Top 10 Family Hotels for the Summer Holidays by Age

Daios Cove

If you’ve always leaned towards boutique boltholes but are starting to see the appeal of all-inclusive family holidays once little ones enter the chat, Daios Cove is the stylish stepping stone that makes the transition feel not just acceptable…but very appealing. Particularly for those travelling with babies or toddlers who hate car seats, this Cretan hideaway keeps everything beautifully contained. Carved into a secluded hillside overlooking its own sheltered bay, Daios Cove feels a world away from the typical all-inclusive scene. Think sleek design, low-slung villas and rooms cascading down towards a calm, protected cove – the kind of beach where little ones can paddle safely while parents relax without constantly scanning the sands for where they’ve run off to. It’s also incredibly easy to navigate, which with a buggy in tow is worth its weight in gold. The Kids’ Club starts from just 4 months, and everything from baby puree menus to genuinely well-thought-out highchairs (for every stage, not just a token one-size-fits-all) makes it clear that travelling with babies here has been properly considered. Family villas are an especially strong choice, with two-bedroom options and private pools, plus thoughtful extras like complimentary daily crèche sessions,water sports (from paddle boarding and kayaking to gentle sailing on a pedalo), plus a sweet rash vest gift. There’s even a free pool fencing service: a small but game-changing detail that means little swimmers can roam safely while parents can safely switch off. Then there’s the food, which firmly sits at the top of Europe’s best of the best, alongside a complimentary alcohol offering that includes Veuve Clicquot, because nothing says “we’ve transitioned to family holidays gracefully” quite like champagne on tap And crucially, it’s one of the very few all-inclusive resorts where room service is included – which, when travelling with young children, can feel like the ultimate luxury. Kids having too much of a meltdown to make it to the restaurant? They’ve got you covered

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LUX* Le Morne

Parents, Europe isn’t the only answer to your school holiday family getaway dilemma. If you’re willing to venture a little further afield, you’ll often find a level of luxury that far surpasses many of the continent’s most talked-about family-friendly hotels – frequently for a surprisingly comparable (or even lower) price point. The secret? Mauritius, and LUX* Le Morne is exactly the kind of luxury family resort in Mauritius that makes the extra flight time feel entirely worth it – especially when travelling with babies or toddlers. Sheltered from the wind by the dramatic Le Morne Brabant mountain, the hotel sits on one of the south coast’s most beautiful stretches of powdery white sand, with a calm lagoon that’s perfect for newbie swimmers. The setting does a lot of the heavy lifting, but it’s the family-focused details that really seal the deal for school holiday travel with young children. While the Kids’ Club caters for ages 3+, offering everything from nature walks and family crab-hunting to kite-making, younger guests are just as thoughtfully considered. Babysitting services, a full suite of baby essentials (think cots and bottle sterilisers), and a genuinely useful bespoke baby food menu – with custom meals tailored to tiny taste buds – mean you’re not navigating mealtimes with a suitcase full of pouches

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Eagles Palace

All hail Halkidiki, the unsung hero of easy-to-reach Greek family holidays, where you get all the beauty of island life (think golden sands and that impossibly blue Aegean) without the faff of ferries or extra transfers. For families travelling with babies, that simplicity alone is a game changer – and it’s exactly what makes Eagles Palace such a standout for summer holidays with little ones. Set on a dreamy stretch of beachfront, Eagles Palace is particularly brilliant for families with babies thanks to its villa-style setup – with one, two and three-bedroom options that come with private gardens and heated plunge pools, meaning naps can happen undisturbed while everything else carries on around you. And while the villas give you that cocooned, home-from-home ease, the hotel side is always there when you want it. The Kids’ Club welcomes guests from as young as 4 months , babysitting can be arranged, and there’s a gentle, unhurried rhythm to the whole place that just works with babies in tow. Where Eagles Palace really sets itself apart, though, is the food. This is firmly in the “foodie all-inclusive” category, the kind where meals are a highlight rather than an afterthought. It’s also worth noting that this place is great for older kids and teens too, with tons of cool activities that will appeal to them. So if you are travelling with a mixed bag of ages then this is a great place to book

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Martinhal Sagres

Martinhal Sagres is one of those rare family hotels where everything feels deliberately designed for travelling with little ones. Set right on the western tip of the Algarve, fronted by golden sands and wild Atlantic views, Martinhal Sagres has mastered the art of the school holiday family stay. Yes, you’re travelling in peak season – and yes, you’ll be paying peak prices – but this is exactly the kind of place where you feel reassured you’re spending your money well. Because nothing here feels like an afterthought. The Baby Club welcomes little ones from 6 months, while the crèche (13-23 months) and Raposinhos club (2-4 years) keep toddlers happily entertained with a constantly rotating mix of indoor and outdoor activities. Fox Club (5-6) and Explorer’s Nature Camp (7+) mean siblings of different ages are equally well catered for, which in school holidays is nothing short of a miracle. Add in the genius baby packing service, where everything from sterilisers to baby baths can be arranged before you arrive, early dinner sittings, tiny-tummy-approved-menus and play zones in restaurants and suddenly travelling with a toddler in peak season feels surprisingly simple

