Where To Travel With Kids: High End, Child-Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Resorts

Explore the best luxury travel destinations for families, offering kid-friendly experiences while staying chic.

In the world of luxury travel, families with a taste for the extraordinary are seeking destinations that effortlessly marry indulgence with child-friendly charm. A place to truly unwind, recharge, and savor the art of holidaying. Beyond the conventional resorts lies a curated collection of high-end, family-focused retreats – where enriching experiences captivate both grown-ups and little ones alike.

Header Image: Ritz Carlton Maldives

Tropical Escapes

Where to travel with kids

Cap Karoso, Sumba

Cap Karoso, Sumba, Image: Alexandre Pietra

Set on the untamed shores of Sumba Island, Indonesia, Cap Karoso is a rare fusion of luxury and sustainability. This eco-conscious retreat weaves local tradition with sleek modernity – its villas showcase Sumbanese craftsmanship while running on solar energy. A working farm provides the freshest ingredients for its world-class restaurant, led by renowned chefs who elevate island-to-table dining to an art form.

Arriving at Cap Karoso feels otherworldly. Towering palm groves sway lazily in the breeze, their shadows dancing across golden sands. The air carries a hypnotic mix of salt and earth, with the rhythmic sound of waves breaking over a coral reef setting the scene.

Perfect for families, the resort balances indulgence and discovery. Children can immerse themselves in hands-on experiences, from feeding farm animals to learning the island’s rich cultural heritage through interactive workshops. Meanwhile, parents can unwind by the infinity pool or indulge in spa treatments, knowing the little ones are happily entertained.

Another recommendation on the serene island of Sumba – set to be the next big thing (but let’s keep that under wraps). With rhythmic waves and golden sands perfect for beachside horse rides, Nihi Sumba is another retreat kids will adore. Rustic wood and open spaces blend with lush greenery and crystal-clear waters, creating a luxurious yet grounded escape.

NIHI Sumba, Photo: Tania Araujo

The Maldives has a rich offering when it comes to family-friendly escapes, including thoughtful activities for children. At Soneva Fushi, little ones can lose themselves in the fantastical kids’ club or indulge endlessly at the complimentary, 24/7 ice-cream parlour. Over at Soneva Jani, the overwater villas and inspiring kids’ club provide a playground like no other, surrounded by turquoise lagoons. Meanwhile, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives combines sleek design with a vibrant kids’ program, ensuring every moment is as captivating for children as it is serene for adults. All set against the dazzling backdrop of the Indian Ocean, these destinations create memories for the whole family.

Ritz Carlton Maldives, Image: The Lane

Ritz Carlton Maldives

When an island has its own marine biologist to protect its pristine ecosystem – even guiding baby turtles on their first journey to the ocean – you know you’ve stepped into somewhere extraordinary.

Set in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Finolhu is barefoot luxury with a playful, eco-conscious twist. Retro-glam villas and beach suites line one of the Maldives’ longest sandbanks, where turquoise waters meet powder-soft sands. Just a short seaplane ride from Malé, this island getaway perfectly blends indulgence with a deep connection to nature.

For families, the resort offers more than just beautiful views. Children can snorkel with the marine biologist, practice yoga, create sand art, or try fishing as part of a packed weekly program. Family-friendly villas sit right on the beach, with soft sands and the sparkling Indian Ocean just steps away, making it as much a paradise for little adventurers as for their parents.

Nestled amidst striking black molten lava and the shimmering Pacific, is Rosewood Kona Village Resort, on the Big Island of Hawaii. While you unwind, your children can dive into the resort’s exceptional kids’ club, where they’ll discover the magic of Hawaiian traditions through lei making, hula lessons, art, and on-site excursions. With plenty of pools and endless activities, this idyllic retreat ensures the whole family finds their own slice of bliss, all while fostering a deeper connection to the island’s vibrant culture.

Rosewood Kona Village Resort, Hawaii

Rosewood Kona Village Resort, Hawaii

Along a serene crescent of the Riviera Maya, Conrad Tulum radiates calm and understated elegance. The resort’s natural beauty is instantly captivating. Shimmering turquoise waters stretch to the horizon, while soft sands give way to lush mangroves alive with the whispers of tropical breezes. Pathways wind through tranquil gardens, guiding guests to secluded coves and infinity pools that mirror the ocean.

For families, Conrad Tulum is as engaging as it is relaxing. The Conrad Kids Club sparks young imaginations with eco-adventures, beachside treasure hunts, and immersive Mayan storytelling. A playful kids’ pool offers endless fun. While parents savor rejuvenating spa rituals or sunset cocktails with the sound of waves as their backdrop. This is where indulgence and family memories intertwine effortlessly.

Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya, Tulum, Mexico

European Seaside

Tonnara di Scopello, Sicily

On the island of Sicily, Tonnara di Scopello is a hidden coastal gem that combines rugged Sicilian beauty with the simple pleasures of seaside living, complete with an alfresco kitchen for unforgettable family feasts and access to fresh local produce at a boutique grocer just a few minutes away. While young children need plenty of supervision along waterside edges, the private pebbled beach with shallow entry is perfect to spend long languid days in the sun. You could easily spend a good 5 days or more here without ever wanting to leave. Or head up to the sweet seaside village for market nights and wood fired pizza on the hilltop.

