Looking to get you child skiing for the first time but want something that’s luxurious for adults too? I’ve got you covered… these are the best family friendly ski hotels in Europe.
Hotel Sonnwies – is one of our all time favourite hotels. Sonnwies is a luxury family-only (kinderhotel) resort located in Luesen in the Dolomites in South Tyrol in Italy. We absolutely loved the alpine-style and wholesome nature of the place plus the fact that the hotel caters for the tiniest baby up to teenagers. Noah was only 6 months old the first time we went and was looked after beautifully. The hotel is actually based on a working farm and there is a focus on nature, wellness and giving a child-centric experience that is also luxurious for parents. We loved this hotel so much we’ve actually been twice which is very rare for me!
Design: Think modern luxury meets alpine charm. There is a focus on sustainability and interiors are finished in natural materials such as pine and stone and large glass windows let the views of the mountains in. We loved the fact that though the design was beautifully aesthetic there were rocking horses, colouring activities, a photo booth and all sort of activities for children that actually blend into to the overall look.
The Room: There are a variety of rooms all of which are designed to accommodate families, some have multiple rooms and some have separate kids bunk areas. The alpine feel and use of natural materials extend to the rooms and there are little touches such as deckchairs for kids on the terrace, mini bath robes, a changing table for babies and other babies amenities on request.
Activities: There are so many activities for kids with an onsite farm where children can feed animals, ride ponies, stroke an alpaca, a playground, ice skating, the Waterworld with multiple pools and slides, beginners ski slope with ski school. For adults there’s an incredible spa and wellness offering.
Kids Club: The best I’ve seen with 1000 sqm of space that is also beautiful and aesthetically pleasing! It’s called Ferdi’s World (after the hotel’s pony mascot) and there’s plenty for kids aged 0 – 14 with 60 – 70 hours of child care included in the price of the hotel. There’s soft play, climbing wall, sports halls, imagination stations and a programme inspired by nature tailored towards children’s ages. The staff are amazing and children can come and go as they please, no need to book in.
Food: The hotel runs on a full board basis with buffet and a la carte breakfast and lunch. Dinner every night is a five-course tasting menu with the choice between Alpine, Mediterranean or vegan strand which you can mix and match. The hotel has its own 1,200 m² organic culinary garden and farm, providing fresh produce featured in the meals.
Children’s offerings are perfect with high chairs for both bigger and smaller babies, baby food jars and fresh purees, children’s buffet and self-service ice cream. The kids club is open throughout dinner so kids can go there while parents can enjoy a date night! There’s also a wine room and a cheese room what more do you need?
Useful info: Fly into Innsbruck, transfer is approximately an hour. Free hotel shuttle takes more experienced skiers to the Plose ski area. Note the hotel also runs a summer programme.
Naturhotel Forsthofgut – Located in the Austrian Alps in Leogang in Salzburg, Naturhotel Forsthofgut is an absolute beauty. The family-owned hotel is inspired by nature, sustainability and is a place that is appealing to both parents and children. We came here when Oscar was a baby and the place holds very special memories for us.
Design – Reclaimed wood, loden, leather and stone have been used to create a traditional rural interior that has the feel of a modern luxury hotel and the focus on nature lends itself to an emphasis on sustainability and local sourcing. The exterior sees bold modern buildings juxtaposed with alpine cosiness.
Rooms – The accommodation ranges from double rooms to spacious family suites and specialised “Nature Suites.” Some suites include separate children’s sleeping areas with bunk beds which is the perfect combination of family togetherness and separate areas to maximise sleep!
Activities – There is just so much to do! Skiing is of course the order of the day in winter and guests have complimentary access to the nearby cablecar. There’s also a ski kindergarten only 150 metres away. There’s a bathing lake, mutiple swimming pools, slides, pony rides, children’s farm, playground. There’s also a teen lounge. The adult’s only spa is an absolute jewel in the crown.
