Family Amenities on South Beach at Loews Miami Beach

It’s easy to see why birds and people flock to the beaches of Miami when the weather cools off throughout the country. There are endless miles of white sand beaches, turquoise waters and plenty for the whole family to do.

The Loews Miami Beach Hotel is a large hotel with 790 guest rooms and 65 suites, and is situated at the northern end of South Beach — far enough away from the nightlife, but close enough to stroll over during the day. It is also the only hotel in South Beach that offers a kids club for children 4 to 12 years old, greeting each kid guest with a toy from a treasure chest upon check-in.

Family-Friendly Review of Loews Miami Beach Hotel

Location

There are dozens of hotels to stay at in Miami, but few are as perfectly situated as the Loews. Families can choose to be a part of the action reminiscent of old Miami Vice reruns with Art Deco architecture, restaurants and some of the best people watching around, or spend a quiet afternoon curled up on the beach with a book.

The Miami Beach Boardwalk is right outside the back gate of the hotel and goes for miles, starting at the Southern tip of South Beach, and is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

Once you’ve had your fill of walking, just follow the path over the dune and take in the beauty of the wide beach and ocean waves. The beach is set up with lounge chairs and umbrellas, rentable by the hour, in addition to several cabanas that can be reserved for the day. Kids will love the wooden boat and sand moat filled with toys, buckets and shovels and the adults will enjoy the beach bar with refreshments and cocktails.

The hotel is also situated only a few blocks away from Lincoln Road, an open-air mall that is closed to traffic so the kids can run free without having to worry.

Accommodations

Everything is set up in the hotel to be comfortable for stays with kids. The Premium Ocean View King room was spacious enough for two cribs for my twins and had plenty of room for them to play. These rooms are beautifully decorated in turquoise and bright green and have a cheery, beachy vibe. Bathrooms in this category are large and airy, and featured a huge walk-in shower big enough for the whole family. Our room did not have a bathtub, which may be needed for the little ones.

Premium Ocean View rooms have lovely balconies with views of the ocean and are perfect for lounging under the stars after the kids go to bed.

Each room has free WIFI, coffee maker and fully stocked mini bar and the kids loved the iPod docking station complete with sound machine, filling our room nightly with jungle sounds.

Amenities

Most of the activities at the hotel center around the large free-form pool. One side has a sloped-entry, perfect for little ones to splash around and cool off. Pool toys are available and extras can be purchased at the pool-side store.

For guests who like a little more privacy and comfort, pool-side cabanas called SOAK can be rented and feature rooftop sundecks, AC and a personal concierge service. For families traveling with friends, this a great option as each of the eight cabanas can accommodate six people.

Steal away to the beach and rent a beach umbrella and chaise lounge for the day while the little ones can play with a wide variety of sand toys provided by the hotel.

SOBE Kids Camp

When it’s time to get some R&R, SOBE Kids Camp is there to save the day. Programs are either full or half day, and they offer evening activities on Friday and Saturday nights. Kids love the variety of indoor and outdoor activities from the traditional arts and crafts to more adventurous sand castle building contests and water balloon races. The dedicated Kids Camp space is set up for imaginative play with costumes and a play kitchen, as well as television and video games for a rainy afternoon.

Once the kids are situated at camp, sneak away to the famed New York City based, EXHALE spa. Energize with a variety of fitness classes from yoga to barre fusion or choose to fully escape with a spa service. We can personally vouch for the facial and full body massage and the spa does everything to make sure you feel as relaxed as possible.

Dining

There are several options for both fine and casual dining at Loews Miami Beach Hotel. For a date night, guests can try Lure Fishbar, voted “2014 Best Seafood Restaurant” by the Miami New Times.

If you’d prefer a family option, both Preston’s and the Nautlilus Bar & Grill are ideal after a day at the beach. Preston’s features Mediterannean cuisine and has a special kids’ menu and the uber-casual Nautilus Bar & Grill by the pool features standard kid fare, burgers, salads and chicken nuggets.

For a special treat, head to SOBE Scoops located on the ground floor of the hotel where your little ones can scoop their own candy or choose from freshly made cotton candy or a variety of ice cream cones. Don’t forget to pose for a photo opp with the giant giraffe greeting you from the front door.

Mom and dad will be pleased that they don’t have to go far for their morning cup of jo as SOBE Coffee Bar is just adjacent to the main lobby as well.

Families Should Know

> Located only 30 minutes from Miami International Airport, families are on the sand in no time flat after landing.

> The Kids Club is fantastic, but the majority of the activities are outside by the pool or on the beach. If weather drives the children indoors, the playroom is quite small.

> There is a playground located within walking distance on the grassy area between Ocean Drive and the beach boardwalk and kids can get their energy out under the swaying palm trees next to the shore.

Want Help Booking a Room at the Loews Miami or Planning a Family Vacation to Florida?

Need more comprehensive guidance? CB! Vacation Consultants specialize in helping families book travel to top destinations around the world. Our expert consultants do everything from recommending and booking accommodations (including a qualified options not featured on Ciao Bambino) to developing comprehensive multi-stop itineraries. For more information and/or to request assistance, go to the CB! Vacation Consultants page.

Editor’s Note: As always, our opinions are our own. Photos by Nancy Deane except where noted