Family holidays work best when everyone has something to look forward to. For younger children, that might mean a shallow pool and supervised activities; teenagers may prefer watersports and independence, while multi-generational groups need space, flexible dining and room to set their own pace. From Bali and Fiji to Australia, Thailand and the Maldives, this collection brings together luxury resorts for low-key escapes, activity-filled breaks and holidays with the whole extended family.
Best luxury resorts for families with young children
Ayodya Resort Bali, Indonesia
Best for: families with younger children who want a relaxed Nusa Dua base with a wide beach, garden space and easy resort days.
Ayodya Resort Bali gives the little ones room to play across its gardens and beachfront setting, with a children’s pool and supervised activities on hand. Parents can move between the beach, resort pools and spa, while the dining and open-air spaces make it easy to keep the day unhurried. It suits families who want a classic Bali resort holiday with the practical comforts of a contained base.
Paradisus by Meliá Bali, Indonesia
Best for: families with younger children who want an all-inclusive Bali stay with structured activities and plenty of time by the beach.
Paradisus by Meliá Bali combines a beachfront setting with an all-inclusive format that takes some of the daily decision-making out of a family holiday. Younger children can join supervised activities and spend time in the pool, while parents have a well-deserved rest at the resort’s restaurants, spa and quieter spaces when some alone time is needed. It’s the sweet spot for families who want plenty happening on hand, without having to plan every meal, outing or afternoon.
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali
Best for: families with younger children planning a low-fuss Bali holiday, particularly those who want beach access without giving up resort facilities.
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali gives families an easy beachfront base in Bali. Younger children can channel Jack Sparrow in the pirate-themed kids’ club, while the multi-level pool and waterslides create plenty of water play throughout the day. Parents can make time for a treatment at the spa, then regroup by the pool or beach, while older kids can try the resort’s watersports. It’s a straightforward choice for families who want activities on hand without giving up a relaxed resort setting.
Merusaka Nusa Dua, Indonesia
Best for: families with younger children who want direct beach access, a calm Nusa Dua setting and activities close to their room.
Merusaka Nusa Dua is for families who would rather keep the day easy than fill it with activities. Younger children can move between the dedicated pool, supervised play and the beach without lengthy walks or complicated planning, while parents take turns finding time for the spa, restaurants or a quieter stretch of sand. The appeal is simple: when one child needs a nap, another wants a swim and everyone is ready for lunch, the resort makes it easy to change plans without losing the rhythm of the day.
Best luxury resorts for families with school-age children
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley
Best for: school-age children and extended families looking for a driveable NSW escape with activities beyond a standard hotel pool.
Set across 100 acres in Lovedale, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is the kind of place where primary-school children can fill the day before anyone has to ask, “What are we doing next?” There’s a two-storey waterpark, carousel, train rides, games room and supervised Water Dragons Kids Club for ages 3–12 – enough to keep the momentum going long after the first swim. Family villas sleep up to six, while parents can trade the activity schedule for Hunter Valley dining, cellar doors, golf or a quiet spell at the adults-only Haven Pool.
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree
Best for: families with primary-school-aged children who are curious about animals and ready to spend a full day exploring.
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree turns the hotel into a base camp for a full day of wildlife encounters, with Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, Bird Paradise and Rainforest Wild Adventure all within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. The 44-square-metre family rooms pair a king bed with bunk beds for up to four guests, while the Rangers’ Club and outdoor playground suit children who still want supervised play between park visits. Parents can return to the rooftop pool or Banyan Tree Spa.
Katathani Phuket Beach Resort
Best for: primary-school-aged children who want a resort holiday built around water play, with enough variety for a week-long stay.
On Kata Noi Beach, Katathani Phuket Beach Resort gives primary-school children the kind of holiday where “just one more slide” can easily become the plan for the afternoon. The Aqua Jungle Water Park has a lazy river and four waterslides, while three children’s pools and the two-level Club Tully kids’ club add more ways to play. Themed areas, climbing structures, an art studio, a movie room and cooking activities keep the programme moving beyond the water, while parents can stay nearby, book Tew Son Spa or settle in for Thai, Italian or seafood by the beach.
Grand Hyatt Bali
Best for: families with children aged approximately 3–12 who want a contained resort with plenty of water play and easy dining.
Positioned on the golden shores of Nusa Dua, Grand Hyatt Bali is a resort where the pool is very much the main event. Children can spend the day moving between five pools and two waterslides, then head to the beach, which is right on the doorstep and only a few steps away. The Oceania Kids Club welcomes children aged 3–12, while babysitting gives parents time for a treatment at Kriya Spa. When everyone is ready to come together, nine restaurants and bars, from sushi and teppanyaki at Nampu to wood-fired pizza at Salsa Verde, make dinner an easy win.
