Top 10 Luxury Family Resorts in Europe for your summer holiday
- Amy Armstrong
- Mar 2, 2023
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 6, 2023
There is so much to consider when choosing your family summer holiday, trying to please everyone from little ones to teenagers and adults, sometimes also grandparents, isn't always easy.
Here are our most highly recommended luxury European resorts that will keep all members of your family happy, with some insiders tips to help you narrow down which is the ultimate choice for you this summer.
IKOS Oceania, Halkidiki
Award-winning IKOS Resorts effortlessly combine five-star service with the ease and comfort of luxury all-inclusive. They have successfully turned people who would never normally consider an all-inclusive resort into huge IKOS fans who go back every year.
IKOS’ revolutionary all-inclusive concept named ‘Infinite Lifestyle’ is a unique Mediterranean experience promising an unrivalled stay with distinctive touches such as Michelin-starred menus, signature cocktails by top mixologists and kids clubs for all ages – all included. Guests can enjoy complimentary experiences such as borrowing a Mini Copper to explore the surrounding area, a guide is on hand to help to point you in the right direction of course.
With two brand new resorts opening in May and June 2023, there are soon to be seven IKOS resorts to choose from, all offering the same level of children’s facilities with a crèche from age 4 months, kids club from 4 – 12 years and Just 4Teens from 12 years+.
Oceania makes our top 10 list as in our opinion, it boasts one of the best beaches of the IKOS collection (not all IKOS resorts have sandy beaches). Oceania is a bit more compact than some of the larger resorts, which means less walking for little legs, although it is worth mentioning that it is quite hilly – the price to pay for such incredible views! Getting around is made easier though with ramps and golf buggies on standby. Oceania is one of the IKOS’ first resorts and is a firm favourite with plenty of guests returning year after year.
IKOS Aria, Kos
IKOS Aria is located in Kefalos, Southern Kos, an area with only a few hotels and a short 30 minute drive from the airport. The private sandy beach is over 1km long and the resort feels very spacious and peaceful. IKOS Aria is the most recent of the IKOS collection to win the best all inclusive resort in the world in the 2022 Travellers Choice Trip Advisor Awards.
Kos itself is an easy island to explore, driving from one side to the other only takes one hour and most of the secluded beaches are within a 20 minute drive.
There are seven restaurants to choose from (all with children’s menus), five pools, a huge selection of activities and several sports academies, playgrounds and nightly musicals. Accommodation options include Suites with private gardens and pools with stunning sea views, the perfect place for the adults to relax when the children are in bed.
Martinhal Sagres, Portugal
Martinal Sagres is widely considered one of Europe’s best family resorts, I visited when they first opened their doors and they have held a place in my heart ever since. The best way to describe Martinhal is understated luxury, the casual, relaxed atmosphere is part of its charm. The resort is very spacious with a beautiful sandy beach, even when it is busy with families, it never feels noisy or overcrowded.
The various accommodation types cater to everyone, from hotel rooms with panoramic sea views to two and three bedroom houses up to six bedroom villas set back from the hotel in Martinhal’s village. The choice between them comes down to space, views and how close to which facilities you would like to be. Martinhal is a great choice for a multi generational holiday, the grandparents can relax in a hotel room close to the restaurants and beach whilst families with little ones can opt for a house with furniture with no sharp edges. To make life even easier for families, Martinhal allow complimentary pre booking of baby equipment including stair gates, baby baths and bottle sterilisers.
There are five kids clubs ranging from 6 months to 17 years old all offering amazing activity programmes. There is a football and tennis academy, a bike track and hire bikes, mini golf, a fitness trail, surf lessons, horse riding, jeep safaris, beach games, kayak tours and swimming lessons, the list goes on! The children’s playground is cleverly positioned right by the main restaurant, meaning that the adults can relax with after dinner drinks whilst keeping a close eye on the children.
Ritz Carlton Abama, Tenerife
Ritz Carlton ABAMA in Southern Tenerife is a gorgeous terracotta citadel surrounded by Canarian banana plantations and perched on a hillside with sweeping panoramic views of the ocean. The nearest town, Costa Adeje is around a 15 minute drive away, but this does not matter in the slightest, as guests have no reason to want to leave.
ABAMA boasts some of the best dining in Tenerife including gourmet M.B restaurant which holds two Michelin stars and Japanese Fusion ‘Kabuki’, with one. The spacious rooms and suites have large balconies, or direct garden access and beautiful marble bathrooms, the various interconnecting options create the perfect space for families.
There is a world class golf course, a tennis academy, numerous swimming pools, a beautiful sandy beach and a spa. The ‘Ritz Kids Club’ is one of the largest in Europe, there are zones for 4-12 year olds dedicated to astronomy, wildlife, sustainability, technology, theatre and arts and crafts as well as a teenagers programme for 12-18 year olds.
Sani Beach, Halkidiki
Sani Resort is a collection of five luxury hotels, each with it’s own unique spirit, set among fragrant pine forests and seven magnificent beaches within a bay on Greece’s Kassandra peninsula. The World Travel Awards recognised Sani Resort as the ‘World’s Leading Family and Beach Resort’ for the fourth consecutive year in 2022.
The resort is centred around a vibrant marina full of restaurants, bars and boutique shops. All hotels are all within walking distance of each other and guests benefit from being able to use most of the pools and facilities at all of the hotels within Sani resort. 26 restaurants participate in the dine around programme, offering half board and full board, so guests are spoilt for choice when it comes to food.
