TRAVEL TRENDS

10 luxury family hotels for 2016

Last updated 9th July 2019

Sovereign have over 40 years’ experience creating luxury holidays. That means they’ve had a lot of time to figure out what makes the perfect family holiday and are happy to help every step of the way – from picking the right hotel to exclusive airport lounges for pre-flight peace and quiet.

They handpick the hotels that meet the Sovereign standard for families – and they’re hard to please. Here are 10 hotels that cut the mustard in providing the very best accommodation for families.

1. Pine Cliffs Resort, Algarve

[soliloquy id=”7849″]

The Pine Cliffs Resort in the stunning Algarve strikes the perfect balance between the freedom of self-catering and the convenience of luxury hotel facilities. A courtesy shuttle train gets you around the resort with ease, and there’s lift access to the beach, which is ideal for tired little legs.

The beautiful family apartments and villas come with their own kitchenettes, complete with all mod cons like ovens, dishwashers and microwaves. You can choose between two and three-bedroom residences or superior terrace apartments, which are set in peaceful gardens and sleep up to six adults and four kids.

The ultimate in family luxury comes from the deluxe townhouses, which sleep the whole family at brilliant value in a private area of the resort. You get your own terrace and barbecue area, with en-suites for each bedroom and spacious living, dining and bedroom areas split over multiple floors.

“The Pine Cliffs offers everything a family could want for the perfect getaway. There are handy on-site shops, bars and restaurants, and the kids’ club and crèche will keep all ages entertained.”

-Clare Mardell, Sovereign Travel Expert

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Transfer time from airport: 30 minutes
Time difference: None
Average high in summer: 24°C
Stay: 7 nights self catering in a Pine Cliff Residence 2 bedroom comfort room, departing 22 Aug’16 from London Gatwick. From £4999 per family of 4. Save up to £460 per family. Includes exclusive to Sovereign child flies & stays for free and welcome gift.

WATCH THE VIDEO

For more information: Pine Cliffs Resort

2. Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, Lanzarote

[soliloquy id=”7794″]

The Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort on Lanzarote’s southern coast is a pioneer of family hotels, with a popular kids’ club and fantastic facilities. The famous Royal Kiko Suites are fully kitted out for the whole family. There’s a separate bedroom and bathroom for kids, with special themed decor and three single beds. Kids also get use of a PlayStation, their own mini bar filled with juice, milk and snacks, and there are helpful touches like a step-up stool to the basin.

When it comes to giving parents a helping hand, the Princesa Yaiza goes one step further. It’s the thoughtful extras that make your stay that little bit better – like a baby kit complete with a baby bath and changing table, steriliser for your bottles, a pushchair and a high chair – meaning there’s much less on your packing list.

“In the Royal Kiko Suites they have really thought of everything for the little ones, including baby monitors, bottle warmers and a food processor to make purees.”

-Lindsay Barnes, Sovereign Travel Expert

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 4 hours 15 minutes
Transfer time from airport: 40 minutes
Time difference: None
Average high in summer: 25°C
Stay: 7 nights bed & breakfast in a one bedroom suite, departing 23 Oct’16 from London Gatwick. From £3629 per family of 3. Save up to £444 per family. Includes exclusive to Sovereign child flies for free, Chocolate & Cava for adults and a surprise gift for children.

WATCH THE VIDEO

For more information: Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel

3. Viva Zafiro Alcudia & Spa Hotel, Majorca

[soliloquy id=”7840″]

Just moments from the beach on Majorca’s north-east coast, the Viva Zafiro Alcudia & Spa Hotel is a cool, contemporary resort with first-rate family facilities. Not only do kids get their own pool, it comes complete with a fearsome pirate ship and waterslides to tackle. The kids’ and teens’ clubs let them hang out with kids their own age, and both come with loads of sports and activities to try.

You’ve got a choice of spacious family suites, all sleeping up to six with two bedrooms and a kitchenette. There are multiple levels of suites, including swim-up suites with direct access to the pool, and family penthouse suites on the hotel’s upper levels. These luxurious pads come with tons of outdoor space, including beautiful furnished terraces complete with sofas and sunbeds – ideal for family time (and siestas).

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Transfer time from airport: 50 minutes
Time difference: GMT +1
Average high in summer: 25°C
Stay: 7 nights bed & breakfast in a junior suite, departing 26 Jul’16 from London Gatwick. From £3465 per family of 4. Save up to £445 per family. Includes exclusive to Sovereign child flies for free offer.