The Mulia, Nusa Dua
Best for: families with younger children who want a beachfront Nusa Dua base with plenty of on-site choice.
Around 20 minutes from Ngurah Rai Airport, The Mulia sits directly on Nusa Dua Beach and gives families plenty of ways to shape the day. Younger children can join the Mulia Kidz programme or cool off in the dedicated kids’ pool, while the oceanfront pool, tennis centre, watersports and excursions offer more to discover as they grow in confidence. Parents can settle into breakfast at The Café, make a ritual of afternoon tea at The Bar or simply let the day drift between the beach and pool. It is a good choice for families who want activities within reach, but still value time together.
Best luxury resorts for families with teenagers
Meyyafushi Maldives
Best for: water-loving teenagers who want snorkelling, beach time and a Maldives island holiday that feels more adventurous than a standard poolside resort break.
Meyyafushi Maldives gives teenagers a reason to get off the sun lounger, with snorkelling, watersports and long stretches of beach to explore. The compact island setting offers older children a little independence while keeping them close enough to return for family meals and time together. Its all-inclusive format also makes the holiday feel wonderfully uncomplicated. Everyone can spend the day doing their own thing, then meet back by the water when it is time to watch the sunset.
RIMBA by AYANA Bali
Best for: teenagers who want more freedom and variety than a single pool-and-beach resort can offer.
RIMBA’s appeal is its scale. Staying here gives teenagers access to the wider AYANA estate, where they can move between 11 pools, Jimbaran Bay, beach-club venues, sunset viewpoints and 19 restaurants and bars. That variety suits teenagers who want to choose what to do rather than follow a fixed programme, while parents can join for dinner or take time for a spa treatment. It feels less like a kids’ resort and more like a Bali base with enough places to discover throughout the stay.
Sunway Resort Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Best for: teenagers who want a luxury short-haul holiday with theme-park thrills, shopping, dining and city energy alongside poolside downtime.
Sunway Resort Hotel is a strong choice for teenagers who would rather spend the day chasing rides, shopping and entertainment than lying beside a beach. The wider Sunway City setting gives them plenty to explore, while the five-star hotel provides a polished base to return to when they need a break. Parents and teenagers can make an evening of dinner at Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, then head back to the resort pool. It brings enough energy to keep older children interested, while still feeling like a proper holiday for the adults.
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, Singapore
Best for: teenagers who would be bored by a week spent only at the pool and want to combine resort time with Singapore’s attractions.
Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa makes it easy to combine resort downtime with the attractions of Sentosa and Singapore. They can kayak, try stand-up paddleboarding or pedal around the Sea Sports Centre, then swap the beachfront for Universal Studios, S.E.A. Aquarium or Singapore’s city streets. The resort gives older children enough freedom to explore, while parents can stay by the pool, enjoy a relaxed meal or book time at Chi, The Spa. It is a good fit for families who want the ease of a resort, but would still like a little adventure in the itinerary.
Best luxury resorts for multi-generational family holidays
Alma Resort Cam Ranh, Vietnam
Best for: multi-generational groups looking for spacious accommodation, beach time and activities for all ages.
Alma suits families travelling across several generations because everyone can shape the day differently. Suites and villas provide room to spread out, while Long Beach and the 12-pool layout make it easy to alternate between relaxed swimming and time together by the water. Children can have a ball at the Splash Waterpark, Kids’ Club, cinema and mini-golf, teenagers have the Youth Club and sports facilities while grandparents can choose the beach, quieter pools or Le Spa. With 14 restaurants and bars, the group can also dine together without relying on one fixed menu.
Grand Mirage Resort & Thalasso Bali, Indonesia
Best for: families travelling with grandparents and children who value clearly separate spaces, age-appropriate activities and a resort where everyone can follow their own rhythm.
The Grand Mirage is more deliberately set up for different age groups than a standard beachfront resort. Its 60-square-metre Kids Suites have a separate bunk-bed room, two bathrooms and space for up to five guests, while the Mini Club, Kids Club and Teens Club are divided by age. Children can spend time in the mini waterpark or games areas, teenagers can join their own activities, and adults can retreat to the Thalasso spa or private beach.
The Sands Khao Lak by Katathani, Thailand
Best for: families travelling with grandparents who want a relaxed Thailand beach holiday where children have plenty to do and adults can take the pace down.
