Nassau

Allegria Hotel — Long Beach
For an unforgettable seaside stay, check out Long Beach’s new Allegria Hotel, a pristine nautical resort featuring rooms with full and partial ocean views, limestone bathrooms, and a rooftop pool with panoramic views that is heated to a balmy 75 degrees. Guests in the summer are greeted with free beach passes, as well as complimentary towels and beach chairs to enjoy the FREE Long Beach Concert Series in the evenings. The hotel is adjacent to the Long Beach boardwalk, where food trucks, craft fairs, and even a trapeze are accessible in the warmer months. Bikes, surfboards, and kayaks can be rented on the shore. Breakfast is included in the room price during the offseason, when visitors can avail themselves of ice skating and a winter recreation center. The hotel is a short junket from the Jones Beach theater, Belmont Race Track, and Nassau Coliseum. Take advantage of the 15 percent discount for AAA members, and 10 percent savings for families living in New York State.

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The pool at the Garden City Hotel is an oasis in the suburbs.

Garden City Hotel — Garden City
From the minute you stroll past the jubilant lavender trees into the cream-and-chestnut lobby, you know you the Garden City Hotel is an excellent choice for an overnight visit. While kids will love the indoor pool, parents can unwind at the Red Door Spa and 24-hour fitness center. All rooms features pillow-top mattresses and 24-hour indoor dining, and you can even bring a dog or cat under 40 pounds. While its gilded dining rooms are often the setting for superior soirees, the hotel is also walking distance from several delicate bistros perfect for celebratory banquets, such as the Seventh Street Cafe, Walk Street, and Revel. Out-of-town guests and local enthusiasts can enjoy mid-morning ambles to stores such as Pink Island, Coquette, and Chico’s with a Starbucks perk in hand.

Hilton Garden Inn Roslyn — Port Washington
Despite the name, this hotel is located in Port Washington. This attractive and affordable North Shore inn boasts a fitness center, indoor pool, and a Keurig in every room. Close to charming boutiques on Plandome Road in Manhasset and Main Street in Port Washington, the Hilton Garden Inn is also a brief drive from the Old Bethpage Village Restoration and Sands Point Preserve. Guests attending events at the nearby Swan Club, Leonard's Palazzo, or the Village Club will appreciate the short return trip, and a lazy breakfast service will deliver a complimentary meal to your room until 11am. Military families, seniors, and AAA/CAA members enjoy additional discounts when they stay.

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 Homewood Suites in Carle Place is located near such kid favorites as Nassau's Museum Row and Roosevelt Field mall. Photo by the writer

Homewood Suites by Hilton — Carle Place
All of the studios and one-and-two-bedroom suites at this snug, comely hotel feature “homelike amenities” such as a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, and a complimentary grocery-shopping service. Other costless activities to take advantage of include an indoor pool, fitness center, outdoor putting green, and breakfast. Just minutes from Kennedy and LaGuardia airports, Homewood Suites is also located in close proximity to catering halls such as Chateau Briand, the Westbury Manor, and Jericho Terrace. Visiting family will appreciate the short drive to shopping at the Westbury Plaza and Roosevelt Field mall, and the nearness to kid-praised destinations such as the Long Island Children’s Museum and Nunley's Carousel. Ask about the Family Reunion Package and Homewood 65-plus discount for additional savings.

Suffolk

Enjoy all of Port Jefferson's kid-friendly attractions during a stay at Danford's Hotel and Marina. 

Danfords Hotel and Marina — Port Jefferson
With a clean view of Port Jefferson's glassy marina, this boutique hotel offers retreat-like rooms, a spa, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the deck. Kids will squeal over a ride on the Port Jefferson ferry to Connecticut or browsing vintage board games from the 1980s at Boardwalk Games. They might also enjoy a juicy bun or fancy mac n’ cheese at the Gourmet Burger Bistro and ice cream at Kilwans. Farm stand tasting and shopping are great pit-stops on the journey home. But don't overlook several of our favorite kid-friendly destinations, including the Long Island Explorium,  Xplore Family Fun Center, and in winter, The Rinx at Harborfront Park.

Hilton Long Island Huntington — Melville
With indoor and outdoor pools, a whirlpool spa, and tennis courts, guests at the Hilton Long Island/Huntington won’t want to leave their polished lodging. Kids, however, will be enticed by petting zoos, mazes, and festivals at the nearby White Post Farms and Schmitt Family Farms in Melville. Moms and dads might be tempted to scoot a few minutes up Route 110 to downtown Huntington Village, where novelty shops such as the Book Revue and Crushed Olive provide unique merchandise for samplers and saunterers. Also minutes away, the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum offers hands-on activities for parents and tots, such as a build-a-boat workshop and mermaid tea parties. The Sandbox Playspace is one of our favorite rainy-day destinations for younger children. You can save up to 20 percent on your stay by booking your Hilton room in advance, and breakfast is included in the nightly price.

The East End

Hyatt Place Long Island/East End — Riverhead
Located adjacent to the Long Island Aquarium, with its butterflies, shark tank, and year-round sea lion show, this ample hotel offers a complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and rooms with views of the Peconic River. The Hyatt Place is also less than a five-mile drive from Splish Splash, with its water slides, kiddie area, and lazy river, and less than a four-mile hitch from Tanger Outlets Riverhead. Long Islanders can handily fill up a weekend with water play, marine exploration, and back-to-school shopping before returning home. The hotel is at the beginning of North Fork wine country and out-of-towners will appreciate luscious local fare, including breaded flounder boats at Jerry & The Mermaid or a Killarney shepherd's pie at nearby Digger’s.

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Thrill to the sun and, of course, the surf at the Surf Club Resort in Montauk.

Surf Club Resort — Montauk
With direct access to the beach, this resort offers kitchens, a private deck, and high-speed internet access in every one of its one-or-two-bedroom suites. Guests can enjoy a heated outdoor pool, as well as yoga and Pilates classes that are available regularly. Adventuring families can explore fishing, camping, and hiking at Hither Woods Preserve; and all guests will want to check out the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse. Family movies and pizza nights are offered during the week, and a concierge is available to help you make the most of your visit.

Unless noted, photos are courtesy of the hotels