Sani Beach is our top recommendation for families with school age children, it is right on the beachfront and is the resort’s largest hotel, with a slightly busier feel. Under 12’s stay for free and the activities on offer here are hard to beat; Chelsea FC Football Academy, Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, Bear Grylls Survival Academy, Scuba Diving, Biking, Sailing, Water-skiing, Sani Treetop Adventure, Archery and Snorkeling. All accommodation options have a sea view, some are beach front, the Suites accommodate large families of up to 7 with two bedrooms and a separate living area.
Porto Sani, Halkidiki
Porto Sani is the best choice for families with babies and toddlers. Although this hotel is located a little further from the beach than some, it is very close to Sani Marina which is one of the top spots for eating and drinking, so it’s a quick walk back to your Suite after dinner.
Porto Sani is very relaxed and peaceful yet very much catered towards young families with two swimming lagoons, two children’s pools and a toddler splash pad. Many of the all Suite room types have direct access to a private garden, another huge plus for families with little ones.
Pine Cliffs, Portugal
Pine Cliffs holds a prime seafront location on the beautiful coastline of the Algarve in Southern Portugal. Faro airport is only a two and a half hour flight from the UK and the hotel is a 30 minute drive along the coast, set in Praia da Falésia, one of the country’s most stunning areas of natural beauty.
A great choice for families who enjoy plenty of space and the option to self cater, luxury residences and townhouses offer a quiet haven of seclusion for families, but within easy reach of an extensive range of facilities. Featuring comfortable lounge and dining areas, well-equipped kitchenettes and laundry facilities, furnished terraces and the option of direct garden access. A mini market is conveniently right on the doorstep and there is such a great choice of restaurants that you can eat somewhere different every night.
The magnificent sandy beach offers a range of water sports, there is a selection of swimming pools, a health club and spa, a golf club and a tennis academy. The children’s village is one of the largest in Europe offering a shaded playground, go-kart track, giant pirate ships and a pool. Pine Cliffs Resort has been distinguished six times as the "Best Family Resort in Portugal" by the World Travel Awards.
Marbella Club, Spain
Marbella Club is a Mediterranean beachfront paradise rich in traditions that embrace true Andalusian spirit. This legendary resort occupies a prime patch of Marbella’s Golden Mile, tucked away from the buzz amid peaceful pine groves. Marbella Club is a top destination for wellness with a thalassotherapy spa and Holistic Studio. There are eight restaurants and bars and the location is ideal for exploring all that is on offer along the Costa del Sol’s stunning coastline.
Marbella Club’s Kid’s Club is one of the best in Europe, making the hotel a paradise for families. Children can collect herbs from the garden with the hotel’s head landscaper before perfume and candle making at the aroma workshop, discover new ingredients native to Andalusia recreating recipes with the hotel’s wellness chef, tend to the gardens, dance in the studio and canoe and paddle surf at the beach. Local artists make weekly appearances at the art room to share insight into traditional art such as pottery and ceramics or easy make-at-home crafts.
Forte Village, Sardinia
Nestled among 50 hectares of beautiful gardens along a pristine white sand beach on the sunny south cost of Sardinia is Forte Village, a luxury resort comprised of eight hotels and 13 luxury villas.
The resort is spacious and green, with towering pines and beautifully manicured gardens, all leading back to a central path with nowhere in the resort more than an eight minute walk away. There are buffet, show cooking and fine dining restaurants to choose from, numerous swimming pools and a piazza with fashion boutiques and evening entertainment.
The bungalow accommodation options with private gardens are our most highly recommended choice for families. The resort is cleverly designed so that you don’t hear a sound when you return to your room at the end of the night, no matter where within Forte Village you stay, even though there is still plenty going on past midnight.
The activities on offer here are a big reason why we recommend Forte Village so highly for families along with the short two hour and forty minute flight time from the UK. The sports academies are taught by Olympians and professional sports heros including a football academy run by Real Madrid, tennis, basketball, netball, fencing, boxing, rowing, dancing, go karting and swimming. Little ones can take a ride onboard Thomas the Tank Engine as they travel around the resort to ‘Children’s Wonderland’, a child sized village featuring a collection of irresistible houses, all beautifully decorated and individually themed including a fire station, restaurant, supermarket and cinema, all with dress up outfits allowing children to play out the roles in each house.
Princesa Yaiza, Lanzarote
Princesa Yaiza is a fabulous 5* beachfront hotel in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, a four and a half hour flight from the UK. There are six outdoor swimming pools, a Thalasso and spa centre, sports facilities and nine restaurants. In the evenings the village square comes alive with live music, bars and shops. The Kids Club, ‘Kikoland’ is an adventure paradise for children up to age 18 with sports and leisure facilities and a weekly programme of entertainment.
Accommodation options are a real plus for families, the Suites offer so much space with a master bedroom, children’s bedroom, kitchenette and living room with an option for a sofa bed, comfortably sleeping families of up to six.
The location of the hotel is fantastic for those who enjoy the freedom of being able to walk out. From the beachfront, walk left along the promenade towards a lovely marina where you will find upmarket restaurants and a weekly market, turn right to discover the old town with cobbled streets and traditional restaurants.
For personal recommendations for your luxury family holiday, contact Amy directly.
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