Overview
A unicorn amongst all inclusive hotels, Country Kids is a gastronomic gallic getaway completely changing the face of hassle free holidays. There’s no need to feel torn between a fairytale French abode or facility-rich resort because, at this halcyon haven, no such compromises need to be made. Seven home-from-homes make privacy easy to come by, while the savvy set up for smalls allows boutique-bolthole-preferring-parents the chance to really relax. Activities here run the gauntlet, from horse riding and tennis to swimming and tree-top adventures, with everything in between. Forget the stress of remembering to pre-book your Kids Club sessions, childcare is both drop-in and free to use. Babes from as young as 3 months are welcomed into the creche, with all ages entertained by soft play, gardening, dancing, baking and SO much more. A special shout out has to go to Farmer Syl, who boards tiny travellers onto his tractor each morning and chugs along to the Farm in the Forest, where pigs, goats, rabbits and chickens await
With a laser focus on what parents really need from a holiday, Country Kids champions the most hands-on approach to hospitality we’ve come by. Nestled in Le Mas Pandit, an exclusive private estate, the glorious grounds are gated and car-free, meaning those eyes in the back of your head can have a well earned rest. Taking ‘packages’ to a whole new level, not only is food and drink included here, so are babysitters for two nights, plus one spa and two off-site activities per guest! There’s no need to lift a finger, with dinner provided and daily housekeeping handling any washing up – and have we mentioned the complimentary washing & ironing service yet?! Beautiful scenery may be easy to find in the South of France, but nowhere matches nature and nurture quite as well as this magical maison. Small hotel, big charm
Wondering what it’s actually like with children in tow? Read our honest first-hand family review of Country Kids Resort here
Mama
Get in touch
Flight
1 hr 45 min flight from London to Montpellier or Béziers Airport
Transfer
Approx 45min to 1h drive from Montpellier airport and Béziers airport. The hotel can arrange transfers but recommend hiring a car for the most flexibility
Best time to visit
The hotel is open from April to the beginning of September and you’ll find our South of France temperature guide below. For families with young children, we recommend May and June for lovely weather, minus any peak season crowds
April: highs of 17 degrees
May: highs of 23 degrees
June: highs of 26 degrees
July: highs of 30 degrees
August: highs of 28 degrees
September: highs of 25 degrees
Favourite room
At Country Kids an old roquefort dairy has been beautifully restored and renovated into 3 buildings (containing 7 home-from-homes) – The Old Dairy, The Farm House and The Chestnut House. All options have fully equipped kitchens, including washing machines and extra beds / cots can be added on request, free of charge
Single parents, or families of 3, will want to opt for 2 bed The Chestnut House, which is the smallest, and cheapest, in the collection
The Farm House is the largest apartment, perfect for 2 families, or those bringing grandparents along – sleeping up to 12 guests across 5 bedrooms
The Old Dairy 1, 2, 3 and 4 each have 3 bedrooms apiece, making them perfect for families of 4-7
Price & Special Offers
from £226 p/night in low season and £361 p/night in high season for a family of three in Two-bedroom Cottage – Chestnut House (Minimum stay 7 nights, Sat to Sat)
from £271 p/night in low season and £422 p/night in high season for a family of four in Three-bedroom Apartment – Old Dairy 3 (Minimum stay 7 nights, Sat to Sat)
from £253 p/night in low season and £409 p/night in high season for a family of five in Five-bedroom – Farmhouse (Minimum stay 7 nights, Sat to Sat)
FAQs
What's actually included
All meals & drinks for parents, kids & babies
All alcohol, including our wine cellar
All our shop items
All on-site pre-arranged activities
Entertainment for the whole family
Two off-site activities per family member, including: tree top adventures, horse riding, tickets to Dinosaur Park and Animal Park, golf, water sports on Lac du Salagou and an on-site family photo shoot
One spa treatment per family member
What family facilities are there, and how much do they cost?
An all inclusive that truly includes EVERYTHING, you’ll pay for nothing at Country Kids. The creche welcomes tiny travellers from 3 months +, while the Kids Club runs for up to 12 year olds. Open Sunday to Friday there’s no need to book your slot, sessions are drop in and unlimited, plus parents are more than welcome to stay and play too. Rooted in outdoor adventures activities include cooking, nature walks, treasure hunts, camp fire adventures and picnics at the farm
Babysitters are provided for 2 nights a week as part of the ‘Absolutely Everything Included’ package, allowing parents the chance to sneak off to one of the lovely local restaurants
Inside the generous, gated grounds, you’ll also find a playground, tree house, mini-golf, zip line, sandpit, messy kitchen, ping pong table, tennis court, Petanque court, bikes, trikes & scooters
Which equipment is available to borrow for babies & children?
