Families visiting South County's beach towns will find a variety of independently operated inns and motels with rates that vary widely, peaking on summer weekends. Here are a few of the available options that have particular appeal for families.

The fifteen-acre Willows Resort (Route 1, Charlestown, 401-364-7727 or 800-842-2181, www.willowsresort.com) is situated on a saltwater pond and located a five-minute drive from ocean beaches. Lodging options include efficiency units and one- and two-bedroom apartments, and rates include use of the outdoor pool, canoes, rowboats, kayaks, and sailboats.

Choose a room, efficiency, or cottage at Sand Dollar Inn (171 Post Road, Westerly, 401-322-2000, www.visitri.com/sanddollarinn), a quiet family property that is two miles from beaches.

You can hide away inside your own tiny “beach cottage” at Hathaway's Guest Cottages (4470 Old Post Road, Charlestown, 401-364-6665, www.hathawaysguestcottages.com), which has some efficiency cottages with cooking facilities that are ideal for longer stays.

Choose a deluxe room, suite, or private villa and have an eighteen-hole golf course at your doorstep at Winnapaug Inn (169 Shore Road, Westerly, 401-348-8350, www.winnapauginn.com), a fifty-six-room, year-round lodging facility where the kids will enjoy the heated outdoor pool. Guests can use complimentary passes to a private Misquamicut beach.

While there are few accommodations right on the ocean, the Westerly area does have several beachfront options that are family-friendly but not fancy: the Andrea Hotel (89 Atlantic Avenue, Misquamicut, 401-348-8788, www.andreahotel.com), Pleasant View Inn (65 Atlantic Avenue, Watch Hill, 401-348-8200 or 800-782-3224, www.pvinn.com), Sandcastle Beachfront Inn (141 Atlantic Avenue, Misquamicut, 401-596-6900, www.oceanviewinns.com/sandcastle.html), and Sandy Shore Motel (149 Atlantic Avenue, Misquamicut, 401-596-5616, www.sandyshore.com).

If you're more comfortable with a chain hotel, stay eight miles from the beach and have access to an outdoor pool at the Holiday Inn (3009 Tower Hill Road, South Kingstown, 401-789-1051) or consider the Best Western West Greenwich Inn (99 Nooseneck Hill Road, West Greenwich, 401-397-5494), which has an indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, and complimentary continental breakfast. Coventry is home to two comfortable family hotels: Hampton Inn (Centre of New England Boulevard, 401-823-4041), which has a pool, hot tub, and fitness center; and Wingate Inn (4 Universal Boulevard, 401-821-3322), which offers a large indoor heated pool, oversize rooms, and a complimentary expanded continental breakfast.