Water skiing is the classic family watersport. Easier to learn than wakeboarding, accessible to kids from around six, and one of those activities that genuinely produces multi-generational laughs as everyone takes their turn behind the boat.

The hotels in this collection have built proper water skiing programs. Think a real ski boat with the right tow pylon, age-appropriate skis (children's trainer skis with bindings that fit small feet), and qualified instructors who can teach beginners from the dock or from a kneeboard position. Sheltered water is essential and these properties have it.

Many properties pair water skiing with adjacent activities, kneeboarding, tubing, and wakeboarding, all in a single program that lets families try multiple disciplines without booking separately. The result is the kind of day where everyone is on the water, everyone is laughing, and someone has a great new story to bring home.

Below are the top family hotels with water skiing, sorted by overall score.