Discover the best beach destinations from Sicily to Seychelles with flying times from under four hours to up to 12 hours
The spectacular sight of a white sandy shoreline gently shelving into a turquoise sea always marks the beginning of a luxury family holiday, whatever your age.
Whether you’re taking a short-haul flight with toddlers to build sandcastles on the beach in Greece or a long-haul flight with teenagers to snorkel with tropical fish off the coast of Mauritius, we know what makes your holiday tick.
Our collection of family friendly resorts provides a myriad of options for summer sun in 2023.
You don’t have to travel far to experience the Greek bay of Voidokilia in the Peloponnese. Voted as one of the best beaches in the world by The Times, you’ll discover sand dunes unfurling down to the lapping waves of the Ionian Sea.
This is the perfect place for toddlers to dip their toes and you to take up stand-up paddleboarding. The tranquillity is also a favourite of the protected Caretta turtle, which lays its eggs along the shoreline.
The glamorous lure of Montenegro, favoured by A-listers, will lead you to the cobalt cove of Bay of Kotor – a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its historic towns and sun-kissed natural harbour.
Golfers can make the short hop to the Algarve in Portugal to play on championship courses while enjoying the view of the Atlantic rollers below.
Hotel suggestion: Danai Beach Resort & Villas, Greece
Overlooking the shimmering waters of the Aegean and located on the beach, this luxurious family-run resort nestles among a lush botanical garden rich with fruit trees and its very own vineyard. Choose between a suite or villa which resembles a seclude castle with four bedrooms and heated pool. A wealth of activities is on site from water sports, tennis, and a seawater swimming pool for you to choose from.
Hotel Suggestion: Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa, Portugal
Spectacular views of the cliff-lined Algarve coastline can be enjoyed from all the villas at Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa. Two magnificent beaches are just a few steps away while two Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants are on site. This resort offers the best of both worlds: privacy of villa living with access to all the hotel facilities.
Hotel suggestion: One&Only Portonovi, Montenegro
Occupying a scenic spot at the entrance of Boka Bay, One&Only Portonovi is a luxurious base from which to explore Montenegro’s blossoming riviera. This glamorous waterfront resort comprises of rooms, suites, and stand-alone villas. Floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor spaces showcase views across the Adriatic Sea to sweeping hills and soaring headlands.
Hotel suggestion: Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa, Greece
Revel in a gastronomic adventure at Alios Ilios, one of the best restaurants in Greece when you stay at this Santorini resort. Suites and villas are secluded and away from the hustle and bustle of the caldera. The luxury villas come with a private pool, gym, and sauna and you can retreat to the fabulous spa for an unparalleled journey of the senses. Stay in a sunset suite for stunning views over the Aegean.
Hotel suggestion: The Romanos, A Luxury Collection Resort, Greece
Set among olive groves and vineyards and overlooking the warm waters of the Ionian Sea, this Luxury Collection Resort has rooms, suites and villas featuring private infinity pools and breathtaking ocean views. During your stay you can enjoy stand-up paddleboarding and golf, and retreat to Anazoe Spa, a marble palace where you can enjoy a signature treatment of your choice
An oasis of sun, sand, shopping and even snow is what you will find when you touch down in the shimmering emirate of Dubai. Sights such as the tallest building (Burj Khalifa), the largest water screen projection, and highest infinity pool will welcome you.
Known for its year-round sunshine, this is the perfect family friendly destination with its shelving beaches, warm waters of the Gulf, ski runs woven into shopping malls and desert on your doorstep.
If you’re seeking island life, head to Cyprus, the birthplace of Aphrodite, known for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches and rugged interior, ideal for walking and cycling.
Foodies will delight in touching down in Crete where ‘locavore’ is not a trend, but a way of life. Take your pick from local tavernas that often catch their own seafood and serve a shot of fiery raki.
Hotel Suggestion: One&Only Royal Mirage, Dubai
One&Only Royal Mirage pays homage to traditional Arabic architecture, but with a luxurious, stylish twist. The resort in Palm Island Bay is set in a beachfront location among landscaped private grounds that are rich with palms. There are eight restaurants to choose from – each serving its own menu. Temperature-controlled swimming pools and health and wellness facilities include the One&Only spa and hammam.
Hotel Suggestion: Anassa, Cyprus
Anassa lies on the unspoilt north-west coast of Cyprus, alongside the town of Polis. Its whitewashed walls appear to tumble down the secluded hillside towards the blue sea. You can retreat to The Thalassa Spa for a signature treatment while children can be kept busy at the Explorers Kids Club which take youngsters from four months to 12 years. Water sports include sailing, scuba diving and snorkelling.
Hotel Suggestion: Amara, Cyprus
We particularly love the two-bedroom seafront cabana at this 207-bed hotel located in Limassol, Cyprus, although every room enjoys a view over the shimmering Med. During your stay you can swim in an infinity-edge pool, indulge in a spa treatment, and dine out in restaurants run by Michelin-star featured chefs and enjoy a sundowner at the rooftop bar. Interconnecting rooms and junior suites are ideal for families.
