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 based on my own experiences travelling with my family.
Travelling with children doesn’t have to be stressful and it no longer means compromising on style and luxury. I’ve found the best family hotels and resorts in Europe with Michelin-starred restaurants and world-class spas alongside kids’ clubs, family rooms, water slides and little extra experiences that children will love. The best family-friendly luxury hotels in Europe welcome children with open arms, offer inclusive and accessible facilities, and understand what parents need.
If you’re dreaming of somewhere further afield, I’ve also put together my guide to the best luxury family hotels in the world, featuring places I’ve stayed from the Maldives to South Africa.
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 so many activities including a learner ski slope for small children at 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 and climbing wall. There are spa options for adults, kids and even babies.
Read my full review of Familien Natur Resort Moar Gut
Naturhotel Forsthofgut – Located in the Austrian Alps in Leogang, Salzburg, Naturhotel Forsthofgut is an absolute beauty. The family-owned hotel is inspired by nature and sustainability and manages to appeal equally 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 experienced!
Read my full review of Naturhotel Forsthofgut
Das Central – Located in Sölden, Austria the hotel is right in the resort village with easy access to the ski slopes. The hotel has been family-run for more than 55 years and the vibe is extremely welcoming, without compromising on luxury. Sölden maintains a strong connection with James Bond Spectre, which filmed several scenes in the region, and it is also home to 007 ELEMENTS, an incredible cinematic installation in the mountains.
Read my full review of Das Central
Das Edelweiss Salzburg Mountain Resort – Das Edelweiss Salzburg Mountain Resort perfectly combines Alpine luxury, with mini adventures for kids, spa heaven and delicious mountain cuisine. Located in the picturesque Grossarl valley, in the Austrian Alps, south of Salzburg, it’s a hotel fringed with snowy peaks and ski slopes.
Activities – Skiing is the main activity at Das Edelweiss and it’s easy to step straight out of the hotel to the cable car and kids can also join in the ski school. When they aren’t skiing they can hang out in one of the age-appropriate kids’ areas: the Baby Mountain Area for under-threes; Edelweiss Prinzenland with a cinema, play kitchen and Montessori-style toys; the Young Mountain Area with Ninja Warrior course, climbing wall and trampoline and, for older children there’s the Cool Mountain Area with PlayStation and iWall. A supervised kids’ club is included in the half-board rate for children over three, while care for under-threes is chargeable.
We loved our family swims every day from the gorgeous outdoor pool, to the baby pool, the ‘big’ pool as Noah called it, and the pièce de résistance: the slide room! There’s even a family spa with whirlpool and sauna suitable for children.
Read my full review of Das Edelweiss
Planning a family ski holiday? Read my full guide to the best family-friendly ski hotels in Europe.
Cyprus
Parklane Hotel Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Limassol, Cyprus – Parklane ticks all the boxes for family-friendly luxury. There are 222 rooms, 34 suites and 18 villas, as well as a spa, beach, four pools, six bars and restaurants and a shopping village. We absolutely loved the Nammos restaurant and all the amazing shopping. The children loved the kids’ club which is one of the biggest in Europe and has its own water park.
Read my full review of Parklane Cyprus
France
Aman Le Mélézin – Located in Courchevel 1850, this ski lodge by the prestigious Aman hotel group is as luxurious as they come. Set directly on the Bellecôte piste, the hotel is ski-in/ski-out with direct access to the 600 km domain of Les Trois Vallées. Aman Le Mélézin 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. There’s a ski school at Village des Enfants and sledging and ice skating in Courchevel 1850. The hotel is also served by a luxurious spa and indoor pool.
Read my full review of Aman Le Mélézin
Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris – Completely stunning and absolutely legendary – world’s best breakfast, yes please! Although the hotel is the epitome of elegance, children are warmly welcomed, with family-friendly offers, special gifts and thoughtful touches for younger guests.
Greece
Amanzoe is located in the Peloponnese, this hotel from the Aman group is one of the best in Greece and is a really special hotel to us, as we came here for Mr S’s birthday. It is the most luxurious hotel that I’ve personally visited in Greece, and I loved that the architecture is inspired by ancient times.
The hotel is set high above the surrounding countryside and has incredible views, huge pavilion-style rooms and an atmosphere of total peace.
The pool is gorgeous and there’s also a private Beach Club where you can spend your days by the sea. Despite the very serene, grown-up feel, families are genuinely welcomed, with a children’s activity programme, child-friendly dining and plenty of space for children to enjoy the resort. It is incredibly luxurious and sophisticated but still works beautifully as a family holiday.
