5 Sublime Hotels That Are Perfect For The Whole Family
Family-friendly hotels often conjure up images that don’t necessarily equate with beautiful design, rich cultural experiences, excellent food and a relaxing grown-up vacation. Below, KATIE BERRINGTON chooses five stunning properties that defy the expectations and ensure a luxurious and enriching trip for all ages
Estelle Manor, Oxfordshire, UK
In the glorious Cotswolds countryside, Estelle Manor emerges at the end of a long driveway, amid a sweeping 3,000 acres of parkland. Resplendent interiors of sumptuous velvet sofas and stately lighting give way to the South Terrace, where scalloped pink and burgundy parasols surround a centerpiece pool that evokes the south of France. Despite the grandeur of the design, the atmosphere here is lively, warm and welcoming – not at all stuffy and sedate. There are several restaurants, so you’ll find a menu to satiate every palette: the all-day hearty and refined Brasserie, traditional Chinese dishes in the Billiards Room, a tantalizing Japanese menu in The Armoury, the relaxed Potting Shed Café, and a pretty stroll through the walled garden reveals The Glasshouse, where wood-fired pizzas and family-style sharing plates are served. Rather than a traditional kids club, there are supervised activities across the estate – from scavenger hunts and den-building for toddlers to archery and high ropes for older children and teenagers. Then through the woods you’ll find the ultimate adults’ playground: the spectacular Roman-inspired spa, a capacious tepidarium bathing hall with indoor and outdoor pools, treatment rooms, and an open-air lounging area and bar.
Marbella Club, Spain
On the idyllic Andalusian coast, where dazzling mountains, sea and Mediterranean gardens meet, Marbella Club is something of an icon. The wealth of delights span sun-drippingly gorgeous restaurants, where it feels like the food is served directly from the sea onto the table, elegantly laid-back suites and villas (opt for the latter category for private swimming pools, gardens, large living spaces and standalone kitchens), a holistic spa, and outdoor pursuits including hikes, horse-riding and water sports. For younger guests (while the grown-ups can relish a long sun-kissed lunch à deux), the fantastic Kids Club offers experiences such as perfume-making using local herbs, cooking lessons, craft workshops with local artists, canoeing and paddle-surfing in the calm waves.
Parilio, Paros, Greece
For families seeking a less all-inclusive, more authentic and immersive vibe of Greek vacation this summer, the glorious, gleaming Parilio on the rugged island of Paros is a quintessential Cycladic dream. A member of Design Hotels, the style is understated elegance with geometric lines, natural stone and a soothingly neutral palette, centered by a vast outdoor pool that is lined with daybeds and a vibrant bar area. This summer, the owners have launched Kinship across Parilio and Vedema (their Santorini sister property). Kinship reimagines the concept of a kids club to involve the whole family and encourage collective, cultural experiences rooted in creativity, community and local heritage. At Parilio, this can involve loom weaving with local artisans, Parian cooking classes with the in-house chefs and farm visits, Greek language lessons, spa treatments suitable for children as well as adults, cultural treks through ancient marble quarries and guided visits to landmark sites on the island.
Collegio alla Querce Auberge, Florence, Italy
A new opening on a beautifully scenic Florence hillside – overlooking the city’s Unesco-celebrated Centro Storico on one side and the rolling Tuscan landscape on the other – Collegio alla Querce is a thoughtfully restored, 16th-century former school and estate with original tiered gardens. The culinary offering is, unsurprisingly, a highlight for a region that is renowned for its food, with four restaurants and bars (including Bar Bertelli, once the headmaster’s office, offering cocktails and cigars) and local produce at the core. There’s also the serene Aelia spa, offering treatments inspired and infused with homegrown ingredients. As for the pastimes, think chef-led cooking classes, botanical-infused bathhouses and an ‘Opera Sound Bath’ experience, live music and supper club-style performances, creative workshops (children can even put on a performance of their own), cultural tours of Florence’s galleries, as well as its ateliers and perfumiers. You can also explore the hotel’s wonderful grounds and gardens, which encompass a grand 35-meter swimming pool. For a large group trip, the seven-bedroom Palazzo Moderno can be booked on its own, complete with a private roof terrace and pool.
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Portugal
If your family loves to be surrounded by nature, São Lourenço do Barrocal – which has been owned by the same family for the past 200 years – will feel like a wonderland. A 780-acre working estate in Alentejo, including wildflower meadows, olive groves, ancient forest and vineyards, the hotel is a beautifully reimagined but effortlessly chill 19th-century farmstead, a two-hour drive east of Lisbon. All rooms open directly to the great outdoors, but take one of the cottages to give yourself the space to spread out. The activities on offer enable guests to get hands-on with the environment – from birdhouse building to traditional craft lessons (like olive-wood carving and wool spinning), workshops on wildlife preservation, horse-riding sessions and donkey-cart trips. Try local delicacies in the restaurants and dine alfresco on the long tables at Hortelão, where smoking wood-fired grills and the kitchen gardens turn it into a multisensory experience for everyone.