For more information: Viva Zafiro Alcudia & Spa Hotel

4. Elysium Hotel, Cyprus

[soliloquy id="7854"]

You and the kids get oodles of space at the Elysium Hotel, which provides family-friendly facilities in a traditional Cypriot style. There’s a selection of family-dedicated maisonettes with spacious living areas and private terraces, plus cool mezzanine sleeping galleries overlooking the living area. Ask for a maisonette with a private garden where the kids can run around and play.

The Royal Garden Villas are set apart from the main hotel in their own private area. Nestled around a sunny ‘village square’ with its own pool, the villas come with their own private garden and swimming pool and have a friendly, village-like feel.

“When travelling to the Elysium with small children, don’t worry about taking everything with you. There are a multitude of items you can hire, from sterilisers and bottle warmers, to bathtubs. They can also cater to any dietary needs or arrange babysitting. It’s a perfect hotel for families.”

-Sam Grist, Sovereign Travel Expert

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 4 hours 35 minutes
Transfer time from airport: 20 minutes
Time difference: GMT +2
Average high in summer: 26°C
Stay: 7 nights half board in a family suite inland view room, departing 19 May’16 from London Gatwick. From £3199 per family of 3. Save up to £554 per family. Includes exclusive to Sovereign welcome gift plus free half board upgrade.

WATCH THE VIDEO

For more information: Elysium Hotel

5. MarBella Corfu Hotel, Corfu

[soliloquy id=”7860″]

Overlooking the sun-soaked coast in a quiet corner of Corfu is the contemporary MarBella Corfu Hotel. Kids will love the duo of children’s pools (complete with waterslides), while really little ones can splash away safely in the special baby and toddler pool. There are also extras like cots and bottle warmers at your disposal, meaning you have less to pack.

MarBella Corfu Hotel’s modern rooms give you plenty of space for play time and quiet time, with family rooms offering comfortable living areas and a large master bedroom, plus a furnished balcony or terrace. It’s the ultra-luxurious two-bedroom suites that tick all the boxes, though, sleeping up to five guests with two private bedrooms and light, modern living areas. Brand-new two-bedroom suites with their own private pools have recently opened, too.

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 3 hours 15 minutes
Transfer time from airport: 30 minutes
Time difference: GMT +2
Average high in summer: 25°C
Stay: 7 nights half board in a garden view family room, departing 18 May’16 from London Gatwick. From £1999 per family of 3. Save up to £335 per family. Includes exclusive to Sovereign Child stays & flies for free, complimentary 5 course a la carte dinner (per person) and welcome gift.

WATCH THE VIDEO

For more information: MarBella Corfu Hotel

6. Domes of Elounda, Crete

[soliloquy id=”7865″]

Domes of Elounda is a family favourite in north-east Crete, with a second-to-none pick of accommodation and first-class facilities. The much-loved Domesland is an Ofsted-registered kids’ club with an ever-changing menu of activities throughout the day – it’s popular, so make sure you book in advance. The complimentary crèche looks after tots from four months old.

You can choose from a range of premium one and two-bedroom suites, some with their own private pool, but it’s the residences that are in a league of their own. With two or three bedrooms, they have fully fitted kitchens, a private pool and garden, a barbecue area and a large furnished terrace. Next up, Ultraluxe Villas are your own private haven. Spread over two floors, they include special services like VIP beach areas and babysitting services, so they’re great for families.

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Transfer time from airport: 1 hour
Time difference: GMT +2
Average high in summer: 26°C
Stay: 7 nights bed & breakfast in a family suite garden view outdoor Jacuzzi room, departing 31 Aug’16 from London Gatwick. From £4699 per family of 4. Save up to £500 per family. Includes exclusive to Sovereign one child stays & flies for free, complimentary a la carte dinner (per person) and welcome gift. Plus second child stays for free,  complimentary kids club (4-12yrs) and complimentary family package.

WATCH THE VIDEO

For more information: Domes of Elounda

7. JA Palm Tree Court, Dubai

[soliloquy id=”7869″]

JA Palm Tree Court sits right on its own private beach. Family-friendly activities range from horse riding to archery, plus there’s a kids’ club, a crèche and a seriously cool ‘ChillZone’ for teens.

The hotel’s beautiful suites are cool, spacious and perfect to retreat to on hot days. Beachfront suites put you a stroll from the sand, with sea or garden views from your private balcony or terrace. The suites have one master bedroom with a king-sized bed, and sofa beds converting to twins in the large living room, sleeping two children.

