The best luxury hotels for families in Europe

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.

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.

Amara Hotel, Cyprus

In Limassol, the Amara makes a stylish case for family travel with its sharp design, sea views from every room and surprisingly generous kids’ offerings. There’s a club with arts, tennis and face-painting (a winning trifecta if ever there was one), and the beach is right outside. Rooms are spacious and adaptable, with cots and extra beds ready to go. The atmosphere is calm and collected, even when there’s a face-painted tiger charging through the lobby.

Grecotel Cape Sounio, 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.

Vila Vita Parc, Portugal

Vila Vita Parc is a whitewashed wonderland perched above the Algarve cliffs. There’s plenty for grown-ups (Michelin-starred dining and a Sisley spa) but it’s equally thoughtful for families. 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.

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, the kind that makes grown-ups sneak a jealous peek through the window.

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.