Family-friendly and luxury aren’t mutually exclusive – some of the best resorts in the world cater for big and little kids alike, with plenty to entertain and engage tots, teens and travelling parents.
Little visitors are looked after with activity-filled kids’ clubs, splash zones and skate parks, while adults can take a load off thanks to babysitting services, dialling up the romance with private picnics, serene spa treatments, or a relaxing cocktail by the pool.
Read on for the best family friendly luxury resorts in the world.
Best luxury resorts in Fiji for families
VOMO Island Fiji
Both the little things and little ones are looked after at the five-star VOMO Island Fiji, set on its own private island in the secluded Mamanuca archipelago. There are three different kids' clubs at The Kids Village – The Little Islanders Club for three years and up, The Yungsta Club for seven years and up, and Club V for 10 years and up – each with their own program of activities to entertain and engage young travellers. From hermit crab hunting and arts and crafts, to basket weaving and mini-Olympics, every day is bound to bring a new adventure. Come dinner, The Kids Village is home to its own restaurant, serving kid-friendly portions of pizza, pasta, stir fries and Japanese bento boxes. Baby butlers are also available to allow parents one-on-one time with dinner at the adults-only Rock Restaurant, or a private island champagne picnic.
OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort
Set in 40 acres of tropical gardens, OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort is a five-star island paradise perfect for families of all sizes. Create core memories splashing around the Splash Zone or on the beach, or get moving with snorkelling, kayaking or paddleboarding. The whole family can learn about Fijian culture with fire walking and artisan demonstrations, or pop next door for animal encounters and water slides at Kula Wild Adventure Park. When it comes time for adults-only relaxation at Bebe Spa or Ivi Restaurant, the Meimei nanny service will ensure little ones are looked after.
Shangri-La Yanuca Island
Escape to a private island with the entire family at the idyllic Shangri-La Yanuca Island, found off the coast of Viti Levu. Big and little kids alike can bounce their way through the inflatable water park obstacle course – first used for a season of Survivor – splash about in the kids’ pool or try their hand at mini golf, watersports, basketball or tennis. With the kids at the Little Chief’s Club, where they can tie-dye sarongs or learn to weave, grown-ups can embrace the serenity of a beach massage, enjoy a long lunch at Golden Cowrie Coastal Italian, or simply enjoy a cocktail in peace by the adults-only pool.
Best luxury resorts in Bali for families
The Mulia
There are top luxury resorts for families and then there’s The Mulia – a suite-only escape that redefines family-friendly escapes. The multi-award-winning mega resort is perched on Nusa Dua’s beachfront and is home to seven swimming pools, nine restaurants and bars, and the 20-room Mulia Spa, complete with Finnish saunas, meditative steam rooms and hydrotherapy pools. But it’s not all about the grown-up fun: the expansive Mulia Explorer clubhouse hosts a wide range of activities for children and teens aged 3-15, while the interactive Splash Pool, bouncy castle, tennis academy and yoga means they’ll never be bored.
Hard Rock Hotel Bali
For a fun-filled family-friendly escape just steps from Kuta Beach, it’s hard to look past Hard Rock Hotel Bali. Kids can hang out with new friends at Roxity Kids’ Club, participating in a jam-packed schedule of activities, including arts and crafts, movie time and even a rock wall climbing challenge. Too-cool-for-you teens are invited to hang out at TABU, where they’ll find a gaming lounge, nightclub with multi-purpose DJ booth, Xbox One and PlayStation 5 facilities, and a lounge with pool table. Meanwhile, parents can chill out in a poolside cabana with cocktail in hand or unwind at the Rock Spa. When it’s time to come together again, venture into Kuta for time spent on the beach, in a buzzy restaurant or at Waterbom Bali, an action-packed water park.
RIMBA by AYANA Bali
Perched above Jimbaran Bay, RIMBA by AYANA Bali combines tropical elegance with five-star facilities, making it the perfect luxury resort for families. Dine your way through 19 restaurants and bars, or pool-hop from the multi-tiered lagoon-style body of water to the chilled-out cabana areas – with 11 pools, no two days need to be the same. Little ones are spoilt for choice; two colourful kids' clubs include a mini-cinema, games room, trampoline and playground, while a range of multi-day adventure camps combine outdoor adventure and nature-based learning, allowing them to delve into Bali’s unique ecosystem in a safe setting.
Best luxury resorts in Thailand for families
InterContinental Khao Yai Resort
Embrace railroad resplendence at InterContinental Khao Yai, one of Thailand’s best luxury resorts for families. Sitting on the boundary of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Khao Yai National Park, the entire resort features a 19th-century railroad theme, with ticket booths and vintage carriages that have been transformed into one-of-a-kind suites. Family suites cater for train-mad tots and their parents, with double bunk beds and a guide to animals found in the area, paired with binoculars and a magnifying glass. Children aged 4 - 12 years will love the Planet Trekkers kids' club program, with Thai dancing lessons, treasure hunts, koi fish feeding and marshmallow roasting all on offer. While the little ones are captivated, grown-ups can indulge in a rejuvenating treatment at Back on Track Spa, or dine in the first class-train-car-inspired Poirot Restaurant.
