8 Reasons to Bring Your Entire Family to Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort and Spa.

Looking for a family friendly vacation destination that's a little off the beaten path and full of relaxation? I've got 8 reasons why you should bring your entire family to Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa. Wondering why you'd bring everyone, including little kids, to a golf resort? I recently visited the property during a press trip and I've got all the details about why this is the perfect location for your whole crew.

One of the best things about living in Florida is being able to drive to some of the most beautiful places in the country. We happen to be centrally located within the state so most of the popular vacation destinations are only 1 to 4 hours away. It’s so nice to be able to pack up our SUV and head out for a quick weekend getaway. Honestly though, there are some destinations that are worth a plane flight if you aren’t lucky enough to be within driving distance. Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa happens to be one of those places.

Recently, I spent the weekend at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa with my mom and two kids and got to experience all of the wonderful amenities that this resort has to offer. The resort is a bit hidden from the main drag, but that just adds to the serenity and laid back atmosphere. The property is nearing completion of a resort-wide, $25 million “refresh” that can be seen throughout the 511 guest rooms, villas, pool area, front desk, hotel facade, and their amazing Sawgrass Spa and Cabana Beach Club. It may be known for its world class gold course, but there is SO much more to Sawgrass Marriott and it might surprise you to find out just how family friendly it is. There’s a reason that Parents acknowledged the resort as one of the best beach resorts for families.

Here are 8 reasons to take your entire family
to Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa:

1.) Sawgrass Marriott’s Cabana Beach Club - Sawgrass Marriott is a short drive away from the beach, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the beautiful Ponte Vedra beach. Starting at 6 AM and running about every 10 minutes, a shuttle will take you to the private Cabana Beach Club where you can enjoy two swimming pools (one wading pool for toddlers and one large pool for guests of all ages), beach access, and dining at the Sea Porch Bar & Grill.

The restaurant is fantastic and even has a scenic grassy space for private events. We enjoyed frozen cocktails and a yummy lunch at the Sea Porch and took advantage of playtime on the beach and in the pools. It was a gorgeous afternoon and we enjoyed every moment. The Cabana Beach Club is currently undergoing a refresh so work is being done to improve the club, but they're are excited to reveal the finished product soon.

The adult pool at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa

2.) The pools - I already mentioned the Cabana Club pools, but the pools at the Sawgrass Marriott resort are not to be missed. There are two large swimming pools on property (one for adults only and a very large pool for all ages), along with a hot tub for guests to enjoy. There are plenty of lounge chairs and the scenery is just lovely.

The American Gator Club

If you get hungry while you’re at the pools, just pop into the American Gator Club for a yummy selection of food and drinks. You'll enjoy an amazing view of the property and they're super accommodating to kids too!

3.) Mighty Oaks - Located on the bottom floor of the hotel is a bright and cheerful play room that's part of the resort’s Mighty Oaks program. Kids from age 4 to 12 can participate in fun crafts and activities, watch movies, play video games, or just enjoy all of the cool toys in the Mighty Oaks room while their parents supervise.

The hours vary by day and season, but be sure to check it out while you’re there. I was really impressed by how many fun things there were to play with and how clean the area was. The staff members are also super friendly and great with kids.

4.) Miniature Golf - You may already know that Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa offers privileged golf access to the adjacent TPC Sawgrass’ championship golf courses, but you should also know that your whole family can enjoy a little golf action at the resort. Nestled within a wooded area behind the villas is an 18 hole miniature golf course. This is the perfect activity for toddlers, kids, and adults to enjoy together.

There are also family-friendly activity spots like this turf covered area behind the main hotel. During certain times, there's a giant chess/checker board, life-size Jenga game and table tennis set up for kids of all ages. Sawgrass Marriott also uses this area for private events and they can accommodate almost any request.

We had a special dinner in this area and it was absolutely beautiful. The staff really goes out of their way to meet your needs and create unforgettable experiences.

View of the villas, over the bridge from the main hotel.

5.) Adjoining rooms and villas - Traveling with kids can be a bit of a challenge, but Sawgrass Marriott makes it easy for families with their newly refreshed villas. The villas are amazing and located just off to the side of the main hotel.

The villas have a bit of a condo feel to them and have that extra space and privacy that most families need. You can choose to book a villa with two bedrooms and a full living room with kitchen area, or one bedroom with the attached living room and kitchen area. I love that they give you the option of booking more space or less. I think it would be perfect for larger families or if you’re traveling with your parents or in-laws.

If you prefer to stay in the main hotel, you can book adjoining rooms if you also need that extra space. We had two adjoining rooms during our stay and it was heavenly! Although the four of us could have stayed in a room with two beds, it was SO nice to have another space to retreat to so the kids could nap quietly. Or, if like me, you have a baby that doesn’t sleep through the night yet, you'll have a separate space so the baby doesn’t wake the rest of the family.

6.) Restaurants, shops and a grocery store within walking distance. How many times have you gotten to your destination only to find that you forgot something you needed? On our trip, I realized I forgot my daughter’s almond milk and I was able to walk across the street to pick some up at Publix. Also located right across the street are several restaurants and shops. This is a BIG plus for me! When I go away for a vacation, I like to be able to park my car and forget about it. Being able to walk a short distance and still feel like you’re exploring the area is awesome.

7.) Food selections for kids - We had quite a few meals at the resort and each one of them had a great selection of kid-friendly foods. My son is a picky eater and they were able to accommodate him every time. The staff is phenomenal with children, especially Executive Chef Joe Natoli and his team. They planned some really fun events for our kids, like preparing dessert in the main kitchen. My son is still talking about it and wears his little apron around the house.

I mentioned it earlier, but The American Gator Club is great for kids. It's got a relaxed atmosphere and great view of the water and accompanying wildlife (which really entertained our little ones). Be sure to check out the recipe for Mama T’s Blue Raspberry Lemonade to see one of the fun drinks my kids got to experience while dining at Sawgrass Marriott.

8.)  Surfstream wave simulator - This is so cool! Guests will get to have the ultimate surfing experience thanks to Surfstream coming in the late fall. Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa will be the only resort in the continental US that you can have this experience. It features adjustable wave size, shape, and multiple riding modes so all skill levels can enjoy the experience. I cannot wait to visit the resort again and check out the Surfstream!

If you’re looking for a laid back family-friendly vacation, I’d highly recommend visiting Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. It’s truly lives up to it’s tagline, “Always warm, Always welcoming.”

Disclosure: I was hosted by Sawgrass Marriott for our stay. All opinions are 100% my own.