The new Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort means business when it says it caters to families. On property and around the area, there's plenty to keep both kids and adults entertained and relaxed. And everyone gets a little pampering, too.

Our Trump Sonesta experience began to unwind after a several-hour car ride to Sunny Isles Beach, just north of Miami. It was a trip I'd considered making with my eight-year-old son, Justin, for quite some time. Sunny Isles Beach is close to a slew of great family attractions such as the Miami Seaquarium and the Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale – both of which he was raring to see.
At Trump Sonesta, you have everything you need to keep the little ones and their parents happy without having to leave the premises.

While it's great to head out on any family outing, it's especially nice to have plenty of fun activities to partake in right where you're staying. At Trump Sonesta, you have everything you need to keep the little ones and their parents happy without having to leave the premises. Add in a prime location, first-class amenities and an exceptionally personable, professional and helpful staff (this is a Trump property, after all) and you've got the makings of a truly enjoyable and totally stress-free family vacation.

We decided to spend our first day relaxing at the resort. After an early check-in, we kicked back in our spacious one-bedroom suite, admiring the incredible 10th-floor view of the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Intracoastal Waterway to the west. The room itself was comfortable, with every little detail perfectly attended to – from the fluffy slippers to the plush, white robes to the fresh flowers.

Considering that the resort's rates start at $239 per night, I was pleasantly surprised to find that all this luxury was fairly affordable, too.

After relaxing and snapping a few bird's-eye-view pictures of the beach, we headed down to one of two tropical, grotto-style pools complete with fountains, waterfalls and cabanas. At the pool, Justin was delighted to find plenty of other children splashing around and playing with the resort's pool toys. I lounged poolside and watched as he swam under the arched waterfall again and again.

After our swim and a dip in the hot tub, we enjoyed a late lunch at the casual Gill's Pool Bar and Grill. Then it was off to the beach to hunt for seashells and body surf in the waves. Just when the beach was getting a bit hot, complimentary ice-cold popsicles were served to us as we lounged in our beach chairs. We felt like beach royalty.

That afternoon, I had a facial and massage lined up at the resort's Aquanox Spa. Before lunch I had signed up Justin for the afternoon's Just Us Kids program, so my bases were covered. The program keeps kids entertained with everything from arts and crafts to pool games, and even incorporates offsite trips to nearby attractions. And it's all with kids about the same age (5-12).

Just Us Kids offers daily, full-day programs, but there are late hours on Fridays and Saturdays. On weekends, there's a Just Us Little Kids program for three- to four-year-olds. Holidays and holiday weekends bring even more kid-friendly activities and events.

From the moment I stepped though the Just Us Kids doorway, I knew Justin was in good hands. He and the other kids all had to don matching program T-shirts, and Justin looked happy to be part of the club. The staff knew just how to make him smile as they showed him a selection of crafts and games that he could choose from.

I didn't have a shred of worry as I enjoyed my deep tissue massage, personalized facial and paraffin hand treatment at the spa. In fact, I was able to prolong the experience with a trip to the sauna and eucalyptus steam room.

That evening, we were both full of smiles as we swapped the day's stories and enjoyed a delicious meal on the terrace at the resort's Neomi's restaurant. While we were enjoying our dessert – fresh apple pie for me and brownie with ice cream for him – in walked a few of the other children that Justin had met earlier that day. They smiled and waved to each other, seeming to be secretly planning other adventures.

Later that night we curled up on the couch and planned our own adventures for the next few days. We decided on an early breakfast at Neomi's, followed by an excursion to the Miami Seaquarium (it was only about a half-hour drive from the resort) and the Miami MetroZoo. In nearby Fort Lauderdale, our possibilities included the Museum of Discovery & Science (for fun exhibits and awesome IMAX shows), the Young at Art Children's Museum and Wannado City, where kids get to experiment with "what they want to be when they grow up."

We didn't know what to look forward to more – the exciting attractions we had yet to see, or another blissful day at this fun-filled beach resort.