The best hotels for single-parent families
Perhaps no one is more deserving of a holiday than the single parent, but with hotels largely set up to cater to 2.4 children families, it can be an intimidating prospect. Yet with a little careful planning, there’s no reason why it can’t be a fulfilling – and crucially, stress-free – break. So, what are the things you should be factoring in? An excellent kids club, for all ages, is obviously a must, with on-tap babysitting another bonus. A short distance to the airport, negating the need to rent a car (and pesky car seats), is also great. Hotels that prioritise providing all the necessary gear are non-negotiables – after all, you’ve got less luggage allowance, and perhaps more importantly, less hands. And if there’s the option of sharing a king-sized bed, rather than forking out for a family-sized room with a separate roll-out, that’s always welcomed too. Here, one single mum shares her edit of the best hotels for solo-parents, from the long-haul escape and blow-the-budget fantasy trip, to the affordable break and best boutique option
Words by Rebecca Cope
Published: 24th February 2025 | Last updated: 15th January 2026
Best for budding skiers and eco-travellers
Falkensteiner Hotel Montafon, Austria
If you’re conscious of how you travel, then Falkensteiner Montafon will put your mind at ease. Situated on the Golm Adventure Mountain in the ski resort of Montafon, it focuses on sustainability throughout, including a zero-waste dining concept. There’s a comprehensive Kids Club (6 months +) which offers a plethora of educational activities for all ages from babies to teens, and the ski lifts are only 150-metres from the front door – result. The Superior Room is ideal for mums with little ones who still like to co-sleep, with the king-sized bed offering more than enough room, or the two-bedroom suite might be best if your kids are older and more independently minded. Single parents can benefit from the ‘Single with Child’ package at Falkensteiner Hotel Montafon, saving them 50 euros per day and 20% on pre booked spa treatments – which we all know, you totally deserve!
Best discounted destination
Vivosa Apulia Resort, Puglia
Puglia is renowned for being a particularly family-friendly destination, with beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants and luxury five-star resorts aplenty – it’s no wonder it attracts the likes of the Beckham clan year-in, year-out. For a slightly more affordable version, why not head to Vivosa Apulia Resort, an eco-luxury four-star which has just launched an amazing single-parent discount of 25 percent off seven-night stays. As if that’s not tempting enough, it’s also got an amazing kids club set-up which caters to two-year-olds upwards. If you’re travelling with a baby, there’s a shaded shallow baby pool, as well as a separate kids pool with water slides for maximum fun. For mum (or dad) there’s also a fabulous spa, which boasts a hammam, sensory showers, biosauna and whirlpool. There’s a kids-height buffet (sweet) and baby food available, as well as feeding rooms if you’re shy about breastfeeding in public
Best long haul
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Maldives
Why not go on a honeymoon with your one true love, your child? Jokes aside, The Maldives has long ago shed its image as a destination exclusively frequented by newlyweds, with bountiful family-friendly options now available in this haven of barefoot luxury. The Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is the perfect mini-adventure for you and your child – though we’d recommend ages 3 and up to make the most of the kids club and to enjoy the thrill of the seaplane. Pinch-me villa set-ups make it easy enough to stay in your room all day if you really wanted, with plunge pools and beach access, which is particularly good if you’ve got a little one who still naps. There’s plenty to keep kids busy in the daytime if they need a little more tiring out, including a playground and splashpark, while the aforementioned kids club does arts, crafts and even cooking classes. The 12 glamorous restaurants – including a very fun under-the-sea one – aren’t at all stuffy, and have highchairs and kids menus in most. To properly unwind, be sure to book a kids club or babysitter slot so that you can spend some time in the super luxurious spa – an over-water villa where you can watch the fish while you get those knots eased out of your back
Best boutique bolthole
Le Riad Yasmine, Morocco
