Hotels • May 2017
Seven of the friendliest family resorts
Whether you’re travelling with toddlers, tweens or teens, holiday time is precious – so you want to get it right. Jane Anderson, editor of Family Traveller magazine, reveals seven family-friendly resorts that won’t let you (or the little ones) down – as shortlisted by you in The Club’s 2016 Readers’ Awards
Winner: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World, USA
Set within Disney World, but tucked away in the secluded ‘millionaires row’ of Golden Oak, this mighty 443-room hotel resembles a Spanish lakeside estate. Families love Explorer Island, a vast playground with pools and a lazy river winding around a ruined mansion.
Doing it for the kids: As well as the complimentary Kids for All Seasons club (for ages four to 12), there are character breakfasts with Mickey and pals, and in-room treats such as ‘Presenting Your Royal Princess’.
Parental paradise: Play a round at the 18-hole Tom Fazio-designed Tranquilo Golf Club.
Hillside Beach Club, Turkey
Surrounded by unspoilt woodland on the Aegean Coast, this resort combines family fun with chic and contemporary surroundings.
Doing it for the kids: Creative kids will love Artside, an artistic club that takes its inspiration from nature, with activities such as silk painting, marbling and mosaic design on the agenda, as well as DJ workshops and boat tours.
Parental paradise: Head to the adults-only Silent Beach or book a Balinese treatment at the Sanda Nature Spa.
Runner-up: Calcot Manor, Cotswolds, UK
Parents will feel their blood pressure lowering as they enter this serene 35-bedroom country house hotel. Families are catered for seamlessly here, with 13 specially designed bedrooms and suites stocked with everything from bathtime toys to bibs.
Doing it for the kids: The special Ofsted-registered Playzone in a former tithe barn has a slick private cinema and cosy crèche, while The Mez (for ages eight and up) has PlayStations, Wii consoles, Xbox 360s and a 12-seat cinema.
Parental paradise: Escape to the Calcot Spa then regroup with the kids for a bike ride around the hotel’s private estate.
Fairmont Royal Pavilion, Barbados
This elegant resort sits on half a mile of white sand on the sought-after Platinum Coast. It’s a grown-up hotel that welcomes kids with open arms, be it family yoga on the Palm Terrace or movie night at the Beach Club.
Doing it for the kids: Snorkelling with turtles over the coral reef, followed by an exhilarating tube ride along the west coast.
Parental paradise: Rejuvenate with a relaxing in-room massage.
Domes of Elounda, Crete
Immerse your kids in the myths and legends of Crete at this award-winning resort, which brings families together with hands-on experiences such as Cretan cooking classes and a pirate treasure hunt on Kolokytha Island.
Doing it for the kids: The Domesland kids’ club is one of the best in the Med, with everything from advanced sandcastle building to water skiing. You can even accompany little ones to the spa for ‘Mummy and Me’ treatments.
Parental paradise: Jump in a cab and head to the town of Plaka for a candlelit seafood dinner by the sea.
Atlantis The Palm, Dubai
The crescent of Atlantis The Palm is more than just a resort – it’s a marine-themed adventure playground where families can let their imaginations run wild.
Doing it for the kids: Expect watery adventures at Aquaventure Waterpark, home to 65,000 marine animals, as well as the opportunity to swim with dolphins and sea lions.
Parental paradise: Indulge in a couples’ hatha yoga session under the sea in The Lost Chambers Aquarium, or jump on board a cruise around the Atlantis, watching the sun set over the Arabian Sea.
Almyra, Cyprus
This white palace by the sea is a haven for parents seeking the designer cool they used to enjoy on holiday pre-kids. Its Baby Go-Lightly service allows new parents to order what they need for their arrival, from prams to nappies.
Doing it for the kids: Age-specific kids’ clubs and adventure outposts, along with a Kiddie Concierge and creative children’s menus.
Parental paradise: Enjoy a tennis lesson, private rooftop yoga class or head to the tranquil Almyra Spa.
This article has been tagged Destination, Hotels