Kids Club – Rocky’s Kids Club accepts children from 2 years old and runs 7 days a week from 9am to 9pm with programmes inspired by nature. There’s soft play, studio, art and wood workshops, and indoor / outdoor adventures.
Food – An incredible breakfast buffet is included as well as an a la carte lunch. 5-course gourmet dinner in your stay in the main restaurant, with a choice from our 3 kitchen lines (Alpine, regional, vegan). There are three à la carte restaurants: Mizūmi Japanese Restaurant, Fine Dining silva and Restaurant 1617 for an extra charge.
Useful info: Fly into Salzburg. Transfer just over an hour. Ski slopes for experienced skiers are minutes away. Note the hotel also runs a summer programme.
Aman Le Melezin – Located in the Courchevel 1850, this ski lodge by the prestigious Aman hotel group is as luxurious as they come. Located on the Bellecôte piste, the hotel is ski in / ski out with direct access to the 600 km domain of Les Trois Vallees.
Design – The architecture resembles a classic alpine chateau, blending perfectly with the surroundings whilst inside the natural materials and neutral tones and warm yet minimal, typical of an Aman hotel.
Room – The rooms are gorgeous and when we stayed here we were lucky enough to be upgraded to one of the best suites which was one of the best rooms we’ve ever had! The hotel offers family rooms with a smaller twin room or the hotel can arrange interconnecting rooms. The rooms are especially made for comfort after a day of skiing and many include fireplaces and hot tubs.
Activities – Aman Le Mélézin offers access to the Three Valleys and runs a state-of-the-art ski room (the best I’ve ever seen) manned by a team of ski butlers. Guests can enjoy private or group ski lessons. Aman Le Mélézin isn’t completed orientated around children like some of the other hotels in this post, but it is still certainly very family friendly. Theres a ski school at Village des Enfant and sledging and ice skating in Courchevel 1850. The hotel is also served by a luxurious spa and indoor pool.
Kids Club – From 2 years old, the kids club is open from 9am to 9pm offering arts, crafts, puzzles and cooking. There’s also a TV room. Use of the kids club is included.
Food – The hotel’s main restaurant is sushi restaurant, Nama and there is a bar and terrace too. The hotel operates on a half board basis with some local restaurants being included in the half-board.
Useful info: Fly into Geneva. Transfer around 2.5 hours. Open winter only.
Familien Natur Resort Moar Gut – We were really blown away by Moar Gut as this hotel has true heart and really is all about the children and creating meaningful experiences with them. The location is Salzburg is perfect for a winter holiday and the organic farm on site is stunning.
Design – the architecture and interior design of the hotel again draws on local materials – it feels high end and aesthetic whilst maintaining comfort and prioritising sustainability. Gusti the white rooster is the hotel mascot and his image appears around the hotel bringing family friendly-vibes!
Rooms – There are 46 rooms here and they are all for families being super spacious with lots of storage and all have separate children’s areas or bunk rooms. Every suite also has a balcony and a stunning view of the mountains.
Activities – Soooo many. There’s a learner ski slope for small children in the hotel as well as sledging. A full farm yard and small animal farm, horse riding and sleigh riding, multiple playgrounds, several swimming pools, a natural bathing lake, trampolines, climbing wall. There are spa options for adults, kids and even babies.
Kids Club – Truly exceptional! The Children’s World or Natur-Kinderhof is 1,000 m² built with natural materials with sustainability in mind. There is an area for parents and children, childcare areas, a baby and toddler area, and an outdoor area. Inside there’s a theatre, painting studio, dolls kitchen and creative workshop. The baby area is for the littlest loves from 30 days to 30 months and then after that children are in the main kids club. It’s open from 9am until 9pm and it’s included in the cost! Every night Gusti the chicken comes to the restaurant at 7pm and takes the children to dance in the theatre so that parents can enjoy a quiet meal!
Any amenity that you can think of is available for children and it’s all excellent and well-designed brands.
Food – The hotel works on a full board basis with a 6 course menu every night for parents. Kids can enjoy the buffet and there’s even an organic baby bar.