The luxury residences are JA Palm Tree Court’s trump card. Available with one or two bedrooms, they comfortably sleep the whole family with enough space to feel like a real home from home. Staying in a residence gets you the premium service: a private butler, laundry service, unlimited mini golf and two free hours of babysitting – ideal for a romantic meal after the kids’ bedtime.

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 6 hours 40 minutes.
Transfer time from airport: 45 minutes.
Time difference: GMT +4
Average high in summer: 36°C
Stay: 7 nights bed & breakfast in a garden view junior suite, departing 17 Oct’16 from London Gatwick. From £5949 per family of 3. Save up to £1147 per family. Includes 20% Early booking discount.

For more information: JA Palm Tree Court

8. Centara Grand Beach Resort, Phuket

[soliloquy id=”7875″]

Centara Grand Beach Resort is a beautiful family resort on Phuket’s secluded Karon Beach. If you’re away with kids who need non-stop activities, this hotel has you covered. There’s an on-site waterpark complete with pools, slides and a lazy river, plus a watersports centre and an activity-packed kids’ club.

The hotel’s stylish rooms, suites and villas give everyone plenty of space. There are the one and two-bedroom pool villas with huge living areas (complete with flatscreen TVs), private pools and two en-suite bedrooms. For added luxury, ask for a Royal Villa. These fabulous villas are over 200 square metres and include fully-furnished terraces, plunge pools and Jacuzzis. The villas also come with Club benefits, including a concierge and access to the Club Lounge for snacks, drinks and meals all day – great for kids who are used to early mealtimes.

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 12 hours.
Transfer time from airport: 50 minutes.
Time difference: GMT +7 hours
Average high in summer:  29°C
Stay: 9 nights bed & breakfast in a deluxe ocean facing room, departing 24 Jul’16 from London Heathrow. From £3549 per family of 3. Save up to £814 per family. Includes 4 free nights.

For more information: Centara Grand Beach Resort

9. Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda, Mexico

[soliloquy id=”7882″]

At Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda, everything is designed with families in mind. The unique Family Concierge Service takes care of everything – think special reservations for the restaurants and first in line for activities, plus helpful extras like sterilising baby bottles or handling your laundry. Even the turndown service includes the kids, bringing them a bedtime treat of milk and cookies.

The luxury Family Concierge Suites give you loads of space, with two double beds and a big living area kitted out with video games and TVs – if you can tear them away from the private heated pool, available exclusively for Family Concierge guests. Kids have their own activity club and swimming pool, plus there’s a babysitting service for when you need some time to yourself.

Larger families are taken care of, too – the resort’s two-bedroom master suites sleep up to six adults and four children, complete with a kitchenette, dining room and two beautiful terraces.

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 10 hours 10 minutes.
Transfer time from airport: 45 minutes.
Time difference: GMT -6.
Average high in summer: 26°C
Stay: 7 nights all-inclusive in a paradisus junior suite, departing 14 Jun’16 from London Gatwick. From £3985 per family of 3. Save up to £1334 per family. Includes 30% Early booking discount.

For more information: Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda

10. Constance Le Prince Maurice Hotel, Mauritius

[soliloquy id=”7888″]

Surrounded by postcard-worthy white-sand beaches, Constance Le Prince Maurice Hotel combines paradise-island luxuries with kid-friendly facilities. There are lots of activities for family time in the sunshine, as well as a dedicated kids’ pool and complimentary kids’ club from 9am to 9pm – no need to book; they can drop by and play anytime.

Family suites sit beneath lovely thatched roofs, with most located on the ground floor with direct access to the beach – ideal if you’ll be carrying a buggy and baby bag. There’s a master bedroom with an en-suite, opening out onto a spacious terrace with comfy chairs. The generous living area is loaded with high-tech accessories like satellite TV and an Apple Mac Mini. The kids’ bedroom is particularly special, featuring bunk beds and their own bathroom with helpful touches like a little step up to the sink.

LOWDOWN

Flight time: 11 hours 50 minutes
Transfer time from airport: 1 hour
Time difference: GMT +4
Average high in summer: 26°C
Stay: 7 nights full board in a junior suite, departing 07 Aug’16 from London Gatwick. From £4175 per family of 3. Save up to £1952 per family. Includes 40% Early booking discount, complimentary full board upgrade and child stays for free.

For more information: Constance Le Prince Maurice Hotel

For more luxury family-friendly hotels check out 5 hotels for your next family holiday, visit Sovereign or call 01293 765023.