapping rollercoasters for waterslides and a lazy river.

You don’t have to stay in Orlando to enjoy the parks, either. From several of our Florida destinations, Orlando is perfectly doable as a day trip, so you can base yourself by the beach or in a quieter resort and still dip into the theme park action when the mood strikes.

For something a little different, LEGOLAND Florida Resort is a great shout for younger children, with rides, shows and plenty of hands-on fun, while Discovery Cove offers a more relaxed day with tropical lagoons, snorkelling and resort-style downtime.

The trick is not trying to do everything at once. Pick the parks your family is genuinely excited about, build in some pool days between them, and remember that your Florida villa will still be there when everyone needs to swap queues and rollercoasters for a very large sofa.

If you’re mainly interested in experiencing the thrills and spills that Florida has to offer, check out our blog on the best theme parks in Florida.

We’ll even sort the tickets for you, so you can sit back and really relax ahead of your villa holiday in Florida.

Walt Disney World Resort:

• Magic Kingdom Park
• EPCOT
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
• Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Universal Orlando Resort:

• Universal Studios
• Islands of Adventure

Other parks include:

• SeaWorld Orlando
• Aquatica
• Legoland
• Discovery Cove
• Gatorland
• WonderWorks
• VR Territory Orlando

Florida’s food scene changes almost as much as the scenery. Along the Gulf Coast and Anna Maria Island, long lunches revolve around fresh grouper, shrimp, oysters and waterfront tables where flip-flops are perfectly acceptable. Down in the Florida Keys, conch fritters, just-caught seafood and a compulsory slice of Key lime pie come with plenty of laid-back island atmosphere.

In Miami, Cuban influences bring strong coffee, croquetas and Cuban sandwiches into the mix, and a food tour through Little Havana is a brilliant way to eat your way through the neighbourhood while discovering its culture. Fort Lauderdale does waterfront dining particularly well, with restaurants lining its canals and Intracoastal waterways, while Daytona Beach mixes casual seafood spots, beach bars and classic American favourites.

Then there’s Orlando, where the dining scene goes far beyond theme park snacks, from lively resort restaurants and food halls to seriously polished tables worth dressing up for. Whether it’s fish tacos by the beach, cocktails beside the marina or one more slice of Key lime pie, Florida makes it very easy to plan the day around your next meal.

Great for Babies: Florida makes family travel feel wonderfully easy, with spacious villas, private pools, warm weather and plenty of places where you can settle into a slower rhythm. Beach destinations such as Anna Maria Island are ideal for gentle days by the sea, while resort communities give you useful facilities close at hand when routines matter.

Great for Kids: Florida is packed with variety. One day might mean theme parks and water slides, the next spotting wildlife in the Everglades, watching rockets on the Space Coast or paddling in crystal-clear springs. Add beaches, boat trips and plenty of pool time, and there’s always something new to keep younger travellers entertained.

Great for Teens: Older kids can mix big-ticket attractions with surfing, kayaking, snorkelling in the Keys, motorsport at Daytona and plenty of beach time. Florida works brilliantly for families with different interests because everyone can find their own version of fun without needing to spend the whole holiday in Orlando.

What makes Florida so much fun is the freedom to shape each day completely differently. Start with breakfast by your villa pool, spend the afternoon on a Gulf Coast beach or out on the water, then switch gears the next day with a theme park, a round of golf or a road trip towards the Keys. It’s that mix of space, sunshine and endless choice that makes a Florida villa holiday feel so easy to enjoy.

Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River: For a very different side of Florida, head to Crystal River on the Gulf Coast, where impossibly clear freshwater springs create one of the state’s most memorable wildlife experiences. In winter, hundreds of manatees migrate into the warm waters of Kings Bay, and you can see them from the boardwalks or join a permitted guided tour on the water. It’s peaceful, wonderfully Floridian and a brilliant reminder that there’s much more to the state than beaches and theme parks.

One of the best things about staying in Orlando is that you don’t always have to choose between the privacy of a villa and the facilities of a resort. Many Orlando villas sit within purpose-built resort communities, giving you your own home, often with a private pool, kitchen and plenty of space for the whole family, alongside shared facilities just moments away.

At the heart of many resorts is a clubhouse, where you might find restaurants, bars, cafés, fitness centres and other communal spaces. Swimming pools are another big part of the experience, with some resorts offering lazy rivers, waterslides, jacuzzis and even cabanas or pool bars.

Families are especially well catered for, with playgrounds, games arcades and kids’ activities often available alongside sports courts and other entertainment. And if golf is high on your holiday wish list, Orlando is a brilliant choice. Many resorts have their own courses, including some designed by big names such as Greg Norman, while others sit close to championship golf.

Facilities vary from resort to resort, so it’s always worth checking what’s included with your villa. The real appeal is the best-of-both-worlds setup: your own space when you want it, resort-style fun when you don’t.