Avani Khao Lak
Bring the whole family along to a tropical oceanfront escape at Avani+ Khao Lak, a five-star jewel in Khao Lak’s crown. Spend valuable family time together on the white-sand beach, by one of the four pristine pools or at one of the three restaurants on site. When it comes to one-on-one time, there’s space for everyone – the kids’ club is home to a water park and a schedule of activities, including animal face painting, beach cleaning and zoo yoga, while teens are catered for with arcade games, PlayStation consoles, billiards and a skate park. With the kids entertained, parents can find serenity at Avani Spa, or pick up a new skill with cooking classes.
Rosewood Bangkok
City living and family-friendly travel go hand-in-hand at Rosewood Bangkok, where younger guests are treated with just as much care as their parents. In-room amenities include baby cots, baby bathtubs, in-room bottle warmers, car seats and child-sized robes and slippers, paired with kids’ menus at the onsite restaurants. The Rose Buds and Rosewood Explorers programs include everything from Muay Thai and yoga classes through to cooking classes and spa-cations, while a babysitting service means parents can relax with a cocktail at Lennon’s speakeasy, catch up on a chapter or two by the outdoor pool or simply explore Bangkok child-free for a couple of hours.
Best luxury resorts in Australia for families
InterContinental Hayman Island
Create new core memories along the sands of the iconic Hayman Island with a stay at one of Australia’s best luxury resorts for families, InterContinental Hayman Island. Contemporary suites and villas are spacious enough for the whole gang, while the five-star facilities appeal to both grown-ups and growing-ups. Spend days reclining by one of Australia’s largest swimming pools or venture out to explore the Great Barrier Reef by snorkel, dive or kayak. The Planet Trekkers kids' club entertains little ones with cookie baking, sea-shell painting and nature walk activities, freeing up adults to escape to the onsite spa, or simply soak up the serenity of the island. Come dinner, the on-island babysitting service leaves time for romantic moments, like private dining experiences or sunset island escapades.
Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains – MGallery by Sofitel
From a merry-go-round and mazes to hatted-restaurants and relaxing spa rituals, Fairmont Resort & Spa Blue Mountains has all the ingredients for a delicious family-friendly holiday. Perched just 90 minutes' drive north of Sydney, this luxury resort couldn’t be better placed for a couple of valuable days away with the kids. It’s all fun and games for younger travellers, with a mirror maze arcade, pony rides, cinema, soft play and the Fairmont Express train ride, the only resort train ride in the Blue Mountains. Meanwhile, parents can indulge in modern Australian flavours at No.1 Sublime Pt, feel revitalised at Ubika Day Spa or bring the whole family together for a tree-top experience at the onsite adventure park.
Best luxury resorts in The Maldives for families
Soneva Jani
At the opulent five-star Soneva Jani, there are some big decisions to be made – will you experience beachside bliss in an island retreat or float over the crystal-clear lagoon with a stay at a water retreat, complete with water slide? Whichever you choose, there’s room for the whole family, with private pools, separate living areas and large outdoor terraces. Recognised in the 2023 Conde Nast Traveller Wellness & Spa Awards as the leading destination to bring your family, the ultra-lux resort is a purveyor of once-in-a-lifetime experiences for little and big travellers alike. The kids will love their days at The Den, the largest children’s zone in the Maldives, where a cinema, fully-equipped kitchen for cooking classes, music room, games room, zipline, craft area and library await. With the toddlers and teens looked after by experienced childminders, parents can escape to one of 13 fine dining options, snorkel with a marine biologist guide or unwind with a treatment at Soneva Soul.
The Westin Maldives
The whole family can enjoy reef adventures at The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort, found in the heart of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Baa Atoll. Family-friendly beach villas include private pools and direct access to golden sands, while overwater villas are the ultimate Maldives experience, perched over the crystal-clear lagoon. Explore the underwater world with snorkelling adventures, challenge the entire family to a round of tennis under palm trees, or drop the little ones off to the kids' club while you hide away at the glass-enclosed Heavenly Spa by Westin. Delicious dining is just the cherry on top – indulge in sophisticated Japanese at The Pearl, enjoy all-day dining at Island Kitchen or watch the chefs at the live kitchen of Hawker.
Best luxury resorts in Hawaii for families
OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
Wake up just steps from one of the world’s most famous beaches with a stay at OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, a five-star retreat designed for big and little kids alike. Hawaiian culture takes centre stage during your stay – evenings at the onsite Kani Ka Pila Grille feature dancing and music from award-winning Oahu performers, while the resort’s walls are dotted with local art. With so much to do and see, the whole family will be spoiled for choice: splash around in the pool, learn the art of hula, visit Honolulu Zoo, learn to surf, or participate in a luau. Refuel with farm-fresh cuisine at Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman, or round out the day with a drink in hand as you watch the sunset over the golden sands. For true family-friendly fun, two children (17 years and under) stay free in all rooms, sleeping on existing bedding.
Turtle Bay Resort
Five-star living meets family-friendly facilities on the North Shore of Oahu at the oceanfront Turtle Bay Resort. Spread across 1,300 acres, the hotel’s long list of luxe facilities means there’s something for every member of the crew: little ones can participate in horseback riding, kayaking, surfing, stargazing, lei making and scavenger hunts under supervision, while parents escape to the four pools, two championship golf courses or the serene Nalu Spa. Come back together to break bread at one of the eight onsite dining experiences, or simply spend valuable time together on your choice of seven beaches. This is Hawaii at its very best.
Feature image: InterContinental Hayman Island Resort.
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