With such busy lifestyles, there is no comparable luxury than spending quality time together as a family. Searching for the right family holiday can be an overwhelming task, particularly if you are looking for a range of engaging activities to occupy your children. Here are some inspirational ideas to help you narrow down the right holiday for you. This hand-picked selection of hotels offer a fabulous range of unique and enriching activities, allowing children to become dolphin trainers for the day in the Bahamas, junior archaeologists in Greece or learn survival skills out in the bush in South Africa.
1. The Cove Atlantis, Bahamas
Ideally located within the vast Atlantis resort, this chic all-suite hotel offers your family privacy and sophistication. Enjoy complimentary access to the myriad water attractions including the Power Tower slides at Aquaventure or visit Dolphin Cay to become a Trainer for a Day. Whilst you relax at Cain at The Cove, an adults-only pool, youngsters aged six to 12 can create fruit sushi or be on the cover of a magazine. Teens can discover the ruins of an ancient lost world before a visit to Crush nightclub. For a more tranquil time together, relax on the white sands of The Cove beach, exclusively for guests of The Cove Atlantis.
2. Frgate Island Private, Seychelles
Enjoy a life-affirming adventure with the family at this exclusive luxury private island; an eco-retreat with only 17 villas, positioned to guarantee ultimate privacy. Ecologists are on hand as you roam through lush forests; feed James, the island’s 150 year old giant tortoise and visit baby tortoises at the nursery. Young explorers can embark on a survival course, where they can try zip-lining, rope climbing and learn how to forage for food in the wild. The ultra-luxurious take on ‘Robinson Crusoe’ escapism continues with fire camps on the beach, complete with toasted marshmallows, storytelling and stargazing with an expert astronomer.
3. The Westin Resort, Greece
Relax in this peaceful retreat, next to the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, in an area that has been shaped by 4,500 years of history. Parents will love the fact that overnight stays are possible at the resort’s dedicated children’s clubs, Cocoon and SandCastle, which invite younger guests to go ‘Indiana’ and become a junior archaeologist. For children with extra energy to burn, there is a wide range of high octane outdoor activities available including ropes course, mountain biking and hiking. Following an action-packed day, enjoy family time at the American Diner, complete with four-lane bowling alley and cinema.
4. Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, Thailand
Kick-back and relax together, explore hidden coves or set sail on a private cruise at this all-summer-long resort. The complimentary Kids for All Seasons Club offers activities including seashell and coral collecting whilst ‘Happy Smile Facials’ and ‘Floating Feet Pedicures’ are available in the spa. For an extreme family escapade, take a half day excursion to the Canopy Adventure at Secret Falls. For a more gentle experience, take an elephant trek safari to the dramatic Wangsaothong waterfall. By night enjoy your own private barbecue with a chef to grill your family favourites.
5. Safari & the Winelands, South Africa
Embark on a family adventure, beginning with a safari through malaria-free Madikwe, one of the largest game reserves in South Africa and home to the Big Five. Staying at Jacis Safari Lodge where family game drives are deliberately shorter, with excellent rangers who can engage younger children by teaching tracking and survival skills; toddlers even have their own jungle drives. Luxurious family suites overlook a stream where elephants bathe.
Fly onto Cape Town and immerse yourself in the heart of the winelands visit charming Franschhoek, and stay at Babylonstoren in Drakenstein Valley. Surrounded by majestic mountains and vineyards, Babylonstoren offers a taste of village life on a 300 year old working fruit farm. With 200-acres to play around in, children will at last put down their phones and handheld consoles to enjoy fresh air in the great outdoors, cycling on the farm paths, following the friendly cohort of ducks around the gardens and picking fruit and herbs with the chef. Cape Town is also within easy reach.
