Xanadu Island Resort

The honest review

Xanadu Island Resort sits in that honest middle: a 3-star independent property on Block Island, which means you're getting a destination-dependent vacation. The FamilyFactor breakdown is remarkably balanced—kid amenities (72), room fit (72), location (74), and safety (74) all hover in the solid range. That consistency suggests this isn't a kids-club-heavy resort trying to separate families; it's more of a home base where the island does the heavy lifting. For elementary and tween kids, Block Island itself—the ferries, beaches, bike trails—is the real draw.

Where the resort sits lower is parent recovery (69), which is the honest trade-off here. You're not checking into a place with a spa, a quiet adult pool, or robust evening programming that lets you breathe. Pricing (69) is middling for the tier, meaning you're paying what you'd expect for an island location in New England, not getting a deal. The rooms fit families without pretending to be luxury—they work.

This property makes sense if you're okay with Block Island being the star and the resort being the functional anchor. Multi-generational trips work here because grandparents won't feel trapped in kid programming. You're trading convenience and adult amenities for a genuine island vacation where families actually move around and explore. It's not generic, but it's not trying to be all-in-one either. That honesty is harder to find at this price point.