Take the group chat on tour: luxury family holidays

Luxury resorts aren’t just for honeymooners – they’re also brilliant places to take the whole family.

With spacious villas to stretch out in, lively kids’ clubs to keep little ones busy and indulgent spa days, everyone can find something to love at a top luxury resort.

What are the benefits of staying at a luxury resort for your family holiday?

Whether your family’s idea of a good time is lounging on the beach or packing in a full day of activities, a luxury resort ticks all the boxes.

A little bit of something for everyone

Luxury resorts aren’t just about plush four-poster beds and Instagram-worthy infinity pools. They’re a game-changer for family trips because they make sure everyone’s happy. Tots and teens can head off to the kids’ clubs to make new friends while the adults can kick back on sun loungers and sip cocktails. Meet back up in the evenings for gourmet dining (with plenty of picky-eater-friendly options).

Your own space

One of the main benefits of a family holiday at a luxury resort is that they come with plenty of space, whether that’s to hang out and play a board game together or enjoy a bit of alone time. Airy villas don’t just let in the salty sea breeze – they also offer spacious, open-plan living. Relax in your private room or sit down for popcorn and family movie nights in the cosy lounge.

Bayou Vila Lara, Turkey

A touch of luxury

Of course, there’s also the ‘luxury’ part of a luxury resort: think relaxing spa treatments in natural timber rooms and blissful days lazing in the sun at your resort’s private beach. Visit the KĒPOS by Goco spa at Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas on Crete and refresh with high-tech cryotherapy or an Anne Semonin vital detox. Or head to the Canary Islands for Michelin-star dining at Nub Restaurant, the latest addition to the Bahia del Duque resort.

All-inclusive

All-inclusive family holidays are a godsend when you’re travelling with kids, as it means they can sign up for as many activities as they like (and eat unlimited ice cream) without you having to worry about being stuck with a huge bill at the end. Most resorts offer all-inclusive options featuring unlimited dining in some restaurants, unlimited drinks and unlimited access to a range of resort areas.

How to plan a group family holiday at a luxury resort

Keep a few of these things in mind to make planning your next group family holiday a breeze:

Plan ahead

The first thing you’ll want to do is choose a date. Start a WhatsApp group to keep everything streamlined (and avoid endless email chains). Start planning as soon as possible, especially if you want multiple connecting rooms or villas. By booking early you’ll have a wide choice of rooms and you might even benefit from those early bird discount prices.

Encore Resort at Reunion, Orlando

Ages and activities

Consider the ages and interests in your group and make sure there are activities for everyone. Some tours or activities might need to be pre-booked, so be aware of everything your resort offers. Schedule in some spa days for the adults and check the childcare options for the kids (including the minimum and maximum ages at the kids’ clubs).

Packing

Get a sense of what will and won’t be available at your resort. Many have shops where you can buy or rent essentials like beach gear, snacks and forgotten items of clothing. Otherwise, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got all the holiday fundamentals sorted: sunscreen, swimsuits and sunglasses. Packing at least one water-resistant bag is also a good idea.

How to find the best luxury resorts for group family holidays

The main thing when it comes to booking luxury resorts for group family holidays is to find destinations tailored to your family’s needs:

For tiny tots and toddlers

If you’re travelling with little kids, look for somewhere that offers babysitting services like Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel in Portugal’s lush Algarve region. Their kids’ club can look after children aged from 6 months to 16 years and with their baby concierge services you don’t need to worry about packing your own buggy and bottle warmers.

Home away from home

You’ll also want to consider the best accommodation for you and your family. Many luxury resorts offer a mix of rooms and villas, with larger villas or connecting rooms the best options for family holidays. That way, everyone gets their own space while still being close by. Multi-generational, multi-family holidays will love the huge villas at Bayou Villa Lara attached to the Lara Barut Collection resort in Turkey’s Antalya region. There you can take a quiet moment for yourself in the private sauna or tell stories around the firepit in one of the three-bedroom villas.

Kuramathi Maldives

Location, location, location

So, you’ve decided you want to book a mind-blowing group family holiday, but where to go? From private villas perched above crystal-clear waters in the Maldives to a secluded village on Crete, you’ve got no shortage of options. Villas in Orlando are an elite way to experience the theme parks, while Bali offers unforgettable cultural experiences.

What to expect from a group family holiday in a luxury resort

When it comes to family holidays, luxury resorts can exceed all expectations:

Make family memories

Luxury resorts offer countless ways to make special memories together. Share cooking lessons or challenge the kids to a fast-paced pickleball tournament. Race down enormous water slides at Bayou Villa Lara’s aquapark or go for a lazy paddle in one of its six pools.

St James's Club & Villas, Antigua

Enjoy some ‘me time’

Sure, family holidays are all about spending time together, but sometimes you just need a break from the kids (or the in-laws). Bayou Villa Lara’s six swimming pools include one that’s just for adults and many resorts have adult-only areas where you can rest and recharge. Raise a glass of chilled cava in the cork-popping Champagne Loft at Kuramathi Maldives or unwind with a spa treatment overlooking Mamora Bay at St James’s Club & Villas in Antigua. Don’t worry, the little ones will be having too much fun at the kids’ club to notice you’re not around.

Kids’ clubs

Anyone with children will know the first-class kids’ clubs are one of the main reasons to book a luxury resort for families. At Casa De Campo Resort & Villas teens can chill out in the supervised Bonche 4 Teens zone, complete with air hockey, billiards and movies. Meanwhile, little ones will happily skip off to the Kidz ‘n’ Casa program, where they can sign up for pony rides, talent shows and Beach Olympics.

Our top picks

These are our personal recommendations for the best luxury resorts for families:

Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel, Algarve

1. Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort Hotel, Portugal

With a great sports club and a National Park right next door, this a top choice for active families.

Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas

2. Daios Cove Luxury Resort & Villas, Crete

A secluded retreat with a health and fitness focus, the Crèche Club looks after kids as young as four months while the Games Room features a pool table and video game consoles.

3. Bahia del Duque, Tenerife

A foodie’s paradise with extra-luxurious features like a stargazing observatory and 24-hour butler service in their Casa Ducales Sea View Room.

Kuramathi Maldives

4. Kurumuthi Maldives

Exclusive to Kuoni in the UK, this is a top resort for divers (including first timers). Don’t miss the popular Island Barbecue restaurant, serving up smoky charcoal-grilled dishes.

St James’s Club & Villas, Antigua

5. St James’s Club & Villas, Antigua

Explore 100 acres of utter tranquillity. Try your hand at paddleboarding or take in views of Mamora Bay while enjoying an outdoor massage.

Casa De Campo Resort & Villas, Dominican Republic

6. Casa De Campo Resort & Villas, Dominican Republic

With championship golf courses, an equestrian centre, a shopping village and a cinema, you could probably spend a month here and not get bored.

Bayou Vila Lara, Turkey

7. Bayou Villa Lara, Turkey

A glass of Champagne and a private buggy to your villa sets the tone for your stay at this ultra- luxurious resort. Private pools and pavilions on the beach make it easy to focus on family here.

This feature was created on 20th December 2024. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of print.