My Personal Picks For Family Friendly Hotels in Dallas
From a Dallas mom who wants you to love this trip
I’ll start with a confession: I’ve booked that hotel in the past— you know, the one with glowing reviews and magazine-perfect photos. One Christmas, I was swept up by the glitz of a “downtown” stay that looked spacious and stunning online. In real life? An unsavory area, a long walk to parking, and a quiet mom fail. Had I run that pick by a local, it would’ve been an immediate no.
That experience is exactly why I put this guide together–to help you avoid that sinking feeling of missing the mark on the hotel for your trip to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas.
Before we dive in, let me officially say welcome to Dallas — I’m excited that you’re coming. 🤍
It’s taken me some time, but I’ve grown to love this city, and I want to show you the best it has to offer. If I were helping a close friend plan a family World Cup trip, this is the short list I’d hand them before they disappeared down the internet rabbit hole.
Dallas delivers luxe experiences if you want them — great shopping, top-tier dining, arts and culture — but it’s also a very practical city, especially in late June and July. Planning is simple:
- You want to be indoors or in the water.
- A great pool matters more than proximity to “cute” neighborhoods.
- Hotel food will be fine — but for truly great food, you’ll want to get out and explore Dallas and Fort Worth restaurants.
- Our kids are high-energy — the sweet spot is calm for parents with plenty to do for kids, or things get… mischievous 😄. I’ve written this guide with that balance in mind.
Here is my take on what options would work well for your type of family:
Top Family Friendly Hotels in Dallas for the World Cup
🏙️ Downtown Dallas
Best for: City energy, culture, dining, walkability (by Dallas standards)
✨ JW Marriott Arts District — My Luxe City Pick
Chic, central, and surrounded by culture
- Steps from Klyde Warren Park, Dallas Museum of Art, and a quick drive to Dallas World Aquarium and Perot Museum
- Feels like you’re truly “in the city”
- Best for families who want culture + a polished hotel experience
💎 Hilton Anatole — Great Bang for Your Buck
Resort-style fun without the luxury price tag
- Massive pool complex kids absolutely love
- Friendly staff, well-kept, reliable
- Spacious suites with separate living areas
- Not in the flashiest part of town — right off Interstate 35, which means more urban, high-traffic surroundings — but well-loved by families and sports teams who prioritize value and convenience. If you’re heading back early each night, it’s an easy pick. Late-night escapades with tired kids? Maybe think twice.
- Local mom tip: You avoid the notoriously congested Woodall Rodgers curve when heading to and from the stadium — the Anatole sits just before the traffic choke point, saving real time (and nerves) on game days
Honorable Mention: The Highland and The Beeman are just outside the downtown area and offer a lot of bang for your buck, but plan to sit in a bit of traffic on the Woodall Rodgers curve to get to the stadium. Omni Dallas (Downtown) is another popular family hotel, as well.
🌳 Las Colinas / Grapevine
Best for: Easy arrival (just minutes from DFW Airport), a true resort feel, and the ability to stay happily on property away from the hustle and bustle of the stadium area or a big city.
🤍 Ritz-Carlton Las Colinas — Luxe and Calm
Formerly a Four Seasons, it still carries their tranquil energy: serene, spacious, adult-approved
- Large pool and tranquil grounds
- Ideal if your kids don’t need nonstop stimulation
- A true decompression zone after long matches and travel
🎢 Gaylord Texan — Kid Chaos (On Purpose)
Endless entertainment, zero boredom
- Activities, shows, and water features everywhere
- A dream stay for high-energy kids who need constant stimulation
- Adventure Kids’ Club on site and a water park, as well
- If all this is still not enough, LegoLand, Peppa Pig Land, Sea Life Aquarium are all just a quick hop away at nearby Grapevine Mills Mall
- Honest note: Gaylord Texan can feel loud and high-energy, but it’s noticeably calmer and quieter than nearby Great Wolf Lodge — a great middle ground if you want activity without full sensory overload. Know your family.
