The i-escape blog / 10 of the best places to take your kids on a learning journey / Nadine Mellor

By Nadine Mellor, Kids Collection Editor

What a great year of family travel! We’re delighted that so many fantastic new family partners joined our Kids Collection in 2019, read on for 12 of our favourites.


1 Elmley Nature Reserve, Kent, UK

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / Elmley Nature Reserve

Uniquely, Elmley is the only National Nature Reserve in England you can overnight in – either in two handsome and recently restored houses or in six stylish shepherds huts, all of which overlook the wild salt marsh landscape. Self-cater or order picnic baskets.

For kids: a walled garden for football, a play tractor, swing, games in the barn and 3,200 acres to run around.

 

2 Masseria Mongio, Puglia, Italy

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / Masseria Mongio Dell'Elefante

This 19th-century traditional large farmhouse surrounded by vines and olive trees has been elegantly restored and comes with delicious home-cooked food, a wellness spa and is only a five-minute walk to a glorious white-sand beach.

For kids: a big outdoor pool with a shallow area that runs its length, bikes to borrow, in-room kitchenettes and the spa has a heated indoor pool too.

 

3 Bella Mare Hotel, Corfu, Greece

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / Bella Mare Hotel

This smart beachfront retreat has sleek rooms and a watersports centre, and is close to hidden beaches and beach tavernas serving great grub.

For kids: there’s a huge main pool plus a separate kids pool, two kids’ clubs during the summer holidays (for 7-10 & 11-16 year olds), table tennis and boat trips.

 

4 Casa das Arribas, Lisbon Coast, Portugal

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / Outpost - Casa das Arribas

This historic clifftop house has been cleverly converted into six fabulous apartments which share a garden on a spectacular stretch of the Atlantic coast – so all have stunning long views.

For kids: there’s a pool and tennis court on site, plus a cliff-carved natural pool and surfing beaches below.

 

5 Hope Cove House, Devon, UK

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / Hope Cove House

A brand-new great-value family-run coastal B&B with an excellent restaurant and a lovely relaxed vibe, plus style-mag interiors.

For kids: there are toys in the living room and two stunning adjacent beaches to explore, plus plenty of watersports nearby.

 

6 Dordogne Boutique Villa, Dordogne, France

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / Dordogne Boutique Villa

Launched in summer 2019, this former ancient paper mill turned six-bedroomed contemporary villa wows with its generous and gorgeous conversion; and it’s in the heart of foodie heaven.

For kids: the vast heated pool comes with inflatable toys, lots of games including boules & Swingball, table tennis & DVDs. There’s everything from canoeing to horseriding nearby.

 

7 The Positano Hideaways, Amalfi Coast, Italy

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / The Positano Hideaways

Hiding in plain sight 10 minutes’ walk above Positano, these five charming apartments are found through a secret door, have staggering views from spacious private terraces and boast peaceful terraced gardens.

For kids: a superbly positioned lap pool and a hidden beach below.

 

8 Marrakech Hideaway, Marrakech, Morocco

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / Marrakech Hideaway

We’ve wanted a cute riad rental for ages and have finally found it! This contemporary hideaway sleeps 2-4, has a stunning roof terrace, you can order meals on request and is right in the heart of the medina.

For kids: you can use the pool at a sister riad hotel, the souks are a marvel for all ages, camel riding and horse buggy rides are on offer nearby.

 

9 OceanBlue Coastal Retreats, Isle of Wight, UK

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / OceanBlue Coastal Retreats

Four sea-facing cottages on the south coast of the Isle of Wight which have suntrap terraces, log burners and breathtaking views; the Coastal Path runs right past.

For kids: lots of kids’ gear, twin rooms, games and puzzles, and there’s so much to do on the doorstep.

 

10  Lanzarote Luxury Villas, Canary Islands, Spain

i-escape blog / Family villa clusters / Lanzarote Luxury Villas

A pair of sugar cube supervillas in the north of Lanzarote, with six and seven bedrooms apiece. Each villa is 1km from La Garita golden beach; watersports, boat trips and lava caves are also nearby.

For kids: A solar-heated pool at each villa and table tennis; the larger villa also has a pool table and a yurt with a plunge pool.

 

11 Araca Azul, Bahia, Brazil

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / Araca Azul

Pristine Boipeba island is a car-free utopia with beautiful empty beaches, backed by Atlantic forest and fringed with shallow reefs. Magical Araca Azul is a four-bed eco-home of quirky driftwood art and furniture from old fishing boats.

For kids: a treehouse, slide and swing, toys & books, tropical garden, surfboards, snorkelling kit and kids’ sailing boat to borrow.

 

12 Gitcombe Estate, Devon, UK

i-escape blog / 12 of the best family additions for 2019 / Gitcombe Estate

Found in a secluded valley, this private estate comprises nine family-friendly restored Georgian farm buildings (sleeping 4-13), 14 acres of grounds for adventures, a sauna and a hot tub; ideal for multi-generational holidays.

For kids: two heated swimming pools (indoor and out), soft play area, tennis court, boules, basketball net, games room and heaps to do nearby.

 

Looking for more inspiration? See more stylish family hideaways which have recently joined our Kids Collection