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 plenty of room to move, from the gardens and wide beachfront to the 70 metre main pool. Camp Ananda Kids Club adds supervised games and activities, while the children’s water slides and splash pad give little ones their own place to cool off. Parents can move between the beach, pool and spa without turning the day into a full timetable. It is the easygoing Bali option for families who want a classic resort holiday with enough space for children to play and adults to slow down.
Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, Sydney
Best for: young children who would rather wake up at the zoo than beside another resort pool.
Wildlife Retreat at Taronga changes the usual order of a family trip. The zoo is not an outing planned around the hotel. It is the setting for the stay, with premium accommodation, harbour views and wildlife experiences all in the same place. That makes it especially appealing for younger children, who can move from animal encounters to downtime without a long transfer or another change of scenery. It is a memorable Sydney escape for families who want the destination itself to provide the itinerary.
Pullman Bunker Bay Resort, Margaret River Region
Best for: families with young children who want a slower beach holiday, room to unwind and a premium Margaret River base.
For younger children, a good holiday day can be as simple as a swim, a beach walk and somewhere new to explore. Pullman Bunker Bay Resort Margaret River Region gives families direct access to Bunker Bay, a heated infinity pool and 35 acres of landscaped grounds to explore. Families can request cots and highchairs, borrow pool and beach toys or colouring kits from reception, and join complimentary children’s activities during Western Australian school holidays, subject to availability. A seasonal kids’ club and children’s menu at Other Side of the Moon add further support for younger guests, while parents can take turns enjoying Vie Spa or dinner featuring local and Indigenous flavours.
Sea World Resort, Gold Coast
Best for: families with young children who want a Gold Coast holiday with built-in entertainment and minimal planning.
Sea World Resort takes the effort out of planning a family day. Sea World sits directly beside the resort. Kids can move from animal presentations and rides to the Aqua Playground, 50-metre lagoon pool and Nickelodeon character meet and greets without another car journey. The SpongeBob SplashBash light show keeps the excitement going after dinner, while Intencity gives older children somewhere to disappear to when parents are ready for a breather. It is the activity-led choice for families who want plenty happening from the moment they arrive, rather than a quiet resort where parents need to organise the entertainment themselves.
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 gives primary-school children the variety they need once a single pool day no longer cuts it. They can spend the morning on the two-storey waterpark, then move on to carousel and train rides, the games room or the supervised Water Dragons Kids Club. Family villas sleep up to six, giving everyone room to recover between activities, while parents can swap the waterpark 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 sqm 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 school-age children who want a polished Nusa Dua resort where the pools and beach can fill the day.
Positioned on the golden shores of Nusa Dua, Grand Hyatt Bali is made for children who are happiest when there is always another pool to try. They can move between five pools and two waterslides, then reach the beach within a few steps when they are ready for a change of scene. The Oceania Kids Club welcomes children aged 3–12, while babysitting gives parents time for Kriya Spa. When everyone is ready to regroup, nine restaurants and bars offer everything from sushi and teppanyaki at Nampu to wood-fired pizza at Salsa Verde. It is an easy choice for a week when the children want water play and the adults want dinner options.
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.
Iron Creek Bay Estate, Tasmania
Best for: families travelling with grandparents who want a shared Tasmanian stay with room to spread out, farm animals to meet and plenty of fresh air.
At Iron Creek Bay Estate, the day can start with feeding alpacas and sheep and end with stargazing under the Tasmanian sky. The four-bedroom Family Pavilion has a shared lounge, kitchenette, balcony and veranda, giving grandparents, parents and children space to stay together without being on top of one another. Younger children can meet the estate’s ducks, peacocks and other farm animals, while older children can follow the five kilometres of paths through the orchards, vineyard and paddocks. Parents and grandparents can settle in at ORANI Restaurant for Tasmanian produce and local wine, with bay views completing the slower country escape.
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 sqm Kids Suites have a separate bunk bed room, two bathrooms and space for up to five guests, giving families more breathing room from the start. Younger children can spend time in the Mini Club, indoor playground and mini waterpark, while older children can try the pool slides, electronic games, creative activities and mini golf. Teenagers can join the Teens Club, try wall climbing, kayaking and catamaran activities, with supervision where required. Parents and grandparents can retreat to the private beach or Thalasso spa, then come together for dinner.
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
Imperial Hotel Gold Coast
Best for: families who want a luxury Gold Coast stay with pool time, waterfront dining and the beach and attractions close by.
Imperial Hotel Gold Coast gives the family an elevated way to experience the Gold Coast. Set on the Broadwater in Main Beach, it combines a lagoon-style pool and cabanas with easy access to The Spit Beach, Marina Mirage and Sea World. Children can spend the day swimming or exploring the coast, while parents have a choice of seafood-focused dining, poolside snacks and high tea at Le Jardin. With the Gold Coast’s attractions nearby and a refined resort environment to return to, it works particularly well for families who want the destination’s energy without giving up comfort and downtime.
InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
Best for: families who want a luxurious Australian island escape with reef experiences, tropical scenery and a resort stay that feels far removed from everyday life.
InterContinental Hayman Great Barrier Reef gives families the chance to make the Great Barrier Reef the focus of the holiday, without leaving Australia. Parents can take children and teenagers to the beach and enjoy reef experiences together, then return to the resort for dining, wellness and time in the tropical surroundings. The island setting makes this a more immersive escape than a mainland beach stay, while the range of experiences gives families plenty to do without needing to leave Hayman.
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.