Useful info – Fly into Salzburg. Transfer around 1 hour. Note the hotel also runs a summer programme.
Das Central – Located in Solden, Austria the hotel is right the resort village with easy access to the ski slopes. The hotel has been family run for the last 55 years and the vibe is extremely welcoming but without compromising on luxury.
Design – The hotel maintains a gorgeous alpine character with natural materials whilst still being modern. Huge windows let in the gorgeous mountain views. The ‘Summit Spa’ is the hotel’s piece de resistance being a rooftop wellness zone with an infinity pool and panoramic views.
Rooms – There are lots of room optioms at Das Central but one thing that they all have is alpine charm. There are family room options with two bedrooms or connecting rooms. The penthouse suite with its high ceilings and central fireplace is something really special.
Activities – Das Central has very convenient access to the ski slopes via a shuttle. There are multiple companies offering children’s ski school plus there is tobogganing and lots of winter fun. The 2000 metre squared wellness area and infinity pool (which wasn’t open when we visited) is the hotel’s signature experience. There is also an extremely photogenic indoor pool! Children are allowed in the pool and indoor sauna but other areas of the spa are adult only.
As Solden is where James Bond Spectre was filmed, the region maintains a connection with the film and is home to James Bond 007 Elements, an incredible cinematic installation in the mountains.
Kids Club – There’s a kids club from aged 3 up and a play zone open 24 hours with a virtual ski wall and kids programme.
Food – Hotel restaurant Feinspitz, offers breakfast and a tasting menu as part of the half-board package. Other options are Michelin-starred restaurant Ötztaler Stube or book a fondue evening in the cellar. Another USP of Das Central is the connection to restaurant Ice Q Austria’s highest two-Michelin-starred restaurant sitting at 3,048 meters on the Gaislachkogl mountain. Ice Q was used in the James Bond movie Spectre, and yes it has a children’s menu. They can even make baby food.
Useful info – Fly into Innsbruck. Transfer around 1 hour. The hotel also runs a family friendly summer programme.
Feuerstein Nature Family Resort – The Feuerstein really is one of the ultimate in parent-pleasing, child-friendly hotels. Located in the South Tyrol in the Italian Alps we just loved how much there was to do here for all ages. Like some of the above hotels, the Feuerstein is based on a working farm with a strong focus on nature.
Design: We loved the contemporary, minimalistic style of this hotel with alpine elements. There’s huge windows everywhere welcoming in the mountain views and a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor. The hotel seems rather vast but once you know you’re way around you can be quite at home! It’s actually a U-Shape around a lake (frozen in winter) but internal corridors allow you to get around the hotel without worry about the cold! The beautiful outdoor pool is a real selling point!
Rooms: Every room here is for families and the Feuerstein has something to accommodate every family combination. We had a Chalet Strahlstein which was perfect for us as it’s hugely generous. There’s a large living area with kitchenette, two bedrooms, a bathroom with large bath and plenty of thoughtful touches for families.
Activities: Endless activities for all ages. A play barn, trampoline, climbing wall, mud room, ninja warrior farm, horse riding, sledding, art classes, skiing, pools with slides, shows and discos. There’s so many activities but it’s not overstimulating.
Adults can enjoy skiing, spa time, yoga, gym, padel and outdoor adventures.
Kids Club: The hotel offers 70 hours of childcare a week for children over 4 included in the cost of the stay with a programme of nature activities. Babies and toddlers are also well looked after in a dedicated creche which runs daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Everyday the hotel runs Feuerstein hour from 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m which is usually a show, dance or activity and allows parents to have a quiet dinner while kids play.
Food: Once again there’s something for everyone with fresh baby purees for your littlest, a delicious buffet for kids (fresh pasta, pizza, salads and soups) and a daily gourmet tasting menu for adults. The hotel is completely full board and you have the same table every night for ease and flexibility.
Useful info: Fly into Innsbruck, transfer around 50 mins. The hotel also runs a family friendly summer programme.
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