We’re big believers there are few people more deserving of a rejuvenating break than bleary eyed parents. Getting a trip, with tots in tow, right is important for so many reasons, including saving your sanity. Whilst there are a lot of hotels who flout their family friendliness, finding those inclusive enclaves with style, spend and setting marry seamlessly can be harder to discover. Until now that is, we’ve rounded up the 10 best family holiday destinations for 2024, so all you need to do is pack your bags, wrangle your kids and go.
Tiny Travelship is the name to know for stylish family travel. Head to their website to browse their curated collection of handpicked holidays that prove parents don’t need to sacrifice their taste for their toddlers. Taking the guesswork out of who to trust, each and every recommendation is mama inspected and selected, with relevant reviews you can rely on. Not only that, the whole search experience has been designed with parents’ need in mind; filter properties by the age of your child, weaning and sleeping set up and distance from the airport. Follow them on Instagram for a daily dose of family friendly escapism.
Greece
Greece is a utopia for families. But with as many as 6,000 islands to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start with picking a parent pleasing pad. If you’re looking for space and service the name to know is Peligoni. Sprawling villas surround a members-only club, seamlessly combining freedom, flexibility and five star facilities. Expect seriously good food, epic entertainment for tots through to teens and spades of boho style.
If you’re seeking a stretched out summer, Crete’s Minos Beach art hotel warmly welcomes guests from the beginning of April through to the end of October. A design-lover’s dream, everything from the sugar-cube villas to the sprawling Sculpture Garden and pristine, private beaches are easy on the eye. Lashings of adult indulgences include daily yoga sessions, a slick spa and gourmet dining. There isn’t a Kids Club, but babysitters can be arranged if you need a little alone time.
Italy
Pining to live la dolce vita? Whether you’re looking to satisfy your inner culture vulture, luxuriate in a spot of lakeside living, or bed down somewhere steps-from-the-sea, Italy knows how to deliver the goods. If you’re scrolling for a romantic retreat that welcomes tiny tagalongs, allow us to introduce you to the twin fairytale villas at La Foleia. From the frescoed walls & brocade beds, to magical gardens & spring water plunge pools, every element has been carefully considered for maximum rest and relaxation.
If ‘holiday’ to you means childcare, but you’ve ‘been there, done that and bought the postcard’ from the famous family hotels, take a look at South Tyrol’s Feuerstein instead. You’ll be swapping a beach for the mountains, but scenery doesn’t come much more spectacular, and the 70 hours of complimentary childcare a week (from 4 months+) is a big bonus.
Portugal
There’s a reason Portugal is a firm fam fan favourite - it really does tick all the boxes; easy flight; beautiful beaches and fabulous food. The sunkissed-stretches of Comporta are definitely having a moment – and rightly so - the beach-to-babe ratio is blissfully low, whilst the foodie and nature-rich hotspots pack a powerful punch. Monte do Olival is a hidden gem home-from-home providing a beautiful base that doesn’t break the bank. The centuries-old property marries traditional and trendy interiors inside, with a generous swimming pool boasting panoramic views outside
Whilst a world renowned wine & spa hotel doesn’t exactly spring to mind when planning a family holiday, we urge you to add Six Senses Douro Valley to your brood’s bucket list. This 19th century manor house offers a resplendent recharge for sleep deprived parents (and their cute culprits). The abundance of grown up grape juice makes adulting a lot easier, whilst children will go wild for the outdoor adventures, including kayaking, mountain biking and tree climbing.
France
Boasting short flight times, driveable journeys and plenty of chic crashpads, a family holiday to France makes a lot of sense. With scenery straight from a fairytale, Château St Pierre de Serjac rewrites the traditional French fancy experience, warmly welcoming families for a storied stay. A luxe yet laid-back affair, hotel services (including a seasonal Kids Club) are complemented with a choice of romantic rooms or spacious self-catering villas. Whilst flights to some of Europe’s heavy hitting summer spots require delving deep into your pockets, prices to Nimes are much more appealing.
The affordable theme continues at Le Mas de Oules. Often price-sensitive pads come with less appealing aesthetics, but that’s definitely not the case at this self-catering stay. Farrow & Ball hues grace the interiors, whilst the oasis-esque outdoor pool is a real thing of beauty.