Also in Italy, we fell in love with Borgo Egnazia, situated in Puglia. This architectural masterpiece evokes the timeless charm of a traditional Apulian village, with its thoughtfully curated Trullalleri Kids’ Club offering imaginative experiences in an idyllic setting.

A Grecian escape founded by sisters Agapi and Costantza Sbokou, Cretan Malia Park reflects their family-first philosophy, creating a resort where all generations feel at home. Nestled amid lush botanical gardens, this family-owned modernist retreat celebrates Crete’s architectural heritage while offering an enriching experience for its guests.

The resort’s diverse offerings ensure something for everyone. Adults can enjoy fitness and meditation retreats, Greek coffee rituals, pop-up garden dinners, and Cretan cooking classes, along with wine and olive oil tastings. Children, meanwhile, can dive into a world of creativity and learning with crafts, cooking, gardening, mythology lessons, an outdoor cinema, and a cozy library.

Designed with families in mind, the accommodations feature well-appointed, flexible spaces that cater to every need. Whether discovering the island’s traditions or simply relaxing in the tranquil surroundings, Cretan Malia Park invites families to connect and create memories in a setting that’s as inspiring as it is welcoming.

Country Estates and Villages

Tucked into the picturesque village of Deià on Mallorca’s rugged west coast, La Residencia is the perfect blend of rustic charm and understated luxury. Long a haven for creatives, this region has drawn luminaries such as poet Robert Graves, who settled here in the 1930s with his family, inspiring generations of artists, writers, and musicians –many arriving with their children in tow to embrace its tranquil beauty.

Today, La Residencia carries forward this artistic legacy with family-friendly offerings that feel both thoughtful and imaginative. Families can enjoy spacious suites and villas, two swimming pools, and activities tailored to all ages. Little ones can ride donkeys through olive groves, create pottery, or try their hand at painting with guidance from local artists. Parents, meanwhile, can unwind at the award-winning spa or savor fine Mediterranean cuisine at El Olivo, the hotel’s celebrated restaurant.

Where to travel with kids

Belmond La Residencia, Mallorca

Belmond La Residencia, Mallorca

Impossibly chic: that’s the phrase that springs to mind. And rightly so. When the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay opened its stately doors, it instantly became a sanctuary for the fashion elite, with houses like Louis Vuitton hosting their most intimate soirées here. Envisioned by the Paris Society group, this country hotel is located about a 45-minute drive from Paris.

As you approach, towering trees dapple sunlight along the path, leading to the abbey’s breathtaking silhouette – rebuilt in sandstone from nearby quarries in 1145 – rising from the mist. Framed by manicured lawns and a shimmering lake, the scene feels like stepping into a storybook.

In an exciting new chapter, the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay has unveiled La Ferme des Vallées – a boutique, 38-room farm stay nestled within its sprawling 185-acre estate. This charming addition is designed with families in mind, offering a stylish restaurant and bar alongside a working farm home to goats, donkeys, and chickens. Guests of La Ferme can enjoy access to the Abbaye’s full range of amenities, from spa and wellness to rowing and tennis, for a truly idyllic escape.

In Provence, Château de Fonscolombe: a resplendent 18th-century château where pastoral serenity and refined luxury create the perfect escape for families. While parents savor the estate’s fine wines, children can roam its sprawling gardens, play beneath centuries-old trees, and experience the charm of countryside living. The château can also arrange horseback rides for children to explore the Provençal landscape.

Where to travel with kids

Chateau de Fonscolombe, France

Located in the Côte d’Azure, in the picturesque village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, is one of The Lane Editor’s favorite hotels to travel to with kids, Le Domaine du Mas de Pierre. Spread over eight hectares, this luxurious haven is an indulgent escape for parents, equally enjoyed by kids. Sip cocktails around the beach entry sand pool wrapped in quaint village and olive grove views. Kids will love the 150 m² imaginative playground, creative workshops and the kids’ club in summer.

Winter Dreamscapes

If you’re being a little more adventurous destination-wise, Kakslauttanen in Finland offers an escape straight out of a dream. Nestled in the Arctic wilderness, this enchanting retreat lets families stay in glass igloos under the dancing northern lights. For kids, it’s a winter wonderland come to life, with opportunities for husky sledding, reindeer safaris, and even meeting Santa in his homeland.

Image: Sharp Magazine

A family hotel, but a very chic one. Located on the Dolomite Alps, Sonnweis wellness and ski hotel is an elevated escape designed with both adults and little ones in mind. Engulfed in dramatic alpine surrounds, the resort includes 70 stylish rooms and suites, a five pool, indoor-outdoor acquapark, riding school, petting zoo and ice skating rink.  Indulge in the outdoor sauna or spa with childminding services and incredible kids club facilities, or take your kids with you for signature children’s treatments or even a kid’s sauna at 45°C.

View our complete edit of vacation and honeymoon destinations via The Lane Directory.

 

Directory

Wedding Stylists

Find our handpicked edit of Wedding Stylists from around the world on the Directory.