In The Know: July

The NICI New Forest

Since opening in 2022 The NICI in Bournemouth has gained a reputation for being not only a chic, stylish hotel, but also one that’s super child-friendly. This summer it’s joined by a brand-new sister property. The NICI New Forest, which looks to be just as fabulous for families, brings the brands signature laid-back luxury from the Dorset coast to beautiful Lymington. If you’ve loved the Miami-inspired vibe of Bournemouth, you’ll be pleased to know the newest addition is every bit as swish

Spacious family rooms and self-catering apartments give everyone plenty of accommodation options, while little ones will love the complimentary Pebbles Kids’ Club, where they can enjoy everything from arts and crafts and nature-inspired activities to seasonal pirate adventures and movie nights. There’s also an outdoor play area, private cinema and games room to keep children entertained

Set on the edge of the New Forest National Park, just a short walk from Lymington’s pretty harbour, it’s brilliantly placed. Spend your mornings spotting ponies in the forest, take a ferry to the Isle of Wight or simply enjoy long coastal walks before heading back to the hotel for an afternoon by the pool

Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca

There are so many reasons to book a family holiday in Mallorca and a stunning new Mandarin Oriental just added another one to the list. Their Punta Negra Hotel has just opened, mixing five-star glamour and with a wonderful family-friendly atmosphere

Only 20 minutes from Palma Airport, the outstanding new resort is set on its own secluded, peaceful peninsula with two beautiful little coves. What really caught our eye is just how it works for families. Around 80% of the rooms can connect, making life much easier if you’re travelling with kids, and there are spacious Family Premier Suites complete with two bedrooms, generous living areas and even private rooftop pools

There’s a complimentary Kids’ Club packed with games, crafts and supervised activities, giving younger guests somewhere exciting to hang out and several outdoor pools, including one designed especially for families, plus direct access to a lovely beach that’s perfect for paddling, snorkelling and spending hours in the sea. Add paddleboards, kayaks and plenty of space to explore, and it’s easy to see why families will love it here

Food is another huge plus. Alongside relaxed Mediterranean dining, you’ll find exciting restaurants including Leña by celebrated chef Dani García and the world-famous Matsuhisa. Younger guests are well looked after too, with dedicated children’s menus. While the kids are happily entertained, parents can make the most of everything Mandarin Oriental does so well – an exceptional spa, wellness classes, yoga, beautiful sea views and that famously impeccable service

New books from Lonely Planet Kids

If you’re looking for ways to prise the kids away from their screens this summer, Lonely Planet may just have the answer. Their brand-new collection of children’s books is packed with ideas to spark curiosity in little minds. Whether you’re jetting off on a family holiday or simply exploring closer to home, these books are full of inspiration for making the most of the great outdoors

One of our favourites is Hidden Wonders, which takes children on a journey to more than 150 extraordinary places around the globe – think glowing lakes, mysterious caves, giant mazes and haunted castles – perfect for inspiring your next family trip. For hands-on adventurers, the Let’s Go… activity books are brilliant travel companions. They’re exactly the sort of books that encourage kids to put down the iPad and start noticing the world around them

Then there are the latest Lonely Planet Kids Travel Guides for Italy and Japan that join favourites including London, Paris and New York, helping children discover destinations through fun facts, secret spots and interactive challenges designed especially for 9 to 12-year-olds

Pack the My Amazing Travel Journal too. With space for drawings, holiday memories, postcards and treasured souvenirs, it’s a lovely keepsake that kids will enjoy looking back on for years to come

Welcome to Cavallino Bianco Caorle

So Venice might not seem like the easiest destination to visit with kids but a new opening has just made seeing the city with little ones in tow a whole lot easier. Cavallino Bianco Caorle Venezia is the latest addition to one of Europe’s most loved family hotel brands and it promises to combine five-star luxury with the kind of family facilities that make holidays easy – all just an hour from the city

This exciting new resort is on the coast and overlooks a beautiful Blue Flag beach in the pretty seaside town of Caorle, around an hour from Venice, meaning it’s perfectly positioned to combine beach days with a little Italian culture and sightseeing

The whole place is amazing for parents and kids. Every one of the 101 spacious suites has been created to give families plenty of room, making them feel more like a luxury apartments than traditional hotel rooms. The biggest draw, though, has to be Lino Land – an enormous indoor and outdoor world created especially for children and teenagers. Forget a small hotel playroom; this is a full-on adventure space packed with creative workshops, educational activities, sports, theatre performances and age-specific clubs designed to keep everyone from toddlers to teens entertained. It’s the Kids’ Club of dreams and welcomes tiny babies under 1 right through to teens

The New Pical Resort, Valamar Collection

Crystal-clear water? Tick. Beaches that rival the Caribbean? Tick. Pretty harbour towns round every corner? Also tick. Croatia has become one of Europe’s most exciting family holiday destinations and, if it’s been sitting on your travel wish list for a while, this brand-new resort might finally be the excuse you need to book

Opening on the beautiful Istrian peninsula, Pical Resort, Valamar Collection is already shaping up to be one of the country’s most exciting family-friendly hotels. Perched on the waterfront just outside the charming seaside town of Poreč, it combines everything we look for in a holiday: beautiful beaches, brilliant childcare, enough swimming pools to keep everyone happy and plenty to explore beyond the resort itself

Better still, getting there is easy. Direct flights from the UK to Pula take around two and a half hours, followed by a transfer of less than an hour, meaning you can be swapping school shoes for flip-flops in no time at all

Valamar has built a reputation for creating some of Croatia’s best family resorts, and Pical may be its most ambitious yet. The standout feature is an enormous 8,000 square metres of dedicated family space, complete with supervised kids’ clubs, all-day childcare, creative workshops and PlayLand – an indoor adventure zone where younger children can climb, build and burn off energy while older kids disappear into gaming lounges, sports sessions and organised activities. In other words, boredom isn’t really on the itinerary

Family suites at the The Milestone Hotel & Residences

City breaks with children don’t always scream relaxation, but Red Carnation Hotels are on a mission to change that. Their London collection has long been a favourite with families, and the launch of the beautiful new Family Suite at The Milestone Hotel & Residences makes it even more appealing

Overlooking Kensington Gardens, the suite gives parents their own elegant bedroom, while children get a magical hideaway tucked behind Narnia-style, hand-carved doors. Complete with cute wooden bunk beds, hand-painted starry skies, a toy box, books, games and a cosy reading nook, it’s the sort of bedroom little ones won’t want to leave

Whether you’re staying in the new suite or one of the hotel’s other family-friendly rooms, there are thoughtful touches at every turn. Little guests are welcomed with teddy bear turndown gifts, mini dressing gowns, slippers, bedtime stories and the all-important milk and cookies before bed. Families can also borrow baby baths and monitors, enjoy dedicated children’s menus and even receive complimentary breakfast for children dining with a paying adult. It’s luxury without any of the stuffiness. The fun doesn’t stop there either. Children can enjoy cupcake decorating, mini bake-offs, mocktail-making classes, traditional afternoon tea and family picnics in Kensington Gardens, making the hotel part of the adventure of visiting London