Who says families can’t enjoy the finer things on vacation, too? Sure, many luxury resorts cater exclusively to adults with tranquil spas, gourmet dining options, and swanky setups by the pool or beach. But quite a few of the top luxury resorts around the world also roll out the red carpet for kids. Here are my picks for the top luxury resorts that treat families with kids just as well as grownups.
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
Maamunagau Island, Raa Atoll, Republic of Maldives
When you think of the Maldives, you might instantly think of a romantic escape. But kids can have just as much fun as the grownups at InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort, a secluded five-star resort located at the southern tip of the Raa Atoll islands near a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The kids club for ages four to 12 occupies a Maldivian dhoni boat–inspired space and offers unique experiences like mini expeditions centered around the Indian Ocean. Teen programming includes water sports, cultural experiences, and nature-focused activities.
Then gather the whole crew together for snorkeling, paddleboarding, dolphin watching, cultural workshops focused on Maldivian arts and crafts, and island-hopping excursions. Family beach villas include private pools and easy access to the shoreline, while the on-property dining options offer kid-friendly menus and options for special dietary needs.
Eden Roc Cap Cana
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
One of only two resorts in the Dominican Republic with two MICHELIN Keys, this Relais & Châteaux property is surprisingly family-friendly. Spacious villas offer exclusive use of a personal golf cart, a full kitchen with optional private chef add-ons, and private pools with pool alarms for child safety.
Eden Roc Beach Club sits along the resort’s private white-sand beach, with two infinity pools, beach palapas, a beach bar, and a gelato bar adding to the appeal. At the treehouse-inspired Koko Kid’s Club, young guests ages four to 12 can play video games, paddle around the lagoon in a kid-sized kayak (with a lifeguard on duty), and take part in activities like arts and crafts, scavenger hunts, and even Spanish, ballet, and piano lessons.
Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa
Saint-Barthélemy, French West Indies
This luxe getaway along St. Barts’ famous Grand Cul-de-Sac exudes both elegance and welcoming hospitality to guests of all ages. For families, that means special welcome gifts for children (think personalized slippers and plush turtles), the ability to book babysitting services, and Guest Experience Makers who can help arrange everything from family cooking classes to birthday surprises.
Spend time together at the seaside infinity pool or kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling at the beach. The resort’s spa offers gentle massages and facials for children ages eight and older, as well as parent-child duo treatments. And from June through August, the complimentary, reservation-based Summer Kids Club hosts guests ages four to 12 for crafts, sandcastle building, and outdoor games.
Badrutt’s Palace Hotel
St. Moritz, Switzerland
This 130-year-old icon in the Swiss Alps has drawn luminaries like Charlie Chaplin and Alfred Hitchcock for its culinary excellence and world-class service. But families can also enjoy Badrutt’s Palace Hotel’s five-star luxury and its range of kid-friendly amenities and experiences.
At the newly renovated Palazzino Kids Club, activities and playtime for children ages three to 12 are overseen by professionally trained staff. The new Palace Arcade gives tweens and teens their own space with arcade and video games. Palace Wellness offers on-request therapeutic massages for kids (along with all kinds of treatments for adults), and kids’ cooking classes take young guests into the Palace Kitchen. And if you’re visiting in the winter, private ski lessons, horse-drawn carriage rides, an on-site skating rink, and other alpine adventures await.
Chatrium Phuket Rawai
Phuket, Thailand
Situated in a quieter part of the popular Thai island, Chatrium Hospitality’s first property in Phuket offers two-bedroom suites and pool villas ideal for a family getaway. Swimming pools and waterslides make family together time extra fun. Or the little ones can take part in crafts, yoga, and other activities at the kids club while the parents relax at the spa or enjoy a cocktail poolside.
The resort’s AuJaan restaurant serves up locally inspired fare, while young guests have their own space at the Kalui Kid’s Bar where they can order mocktails and fresh juices. There’s also complimentary shuttle service to local beaches, and the resort is well located for visiting many of the island’s must-see sites.
ette hotel
Orlando, Florida
It might be located close to Orlando’s theme parks, but ette hotel embraces its boutique essence with a quieter, relaxed vibe and amenities like a spa, tech-forward fitness center, and a Book Room stocked with limited editions. It’s got all the ingredients for a stellar adult getaway, but that doesn’t mean kids can’t enjoy a stay here too.
Reserve an in-room teepee decked out with pillows, fairy lights, and a selection of books to make bedtime anything but ordinary, especially when a personalized milk and cookies turn-down service is included in the experience. The Mini Hotelier Program takes young guests behind the scenes of the hotel, where they’ll “check in” ette’s signature stuffed giraffe, enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the hotel’s one-of-a-kind Laundry Museum, and create a mocktail at the Salt & The Cellar bar. A new partnership with Lincoln provides complimentary guest transportation to spots like Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Springs, a major benefit for families visiting the theme park capital of the world.
Domes Lake Algarve
Vilamoura, Portugal
Luxury lake spa hotel Domes Lake Algarve draws adult guests for wellness treatments that take inspiration from ancient Greek traditions and rounds of golf at five nearby world-class courses (arranged with the help of a dedicated golf concierge). But it’s also an excellent home base for families who want to explore Portugal’s Algarve region.
Complimentary junior golf lessons get kids ready to hit the links, and the resort offers a kids club and hands-on ecology experiences through its KiEPOS programming. Book a family suite for a relaxing place to return to after busy days sailing, kayaking, biking, horseback riding, and visiting nearby attractions like Zoo de Lagos.
Shangri-La Le Touessrok
Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius
Travelers often head to Shangri-La Resorts for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. And you can get that kind of vacation at Shangri-La Le Touessrok—with your kids in tow. The resort’s private island in the Indian Ocean offers an idyllic setting for a memorable beach day, or families can enjoy complimentary water sports including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, pedal boating, water-skiing, and glass-bottom boat tours.
The property’s complimentary T-Club is the largest kids club in Mauritius, with a dedicated kids pool, mini kitchen with pizza ovens, and indoor and outdoor activities for children ages four to 11 and teens ages 12 to 17. Young guests also enjoy meeting the resort’s 120-year-old resident giant tortoise and discovering its beekeeping program (home to more than 700,000 bees!). Family suites can accommodate up to four adults and three children. Or book the Three-Bedroom Beach Villa, which can sleep up to six adults and two children and offers amenities like a private infinity pool, oceanfront terraces, and dedicated butler and chef service.