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The Royal Senses, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Royal Senses balances serious design credentials with a genuine understanding of family travel. Perched above Crete’s coastline, it leans fully into its setting: wide-open sea views, soft-toned contemporary interiors, and that effortless sense of space that immediately signals you’re somewhere a little special. Everything feels calm, considered and quietly luxurious, from the sculpted pools to the perfectly placed loungers, with an overall atmosphere that’s more boutique retreat than traditional family resort. The kids’ club is where it really shifts gears. Instead of rigid schedules or forced drop-offs, it operates with a refreshingly relaxed, drop-in-anytime approach. From age 3 upwards, children can be independently supervised at no extra cost, but there’s also the flexibility for parents to stay, ease children in gradually, or join in together. For younger siblings, participation alongside a parent, or babysitter, is welcomed too. Then there’s the unexpected headline act: a beautifully designed on-site aqua park that somehow manages to feel both fun and refined. With twisting slides, a dedicated splash area for little ones and a poolside bar perfectly positioned for supervisory lounging. Elsewhere, the hotel doubles down on its luxury credentials without losing sight of its family focus. Infinity pools spill towards the horizon, landscaped pathways weave through immaculate grounds, and dining feels genuinely elevated. Even day-to-day meals are handled with care, with flexible, family-aware options that take the pressure off dining with tired children

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Parga Beach Resort

If you’ve reached the stage of school holiday travel with older kids, you’ll know the shift: gone are the days of pram naps by the pool, and in their place comes the daily (and very vocal) “what are we doing today?” question. Enter Parga Beach Resort, a place that doesn’t just answer it, but delivers in spades. Set on mainland Greece (but with all the beauty of an island escape), Parga pairs sugar-soft sands and that postcard-perfect turquoise sea with a setting that’s refreshingly easy to reach. The resort itself leans boutique in feel: low-rise bungalows scattered through lush, flower-filled gardens, but with all the benefits of a brilliantly run family-friendly resort for school-aged kids. And this is where it really comes into its own. The Phiome Kids’ Club (ages 4-12) is slick, thoughtfully designed and – crucially – actually fun, with a screen-free programme that mixes creativity, outdoor play and cultural touches like gardening, crafts and even open-air cinema nights. Then there’s the layout. Instead of one oversized, overcrowded pool, you’ll find seven dotted across the grounds, so it never feels hectic or overrun. Add in a gently shelving beachfront, easy access to watersports, and plenty of space to roam, and suddenly those “I’m bored” moments become few and far between. Dining is equally flexible, with an affordable all-inclusive option if you want to keep things simple, or the freedom to dip in and out of local restaurants when the mood takes you. What elevates Parga further is everything just beyond the resort. A short stroll (or quick water taxi) takes you into Parga town itself , with its buzzing tavernas and must-stop gelato spots, giving you that balance of resort ease with real Greek charm that’s surprisingly hard to find

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Le Phare

Set on the shores of Île de Ré, dubbed the ‘French Hamptons’ Le Phare is an “open-air hotel” that quietly redefines what a family summer holiday in France can look like. Forget polished resorts and packed beaches – here, it’s all about wide Atlantic horizons, uninterrupted stretches of golden sand and a laid-back, barefoot atmosphere that feels effortlessly chic, but without the usual price tag to match. For families, it hits a very sweet spot. Think the sociable, outdoorsy spirit of camping but upgraded in all the ways that matter. Guests stay in stylish wooden shacks with proper beds, hot showers, air conditioning and even TVs, striking that perfect balance between adventure and comfort. Days naturally revolve around the beach but when a change of pace is needed, there’s a free Kids’ Club running through July and August, plus both indoor and outdoor pools to keep things varied (and weather-proof, just in case). Accommodation is simple but thoughtfully done, and here’s the real headline: summer prices start from around £2,000 for a two-room bungalow. For peak school holidays, on an island this beautiful, with this level of access to nature, space and style? It’s almost unheard of. And trust us – we’ve looked at a lot of places

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GRECOTEL LUXME Costa Botanica

