Paddle boats (pedalos) are the watersport with no learning curve and no minimum age. A four-year-old can sit on the bench next to a parent and pedal happily across a calm lake or sheltered bay. It's one of those activities where the lack of complexity is exactly the point.

The hotels in this collection have maintained paddle boat fleets on properly sheltered water. Think working pedals and steerable rudders, life jackets in every size, and either a calm hotel lake, lagoon, or coastal bay where the youngest passengers can paddle around safely. A wonderfully simple amenity that just works.

Below are the top family hotels with paddle boats, sorted by overall score.