I have made it my ultimate mission to uncover the very best hotels in the world that are great for kids and parent-pleasing too. It’s this mission that lies at the heart of SilverSpoon London and in this post I’ve hand-picked what I believe to be the ultimate in parent-pleasing, child-friendly luxury hotels in Europe.
Travelling with children doesn’t have to be stressful and it no longer means compromising on style and luxury. I’ve found the best hotels that have both Michelin stars restaurants and world-class spas but also kids clubs, family rooms, water slides and little extra experiences that children will love. In the best family-friendly luxury hotels in Europe, children are welcomed with open arms, facilities are inclusive and accessible and parents needs are understood.
Austria
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. The location in Salzburg is perfect for a winter holiday and the organic farm on site is stunning. There are soooo many activities! 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.
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. Mr S absolutely loved skiing here and I thought the adults-only spa was one of the best I’ve ever seen!
Das Central – Located in Solden, Austria the hotel is right in 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. 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.
Cyprus
Parklane Hotel Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Limassol, Cyprus – Ticks all the boxes for family-friendly luxury. With 222 rooms, 34 suites and 18 villas, a spa, beach, four pools, six bars and restaurants, a shopping village. We absolutely loved the Nammos branded restaurant and all the amazing shopping. The children loved the kids club which is the biggest in Europe and had it’s own water park.
France
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. 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. 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.
Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris – Is completely stunning and absolutely legendary – world’s best breakfast, yes please! And though this hotel is the epitome of elegance, children are welcomed and families are offered discounts and special gifts.
Greece
Amanzoe is located in the Peloponnese, this hotel from the Aman group is one of the best in Greece. Rooms are stunning and spacious, the pool is gorgeous plus there’s a children’s activity program and child-friendly dining.
Ikos Aria in Kos, is of course part of the much loved Ikos group, known for being THE name in family-friendly all inclusive hotels. We loved the minimalist design with Mediterranean touches. Our spacious deluxe one bedroom suite allowed us to have our sleeping areas and also sleep in style.
The hotels all inclusive concept really makes the holiday hassle free and there are 8 restaurants and nine bars Every restaurant is child-friendly and includes children’s and baby menus, high chairs and baby friendly cutlery. There are multiple pools – including the splash pad, beaches, watersports, cycling, fitness, team sports and plenty of adults only areas too. For an extra cost – we loved our private boat charter and there is also the popular Football Academy . There are nightly shows, kids discos and a weekly white night party.
Ikos Aria has tailored kids programs from infants to teens and Noah loved hanging out in the Heroes Creche while Oscar enjoyed the Heroes Kids Club for aged 4 plus
Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection – Located in Crete, Greece’s largest . Domes of Elounda is a great family-friendly hotel option with four restaurants, multiple pools, private beach and an amazing view of Spinalonga Island. Parents will love the St Tropez-inspired Vilebrequin La Plage, CORE (an outdoor hub including exhibitions, installations, popups, and street food trucks) and the refined spa. For kids there’s kids club, watersports, tennis and football academies and evening entertainment.
Sani Resort in Halkidiki – Widely regarded as one of the greatest hotels for families, Sani really is the GOAT. Owned by the same people as Ikos, they know what they’re doing! If you’ve never stayed at a resort like Sani you might find the concept a little confusing. The resort is five hotels each differing to suit the needs of different guests and all are based around a marina lined with high end shops and restaurants accessible to all the guests.
Sani Beach – this is the ‘entry-level’ hotel and the cheapest. It is also the most child-friendly and includes a splash pool, play ground, creche, kids club and private beach.
Sani Club – has all the child-friendly perks of Sani Beach but the style is more luxury, less tower blocky and better restaurants. It is set a bit further out from the other hotels and the Marina which affords more privacy but less convenience in accessing shared hotel facilities.
Porto Sani – is the next level up in luxury and has all the child-friendly amenities but no private beach though you have access to other beaches in the hotel and the benefit of being right next to the Marina.
Sani Dunes – is the hotel’s higher end offering, though less child friendly, this hotel has Michelin menus and is surrounded by a lagoon-like swimming pool and private beach. There is no kids club or splash pool but kids are still welcome to stay and guests can use creche and splash pool at other hotels.
Sani Asterias – the resort’s most luxurious offering being the smallest and most boutique. Asterias has the finest food and spa and rooms overlooking the Marina or the hotel’s private beach. Again there’s no kids club or splash pool but kids are still welcome to stay and guests can use the creche and splash pool at other hotels. We chose Sani Asterias despite this as we also had my elderly in-laws with us and we felt it was the best hotel for them and we could still easily use the facilities of Sani Beach and Porto Sani which are adjacent.
Kids under 12 stay at Beach, Club and Porto for free and at a very reduced rate eat Asterias and Dunes.
Iceland
Deplar Farm is in a remote part of Iceland and is one of my favourite ever hotel stays. We travelled there before kids but younger guests are very welcome and will love the the incredible geothermal pools and mountain views plus lots of opportunity for outdoor adventure including horse riding and hiking. Parents can disconnect from anything stressful and enjoy the incredible spa, delicious meals (its all inclusive) and customised itineraries.
