What are the best 2026 family holidays? Scott Dunn reveals all, from where to find sun in February to the loveliest beaches this summer and why to book ahead for winter breaks.
Pine Cliffs, Algarve, Portugal
It’s that time of year again, when Scott Dunn tells us where to go on holiday with our kids, and we listen. And why wouldn’t we? Not only does Scott Dunn turn 40 in 2026 – that’s a lot of experience right there – it also brings us Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Clubs: the best kids clubs in the world, bar none.
On that note, every single one of our Scott Dunn recommendations for 2026, also gives you access to the Explorers’ programme. In the words of the people who know best ‘Explorers turns your holiday into a playground for joy, confidence and wide-eyed wonder’, and that’s exactly what we want from the best 2026 family holidays.
Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club, Niyama Private Islands Maldives
One of the best 2026 family holidays for February half term
Niyama Private Islands Maldives describes itself as ‘Nature’s Playground’, and we can’t argue with that: set across two idyllic Indian Ocean islands, its white sand beaches contrast with a lush, green interior, ripe for cycling around and exploring with kids.
Of course, the entire resort is luxurious to a fault, but the real luxury here is space to spend time together, which is what the best 2026 family holidays are all about. You might opt for a beachfront villa or pavilion with younger kids, or go full Maldives-style and choose an overwater villa. Any choice you make is always the right one here, particularly as you have your own private pool wherever you decide to stay.
Niyama Private Islands, best 2026 family holidays
Niyama Private Islands is known for water sports and its divine spa
Niyama is also known for its water sports, and exceptional snorkelling and diving, and it’s the only Maldives’ resort with its own surf wave. Everything from Tai Chi classes and tennis to painting lessons and movies under the stars are on offer here too. Or, for those less energetic moments, there’s also the divine Drift Spa.
In another first for Niyama, it’s the only resort in the Maldives with an Explorers Kids Club. Designed for children from 12 months to 12 years. Fully supervised by Scott Dunn’s own handpicked and fully qualified childcare team, it features a dedicated indoor and outdoor space, along with a circus-themed playground and daily activities tailored to different age groups. In more good news for parents tempted by the idea of spa time and water sports, Explorers is open seven days from 10am to 6pm.
Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club, Parklane Limassol, Cyprus
Seek no further than Cyprus for guaranteed sun this Easter
Easter holidays are early this year, which is why we’re recommending Cyprus where you can expect it to be warm and sunny from March onwards. Parklane Limassol sits on the country’s sunniest southern coast, the one that gets great weather first and keeps hold of it until well into autumn.
Set between Larnaca and Paphos, Parklane Limassol is a Marriott Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. That means unlimited luxury from its collection of large family villas and suites with private pools to the indulgent Thalassotherapy Centre. There’s also the luxury of choice here, as the resort features six restaurants, four pools and even lets you choose which view you wake up to each morning.
The only kids’ club with a castle and a pirate ship
The Scott Dunn Explorers programme is another reason families love Parklane Limassol – we think it may be the only kids’ club in the world with dedicated space in its own purpose-built castle. On top of that it also has a large playground and an activity pool complete with a child-size pirate ship. The highly-trained team offer fully supervised childcare for kids aged between 4 months and 12 years, so you won’t be surprised to learn this is very popular with children, and parents. Worth remembering, places for Easter get booked up fast.
Take a closer look at Parklane Limassol for Easter 2026
The Westin, Costa Navarino
Two of the best 2026 family holidays for May half term
The Westin Costa Navarino speaks to your kids loud and clear. Not only is it set on long, sandy and sunny Dunes Beach, it has an extraordinary Aqua Park on-site, as well as an adventure playground and children’s pools. To underscore that child-friendly feeling, it also shares access to the Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club at its next door neighbour, The Romanos Resort.
The Romanos also shares The Westin’s Agora, which you can think of like a very exclusive town square where families can gather for movies at the open-air cinema, shows at the amphitheatre or to simply hang out at one of the cafés, bars or restaurants that add another level of Greek authenticity to this charming feature.
Judging by the amount of space and privacy designed into them, even the villas and suites here are clearly created with families in mind. We also like their use of natural, local materials which harmonise beautifully with the landscape, a major consideration on the Peloponnese Peninsula, listed by National Geographic as one of its ‘Best 20 Locations in the World to Visit’.
Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club, The Romanos, Costa Navarino
Cocoon your kids in beachy fun at The Romanos, Costa Navarino
Close enough to The Westin to share the Explorers Kids Club, The Romanos features clean, contemporary design, but shares its sister resort’s commitment to using traditional materials, so it’s equally at home in lovely Costa Navarino.
As we said, both resorts share Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club which has its own purpose-built space at The Romanos, known as Cocoon. As well as separate areas for under and over-fives the club also has the fun of the Aqua Park and a shaded playground, along with a daily, age-appropriate activity programme and plenty of time on stunning Dunes Beach. All fully supervised by the trained childcare team hand selected by Scott Dunn.
Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, Croatia, best 2026 family holidays
Spend summer by the sea, we know just the place
Beach holidays are the best type of summer tradition and Scott Dunn is fully behind them this year with spectacular family beach resorts in Greece, Portugal and Croatia. The addition of Scott Dunn Explorers programme at each one means parents can look forward to a little more holiday time too.
In other exciting news, gorgeous Sun Gardens Dubrovnik, just west of Dubrovnik on Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, welcomes a brand new Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club this summer. Making the most of the incredible clear, blue seas and great summer weather, this latest club is designed for ages 4 months to 12 years. Older kids will be thrilled at the water sport line up, there are even sailing lessons available as well as diving and kayaking, and the club is big on land sports too, including tennis and football.
Kayaking, Explorers Kids Club, Sun Gardens Dubrovnik
The pick of Europe’s beach resorts for summer
- Set on the clifftop above Praia da Falésia in Central Algarve, Pine Cliffs is one of the world’s best family resorts, in one of the worlds top family destinations. Between its astounding Atlantic views and thoughtfully designed suites and villas, along with a championship golf course and a Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club, this one really is the all-rounder for summer 2026.
- If northern Greece is more your mood this summer, look to Eagles in Halkidiki. This family run resort balances friendly warmth with the type of personal service you’d expect from one of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It’s also set on its own private beach, and home to one of the newest Explorers Kids Clubs, designed from scratch by Scott Dunn for children aged between 4 months and 12 years.
- Probably the finest five-star family resort in Crete, Daios Cove is that rare blend of remarkable aesthetics and family-friendly atmosphere. The Scott Dunn Explorers Kids Club here makes the most of the Ionian Sea, whether that’s for paddling with toddlers or scuba lessons for tweens. Plus, cooking classes and learning about olive oil production on the resort’s farm, introduce kids to authentic Cretan culture. Then there’s a fabulous, shaded playground too, just for fun.
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas, Abu Dhabi, best 2026 family holidays
The best 2026 family holidays for some autumn beach weather
Come autumn the UAE really comes into its own for family sun holidays. We especially like Abu Dhabi for its island hopping potential, easy and jet-lag-free flights, incredible beaches and outdoor activities beyond the city: this is the emirate for Rub’ al Khali.
Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas sits right on the beach on Saadiyat Island, one of ‘the’ places to stay in Abu Dhabi. Aside from its custom-designed Scott Dunn Explorers programme, the resort also has a wildly adventurous waterpark on site, as well as an enormous pool, the very indulgent Zen Spa and several innovative restaurants. Speaking of which, Scott Dunn Stargazers is also available at Saadiyat Rotana if you fancy having dinner like a grown up occasionally.
Snow fun, Portetta, Courchevel
Book now for winter and plan to ski like a grown up
Winter might seem like a long way away at the moment, but now is actually one of the best times to book, not least because you can secure places at the Explorers Kids Club, or even take advantage of the excellent Scott Dunn Explorers Private Nanny Service at Tignes, Val d’Isère, Courchevel, Val Thorens or Méribel.
This winter we particularly like Portetta Hotel in Courchevel Moriond 1650. It has its own Explorers Kids club on site, and it’s a perfect family hotel right down to a mix of cosiness and indulgent luxury, enormous family suites and penthouses, and one of the largest outdoor terraces in Courchevel. Cucina Angelina by Angela Hartnett is at home here too and, just to add to the sense of indulgence, Portetta also has its own spa and hammam.
Now see where else Scott Dunn recommends for the best 2026 family holidays
