You don’t have to compromise on your next family holiday. Some of the World’s most luxurious hotels are also family friendly. You can still relax amidst the finest luxury while your kids are having fun in well run kids clubs and enjoying top class facilities.

Here are some of the finest and most exclusive family friendly hotels in Europe…

SANI BEACH, Halkidiki (GREECE)

Where – Halkidiki is a beautiful peninsular in Northern Greece, famed for it’s stunning countryside and amazing beaches. Direct flights to Thessonilki are just over 3 hours.

The hotel – Winner of the prestigious World Travel Awards – ‘Europe’s Leading Family Resort’. The resort is actually made up of five hotels but I think the Sani Beach is best for families. It sits directly on the amazing sandy beach in stunning Cap Sani and where the majority of the kids facilities are found.

Rooms – There is a range of luxurious family rooms and suites. The biggest of which have two bedrooms and a living room. Some are directly on the beach front with private garden and terrace overlooking the Med.

For kids –  The hotel is renowned for its sports academies – state of the art Chelsea FC Football academy (4-16 years) / Dance academy with various styles from Latin to hip hop and for ages from 18 months and up / sailing academy – learn to sail in small dinghy’s / Rafa Nadal tennis academy / Scuba diving academy / Biking academy / Bear Grhylls survival academy/  Water-ski academy and even a bee keeping academy!

There is a full service creche for little ones and private babysitters and nannies are available. there is also a free 30 minute baby watch session at the beach and baby swimming lessons. There are in room baby facilities and equipment so you don’t need to pack much.

For older kids there is the Melissa kids club – 4-12 years with indoor activities and outdoor fun with forest walks and beach games. Plus evening entertainment and family stage shows.

The treetop adventure park with zip lines, climbing frames bridges and platforms is great fun.

For adults – There are a lot of the sports and academies are also open to adults. So you can enjoy a tennis game or lesson, or try out some scuba diving or maybe try your hand and paddle boarding. if you fancy something less strenuous then spend an afternoon at the fabulous Myspa and enjoy a pampering.

IKOS DASSIA, CORFU (GREECE)

Where – Set on the beautiful Dassia beachfront, on the North coast of Corfu. Just a 3 hour direct flight from the UK.

The hotel – This is a wonderfully refined, luxury resort with exceptional and personal service. This is a tranquil haven, surrounded by forest covered mountains and set within 25 acres of beautiful gardens, with fragrant pines, pristine pools and glittering sea views. The pretty beach is a great place for families as the water here is calm and shallow, so very safe. There are immaculate terrace restaurants offering gourmet dining, refined rooms and suites and a wide array of activities and facilities for the whole family. The premium all-inclusive service includes various activities as well as premium brand drinks and fine dining.

There are several other Ikos hotels, including another brand new one in Corfu, as well as a new offering in Mallorca. all of them are well worth considering.

Rooms – There are a range of luxurious suites, family rooms and bungalows. some with private gardens and pools. For the ultimate book a beach front villa with private pool.
For kids – There are several kids clubs for different age groups. All operated to UK Ofted standards, with fully qualified childcare staff. Plus some top quality academies and coaching.
Hero’s creche  offers childcare for infants from 4months to 3years. So families with tiny little ones are well catered for.
The Hero’s kids club is for kids aged 4-12 years. Just4teens as the name implies is for 13 and up. Kids of all ages can enjoy supervised fun and games and meet new friends.

They also run an evening kids club, so you can enjoy a quiet, adults dinner or a few drinks in the bar.
There is a football academy for 5-14 year olds and they also run week long football escapes, where ex-premiership players like Michael Owen are coaches.
The supervised beach-based childcare service is very handy to get a short break from parenting, to sunbathe or enjoy some water sports.
There is a lovely heated Kids pool and baby paddling pool.
the hotel puts on some great evening shows with entertainment for adults and kids.  Plus there is a mini disco and kids karaoke

For adults – There are plenty of water sports available. Plus floodlit tennis courts, yoga and fitness sessions, free beginner scuba lesson and the wonderfully luxurious Anne Semonin spa

FORTE VILLAGE WATERFRONT SUITES, SARDINIA (ITALY)

