The 7 best luxury family hotels in the world

Let’s start with Orlando – a place at the top of any kid’s holiday bucket list. Although Orlando has endless family-friendly resorts on Disney or Universal property, it’s Four Seasons Resort Orlando that stands out.

It’s technically a Disney partnership hotel, rather than directly owned by the big mouse himself, so that means you get the best of both worlds – plenty of magic for the children but also just enough quiet sophistication for parents too. Especially at the on-site spa or the Lobby Bar serving up a whole bunch of cocktails.

For little ones, there’s Disney character breakfasts and the mighty Explorer Island – otherwise known as the pirate-themed water park boasting plenty of slides, splash zones, a lazy river, and a chance to get cosy in a dinghy whilst watching a movie under the stars at the Starstruck Dive-In.

Next up on our list of the best family hotels in the world is The Royal at Atlantis, Bahamas – a magnificent resort themed to the mythology of Atlantis, the lost underwater city.

This place is an absolute paradise for little adventures who’ll have a whale of time at the resort’s 141-acre waterpark right below your balcony. All guests get complimentary park access, which means you can lounge poolside reading a book or soaking up some rays whilst the kids go off exploring.
 
Then after a long hard day soaking up Caribbean sun, you can head back to one of the many larger-sized family rooms complete with everything you need for a comfortable stay, including flat-screen TVs, super soft beds, and spectacular ocean views. 

As you’d guess, Germany’s LEGOLAND Feriendorf in Gunzburg is the brightest and most colourful hotel on this list – with the entire hotel themed around all sorts of fantastical LEGO adventures. With a variety of super fun play areas and elaborately themed-rooms, your little ones will love becoming pirates, knights, and ninjas during their stay. It’s imaginative play at its best!

Plus, you’ll have plenty of action-packed things to do with the LEGOLAND theme park just a five-minute walk away.

The hotel might be more oriented toward pleasing the kiddos rather than adults, but that doesn’t mean parents won’t love it – we say become big kids for the day and brave the roller coasters, water rides, and other thrilling attractions till your heart’s content.

Now it’s time for a hotel that’ll 100% please you adults, the Dominican Republic’s music-themed Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana.

Covering 121 acres and over 1,700 rooms, this resort impresses with its size and the sheer amount on offer for both fun-seeking kids and adults looking to unwind. You’ll relax with pre-dinner Piña coladas whilst they play at the children’s pool or take part in workshops at the on-site kid's club.

This place really is all-inclusive luxury turned up to the max, with a wellness spa, an 18-hole golf course, 13 different pools, nine unique restaurants, and a whopping 23 bars to tickle your fancy.

It’s the all-round good vibes that make Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana one of the best and most lively family hotels in the world. A family getaway should always be a chance for parents to have the time of their lives, too. 

Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, French Polynesia, is perfect for those looking for a quintessential paradise island getaway. We’re talking sunny beach days, adrenaline-fuelled water sports, and family dinners out at the resort’s super cool overwater restaurant - where you’ll tuck into crowd-pleasing off-the-grill type food as sharks and other marine life swim underneath your feet.  

Best of all, you’ll get your very own beachfront bungalow, each with its own private pool and plenty of space to keep everyone happy and comfortable.

Wake up every day to room service and lagoon sunrise views before jumping in the pool for a refreshing morning dip. Even the stroppiest of teenagers can’t help but feel absolute bliss here!

Looking to lap up the luxury of one of Dubai’s most exclusive beach resorts? Look no further than One&Only The Palm Dubai located on the private peninsula of Palm Jumeirah. This five-star hotel aims to please all members of the family, starting with its top-spot location combining beach views and Dubai’s towering cityscape in the distance.

Family fun awaits at the close-by sister resort, One&Only Royal Mirage, where you can enjoy a day of water sports together from sailing to kayaking and windsurfing to water-skiing.

Or if adults fancy some alone time, you can sip on a glass of something special at the fashionable 101 Dining Lounge and Bar whilst the little ones ​​enjoy the parent-free activities of KidsOnly club. The daily agenda includes all sorts of fun and cultural things like belly dancing, henna painting, sand sculpting, camel riding, and an exciting night of Arabian camping.

Last up on our list of the best family hotels in the world is Switzerland’s iconic Badrutt’s Palace in the charming village of St. Moritz.

Family time at this resort is simply magical. You’ll bunk in a deluxe suite overlooking the snow-capped Swiss Alps, take part in a selection of kid-oriented activities (there’s even a children’s disco), and then have a choice of 12 restaurants and bars in the evening. 

Wintertime is the right time to visit. Not only does snow turn it into a winter wonderland, but you’ll also get access to the resort’s most exciting winter season activities like ice skating, snowboarding, tobogganing, and skijöring – a wild winter sport involving being pulled along the village’s frozen Lake by a galloping horse.

A stay at Badrutt’s Palace is all about giving your little ones some dream-like childhood memories they’ll remember forever.

Why should you go on a family holiday?
Everyone comes back from holiday feeling happier and refreshed, right? Plus jetting off to explore parts of the world together helps you build lifelong memories and bond like you’ve never before. It’s always good to break away from routine and open your eyes up to unique people and places as a strong family unit.

In fact, some studies prove vacationing can actually boost a child’s mental wellbeing – do you need any more convincing?

What is the best age to take your kids on a family holiday?
Although every age is the right time to go on a family holiday, some experts say the sweet spot is around eight - ten years old (old enough to take it all in but just clear of avoiding any typical teenager tantrums) – so we’d recommend saving your biggest, most expensive holiday plans like a big Disney trip, until then. 

But ultimately, why wait for a ‘perfect time’? You’ll have a ball no matter how old your children are – just make sure you plan the itinerary well and pick the right destination for them. And you can always make the most of the hotel's kids' club too!