The best luxury hotels for families in Europe

Best for creative families - La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Spain

If your idea of a family holiday involves more than just lounging by the pool, La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel in Mallorca, is full of surprises. Set between the Tramuntana mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean in the village of Deià, it’s a place where creativity runs free. Kids can paint, sculpt, cook and explore with friendly donkeys, while parents relax or join in. With spacious suites, a buzzing kids’ club and endless ways to play, it’s everything a family escape should be – and then some.

Best for families with younger children - Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière, France

This turreted showstopper overlooks Saint-Tropez and feels like a storybook castle, complete with sweeping views and thick pine forest. But the real magic at Airelles is a children's paradise disguised as a Provençal villa. The kids' club here is no afterthought – think pirate ships, trampolines, arts studios, a mini-farm, and even a cinema. There’s a whole villa just for them, brimming with Lego and imagination. Interconnecting rooms and sofa-bed suites make this fantasyland easier to navigate with tots in tow.

Best for families with children of all ages - Borgo Egnazia, Italy

Part postcard village, part boutique retreat, Borgo Egnazia is what happens when someone builds a resort with kids and romance equally in mind. There are clubs for all ages – mini chefs baking focaccia, theatre groups staging plays, teens chilling in a dedicated games lounge. You’ll also find pools, a beach club and staff who somehow remember every child’s name. Bonus points for the puppet shows, bracelet-making and one staff member for every two children.

Best for first-time family travellers - Amara Hotel, Cyprus

In Limassol, the Amara makes first-time family travel feel easy. Every room has a sea view (yes, really), the beach is just steps away, and the kids’ club keeps little ones busy with arts, tennis and face-painting. Rooms are spacious and adaptable, with cots and extra beds ready to go. And the best part? You can leave the bulky baby gear at home – Amara has you covered with everything from car seats to bottle warmers and baby bathtubs. The atmosphere is calm and collected, even when there’s a face-painted tiger charging through the lobby.

Best for affordable luxury - Cape Sounio, A Grecotel Resort to Live, Greece

Only an hour from Athens, Cape Sounio gives families two gorgeous beaches, pine-dotted hills, and ancient ruins right on the doorstep. While parents contemplate the Temple of Poseidon over a cocktail, kids can explore Grecoland, where creativity and pool-based antics reign. Family bungalows with sea views and private pools don’t hurt either. Children stay and eat for free, and the whole set-up strikes a very clever balance between cultural jaunt and beachy downtime.

Best for multi-generational families - Vila Vita Parc, Portugal

Vila Vita Parc is a whitewashed wonderland perched above the Algarve cliffs. There’s plenty for grown-ups, from Michelin-starred dining to the Sisley spa, and a peaceful garden stroll is always on offer for grandparents. Kids rule Annabella’s Park and the Teens’ Club, and even the babies are accounted for with a well-run crèche. Rooms come with private terraces and ocean views, and there’s a proper playground that will keep kids happy for hours.

Best for unique experiences - Marbella Club, Spain

A resort that’s practically royalty itself, the Marbella Club still has its original 1950s glamour. Hidden among lush gardens, rooms and villas are scattered with purpose, some even with their own pools and kitchens. But the jewel is its children’s club, spread across a princely 5,000 square metres. There’s a vegetable garden, flamenco classes, science experiments and even scent-making. The programme is genuinely brilliant – exactly what the best luxury family hotels in Europe are all about.

Best for eco-conscious families with teens - Phaea Cretan Malia, Greece

Phaea Cretan Malia is an eco-conscious retreat with serious family credentials, from toddler pools with slides to a teen hangout complete with hammocks and outdoor cinema. Activities rotate daily: one moment it’s drama club, the next it’s baking or beach games. Meals are thoughtfully planned too – restaurants feature children’s menus without the usual sugar-laden suspects. Spacious family rooms and staff who genuinely like children keep everyone smiling, even when the little ones are three plates deep into the buffet.

Discover more of our favourite family-friendly hotels.