Making it feasible to travel with hand luggage only, all of the equipment you could need is available to borrow here, including:
Proper Wooden cots, with mattresses and bedding
Bed guards and safety gates
Potties and foldable mini toilet seats for small bums on each toilet
Booster seats, high-chairs and little steps
Baby monitors and night lights
Bouncy chairs and play pens
Changing tables/mats
Toy boxes and play mats
Baby food mixers, bottle sterilisers and warmers, plastic bibs and kids’ cutlery
Books for all ages
Baby Baths tub
Baby welcome pack (nappies, cream, cotton buds)
Anti-Mosquito plug
Should you need anything extra, the fully-stocked onsite shop is full of swim nappies, wipes, sun cream, baby toiletries, snacks and baby purees – and just like the above list, it’s all free to use
What are the pools like?
There are three pools at Country Kids; the main hub is heated to 30 degrees all season; there’s a separate paddling pool & mini water slide for little legs and an adults only option
Is there evening entertainment?
Two nights a week Country Kids puts on a cinema night and disco night for children 3+ while parents enjoy their on-site dinner
What’s the protocol for allergies?
Allergies are taken very seriously at Country Kids. Any special requirements are flagged on the pre-arrival contact form, and needs can easily be met with the home-cooked meals while guests are staying
What’s the dining set up?
Smashing any all inclusive stereotypes, food at Country Kids is hyper-local, home cooked and seasonally-led. The on-site chef and kitchen team prepare authentic French / Mediterranean bistro food with kiddie-approved options at every meal
Room rates include all food and drink for the week. Starting with Saturday, arrival day. Upon checking into their accommodation guests will find their fridges stocked with French classics to heat in the oven. Selection includes lasagne, boeuf bourguignon, vegetables, cheese and charcuterie platters
A buffet breakfast is served in the bar from 7.30am, followed by an a la carte lunch menu Monday – Thursday, from 12pm. This can be taken at your leisure in the bar, beside the pool, inside your apartment or on your terrace. On Friday and Sundays a communal lunch is served.
A 3 course dinner is dished up to your apartment on Sunday, with lots of flexibility to accommodate taste and diets. On Friday a Tapas party is delivered to your door, or you can eat in the bar, before the famous Petanque tournament! Friendly feasts are the focus on Monday and Wednesday, to allow guests the chance to mingle. Tuesday and Thursday are babysitting evenings, giving parents the chance to discover local restaurants (the only meals not included in the rate). If you don’t feel like leaving, no problem – the team can deliver dinner to your apartment instead , for free
Children are served lunch from 12pm (or even earlier for babies routine !) and tea from 5.30pm plus there’s 24/7 access to the ice cream, snacks, and drinks available in the shop
A real highlight is access to Country Kids’ very own wine cellar ‘La Cave’, which is stocked with grape delights from all over the Languedoc region. There’s a knowledgeable team on hand to give tips on choosing the perfect plonk for you
Worth waking the baby for
01
Market hopping
In the high season, Octon at the bottom of the hill has a night market on Thursdays – which is perfect timing with the babysitter-enabled date night! On Tuesdays the beautiful village of Villeneuvette holds an organic market in the early evening, while on Wednesday mornings, you can go to Clermont l’Hérault’s all year-round local market; a great outing, with or without the kids. If you’re a a lucky two-weeker, or have some time to kill before a late flight on the Saturday, then head for Pézénas – Molière’s birth-place and an antiques heaven with an enormous morning market
02
Canal du Midi
The oldest canal in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the waterways at Canal du Mini stretch for over 200km. Jump on board a boat cruise, picnic on the banks, or simply wander from lock to lock on foot. Don’t miss the nearby Lac du Salagou for wild swimming in the lake, wind surfing and sailing
03
Octon
The small village at the bottom of the hill, Octon is a paradise for Oenophiles. A cute and compact village, Octon boasts more local winemakers than people. Ok, not quite, but with 6 to its name a walking vino-tour is an obvious choice while the offspring are entertained in the Kids Club! Make use of your complimentary babysitting nights to try the delicious local fare at La Calade or Cafe de la Place
