Family-Friendly Hotels
Kid-approved stays with pools, kids clubs, and family amenities. Create memories together.
Find Family HotelsTop Family Destinations
Child-friendly resorts with activities for all ages.
Orlando
Theme parks and adventure
Cancun
All-inclusive beach resorts
Costa Brava
Mediterranean family fun
Algarve
Portugal's family coast
Dubai
Desert and waterparks
Tenerife
Year-round sunshine
The Complete Guide to Family-Friendly Hotels
Travelling with children transforms every trip into an adventure—and choosing the right accommodation can make all the difference between a stressful experience and cherished family memories. Family-friendly hotels understand the unique needs of travelling families, from spacious rooms that accommodate everyone comfortably to activities that keep kids entertained while parents relax. TravelDealForge helps you find and compare the best family properties worldwide.
What Makes a Great Family Hotel?
The best family hotels go beyond simply allowing children—they embrace and celebrate them. Look for properties with dedicated kids' clubs offering age-appropriate activities, from arts and crafts for little ones to adventure sports and gaming zones for teens. Top-tier resorts employ trained staff who engage children in cultural activities, teaching them about local traditions through games and crafts.
Key features to look for include:
- Kids' clubs: Supervised programs for ages 3-12, with separate teen activities
- Family pools: Shallow areas, splash zones, and waterslides
- Spacious accommodation: Family rooms, interconnecting rooms, or villas
- Child-friendly dining: Kids' menus, early dining times, high chairs
- Baby services: Cots, bottle warmers, babysitting, baby food
- Entertainment: Movies, mini-discos, sports, treasure hunts
All-Inclusive vs. Self-Catering: Which is Better for Families?
All-Inclusive Pros: For families with young children, all-inclusive resorts often provide the best value and convenience. With meals included, you won't stress about finding restaurants that accommodate picky eaters or budgeting for snacks between meals. Many all-inclusive properties also include activities, entertainment, and non-motorised water sports. You know exactly what you'll spend before you go.
Self-Catering Pros: Self-catering apartments and villas suit families who prefer flexibility, want to prepare familiar foods, or are travelling with infants who need bottle preparation facilities. They're often more spacious and economical for longer stays. Having a kitchen also helps manage dietary requirements or fussy eaters.
Our recommendation: For holidays under one week with children aged 3-12, all-inclusive resorts typically offer better value. For longer stays, families with babies, or those with specific dietary needs, self-catering provides more flexibility.
Room Configuration Tips for Families
When booking for families, consider these accommodation options:
- Interconnecting rooms: Two standard rooms with an internal door. Perfect for parents who want privacy while keeping children close. Each room has its own bathroom.
- Family suites: Open-plan accommodation with a separate sleeping area for children. More spacious than standard rooms, often with sofa beds.
- Two-bedroom apartments: Best value for families of 5+. Include kitchenette and living area. More hotel-like services than rental apartments.
- Villas: Ideal for extended family groups or multiple families travelling together. Private pool options available. Maximum space and flexibility.
Safety Considerations for Family Travel
Child safety should be a top priority. Look for hotels with:
- Pool safety: Fencing around pools, designated shallow areas, trained lifeguards during operating hours
- Room safety: Balcony catches, window restrictors, safe electrical outlets
- Secure grounds: Gated resort with limited access points, well-lit pathways
- Medical facilities: On-site or nearby medical care, trained first-aid staff
- Baby equipment: Cots that meet safety standards, properly secured high chairs
Best Destinations for Family Holidays
Some destinations excel at family travel. Consider these top picks:
- Orlando, Florida: Theme park capital with Disney, Universal, and countless family resorts
- Tenerife, Canary Islands: Year-round sunshine, Siam Park, family-focused resorts
- Algarve, Portugal: Beautiful beaches, safe swimming, excellent family resorts
- Dubai: Atlantis resort, waterparks, desert adventures, guaranteed sunshine
- Costa Brava, Spain: Mediterranean beaches, PortAventura nearby, family-friendly culture
Booking Tips for Family Travel
Book early for school holidays: Family-friendly rooms and resorts book up months ahead for half-terms, Easter, and summer holidays. Book 3-4 months ahead for best selection.
Compare total costs: All-inclusive may look expensive but often beats room-only plus £100+/day on meals and activities. Use TravelDealForge to compare like-for-like.
Read family reviews: Filter reviews by "families with children" to see honest feedback from parents who've stayed with kids of similar ages.
Consider package holidays: Flight + hotel packages often include kids stay free, extra baggage, and transfers—significant savings for families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a hotel family-friendly?
Family-friendly hotels offer spacious rooms or suites that accommodate families comfortably, kids clubs with supervised age-appropriate activities, child-safe pools with shallow areas or splash zones, children's menus with familiar foods, baby equipment like cots and high chairs on request, and family-oriented entertainment. The best properties also provide babysitting services so parents can enjoy occasional evenings out.
Are all-inclusive resorts worth it for families?
All-inclusive resorts often provide excellent value for families. With meals, snacks, and most activities included, you can budget accurately and kids can eat whenever they're hungry without additional costs. Many include kids clubs (often ages 3-12), water sports, and evening entertainment at no extra charge. For families with picky eaters or who prefer flexible dining times, all-inclusive eliminates restaurant stress.
What age is best for a kids club?
Most kids clubs accept children from ages 3-12, with separate programs for different age groups (3-5, 6-9, 10-12). Teen clubs for 13-17 year olds are increasingly common at larger resorts. Mini clubs for toddlers (2-3) exist at some properties but often require a parent nearby. Always verify age requirements and adult-to-child ratios when booking.
How many beds can family rooms accommodate?
Standard family rooms typically sleep 4-5 guests with combinations of double beds, single beds, and sofa beds. For larger families, interconnecting rooms (two separate rooms with an internal door) provide more space and privacy while keeping everyone close. Suites and villas can accommodate 6+ guests and often include kitchenettes.
What baby equipment do family hotels provide?
Most family-friendly hotels offer cots (cribs), high chairs, and bottle warmers on request at no extra charge. Premium properties may provide baby monitors, baby baths, changing mats, stair gates, and outlet covers. Some offer "baby packages" with nappies, wipes, and baby food for purchase. Always request specific items when booking to ensure availability.
Are interconnecting rooms better than family suites?
It depends on your children's ages and your family's needs. Interconnecting rooms give parents a separate bedroom with privacy and their own bathroom, ideal for families with older children or babies who need quiet sleep spaces. Family suites offer open-plan living with everyone in one space, better for keeping an eye on toddlers and often more cost-effective.
What safety features should I look for?
Look for hotels with pool fencing and lifeguards, balcony safety catches or high railings, electrical outlet covers, secure grounds with limited access points, emergency medical facilities or on-call doctors, and well-lit pathways. Ask about child-proofing options available on request, such as bed rails, bath seats, and window locks.
How do I find family hotels with specific dietary requirements?
When comparing hotels, check if they mention allergy awareness or special dietary accommodations. Contact hotels directly before booking to discuss specific needs like nut-free kitchens, gluten-free options, or kosher/halal meals. All-inclusive resorts with multiple restaurants typically have better options. Always reconfirm dietary requirements upon arrival.
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