Giving kids the last word on every aspect of a luxury family holiday is probably an indulgence too far for most parents, but when it comes to assessing the potential for adventure, under 18s can definitely be relied on for their expertise.
Caribtours are experts on tailor-made luxury holidays in Europe, the Caribbean and Indian Ocean. They know exactly how to handpick resorts that are both family-friendly and five-star fabulous. And they always make sure every fun-packed destination passes the critical kids’ test with flying colours.
Take a look at five of the top choices for 2018, highly recommended by younger guests for a spirit of adventure, and with savings of up to 45% to keep parents happy too.
To talk directly to an expert give Caribtours a call on 0203 773 4643
1/5Â Â Princesa Yaiza, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote
Save 15% on family holidays booked before 14 May 2018
You couldn’t mistake Princesa Yaiza for anything else but an extraordinary luxury hotel. Not only does it have a sensational location beachfront in pretty Playa Blanca, it’s dipped into lushly gorgeous garden grounds and has plenty of those grand ocean views over to Fuerteventura that are almost as famous on the south coast of Lanzarote as the shimmering white sand beaches.
As recommended by adventurous kids
- Kikoland is the resort’s 10,000m² complex of kids clubs, activities, sports, family pools and entertainment, dedicated to keeping the most demanding young guests happy all holiday.
- A walkway lined with tropical fish tanks links Princesa Yaiza’s family suites and rooms to the rest of the resort, so even heading off to bed becomes an adventure.
- Playa Blanca is minutes from legendary Timanfaya National Park, close to Papagayo Nature Reserve, and a fun ferry crossing from wild and wonderful Fuerteventura.
What parents like about Princesa Yaiza
- Nine restaurants and bars ranging from cool tapas and sushi, to fresh and local Canary Island haute cuisine.
- 2000m² Thalasso & Spa with 50 private treatment rooms.
- Six swimming pools and direct access to Playa Dorada beach.
- Boulevard Yaiza shopping arcades and evening events on Plaza Yaiza.
- Only 25 minutes from Arrecife Airport, and walking distance from Rubicon Marina and Playa Blanca Old Town.
The lowdown
Seven nights in a Junior Sea View Family Suite from £1099 per adult and £699 per child. Including breakfast and private airport transfers, based on a family of four.
Book by 14 May 2018 and save up to 15% on family holidays at Princesa Yaiza when you stay between 1 May and 18 October 2018.
Find out more about holidays at Princesa Yaiza with Caribtours or call 0203 773 4643
2/5Â Â Ocean Two, Barbados
Save up to 40% on family holidays, plus complimentary breakfast, booked before 13 May 2018
An easy balance of beachy chic and warm, Caribbean atmosphere, makes Ocean Two pretty much perfect for family holidays in beautiful Barbados. Its south coast location is great if kids are keen to snorkel with turtles or try out new water sports. And adventurous adults can look forward to exploring the best of Bajan cooking from St. Lawrence to Speightstown during the 2018 Barbados Year of Culinary Experiences.
As recommended by adventurous kids
- Barbados has the second most successful Hawksbill breeding programme in the Caribbean, and it’s also a world leader in turtle conservation. Good news for responsible travellers, although kids will probably be more interested in the fact that you can actually swim or snorkel with turtles directly from the beach here.
- Sea temperatures of 26Ëš and pristine coral reefs mean marine life a plenty round Barbados, no surprise that submarine tours and catamaran cruises are fantastic fun for families.
- Ocean Two serves cooling ice lollies by the pool, and serves up an exciting, supervised activity programme for four to 14 year olds during school holidays.
What parents like about Ocean Two
- All day tapas at Taste Restaurant, and three-times-a-day happy hour at the pool’s swim-up bar.
- Sailing and kayaking on the beach, in-room spa services.
- Cooling, scented water misters by the pool all day long.
- The Panorama rooftop terrace with plunge pool and fantastic ocean views.
- Only 10 minutes from Bridgetown Airport, and right next door to lively St. Lawrence Gap on the south coast of Barbados.
The lowdown
Seven nights in a two bedroom Bay View Room, from £1265 per adult and £1149 per child. Including daily complimentary breakfast and private airport transfers, based on a family of four.
Book by 13 May 2018 and save up to 40% on family holidays at Ocean Two when you stay between now and 5 January 2019.
Find out more about family holidays at Ocean Two with Caribtours or call 0203 773 4643
3/5Â Â Sugar Beach, a Viceroy Resort, Saint Lucia
Save up to 20% on family holidays booked before 31 May 2018
Few resorts on gorgeous Saint Lucia have a setting quite as privileged as Sugar Beach. It sits on the south coast’s only white sand bay, against a backdrop of dense rainforest, and nestled between Petit and Grand Piton: quite probably the most iconic peaks in the entire eastern Caribbean. Even the grounds here are exquisite, which you might expect, since they were originally part of an elegant 18th century sugar plantation.