An amazing destination for winter sun that’s still basically short-haul, Marrakech has long gone under the radar for families. We love this super-affordable boutique hotel in the middle of the city’s world-famous medina, Le Riad Yasmine, for its beautiful design and interiors – proving that there’s no reason why parents can’t stay in an aesthetically-pleasing (read: Instagram friendly) locale. A breezy 20-minute drive from the airport, and just footsteps from all the local sights, it’s the perfect base for a bit of sightseeing combined with pool days – be sure to visit Yves Saint Laurent’s famous Jardin Marjorelle while you’re here. Cots and highchairs are available on request, as are child-friendly menus for the rooftop meals, and all the staff are super helpful too. The best part for single parents is the small size of the hotel and grounds, which make it easy to keep an eye on your little one
Best affordable option
Candia Park Village, Crete
Now this is what we call Single Mum Maths: while we might not get a discount for being a solo adult occupant in a room, our under-11 kid is free – result! Such is the case at Candia Park Village in Crete, one of Europe’s most popular destinations for families. While it is an hour away from the airport, it is worth sucking up the taxi fare, as once you’re here you never need to leave. Designed to look like a miniature Cretan village, there are multiple pools and restaurants, as well as a mini-market for picking up any forgotten essentials. The hotel can provide cots, highchairs, bottle warmers, bath tubs and more, so you don’t need to worry about your luggage allowance either. There is also the option to have a kitchenette, if you’d rather do a bit of self-catering too – there’s only so often you can dine out with you, your child, and Peppa Pig on the tablet after all. Single parents also benefit from the socialising element of a stay here, with yoga, tennis and water sports on offer, plus evening entertainment
Best all-inclusive
Windjammer Landing Resort and Residences, St Lucia
Sometimes, it’s easiest to just plump for all-inclusive – as long as your little one has a big enough appetite, that is. Windjammer Landing in St Lucia has a really superlative offering, with seven amazing restaurants and global cuisine. It’s all the little details that single parents – and their kids – will love here. The kids club is free from age 4, with plenty for teens too, including cookery, tennis, treasure hunts and water sports. The mini VIP package is particularly sweet, with cookies and milk before bed, while movie and storytelling nights on the beach will afford mum (or dad) a little ‘me’ time too (watching on from the nearby bar of course). There’s also a certified nanny service, if you want to book a massage or solo dinner one evening
Best blow-the-budget option
Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Mauritius
While it’s not as spenny as say, The Peligoni Club, this beautiful five-star hotel is still on the steep end of the spectrum when you’ve got no fellow adults to split the cost with. That said, Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa in Mauritius is well and truly worth the blow-out, with exquisite Indian Ocean views, a complimentary kids club, free weekday babysitting for over ones and ample swimming pools to take a dip in. All the necessary baby gear is included, and there are kids menus and highchairs in the six restaurants, ensuring you’ll feel more than welcome here. Both children and adults alike will also love swimming with the hotel’s resident turtles – a real stuff-that-memories-are-made-
Best for design lovers
Almyra, Cyprus
Mammas of newborns, listen up – this one’s for you. Not only is Almyra in Cyprus beautifully designed – think floor-to-ceiling windows, minimalist decor and a muted colour palette – but it’s also got a kids club that welcomes bubs as young as four months old. This means any tired single mums in need of a little R&R can enjoy a few hours baby-free every day in the sunshine, before reuniting for a paddle or a nap together. Slightly older children will love the toddler-depth splashpool, as well as the homemade purées that are on the menu. With a nearby supermarket for any essentials, a pre-order service for baby gear and a beach within close proximity, you’ve got everything you need on site, so no need to fret about what you might forget beforehand. And breathe
Best hidden gem
Senhora da Rosa, Portugal
Nestled within the lush countryside of the Azores, this boutique farmhouse stay is a rare find – case in point, the heated plunge pool situated in the pineapple greenhouse. With just 35 rooms, it’s an incredibly intimate setting, and somewhere in which solo adults can easily make friends with other couples. The babysitting service takes children from six months old, while the kids club is for 2 and up, with early dinner settings and cuisine suitable for all ages available. The town of Ponta Delgada is well worth a visit (it’s only 15 minutes away), as are the nearby beaches. This is a great shout if your kids are slightly older, too, as there’s ample surfing and hiking for those that way inclined