Hotel Suggestion: Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Crete
Perched on the water’s edge, the small boutique hotel which sits in a larger resort enjoys beautiful views across the iridescent Aegean and Sitia mountains. Ideal for families, the hotel offers suites, villas, and residences to create the perfect getaway. Enjoy privacy while the facilities of the resort are only a step away. It has its own spa, wine-cellar, seafront bar, and a 50-seat cinema for those memorable popcorn nights en-famille.
Encounter a Caribbean carnival of colour and culture when you visit Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Antigua. White powder beaches, turquoise bays and multi-coloured villages await your arrival.
While many consider these islands to be a honeymoon destination, they are the perfect choice for families seeking a slice of paradise after the long cold winter.
Time it right and you could witness the island’s nesting turtles along the 100-kilometre Atlantic coastline of Barbados.
Stroll through Saint Lucia where the rhythm of steel drums and scent of Creole cuisine fills the air and all with a backdrop of towering green mountains covered in lush tropical forest.
Did you know Antigua has a beach for every day of the year? Handy for whatever time of year you choose to travel.
Hotel Suggestion: Blue Waters Resort & Spa, Antigua
Tucked away on the north-western corner of Antigua, this family-owned resort provides guests with unbridled luxury. For complete seclusion and privacy, choose the five-bedroom Rock Cottage which is set on its own rocky peninsula overlooking the Caribbean. Boasting seven freshwater pools, lush gardens, and serene beach coves, you will find everything you need. Take part in a variety of exhilarating water sports including snorkelling, windsurfing, and kayaking.
Hotel Suggestion: Jumby Bay Island, Antigua
Set on a private Caribbean island two miles off the coast of Antigua, Jumby Bay Island is a superb resort – exclusive and serene. This is a naturalist's paradise, noted for its lush landscape, stately palms and three superb, white sand beaches. Criss-crossing, winding paths, enjoyed on foot or by bike, are lined with wild orchids, while the endangered Hawksbill turtle has made its home on Pasture Bay Beach.
Hotel Suggestion: Cobblers Cove, Barbados
Cobblers Cove is a blend of English country house with a dash of tropical charm. The resort’s 40 spacious suites are clustered around the main pink Plantation House. The Superb Collection at the Great House Suites offer the epitome of luxury with a four-poster bed, outdoor terrace with uninterrupted views of the sea. Activities include tennis, yoga, gym, and a range of water-based sports.
Hotel Suggestion: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort, Saint Lucia
Situated on a stunning white sand beach in the valley of the Pitons, this former sugar plantation has villas with private plunge pool and views across to the volcanic mountains or the Caribbean. A marine protected area, the sea is ideal for scuba diving, windsurfing, and kayaking. The indulgent rainforest spa, a full PADI dive facility, waterfront dining, and chic bars ensure the quintessential Saint Lucia resort experience.
Make the dream a reality in less than 12 hours when you escape to an Indian Ocean island.
Fringed with sapphire waters, sprinkled with palm trees, and edged with powdery white beaches, this all comes as standard when you wake up to your first morning in the Seychelles, Mauritius, or the Maldives.
While all offer the epitome of barefoot luxury, nowhere has the over-water pool villas like the archipelago paradise of the Maldives.
Lying off the southern tip of India, this slender chain of coral islands is a playground of lagoons in infinite shades of blue and turquoise and dazzling underwater gardens.
The seductive power of the Seychelles may delight honeymooners, but children will enjoy the thrill of catching a glimpse of the smallest frog, the heaviest tortoise and the Indian Ocean’s only flightless bird.
The sugar canes of Mauritius will always provide the icing on the cake to any special celebration.
When you find yourself surrounded by its sapphire sea and powder-white beaches, any memories of your flight time will soon melt away like the ice in your sundowner.
Hotel Suggestion: The Nautilus, Maldives
Located on the shores of the turquoise waters in Baa Atoll, the ultra-luxury island resort offers spacious beach, ocean houses and residences. From dining anything to anywhere, at any time, the dedicated staff invite you to the freedom to truly make it your own. The ocean and beach views are the property’s main attraction. Enjoy them from the sun-kissed bedroom, the free-standing bath in the en-suite bathroom or the balcony leading to the deck downstairs.
Hotel Suggestion: Finolhu, Maldives
At Finolhu, white-sugar sand meets turquoise ocean, and time ebbs to a tranquil pace at this luxurious four-island resort in the Baa Atoll. Elegant thatched-roof properties sit either directly on the beach or on overwater stilts in quintessentially Maldivian fashion. You’re never more than a few steps from sun, sand, and sea. The dedicated water sports centre can kit you out to enjoy the tropical waters from stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkels.
Hotel Suggestion: Six Senses Zil Pasyon, Seychelles
Located on the exclusive island of Félicité, considered one of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles, Six Senses Zil Pasyon provides an exotic escape from the everyday. The resort offers 30 villas embraced by tropical vegetation and views of the ocean. The resort is perfect for island-hopping. To truly relax, spend your evening lounging underneath the stars with homemade popcorn and a movie on the big screen.