Honorable Mention: Great Wolf Lodge for high-energy kids and patient parents and Omni Las Colinas for a more value offering than the Ritz Carlton, but still the relaxed Las Colinas calm vibe.
🤠 Fort Worth
Best for: Small-city feel with personality and walkable downtown
⭐ Omni Fort Worth — Cowtown Charm
- Family-friendly features and easy access to amenities
- Cattle drives, Western culture, but still polished
- Feels “in the city” without Dallas’s scale or traffic intensity
- Choose Fort Worth if you want an upscale western experience.
⭐ Hotel Drover — Cowtown Glitz
- Lil’ Ropers activities offer a cultural experience
- Ideal if you want sometihg stylish, walkable and distinctly Fort Worth
- Memorable vibe without resort chaos
Honorable Mention: Hyatt Place and Hampton Inn are reliable budget-friendly downtown choices for easy access to attractions. Embassy Suites downtown is another solid pick — free breakfast helps soften the blow if ticket prices took a big bite out of your vacation budget 😄
🌿 North Dallas / Frisco
Best for: Pools, newer resorts, space to spread out, endless indoor kid entertainment options
(Yes, you’ll drive — but this works for the right family.)
🏌️ Omni PGA Frisco — Kid Mecca Meets Adult Tranquility
- A haul from World Cup’s AT&T Stadium, but incredibly well done
- Perfect if you have a golfer or older kids
- Fresh, modern, and peaceful with tons of on-site activities
🌊 Westin Stonebriar
- Large pool, beautiful grounds
- Relaxing, dependable family choice
⛸️ Westin Galleria Dallas
- Attached to a mall with an ice rink
- Surprisingly fun in July for novelty loving kids who may enjoy ice skating in the summer.
- This could also be a good place to let toddlers run around for a while.
🏟️ Arlington
Best for: Convenience above all else
- Closest option to AT&T Stadium
- Seamless late-night match → bed transition
- If you want close access to Six Flags or Bolder Adventure Park
✨ Loews Arlington Hotel or Live! By Loews — My Luxe Pick
- Great pools! (Check out the Loew’s Arlington water slide)
- Shiny new properties with a lot of fun family amenities
- Loews Live! is the original, sports-focused hotel known for its stadium view and entertainment access
- Connected to the Texas Live! entertainment district and connected to each other via a skybridge
- You will enjoy the food enough, but you miss out on the Dallas dining experience.
My honest take:
If you’re here strictly for the games and logistics, Arlington works.
If you want a sense of Dallas — culture, food, energy — I’d recommend Dallas or Fort Worth.
Now that you’ve seen my short list by area, let’s zoom out and cover the broader landscape of family-friendly hotels travelers typically search for when planning a Dallas trip.
Dallas offers families a huge variety of attractions, from world-class museums to thrilling theme parks. Picking the right family-friendly hotel can make or break your trip. With over 880 hotels in the area, you’ll want accommodations that keep kids entertained while giving parents a bit of comfort (and sanity).
The best family-friendly hotels combine spacious suites, fun amenities like pools with splash pad features, and convenient locations near top attractions. Whether you’re planning a summer getaway or exploring Texas during school holidays, these picks will help your little ones stay happy while you enjoy a relaxing stay.
Looking for even more ways to keep the kids entertained? Check out our ultimate guide to the best indoor play places in Dallas.