Read my full review of Amanzoe
Ikos Aria in Kos – is of course part of the much-loved Ikos Resorts 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 hotel’s all-inclusive concept really makes the holiday hassle-free and there are eight 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’ programmes from infants to teens and Noah loved hanging out in the Heroes Crèche while Oscar enjoyed the Heroes Kids Club for children aged four and over.
Read my full review of Ikos Aria
Daios Cove
Daios Cove – Daios Cove is a boutique-style resort that is architecturally stunning, with a design that blends seamlessly into the landscape. The way the hotel is wrapped around the cove means there are stunning view of the Aegean Sea from almost every angle. The hotel design was inspired by water and earth, with natural materials including wood, marble and stone creating a minimalist look that still feels very luxurious.
We loved our Premium One Bedroom Suite with sea view and private pool. There is one main pool at the hotel, with a small baby pool within it, as well as an adults-only pool and indoor pool at the spa. There’s a lovely big beach, watersports, and a programme of local excursions. The spa is a real jewel in the crown here and parents will love it.
Daios Cove offers a Children’s Club for aged four to 12 included in the price of the hotel and a Crèche Club for age four months to four years at an additional charge.
There are five restaurants including Pangea, the buffet; Taverna is the hotel’s Greek and Cretan restaurant with a beautiful view overlooking the cove; Ocean Restaurant, the hotel’s fine dining option; The Beach House, a rustic beachfront space with Mediterranean-inspired dishes; and RHO is the hotel’s raw concept and is for guests aged 14 and over.
Read my full review of Daios Cove
Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection – Located in Crete, Greece’s largest island. Domes of Elounda is a great family resort option with four restaurants, multiple pools, a private beach and amazing views of Spinalonga Island. Parents will love the St Tropez-inspired Vilebrequin La Plage, CORE – an outdoor hub including exhibitions, installations, pop-ups, and street-food trucks – and the refined spa.
For children there’s a kids’ club, watersports, tennis and football academies and evening entertainment. Domes of Elounda is a great option for a less costly Ikos alternative though bear in mind it’s not all-inclusive.
Read my full review of Domes of Elounda
Sani Resort, Halkidiki – Widely regarded as one of the best luxury family resorts in Europe, Sani really is the GOAT. Owned by the same people as Ikos Resorts, they really know what they’re doing when it comes to family-friendly luxury! If you’ve never stayed at a resort like Sani before, you might find the concept a little confusing: the resort is made up of five different hotels, each with its own style and audience, all centred around a marina lined with high-end shops and restaurants that guests across the resort can enjoy.
Sani Beach – This is the most accessible entry point to the resort and usually the most affordable. It is also one of the most child-friendly, with a splash pool, playground, crèche, kids’ club and private beach.
Sani Club – Sani Club has many of the same family-friendly perks as Sani Beach, but with a more luxurious feel, less tower blocky and better restaurants. It sits slightly away from the other hotels and the Marina, which gives more privacy but makes access to the share facilities less convenient.
Porto Sani – This is another step up in terms of luxury and still very family-friendly. It doesn’t have it’s own private beach although guests can access other beaches across the resort, its location right next to the Marina makes it particularly convenient.
Sani Dunes – This is one of the resort’s more sophisticated options and feels a little more grown-up. It has a beautiful lagoon-style pool, a private beach and a strong dining offering. It doesn’t have its own kids’ club or splash pool, but children are still welcome and families can use crèche and splash pool at other Sani hotels in the resort.
Sani Asterias – The resort’s most luxurious and boutique option – this is where we stayed! Sani Asterias is smaller and more intimate, with some of the resort’s finest dining and rooms either overlooking the Marina or the hotel’s private beach. Again, there’s no kids’ club or splash pool on site but families can use those facilities in neighbouring hotels. We chose Sani Asterias despite this as we were travelling with my elderly in-laws and we felt it suited them best, while still giving us easy access to the family facilities at Sani Beach and Porto Sani which are adjacent.
Sani has a huge choice of restaurants and bars which means plenty of variety of cuisines, atmosphere and levels of formality. Most are child-friendly and offer children’s menus, while a smaller number are adults only. There are also a number of more casual pool bars and cafes and buffet options, as well as restaurants around the Marina. One particularly thoughtful touch is the baby menu created by Donna Hay.
Planning a family holiday to Greece? Read my full guide to the best luxury family hotels in Greece.
Iceland
Deplar Farm – Set in a remote part of Iceland, Deplar Farm is one of my favourite ever hotel stays. We travelled there before childen but younger guests are very welcome and will love the incredible geothermal pools, dramatic mountain views and opportunities for outdoor adventure including horse riding and hiking.