Set in Corfu, GRECOTEL LUXME Costa Botanica is an all inclusive resort swapping the usual high-rise hotel approach for something far more charming: a low-rise village-style estate of pastel-toned houses, winding pathways and grounds brimming with flowers. For children, it’s brilliantly designed. The Kids’ Club welcomes little ones from age 4+, with a stay & play invitation for parents and younger siblings. Then there’s the sizeable water park – and it’s a proper highlight. Spread across a huge dedicated area, it’s packed with slides for all ages, splash zones for smaller swimmers, and what can only be described as the most picturesque lazy river. It’s the kind of place where siblings of different ages finally agree on something, and parents quietly realise they’re not actually needed for a solid few hours. Add in sports zones and wide open spaces to explore, and it easily becomes a full-day destination in itself. Crucially, it sits apart from the main pool areas too, so you can dip into the energy when you want it, and retreat just as easily when you don’t. Accommodation leans into the village concept too – think spacious summer houses with interconnecting options, balconies, and interiors that feel more relaxed and homely than ultra-polished. It’s not about perfection here; it’s about space, comfort and that slightly romantic, slightly rustic Greek island feel. And that’s really the essence of Costa Botanica. It’s not trying to be a glossy, ultra-luxury escape. Instead, it delivers a properly affordable, genuinely family-first Greek holiday with enough slides, space and freedom to keep children happy, and enough charm, food and setting to keep adults fully on board. If you want something that feels like “real Greece” but still functions brilliantly as a school holiday family resort, Costa Botanica quietly nails it

Read our first hand family friendly review of Costa Botanica

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Forte Village

If you’re planning a school holiday escape where boredom simply isn’t an option, Forte Village delivers on a scale that’s hard to rival. Set on Sardinia’s southern coast, with that signature emerald sea and honeyed sand stretching out in front of it, this is Italy’s most iconic resort for a reason. True to its name, Forte Village is set up like an actual village – but not in a gimmicky way. With eight hotels, a huge choice of restaurants and an almost overwhelming list of things to do, it’s the kind of place where even the most restless, activity-hungry kids won’t come close to running out of options. For school-aged children (and beyond), it’s nothing short of a dream. At the heart of it all is the legendary Kids’ Club & creche. Starting from newborn (a rarity in itself), it scales all the way up through the ages, but it’s the “Children’s Wonderland” area that really captures imaginations. Think the Barbie House™, plus a brilliantly designed role play village centred around the resort’s mascot, Mario the parrot – a mini world made up of nine themed houses, from a petrol station and supermarket to a music house, news station and workshop. In high season, the Circus Academy offers a hands-on experience that kids absolutely love. And that’s just the beginning. Beyond the Kids’ Club, there’s a full programme of additional activities – from Pizza Masterchef sessions and storytelling to arts and crafts and face painting – plus a brand new Nature Park where children can connect with animals. Add in bowling, go-karts and more, and you start to get a sense of the scale. Evenings are just as lively, with a real circus hosting regular live shows that turn nights into proper events. During the day, the on-site Acquapark and expansive pool scene (including zero-entry options) keep energy levels high. For older kids, though, this is where Forte Village really pulls ahead. The sports offering is, quite simply, in a league of its own. We’re talking Real Madrid Foundation Clinic football coaching, elite tennis academies, rugby sessions with international legends, and an ever-expanding roster of activities that goes far beyond the usual. If you’ve got children who want to do, not just relax, this is one of the best family resorts in Europe – full stop

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Pical Resort, Valamar Collection

If you’re looking for a new family hotel shaking up the summer holiday scene, Pical Resort, Valamar Collection is very much one to have on your radar. Freshly opened on Croatia’s Istrian coast, just moments from the historic heart of Poreč, it brings that unicorn-esque combination of next-generation design and genuinely family-first thinking – and right now, those all-important introductory prices make it one of the smartest bookings for peak season. Set within the Parenzana beachfront park, everything here feels polished, spacious and thoughtfully laid out. You’ve got three distinct hotel areas to choose from, all centred around sleek, contemporary rooms and suites (including elevated “V Level” options if you want that extra layer of exclusivity), but always with that core focus on making school holiday travel feel easy. And on that front, it seriously delivers. Think 11 indoor and outdoor pools, three different beach zones, and over 3,000m² of dedicated family facilities with all-day childcare built in. But the real headline here? Value. Because as a brand-new opening, Pical is currently offering rates that feel almost out of step with what you’d expect for this level of hotel. We’re talking from under £6,000 for a week all-inclusive for a family of four in August – which, for a five-star, all-inclusive, peak-season European resort of this calibre, is incredibly competitive (and, honestly, not something we’re seeing elsewhere right now)

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Themes: Where to go when by month, with kids, The Family Friendly European Edit, The Family Friendly Winter Sun Edit, The Family Friendly Adventure Edit

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