Italy
Borgo Egnazia in Puglia is a dreamy hotel for families, modelled on a traditional Italian town. We loved the family pool, the incredible restaurants and the chic vibes, it’s a place like nowhere else. There are two distinct areas of the hotel, one of which is very family-focussed with pool, kids club, playground and farm and the other with adults only pool, spa and Michelin-starred restaurant.
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! The kids club is one of the best we’ve ever seen and all child care is included!
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. There are just so many activities for kids, the list is endless, there’s play barn, trampoline, climbing wall, mud room, ninja warrior farm, horse riding, sledding, art classes, skiing, pools with slides, shows and discos. Adults can enjoy skiing, spa time, yoga, gym, padel and outdoor adventures.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Lake Como – A hotel so beautiful that you’ll feel like you’re in a movie! The hotel is one of the area’s most spectacular jewels, gleaming at the edge of the lake with it’s Art Nouveau shiny yellow facade and orange canopies fringing the terrace. The hotel is perfect for luxury with high-end restaurants, luxury spa and beautiful pools (including the famous pool floating on the lake) but there are plenty of family-friendly touches such as family suites, kids menus (they’ll love the pizza restaurant) and gardens to enjoy.
I definitely recommend a spin on the hotel’s boat and the chance to enjoy nearby villages.
FS Florence – The Four Seasons Florence is not only a beautiful resort style hotel in the centre of town but it is also a historic gem. Dating back to the 15th century, the building was previously an opulent palace known as Palazzo della Gherardesca and was the private home of several Florentine nobles, including a pope. Adjacent to the palazzo is Il Conventino, a 16th Century building and former convent, which now houses additional guest bedrooms. We absolutely loved the Michelin-starred dining, and the beautifully restored hotel and the private gardens and pool were just beautiful. Travelling with a family, the hotel can offer spacious rooms, the PIO Seasons kids club plus kids menus.
Spain
Ikos Porto Petro – We loved staying at Ikos Porto Petro – another hotel in this list that’s part of the renowned Ikos group. There’s five pools, most of which are family friendly, six restaurants, two beaches and an amazing kids and baby club. Best of all, it’s ultra all-inclusive even for champagne.
The hotel includes lots of fun organised activities including arts, games, theatre for kids and then adults only spaces such as the pool and spa. The great thing about Ikos Resorts are the flexibility and hassle-free nature.
The Ritz Carlton Abama is the perfect place for out of season sun and is only around 4 hours from the UK. This hotel ticks all the boxes, multiple restaurants with different cuisines (including a two-Michelin star restaurant), beautiful beaches, family pool, huge rooms and a kids club for 4 -12 year olds. Plus the hotel itself is stunning architecturally.
Hotel Arts Barcelona is a perfect family option as it’s right on the beach and there are lots of restaurant options plus and amazing pool! The hotel also has special offers for families.
Nobu Ibiza Bay was actually the first hotel that we took Oscar to when he was ten weeks old. The Nobu brand is known for being high sophisticated but it’s also very family-friendly. There’s a main pool and a family pool and great family restaurants including a Nobu of course. The kids club offers fun things such as DJing, sushi making and basket weaving for ages 4 – 12.
UK
Estelle Manor – Located in Oxford, Estelle Manor is one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in the UK. There are lots of options for spacious family-friendly accommodation, we loved our Walled Garden room and it was easy to arrange an extra cot. There are four restaurants available ranging from relaxed family-friendly brasserie style dining to The Billiards which is an adults only Chinese restaurant.
The grounds appeal both to adults and child with acres of garden and woodland, outdoor adventure trails (we loved driving the Little Landies) and the stunning outdoor pool which has become an Instagram sensation. There are set swim times for kids giving parents best of both worlds and other guests child-free peace in the pool.
There’s a structured programme at the kids club and lots of supervised activities and The Den for older kids. Eynesham Baths, the hotel’s spa, is the adult’s play ground and is completely child free.
Gleneagles – After visiting Glenagles near Auchterarder, Scotland I had a new standard for UK luxury family friendly hotels! We loved our interconnecting rooms and all the amenities that we were welcomed with such as adventure guides, mini robes and mini slippers. There is so so much to do there with more than 50 family activities, we absolutely loved riding the Little Landies through the woodlands.
There’s a Little Glen creche offering creative play as well as a structured schedule of outdoor activities. For older kids, the Den is a hangout with video games, boards games and arts and crafts. Parents can go and enjoy the spa knowing younger children are in safe hands.
There are lots of restaurant options from premium Michelin star restaurants for grown up to more casual dining that kids will love. There’s even an ice cream parlour and pic ‘n mix station. The kids were in heaven!
Four Seasons Hampshire – The ideal country hotel for families, with a combination of country house-chic and family-friendly design. There’s lots of options for family suites but the best value for money is actually two interconnecting rooms.
The Kids for All Seasons is a fab kids club combining a den and playground with structured activties and outdoor pursuits. Our kids love the pony riding. Something that really makes The Four Seasons Hampshire stand out is the swimming pool, Sharky’s Reef the kids fun pool which is open all day for kids. There’s a separate more sedate pool for adults. Delicious, seasonal food is served at the hotel’s restaurant The Wild Carrot.
Read my full list of the best luxury family hotels in the UK
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