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Family friendly foreign holidays which are also a bit luxurious for parents?

40 replies

Drivingslowtosavefuel · 15/11/2021 17:40

Just got back from a Tui Blue for Families 3* package holiday to Lanzarote. We chose a family friendly resort because we have a 19 month old toddler who is still learning table manners and we didn’t want the stress of trying to manage her making a mess and noise in a classy quiet hotel restaurant. For that it was perfect - dinner started at 6pm, high chairs and children of all ages everywhere throwing food around. Also had baby club, an apartment with terrace so we would have somewhere to hang out after DC had gone to bed etc. There were also a few adult activities such as yoga on the rooftop with sea view which I partook in.
Overall happy with the resort but would like a bit more luxury next time, and happy to pay more for that if it exists, while still being designed around kids.
Would like better beds (am pregnant and the bed gave me pins and needles on whatever side of my body I lay on), better food, an extractor fan for the bathroom, would like the swimming pools to be heated (baby pools in particular were too cold to be used) and not to have to stand in an hour long queue at check in on the Lanzarote side because Tui had 4 flights leaving for the Uk within 50 mins of each other!
Aside from trying to find a 4* Tui Blue for families resort next time, what other travel companies have people found to be tailored to children (especially babies and toddlers) yet also have the levels of luxury we crave (we are not spring chickens, at 39 and 47, and have got a bit spoilt with better hotels and restaurants in the past when travelling without children)? Would love recommendations please!
Thanks

OP posts:
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DebratsEtiquette · 15/11/2021 17:46

Very sadly outgrown but have enjoyed the Almhof Kinderhotel in Austria during spring, summer, autumn, Christmas and ski seasons! We miss it terribly. A bit of a secret find that I’m sharing … www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g651666-d1739817-Reviews-Almhof_Familyresort_SPA-Gerlos_Tirol_Austrian_Alps.html

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TheExtraGuineaPig · 15/11/2021 18:45

Domes of Elounda (crete) or the Ikos resorts. Be warned, both expensive

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stillavid · 15/11/2021 18:52

Scott Dunn are great for luxury for families but they are £££.

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sparkle17 · 15/11/2021 18:52

Zafiro Can Picafort in Majorca was amazing. We got a swim up room. It has a gate so it felt safe. Sadly out of our price range now we are restricted to school holiday times. We went with jet 2. Zafiro do other fab hotels as well I think.

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Zodlebud · 15/11/2021 19:14

Martinhal Sagres or the Ikos resorts are exactly what you're after but they are beyond expensive.

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WhatonEarth1 · 16/11/2021 06:11

Bahia Principe Fantasia

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TammyTwoSwanson · 16/11/2021 06:15

Mas de jouas - absolutely amazing.

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Restlessinthenorth · 16/11/2021 06:17

Have a look at the Family Luxe range with jet 2. Creta Maris beach resort in Crete 👌

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Lollolloll · 16/11/2021 06:18

Princess Yaiza in playa Blanca Lanzarote

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Weatherwax · 16/11/2021 06:34

I came here to say Zafira Can Picafort too. Kids had the best time, all Inc so no need to say no to anything, great pools with activities and slides etc, we got a roof terrace with our own spa bath which was ideal for the cooler afternoon and evenings (we went in October which was also cheaper). Also Dream Gran Castillo in Lanzarote. Both with Jet2.

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Jensonfromtheblock · 16/11/2021 06:36
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incognitodorrito · 16/11/2021 06:37

Forte Village in Italy, we upgraded to the suites at the beachside of the resort, really swish ! www.fortevillageresort.com/

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Jensonfromtheblock · 16/11/2021 06:42

Sorry I’ve realised my link is for the hotel and it’s the “Residence” that has the villas but it’s the same resort.

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Ktay · 16/11/2021 06:45

Agree with a PP, there are some lovely Kinderhotels if a holiday in the mountains would be your thing. We’ve outgrown them but the Hotel Löwe in Serfaus was very nice.

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Ktay · 16/11/2021 06:47

I would also have loved to stay at this former Kinderhotel in the Dolomites Cavallino Bianco

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BunsyGirl · 16/11/2021 06:48

We went to the Almyra, Pathos Cyprus when DS1 was a baby. I think it’s best for under 5’s. Hilton Malta and Hilton Vilamoura, Portugal are both great and we took our DCs to them as toddlers. I find all the Hilton brand hotel fab with kids. Even at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills they had a kids menu in the fine dining restaurant! Mine were 6 and 9 went we went there though. Tui Sensitori are great for families - been to one in Crete. My boys love Hard Rock hotels, we’ve done a couple of those. As there’s loads of live music no one notices if the kids are making a noise!!!

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Lovesicecreams · 16/11/2021 06:58

Great thread op

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Lovesicecreams · 16/11/2021 06:59

Are the kinderhotels fun in summer? We don’t ski

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MsSquiz · 16/11/2021 06:59

Pine Cliffs in Portugal is beautiful, and the kids club is ran by the Scott Dunn company.
It's family friendly and luxury at the same time.

We've got Martinhal booked for next July (postponed from July 2020 thanks to covid) we've booked a villa on the resort so we have the benefit of our own pool and space and all of the resort amenities.

We've also got an Ikos resort booked for September next year for DH, DD who will be 2.5 and DC2 who will be 5 months... never been but they look incredible

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Okbutnotgreat · 16/11/2021 07:10

We’ve been to some lovely Tui all inclusives which have been brilliant for our 3 Dc of various ages and a couple of independent ones too. The main issue is that not many hotels heat their outdoor pools and if they do it just takes the edge off. This means that in Europe if you’re at the very start or end of the summer season you should be aware the pools are going to be chilly. When our Dc were older we took shortie wetsuits, these meant they were in the pool all day regardless and we’ll worth the hassle.

For food the Sensatori’s are probably better but all inclusive generally has a wide range available.

One of the best nicest in recent years was a Tui resort in Turkey. That had separate bedrooms with nice beds for everyone, sofa beds are my pet hate on package holidays. It was a swim up room with a large private terrace and the food was amazing. The downside was it was in the middle of nowhere so nothing local to see.

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BunsyGirl · 16/11/2021 07:24

Hilton Dalaman, Turkey was also great and we went to a lovely Radisson Blu in Gran Canaria. There are two Radisson Blu’s in Gran Canaria and both are very family friendly.

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alborana · 16/11/2021 07:45

Ikos resorts. Can be eye wateringly expensive in school holidays but as your child is younger you should be able to get a good deal at other times. Excellent resorts and worth every penny.

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DebratsEtiquette · 16/11/2021 08:27

@Lovesicecreams

Are the kinderhotels fun in summer? We don’t ski

We enjoyed the Almhof at every time of the year! In the summer for children they have space for lots of pedal go-karts, trampolines, pony riding (just a 10 minute sit on the pony as you go round the stables), walks, indoor crafts etc - and for adults, the spa is bliss. The food is so, so impressive too.
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Hockeyboysmum · 16/11/2021 08:52

I second princessa yaiza in lanzarote

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gogohm · 16/11/2021 09:02

TUI magic Life is 4* and there's multiple restaurants so it feels more like going out in the evening, pools are ok temp wise but we don't need a baby pool so don't know if it's warmer. Rooms are big with terraces overlooking the sea. Babies welcome everywhere, there was a cute 9 month approx dancing in his dad's arms to the karaoke last night smiling away (11.30pm). Lots of activities for adults to book, not sure about childcare for under 3's

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