The Sands is the kind of resort where nobody has to agree on the same plan. Children can spend the morning in the Water Zone or Sands Castle Kids’ Club, while grandparents and parents settle into the beach, a long lunch or time at the spa. When the family feels like leaving the resort, Khao Lak village is close enough for an easy meal or gentle afternoon outing. It is a slower, more spacious-feeling way to do Thailand, particularly when some family members are ready to keep exploring and others would happily stay by the pool.
The Star Residences Gold Coast, Queensland
Best for: large family groups who need separate bedrooms, kitchen space and a central Gold Coast base.
The Star Residences Gold Coast suits families who have outgrown a single hotel room. Separate bedrooms, kitchens, living areas and laundry facilities give everyone a little more room to spread out, which makes longer stays and different routines much easier. Spend the day exploring Broadbeach, the beach and Gold Coast attractions, then return to the residence for a swim, dinner and a quieter evening. It has the convenience of a central Gold Coast stay, with enough space to make a larger family group feel more like a household than a crowd.
Best Australian luxury resorts for families
Sea World Resort
Best for: primary-school-aged children who are excited by theme parks, marine life and character experiences.
Directly beside Sea World, the resort lets families walk straight to the marine park, which means less time in the car and more time deciding which ride to go on first. Children can move between animal presentations and attractions, then return to the resort’s Aqua Playground, 50-metre lagoon pool and daily Nickelodeon character meet-and-greets. The SpongeBob SplashBash light show keeps the fun going after dinner, while the Intencity arcade gives older children somewhere to escape to when the grown-ups need a break from the park.
Alamanda Palm Cove by Lancemore
Best for: families who want Palm Cove’s tropical beach setting, apartment-style space and a quieter alternative to a large Gold Coast resort.
Alamanda feels less like checking into a hotel and more like settling into your own coastal residence. Apartments range from 85 sqm one-bedroom layouts to four-bedroom residences of up to 250 sqm, with kitchens, living areas and laundry facilities that make longer stays more comfortable. Direct beach access and three pools, including a children’s pool and adults-only pool, allow everyone to find their own pace. Parents can finish the day with beachfront dining at NuNu or a treatment at Alamanda Spa, while the children still have plenty of room to make the most of Palm Cove.
Yarra Valley Lodge, Victoria
Best for: Melbourne families seeking an easy regional escape with room to slow down, explore and spend time together outside the usual beach-resort routine.
Yarra Valley Lodge is the sort of weekend escape where the biggest decision might be whether to follow the walking trails or go looking for kangaroos. Set within the Heritage Golf & Country Club less than an hour from Melbourne, it gives families a change of scenery without the airport queues. Family Rooms have two queen beds, while the surrounding estate offers open lawns and fairway views. Spend the day at Healesville Sanctuary, exploring the Valley’s chocolate makers, orchards and farm gates, then return to Bella Restaurant for an easy dinner.
How to choose the right family resort
The best family resort is not always the one with the biggest pool or longest kids’ club schedule. Before booking, think about how your family actually travels and check the practical details that will shape each day.
1. Start with your children’s ages
Toddlers and younger children usually benefit from short transfers, shallow pools, flexible dining and easy access to naps. School-age children may want waterslides, wildlife, sport or a full activity programme. Teenagers are more likely to value watersports, Wi-Fi, space and the freedom to explore independently.
2. Check the room configuration first
“Family-friendly” can mean very different things from one resort to another. Confirm the maximum occupancy, bed configuration, sofa beds, rollaways, adjoining rooms, suites and villa layouts before booking. This matters particularly for larger families, teenagers and groups travelling with grandparents.
3. Read the kids’ club details
Check the minimum age, supervision rules, opening hours, session lengths and pre-booking requirements. Some clubs accept younger children only when a parent or babysitter is present, while others have limited school-holiday capacity. If you are travelling with a toddler, ask whether childcare or babysitting is available and whether it costs extra.
4. Think about the journey and the food
A long road or boat transfer can feel very different with tired children after a flight. Check the transfer type and journey time before choosing a resort. For longer stays, compare meal plans and dining options too. Several on-site restaurants and child-friendly menus can make the difference between an easy evening and a difficult one.
5. Plan for day three
A beautiful pool may be enough for a weekend, but longer holidays need more variety. Look for a balance of beach time, swimming, sport, wildlife, cultural experiences and local outings — especially when children are different ages.
6. Book school-holiday travel early
Family rooms, villas, adjoining rooms and popular kids’ club sessions can sell out first. For Australian school-holiday travel, secure the right room category and transfer arrangements before adding extras.
Looking for more inspiration? Find the Right Family Holiday for You.
Feature image: VOMO Island Fiji.
