For those of us who rely on the last minute to get anything done, we present 10 of our favourite family-friendly hideaways which still have availability for the school summer holidays.
Villas St Pierre de Serjac – Languedoc, France
Brand new this spring, these well-equipped and sophisticated villas offer understated luxury, a charming setting and acres of bucolic rural space. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and many have private pools (there’s a large communal one for all to frolic in, too). There’s even a kids’ club in operation this summer.
Offer: 10% off 7-night stays
Dreamcatchers, St Mawes Hideaways – Cornwall, UK
One of 4 lavish coastal rental properties in attractive St Mawes, this stylish 2-storey, 5-bedroom house has crisp décor, cool lighting and sweeping sea views. There’s a generous garden with a trampoline, a large living room, and a fully kitted kitchen. You get useful baby and toddler kit, a dressing-up box, and plenty of toys and games, too.
Offer: Reduced rates for the first half of July, including a Cornish cream tea, a Cornish hamper and a bottle of Prosecco
4 Reasons hotel + bistro – Aegean Coast, Turkey
On the popular Bodrum peninsula, this serene hotel has bougainvillea-draped, all-white cottages that cascade down a hillside to the sparkling pool. There are suites for families, along with petanque and a pool table, and the beach and watersports are close at hand.
Offer: Stay 5 nights for a 15% discount + tickets to a kids’ waterpark (state ‘family booking’ when enquiring)
Fattoria Barbialla Nuova – Tuscany, Italy
Go wild in the country at this great-value organic farm, set on a private estate of 500 hectares and only an hour from Florence and Pisa. You’re blissfully immersed in nature (ideal for wildlife-spotting and walks), and have the freedom and flexibility of self-catering. What’s more, each of the converted farm buildings has a pool.
Offer: 10% discount for selected apartments for 3+ nights up to 9 July
Round Hill – Montego Bay, Jamaica
The Caribbean can be overlooked as a summer destination. Yes the weather is slightly less reliable, but it’s still tropical, warm and sunny – plus you’ve got the benefit of fewer crowds and lower prices. This timelessly chic institution works for all: there’s a kids’ club which offers cool activities like reggae lessons, a lovely sandy beach and pools, cool villas, watersports, and even a spa.
Offer: 4 nights for 3
Captain’s Club Hotel – Dorset, UK
Right on the river, with beautiful sandy beaches and the delights of the New Forest close by, this modern hotel makes a great base for families. It has a nautical vibe, a spa, a lovely restaurant with a kids’ menu, and family-friendly suites (the larger ones have their own kitchens).
Memmo Baleeira – Algarve, Portugal
Right on Europe’s westernmost tip is this super-sleek designer hotel, which is surprisingly family-friendly despite its minimalist angles. Set on a clifftop above a glorious beach, it offers a great dive course for tweens and teens, as well as a surf school for older kids. There’s also a playground and a large outdoor swimming pool; kids are allowed in the indoor heated one during restricted hours.
Cuatre Finques – Costa Blanca, Spain
Just half an hour’s drive inland from the coast in the under-explored Xaló Valley, this charming casa rural has a welcoming house-party vibe. Families will appreciate the pool, chickens, sandpit, Wendy House and swing; head out and you can hike and bike through pine forests and hillside villages.
Pristava Lepena – Soca Valley, Slovenia
This place exalts the great outdoors. A cluster of chalets with a restaurant and games room, it’s set in a stunning Alpine valley, with wildflowers, soaring peaks and crystal-clear rivers all around. Head forth for canyoning, rafting, kayaking and zip-lining; return to riding lessons on pure-bred Lipizzan horses, a solar-heated pool, pet goats and ponies, archery, and hearty meals.
Casa Tomaren – Lanzarote, Canary Islands
These 8 boho-rustic self-catering houses (each sleeping 2-8) sit on the outskirts of a village in central Lanzarote, only 15 minutes from the airport. They’re well-placed for both beaches and volcanic parks; when you’ve finished exploring, there’s a marvellous heated turquoise pool with a shallow end, plus lush gardens with hammocks and a play area.
Click here for the full list of places with space this summer >>