Best Family Friendly Hotels in Dallas–Fort Worth — At a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of top family-friendly hotels in Dallas–Fort Worth, highlighting what makes each one shine:
| Hotel | Key Family Amenity | Non-Peak Price Range | Best For |
| Hilton Anatole (Dallas) | JadeWaters resort pool + lazy river | $150–$300/night | Resort fun without full resort pricing |
| JW Marriott Arts District (Dallas Downtown) | Walkable culture + polished luxury | $300–$500/night | Families who want city energy and museums |
| The Highland Dallas (Dallas) | Quiet luxury near SMU | $220–$350/night | Calm, upscale stays with older kids |
| The Beeman Hotel (Dallas) | Indoor pool + more low-key vibe | $180–$300/night | Central location with less chaos |
| Omni Downtown Dallas (Dallas Downtown) | Junior Chefs Program | $120–$250/night | Downtown sightseeing families |
| Ritz-Carlton (Las Colinas) | Tranquil resort grounds + pool | $450–$650/night | Luxe-loving families who value calm |
| Gaylord Texan (Grapevine) | Paradise Springs Water Park | $180–$350/night | High-energy kids & holiday experiences |
| Great Wolf Lodge (Grapevine) | Indoor water park | $200–$400/night | Water-loving families who want nonstop activity |
| Omni (Fort Worth) | Walkable historic downtown | $200–$350/night | Western charm with city convenience |
| Hotel Drover (Fort Worth) | Stockyards setting + Lil’ Ropers program | $350–$550/night | Design-forward stays with Texas flair |
| Hyatt Place Downtown (Fort Worth) | Suite-style rooms + free breakfast | $160–$250/night | Value-minded families who want walkability |
| Hampton Inn Downtown (Fort Worth) | Free breakfast + reliable comfort | $150–$230/night | Budget-friendly, no-surprises stays |
| Embassy Suites Downtown (Fort Worth) | Two-room suites + free breakfast | $190–$300/night | Families needing space after big attraction days |
| Omni PGA (Frisco) | Multiple pools + on-site activities | $300–$500/night | Golf families & longer resort stays |
| Westin Galleria (North Dallas) | Mall + ice rink connection | $140–$280/night | Built-in entertainment & summer novelty |
| Westin Stonebriar (Frisco) | Large pool + resort grounds | $200–$350/night | Relaxed, dependable family stays |
| Loews (Arlington) | Resort pool + stadium access | $250–$400/night | World Cup convenience seekers |
| Live! by Loews (Arlington) | Steps from stadium + modern rooms | $220–$350/night | Game-first trips with minimal driving |
Local tip: Most family-friendly hotels in Dallas let kids stay free when sharing a room with parents (usually under age 12). For summer travel and major events like the World Cup, booking 8–12 weeks ahead gives you the best mix of availability and pricing.
Essential Family-Friendly Amenities
The best family hotels go beyond beds:
- Pools & Water Features: Indoor, outdoor, splash pads, lazy rivers. Climate-controlled pools make any season fun.
- Dining & Kids Programs: Kids eat free, grab-and-go snacks, healthy menu options.
- Room Layout & Space: Suites, connecting rooms, kitchenettes — perfect for privacy and flexibility.
- Children’s Activities: Kids clubs, supervised play, seasonal events.
- Practical Services: Baby gear rentals, childcare, front desk trained in family needs.
Local tip: Ask for ground-floor rooms near the pool — makes life so much easier with young kids.
Top Dallas Family Attractions Near Hotels
- Museums: Perot Museum of Nature & Science, Dallas World Aquarium
- Parks: Klyde Warren Park Children’s Park (splash pads, playgrounds, free events)
- Theme Parks: Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, LEGOLAND Discovery Center
- Sports Venues: AT&T Stadium, American Airlines Center
- Shopping & Entertainment: Highland Park Village (ultra-luxe) North Park (sculpture gardens line the hallways and upscale shopping) Galleria Dallas, Fort Worth Stockyards
Booking Tips for Families
- Book connecting rooms or suites early, especially in summer or holidays
- Take advantage of free breakfast / kids-eat-free programs
- Look for packages with attraction tickets
- Consider weekday stays for lower rates
- Direct booking often offers better service and upgrade opportunities
- Confirm “kids stay free” policies and age limits
Dallas has it all for families — from water park excitement to refined luxury. Match your hotel choice to your family’s interests, and you’ll have a trip full of memories without stress. Start planning and book early to get the best options for your Dallas World Cup trip!