Cornwall
There’s no need to board a plane to get your fill of breathtaking beaches. Simply pack up the car and road trip down to Cornwall. Our staycation of choice in this neck of the woods has to be Fowey Hall, where adult aesthetics sit harmoniously with gold standard touches for tots. There’s prams and bibs to borrow, a puree menu, super handy bottle cleaning service and 90 minutes of complimentary childcare a day.
Proving that a super slick spa break isn’t off limits to parents (or paw-rents), The Headland has all its (rubber) ducks in a row when it comes to catering to mums and dads in need of a little R&R. The views from the award-winning Aqua Club (which guests have complimentary access to) are the ultimate soul soother (with the swish spa treatments coming a close second). Whilst some of the pools are adults only, kids will love the large indoor splash pad and prime location on the shores of Fistral beach.
Scotland
Nowhere does halcyon holidays quite like Scotland. Nestled within the wilderness of the Cairngorms National Park sits the Dell of Abernethy – a cluster of cottages reinventing the self catering wheel. Far from leaving you to fend for yourself, the onsite Grocer can stock your fridge before arrival with meal kits, hampers and delicious treats. Ziplining, Faery Woods, a sunken trampoline and forest swings await children in this wonderful woodland setting, where mother nature is majorly showing off.
Cyprus
Closer to the Middle East than it is to Europe, the sun shines over 300 days a year in Cyprus. If you’re not yet being held hostage to school holidays, it makes for the perfect off season soiree - hello long haul levels of heat without the lengthy flight. Our favourite family friendly hotel in the country has to be Almyra. Design hotel and kids might not be phrases you usually hear together, but the aesthetically superior Almyra hotel proves you can match cutting-edge decor with bullet proof childcare. A sure fire hit with families, the Scott Dunn run Kids Club welcomes tots from 4 months old, whilst the genius Baby Go Lightly packing service allows for a serious tick off your pre-holiday to do list.
If lazing and grazing is your idea of holiday heaven, hot foot it over to Cap St Georges. Foodies flock here for the delicious dining; ranging from farm-to-fork fare to an ever-changing roster of guest Michelin-star chefs. While definitely an alluring abode for adults, this Paphos pad is also deftly geared towards offspring too; with a Kids Club (3+), open-air cinema, tennis / basketball / volleyball courts, football pitch, high-tech gaming lounge and neighbouring horse ranch
Spain
The home of sun-soaked siestas, tantalizing tapas and blissful beaches, Spain is so much more than high-rise resorts and Brits abroad. Looking for a getaway that harks back to your pre-parent days? A unique utopia for grown ups who fear child-centric package holidays, Casa La Siesta offers a completely new take on family friendly hotels. This honey-hued hacienda is an adults-only country retreat most of the year, opening its doors to kids & co during four specific weeks. Mums & dads are encouraged to embrace the siesta-laden lifestyle, while Tiny Travellers roam free in the gorgeous grounds or splash about in the lavender-lined pool.
The Maldives
Not just a honeypot for honeymooners, the Maldives beckons beach babes of all ages. Yes the flight might be long, but the kaleidoscope sunsets, evian-clear waters and core-memory making experiences are oh-so-worth it. Luxury hotels are two a penny here, but few resorts combine sustainability, style and superlative service like the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau. Neighbouring a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve the snorkelling, swimming and diving here are some of the country’s best, and the hotel is partnered with The Manta Trust - one of the leading conservation charities. Applaudable planet-pleasing credentials aside, the resort could be plucked straight from your night feed fantasies, with serene seascapes, floating infinity pools, a Zen inducing spa and Planet Trekkers Kids Club.
Grenada
The unsung hero of the Caribbean, Grenada is blessed with all the quintessential island vibes, without the tonnes of tourists. Spice Island Beach Resort is where we’d choose to bed down, with (or without) tots in tow. Offering a holiday, for everyone’s definition, for the whole family, Tiny Travellers will happily be whisked away to the complimentary Kids Club, allowing mum & dad some well deserved downtime in the stunning spa, swim up jacuzzi or glossy pool. Grenada’s most renowned, luxury All-Inclusive hotel, the promise of a near £0 spend food and drink bill (within reason! Not all alcohol is included) elevates this endorphin-inducing enclave to sky high heights.