Parents, meanwhile, can properly disconnect from anything stressful and enjoy the incredible spa, delicious meals – it’s all-inclusive – and highly personal itineraries.
Read my full review of Deplar Farm
Italy
Borgo Egnazia, Puglia – Borgo Egnazia is a dreamy hotel for families, modelled on a traditional Puglian village. We loved the family pool, incredible restaurants and the effortlessly chic atmosphere, it’s a place like nowhere else.
There are two distinct sides of the hotel, one of which is very family-focussed with a pool, kids’ club, playground and farm and the other with adults-only pool, spa and Michelin-starred restaurant.
Read my full review of Borgo Egnazia.
SAN SONNEA Family Dolomites (formerly Hotel Sonnwies) – One of our all-time favourite family hotels. Formerly known as Hotel Sonnwies, SAN SONNEA Family Dolomites is a luxury family-only resort (kinderhotel) in Lüsen in the Dolomites, South Tyrol.
We absolutely loved the Alpine style and wholesome nature of the place, as well as the fact that it caters for everyone from tiny babies through to teenagers. Noah was only six months old the first time we visited and was looked after beautifully.
The resort is set on a working farm, with a strong focus on nature, wellness and creating a child-centred experience that still feels luxurious for parents. The kids’ club is one of the best we’ve ever seen and all childcare is included!
We loved this hotel so much we’ve actually been twice which is very rare for me!
Feuerstein Nature Family Resort – Feuerstein really is one of the ultimate parent-pleasing, child-friendly hotels. Located in South Tyrol in the Italian Alps, we loved how much there was to do here for all ages.
Like some of the other hotels and resorts on this list, the Feuerstein is set on a working farm with a strong focus on nature. The activities for children are almost endless, with a play barn, trampoline, climbing wall, mud room, Ninja Warrior area, farm, horse riding, sledding, art classes, skiing, pools with slides, shows and discos.
Adults are equally well catered for with skiing, spa time, yoga, gym, padel and outdoor adventures.
Read my full review of Feuerstein Nature Family Resort.
Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como – A hotel so beautiful that you’ll feel like you’re in a movie! It’s one of the area’s most spectacular jewels, gleaming at the edge of the lake with its Art Nouveau yellow façade and orange canopies fringing the terrace.
The hotel is perfect for a luxurious escape, with high-end restaurants, a beautiful spa and gorgeous pools – including the famous pool floating on the lake – but there are also plenty of family-friendly touches, from family suites and kids’ menus to gardens with space to explore. Children will especially love the pizza restaurant.
I definitely recommend a spin on the hotel’s boat and taking the opportunity to explore some of the nearby villages.
Read my full review of Grand Hotel Tremezzo.
Four Seasons Hotel, Firenze – The Four Seasons Florence is not only a beautiful resort-style hotel in the centre of the city, but also a historic gem. Dating back to the 15th century, the main building was once the opulent Palazzo della Gherardesca and home to several Florentine nobles, including a pope. Adjacent to the palazzo is Il Conventino, a 16th-century former convent that now houses additional guest rooms.
We absolutely loved the Michelin-starred dining, the beautifully restored interiors and, of course, the private gardens and pool. For families, the hotel offers spacious rooms, the PIO Seasons kids’ club and children’s menus.
Read my full review of Four Seasons Florence
Spain
Ikos Porto Petro – We loved staying at Ikos Porto Petro, another hotel in this list that’s part of the renowned Ikos Resorts group.
There are five pools, most of which are family-friendly, six restaurants, two beaches and an excellent kids’ and baby club. Best of all, it’s ultra all-inclusive – even Champagne is included.
The resort offers plenty of organised activities, including arts, games and theatre for children, alongside adults-only spaces such as the pool and spa. One of the best things about Ikos Resorts is the flexibility and genuinely hassle-free nature of the stay.
Read my full review of Ikos Porto Petro.
The Ritz Carlton Abama – The Ritz-Carlton Abama is a brilliant option for out-of-season sun and is only around four hours from the UK. It ticks all the boxes for a luxury family holiday, with multiple restaurants serving different cuisines, including a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, beautiful beaches, a family pool, huge rooms and a kids’ club for children aged four to 12. The hotel itself is also architecturally stunning.
Hotel Arts Barcelona – Hotel Arts Barcelona is a great luxury family option, particularly because of its location right by the beach while still giving you easy access to the city. There are plenty of restaurant options, a gorgeous swimming pool and spacious accommodation, making it an easy base for a family city break.
The hotel is very polished and grown-up in feel, but families are well catered for, with family-friendly dining and special offers and experiences for younger guests.
Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay – Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay was actually the first hotel we ever took Oscar to, when he was just ten weeks old, so it holds very special memories for us. The Nobu brand is known for being highly sophisticated, but this hotel is also very family-friendly.
There’s a main pool and a separate family pool, plus excellent family-friendly dining, including Nobu of course. The kids’ club offers activities such as DJing, sushi-making and basket weaving for children aged four to 12.
Türkiye (EurAsia)
Six Senses Kaplankaya near Bodrum, Türkiye – Six Senses goes beyond traditional luxury, combining wellness, sustainability, nature and local culture with a genuine sense of place. What I love about Six Senses Kaplankaya is that children are included in that philosophy, rather than the hotel changing its identity to accommodate families.
The beautiful design blends into the natural environment and everything feels incredibly private and secluded. There’s an enormous 10,000-square-metre spa and the nature-focused Grow With Six Senses kids’ club, while everything feels considered for both parents and children. There are playgrounds and family-friendly beaches alongside sunset dinners, yoga, padel, spa treatments and beautifully designed spaces, so you never feel as though you’re staying at a hotel that is purely for kids. The food is a real highlight, with locally sourced ingredients, including produce from the hotel’s own garden, and the quality is excellent for children too.
Evenings are about long dinners, sunsets and slowing down rather than big shows, loud entertainment and a party atmosphere. The kids’ club focuses on hands-on experiences such as ceramics, cookery and candle making, with no screens as part of the everyday programme, and the beaches, pools and activities give children plenty to do.
UK
I’ve stayed at a lot of luxury family hotels across the UK, so narrowing this section down was difficult. Rather than include every hotel I’ve enjoyed, I’ve chosen just three of my absolute favourites – the ones I think really stand out for combining beautiful surroundings, excellent service and genuinely family-friendly facilities without compromising on the luxury experience for parents.
Estelle Manor – Located in Oxfordshire, Estelle Manor is one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in the UK. There are plenty of options for spacious family-friendly accommodation; we loved our Walled Garden room and found it easy to arrange an extra cot. There are four restaurants, ranging from relaxed, family-friendly brasserie-style dining to The Billiards, an adults-only Chinese restaurant.
The grounds appeal to both adults and children, with acres of gardens and woodland, outdoor adventure trails – we loved driving the Little Landies – and the stunning outdoor pool, which has become something of an Instagram sensation. There are set swimming times for children, giving families the best of both worlds while still allowing other guests some child-free pool time.
There’s a structured programme at the kids’ club, plenty of supervised activities and The Den for older children. Eynesham Baths, the hotel’s spa, is very much the adults’ playground and is completely child-free.
Read my review of Estelle Manor.
Gleneagles – After visiting Gleneagles near Auchterarder, Scotland, I had a new standard for luxury family-friendly hotels in the UK. We loved our interconnecting rooms and all the thoughtful touches waiting for the children, including adventure guides, mini robes and slippers.
There is so much to do, with more than 50 family activities on offer. We particularly loved driving the Little Landies through the woodlands.
Little Glen is the hotel’s crèche, offering creative play as well as a structured programme of outdoor activities. For older children, The Den is a dedicated hangout with video games, board games and arts and crafts. Parents can head off to enjoy the spa knowing younger children are being well looked after.
There are plenty of dining options too, from Michelin-starred restaurants for grown-ups to more casual family-friendly options. There’s even an ice cream parlour and pick ’n’ mix station. The kids were in heaven!
Four Seasons Hampshire – The ideal country hotel for families, combining country-house chic with genuinely family-friendly design. There are plenty of options for family suites, although we found that two interconnecting rooms can actually offer the best value.
The Kids For All Seasons club is a brilliant kids’ club, combining an indoor den and playground with structured activities and outdoor pursuits. Our children especially love the pony riding.
One of the things that really makes Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire stand out is the swimming pool setup. Sharkie’s Reef is the dedicated children’s pool and is open to kids throughout the day, while there’s a separate, more sedate pool for adults.
Delicious seasonal food is served at the hotel’s restaurant, Wild Carrot.
Read my review of Four Seasons Hampshire
Looking for more? Read my full guide to the best luxury family hotels in the UK.
For me, the very best luxury family hotels in Europe are the ones that don’t make parents feel they have to compromise. They combine beautiful design, great food and proper grown-up luxury with thoughtful family rooms, brilliant kids’ clubs and experiences that children genuinely remember.
I’ve stayed at every single one of the hotels in this guide. Some are all-out family resorts, while others are sophisticated luxury hotels that simply happen to welcome children exceptionally well!
I’ll continue to update this guide as we discover more brilliant family hotels across Europe.
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