7 Sublime Hotels That Are Perfect For The Whole Family

For parents of younger kids and infants, who have resigned themselves to the idea that spa hotels and babies simply do not mix, Aki Family Resort offers you the combination you’ve been waiting for. Opened at the end of 2024 as the first dedicated family resort from the award-winning Adler Spa Resorts & Lodges group, the mountain retreat has been designed entirely around the realities of traveling with babies, toddlers and young children, for those who truly still want to unwind and escape to an upscale resort. Set against the dramatic backdrop of South Tyrol’s mountains, floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to take in the vistas and there are plenty of outdoor adventures on the doorstep. From heated baby pools and a duck pond to a small petting farm with llamas and goats, the resort is filled with thoughtfully designed spaces for children of every age. Indoors, a nature-inspired play barn features crawling-friendly areas, wooden toys, slides and a bobby-car track, while older children can explore woodwork, painting studios and more. Parents, meanwhile, can retreat to the adults-only spa, while little ones are cared for at the on-site crèche.

For families seeking a quintessentially British alternative to the romance of Lake Como, Langdale Chase, on the shores of England’s largest lake, Windermere, offers quite a lot of the same allure as its Italian counterpart. This newly restored Victorian hotel is regarded as one of the Lake District’s finest addresses, combining old-world stateliness with all the contemporary comforts you’d expect of a five-star hotel – from its art-deco-style bar and panoramic restaurant, the Dining Room, to a cozy cinema room and expansive grounds made for roaming. There are plenty of activities for all ages, whether it’s paddleboarding on the lake for the teenagers, gently hiking through the surrounding fells, which is easy-ish terrain for younger kids too, guided wild swimming or heading for a jaunt in the hotel’s own motor yacht, Albatros. Built in 1896, the 30-room property includes seven spacious suites, five dog-friendly rooms and one of the most glorious stays in the region: the hotel’s original boathouse, meticulously restored into a private hideaway complete with its own jetty, statement copper bath and outdoor copper hot tub overlooking the water. Both King Charles III and Prince Philip sailed on the hotel’s original motorboat during visits in the 1960s and 70s.

The value of the journey to Cap Karoso, which resides on the remote west coast of Sumba, is fully revealed when guests arrive at the design-led hotel – blending into the landscape of sparkling lagoons on the shore of a coral reef; close to local villages, where the rich history and culture can be appreciated. An immersion in this peaceful paradise is at the heart of the experiences here – from boat trips and riding lessons to cooking classes and explorations of the island’s natural wonders. At the KarosoKids club, the experience-led program continues with gardening in the organic farm and astronomy sessions; while a nanny service means smaller children can have extra supervision for parents’ peace of mind. Moreover, at the Malala Spa, where treatments celebrate local shamanic traditions and use indigenous ingredients such as sandalwood and moringa, there is a special parent-and-child menu – and young guests can even enjoy their first massage. For maximum space, families may wish to stay in one of the 20 thoughtfully curated villas, each with expansive terraces, barbecue decks, open-air kitchens and private infinity pools.

Families enamored by a fairytale setting will fall in love with this turreted and lakeside 13th-century chateau that feels straight out of a storybook. Surrounded by 2,500 forested acres in France’s Charente region, Domaine des Etangs has been reimagined from a fiefdom of knights to a private family castle – and, now, a luxurious retreat that is part of the Auberge Collection. There is much to do for every taste – and plenty of space to roam, cycle and amble in the great outdoors. The estate has its own renowned art gallery on site, a Michelin-starred restaurant, Dyades, a beautiful wellness space born out of the old mill building, thermal baths, a floating tennis court, a rowing pond, a children’s playground and games room – plus, a program of activities that includes photography workshops, face painting and getting hands dirty in the kitchen gardens and on the cattle farm. As well as rooms and suites where ancient features meet contemporary luxuries, there are six oversized cottages dotted across the estate, all of which are ideal for larger groups.

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.

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