Where – Sitting along a vast white sand beach in Southern Sardinia, close to the charming town of Pula. Direct flights to Cagliari are available from the UK, which take 2 hours 40 mins.
The hotel – A member of the Leading Hotels of the World. This is a vast resort set on a long sandy beach and within a pine forest famous for a huge range of activities and academies aimed at families. There are different hotels within the resort all with their own charm and style.
Rooms – There is a wide choice of rooms and suites. The waterfront suites are resorts best rooms. these are spacious luxury suites, with views of the sparkling Med. The Le Dune area also offer lovely family bungalows close to the beach.
For kids –  Children will love the resorts ‘Wonderland’ , where activities include a theatre with workshops and shows, safe and staffed kids pools with lots of organised activities. Kids can create masterpieces in the creative workshop where they learn drawing and painting skills and ceramics. Or they can learn how to grow and look after plants in the vegetable garden.
The Barbie experience, where little ones can create jewellery, take a cooking lesson or share a spa experience with Mum. Rooms will have a barbie theme on request.
Marios village is a kids themed supervised play area has 9 play houses for the kids to explore with new friends.
Leisureland is a great fun space, with a go kart track and academy, ten pin bowling and kids disco
The Aquapark is a firm favouorite with the kids where there is a pirate ship, water cannons and slides for all ages
There are also some top level academies – Chelsea FC academy for 4-14 year olds / Tennis academy for 6 years and up / Rugby academy 5-16 years – all with famous names from the game. Others include go kart academy/table tennis academy/hickey academy/swim academy / basketball academy.

For adults – The Acquaforte Thalasso & Spa offers a 5 star luxury spa experience for guests. There is also a luxury Italian designer shopping area at the hotel, where you can find all the latest high end fashion for sale. There are evening entertainment options available, from shows to club nights.

MARBELLA CLUB, SPAIN

Where – On Marbella’s famous golden mile just 5 minutes to Marbella’s old town
The hotel – This lavish retreat was a favourite of Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn and Richard Burton in its 60’s heyday. It still exudes old world charm and boasts exception facilities and service.
Rooms – interconnecting rooms and private villas are great for families.
For kids  – The new Minimec designed 5000 square metre kids club is a mini village within the hotel grounds. The childcare staff are on hand to offer kids engaging and fun activities such as art, music dance, cookery and nature experiences as well as plenty of fun activities on the beach.
There is also babysitting available for younger guests.
Kids are welcome in all the restaurants.
For adults – For golf lovers the hotel has its own golf course just 20 minutes away. The Marbella club equestrian centre has horse riding available for all levels. The hotel also has incredible spa facilities and the fabulous beach club and botanical gardens are a great place to unwind and relax.

For other Marbella family luxury there is a new IKOS resort which offers IKOS famous family facilities and luxury services.

MARTINHAL, Algarve

Where – set right on stunning sandy beach near Sagres on the quieter Western Algarve. Flights to Faro are just under 3 hours and the private transfer to the hotel is just over an hour.
The hotel – This is a low rise beach front village resort aimed at families looking for 5star service combined with lots of fun things to do for the family.
Rooms – There are a range of accommodations, with hotel rooms and suites, plus Modern and spacious town houses with 2 or 3 bedrooms & private luxury villas with pools, with up to six bedrooms. All luxuriously designed with families in mind.
For kids  –  There are 5 kids clubs for different age groups, from 2 years up to 17 years all offering age relevant activities and entertainment. There is a baby concierge and creche, so this is a great option for families with infants. there is a wide range of kids sports and outdoor activities with instruction available. Including tennis, surfing, swimming and football academy. There is also an outdoor BMX track.  Older kids will love the Teen club room with pool table, video games, table football, where they can hang out and chill with new found friends.
For adults – There are range of activities and sports for adults as well. Tennis, water sports centre, mountain biking through the amazing local scenery and bike trails. Not to mention the lovely beach,  5 swimming pools and the full service Finesterra Spa.

There are of course hundreds of other fantastic family hotels in lots of destinations across Europe.

If you are interested in any of the hotels above or want advice on any other types of luxury family holiday – Just ask Paul