By Nadine Mellor, i-escape Kids Collection Editor
The concept of ‘family’ has extended in many wondrous directions, but finding a room for more than 2 adults + 2 children is still extraordinarily difficult. These 10 hotels are perfect for families which come in larger packages.
1 Chateau Les Carrasses, France
Location: Languedoc-Roussillon
Why stay: This picture-perfect chateau has been converted into stylish self-catering apartments, and boasts a kids club, heated infinity pool, vineyards and masses of space. You can benefit from the services of a delicious brasserie (with kids menu) with the flexibility of being able to cook for yourselves.
Best room: Six apartments can sleep 6-8 apiece (three come with a private pool).
2 Rebali Riads, Morocco
Location: Near Essaouira
Why stay: This purpose-built terrace of riads in the small surfing town of Sidi Kaouki on the Atlantic coast has a delightful mini-resort vibe. There’s a shared garden (with chameleons and tortoises!), a lap pool and shallow kids pool, plus a hammam, tennis court, and lots of interesting local activities, plus terrific service.
Best rooms: Five riads can host a family of 5 (three have their own private pool and walled gardens). The largest riad can sleep up to 10 adults + a baby.
3 Masseria Mongio Dell’Elefante, Italy
Location: Puglia
Why stay: A large 19th-century coastal farmhouse just 5km north of Otranto, this 12-suite family hotel is perfect for water babies of all ages. It has a private pathway leading to a beautiful white sand beach backed by pines, while the on-site pool has a long shallow area which runs its entire length. It also boasts a wellness spa and delicious home cooking.
Best room: Two elegant Executive Suites can sleep 5-6 apiece.
4 Kurland, South Africa
Location: Near Plettenberg Bay
Why stay: Kurland is one of our favourite family hotels of all time. Small and luxurious, this country hideaway has swimming pools, a spa, dedicated kids suppers, a playroom, sandpit, plus cycling, tennis, and organised activities (including treasure hunts). There’s a great stretch of sandy beach nearby, plus wildlife sanctuaries, and it’s within easy reach of the Garden Route’s main sights.
Best room: The Superior Suites come with loft rooms for up to four children, and have buckets of toys, mini-bathrobes and teddies, plus plunge pools.
5 Martinhal Lisbon Chiado, Portugal
Location: Lisbon
Why stay: A colourful family apart-hotel in vibrant Chiado (pedestrianised areas, friendly restaurants), Martinhal boasts superlative childcare. There is a complimentary supervised kids club (from 6mo-16yrs) and evening pyjama parties so you can explore the city and dine out a deux. The imaginative play areas include a climbing wall, kids kit to borrow, a cafe serving breakfast, and simple meals with a play car.
Best room: The 2-bed Deluxe Apartments can sleep up to 6 plus a baby.
6 Karpaha Sands, Sri Lanka
Location: Kalkudah Bay
Why stay: A chic, laidback tented resort within coconut palm trees on a sprawling golden beach on Sri Lanka’s unspoiled east coast, Karpaha Sands is top-notch glamping at its finest. The spacious, well-designed tents have open-plan bathrooms with free-standing tubs and a private walled open-air courtyard with a waterfall shower.
Best room: The 2-bedroom Seed Suites can sleep up to 5 adults + 1 child.
7 Polurrian on the Lizard, UK
Location: Cornwall
Why stay: A sunset-facing clifftop hotel overlooking a sandy beach, this boutique hideaway has excellent family facilities that include both an indoor and outdoor pool, a playground, table football and pool table, a cinema, a spa, plus consoles in the games room and great activities on offer during the school holidays.
Best room: You can ask for interconnecting rooms for a family of five (with a choice of inland or sea views), plus four 3-bed self-catering villas sleep up to 6 apiece.
8 LaVue Zermatt, Switzerland
Location: the Swiss Alps
Why stay: A collection of immaculate contemporary designer apartments overlooking the iconic Swiss resort of Zermatt, LaVue combines the privacy and relaxed vibe of a chalet with the services of a first-class hotel. Includes breakfast delivered to your door, a wellness area and a concierge.
Best room: Two 3-bed apartments can sleep 6 adults + 2 children; one 5-bed apartment can sleep up to 10 adults + 2 children.
9 Cap Maison, St Lucia
Location: Near Castries
Why stay: Cap Maison is a sociable resort with lush tropical gardens in a former sugar plantation on the north coast of the island. It’s set up to resemble a village, where the villas are separated by courtyards, pools and lawns. The kids can head to a secluded beach to try out non-motorised watersports, or venture into the rainforest for zip-lining. Both the food and service are sensational.
Best room: Various suites can interconnect to make 2-bed villas (for a family of five) or 3-bed villas (a family of eight).
10 Aleenta Phuket, Thailand
Location: Phuket
Why stay: A luxurious hideaway on a long unspoilt white sand beach on Phuket’s west coast, Aleenta is the place for sheer relaxation and pampering. With a signature ‘Outside Living In’ philosophy and gorgeous suites and villas, it also boasts a gadget-free kids club (up to 10yrs) and children’s concierge. Kids under six stay free.
Best room: The 2-bed Pool Residences can house a family of six, while the 3-bed Beachfront Villas can host a family of nine.
See all of our family-friendly hotels