As recommended by adventurous kids
- The resort’s Junior Sailing Programme is free, and a great opportunity for kids of 10 and over to pick up sailing and boat handling skills on holiday.
- The supervised activity programme at The Sugar Club for four to 12 year olds comes good on all sorts of fun like glass bottom boat tours, outdoor movies, arts & crafts, and energetic sports.
- Non-motorised water sports are free too, and a fun way for kids to make the most of Sugar Beach’s famously lovely bay.
What parents like about Sugar Beach
- A range of restaurants and bars, including The Terrace overlooking Sugar Beach’s pretty lily pond.
- The Rainforest Spa treatment rooms designed into treehouse-style gazebos.
- Two private, white sand beaches; swimming pool; two tennis courts.
- Climbing Les Pitons – an exciting adventure with older kids and teens too.
- 45 minutes from Hewanorra Airport, and close to Soufriere, one of the island’s most historic areas.
The lowdown
Seven nights in a Superior Luxury Cottage from £2499 per adult and £1399 per child. Including breakfast and private airport transfers, based on a family of four.
Book by 31 May 2018 and save up to 20% on family holidays at Sugar Beach when you stay between now and 18 December 2018.
Find out more about family holidays at Sugar Beach with Caribtours or call 0203 773 4643
4/5Â Â LUX* Grand Gaube, Mauritius
Save up to 45% on family holidays booked before 31 May 2018
Mauritius is wonderful all over, but the north coast is best loved by adventurous families: it’s a great area for water sports and activity central for older kids and teens. LUX* Grand Gaube blends the retro-chic design aesthetic of Kelly Hoppen with the signature originality of the LUX* brand, in a resort that’s as luxurious and elegant as it is family-friendly.
As recommended by adventurous kids
- Play is a fantastic kids club for three to 11 year olds: supervised, creative and packed with fun activities from ‘Teddy’ tennis coaching to treasure hunts.
- Teens can look forward to anything from cycling expeditions and pedalo competitions to first time yoga, at Studio 17 for 12 to 17 year olds.
- Free non-motorised water sports, island hopping expeditions, and homemade ice cream served from the resort’s cute mini-van.
What parents like about LUX* Grand Gaube
- LUX* Me Spa with 11 treatment rooms, sauna, steam room and pool.
- Complimentary water sports including water skiing, kayaking, and catamaran sailing.
- Exciting family experiences like seaplane flights, island hopping on traditional fishing boats, BBQs on private Île d’Ambre.
- Four bars and six restaurants, including the fabulous Palm Court with live cooking stations, and Bodrum Blue overlooking the Indian Ocean.
- 20 minutes from airport, and near neighbour to Grand Baie, the most popular family resort town on the north coast of Mauritius.
The lowdown
Seven nights full-board, in a Family Suite, from £1685 per adult and £1215 per child. Inclusing private airport transfers, based on a family of four.
Book by 31 May 2018 and you can save up to 45%, plus first child stays free and upgrade from half to full board is free too when you book a stay between now and 15 January 2019.
Find out more about holidays at LUX* Grand Gaube with Caribtours or call 0203 773 4643
5/5Â One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives
Save up to 40% on family holidays booked before 31 May 2018
Ringed by no less than 12 shimmering white sand beaches, Reethi Rah is a perfect pocket of paradise, but only 45 minutes from the airport: bliss after a long flight with kids. The newly renovated resort now offers some of the world’s largest villas, fabulous swimming pools, restaurants and imaginative kids’ clubs, which are just a few of the reasons Elite Traveler (USA) included it in their 2018 ‘Top 100 Hotels in the World’ list.Â
As recommended by adventurous kids
- The fun of exploring all 12 island beaches on the resort’s free bikes.Â
- KidsOnly club for four to nine years. One Tribe club for nine to 11 years. ClubOne teen club house and activity programme for over 12s.
- Dolphin watching cruises and desert island family picnics.
What parents like about One&Only Reethi Rah
- Seven restaurants, including exotic Botanica set in the shade of a banyan tree.
- Wide range of water sports, sailing, deep sea fishing, and PADI Dive Centre.
- One&Only Ayurvedic Spa, Chi Pavilion for Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates.
- Enormous lap-swimming pool set in the resort’s heart.
- 45 minutes by luxury boat, or 20 minutes by seaplane, from the airport.Â
The lowdown
Seven nights half-board, in a Beach Villa, from £3699 per adult and £499 per child. Including private airport transfers, based on a family of four.
Book by 14 May 2018 for free child places, complimentary half-board, savings of up to 40% on family holidays and complimentary transfers at One&Only Reethi Rah when you stay between 1 May to 14 October 2018.