Luxury family holiday destinations
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Planning a luxury family holiday is not simple.
You are choosing more than a destination. You are choosing how your time together will feel, how easy the travel will be, and whether the hotel actually works for your children.
Get it right, and everything will feel effortless. Get it wrong, and even a beautiful hotel will not fix the stress.
At The Family Holiday Collection, every destination I share is selected from real family travel experiences. I only recommend places I would take my own children to, based on what actually works when you are travelling as a family.
Browse by destination below, or use the guides in this section to narrow down what fits your family right now.
How to Choose the Right Luxury Family Holiday Destination
There is no single best family holiday destination. The right choice depends on your children, your travel style and how you want the holiday to feel.
Start with these questions.
How old are your children?
Young children need short transfers, calm beaches and simple days. Older children and teenagers need more activities, independence and variety. The same destination can feel very different depending on age.
How far do you want to travel?
Short-haul destinations such as Greece, Mallorca, Turkey, Portugal and the Canary Islands are ideal for families with young children and during school holidays. Long-haul destinations offer more choice but require more travel time and may involve crossing time zones.
What kind of holiday do you want?
Luxury all-inclusive works well when you want everything taken care of in advance. Villa holidays suit families who want space, privacy and flexibility. Resort stays work best when you want facilities in one place.
When are you travelling?
School holidays affect prices, availability and the atmosphere. October half term often offers better value and quieter resorts, while summer is the busiest period with the widest choice. In Europe, the weather is often a major factor in when and where to travel.
What matters most to your family?
Some families want total relaxation and to stay in a resort. Others want activity, culture and the opportunity to explore the local area. Knowing this early makes choosing far easier. The right choice depends on your children, your travel style and how you want the holiday to feel.
Best Luxury Family Holiday Destinations for Teenagers
Teenagers need more than a beach and a pool. They need variety, freedom and something to entertain them.
The best destinations for older children offer space to explore, structured activities and enough going on so that boredom does not become an issue.
Look for resorts with water sports, sports academies, organised teen activities and evening entertainment. These give teenagers independence within a safe environment.
The strongest destinations for teenagers are:
Canary Islands
Work well for older children thanks to reliable weather, resort-based activities and a wide choice of waterparks, sports and evening entertainment. The mix of structured fun and easy downtime suits teenagers who want independence within a safe, contained setting.
Turkey
Huge resort with excellent facilities, water parks and activity programmes. Turkey is a strong choice for energetic families.
Spain
Excellent choice for a variety of accommodation types, endless activities and trips. It is ideal for teens who want variety.
Italy
Lake Garda and parts of the Italian coast offer a mix of culture, scenery and activities that suit older children who want more than just a beach holiday.
The aim is simple. Avoid holidays where nothing happens. The right destination changes everything with teenagers in tow.
Best Luxury Family Holiday Destinations for Babies and Toddlers
Travelling with babies and toddlers is very manageable when you choose the right destination from the start.
The key is simplicity. Short flights reduce stress. Easy transfers avoid long travel days. Calm, shallow beaches make daily life easier. The best hotels provide cots, high chairs, baby food options and equipment for convenience.
Look for compact resorts where everything is close together and buggy-friendly. Large, spread-out destinations can make simple routines harder for very young children and parents, especially if you need to use golf buggies or shuttles to get around larger resorts.
The strongest short-haul destinations for babies and toddlers are:
Greece
Many Greek islands offer calm beaches, warm seas and excellent family-focused hotels. Resorts such as Ikos and Sani are particularly strong for young families, with excellent childcare and thoughtful facilities.
Mallorca
A very easy destination for first family holidays. Short flight times, reliable weather and a strong range of family-friendly luxury hotels make it a safe choice.
Portugal
The Algarve works well for families seeking world-class beaches, modern resorts, and straightforward travel.
The most important rule at this stage is to choose a holiday that keeps things as simple as possible. The holiday should feel manageable, not demanding.
Best Luxury All-Inclusive Family Holiday Destinations
Luxury all-inclusive suits many families when the right one is chosen.
It removes daily decisions, keeps spending predictable, everything in one resort and means everything is arranged before you travel.
The best resorts offer way beyond standard buffets. A la carte restaurants, beachfront locations, spacious rooms for families, and structured kids' clubs and entertainment are all included in the price.
The strongest destinations for luxury all-inclusive family holidays are:
Greece Islands
Home to some of the best luxury all-inclusive resorts in Europe. The Ikos and Sani Resorts consistently set the standard for quality, service and family facilities.
Gran Canaria
Offers excellent-value luxury resorts with large facilities, strong entertainment, and outstanding food quality. Plus year-round weather.
Balearic Islands
A huge number of high-end all-inclusive resorts across Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca offer a more refined version of the concept.
For families, an all-inclusive can remove a huge amount of stress and make the holiday feel simpler from the start.
Best Luxury Family Villa Holiday Destinations
Villa holidays give families space, privacy and flexibility that hotels cannot always match.
You are not working around set meal times or resort schedules. Instead, your days are shaped around your family. That freedom is especially useful for younger children, multi-generational trips, or families who prefer a quieter pace.
The best villa destinations offer more than just a private pool. You need easy access to beaches, local restaurants and things to do nearby so the holiday feels balanced, not isolated.
The strongest villa destinations for families are:
Croatia
Clear water, beautiful coastal towns and a growing collection of high-quality family villas. The Dalmatian Coast works particularly well, with short boat trips to nearby islands, historic towns and calm bays that are ideal for families.
Tuscany and the Italian lakes
Offer a different style of villa holiday that combines scenery, food, and culture. Best suited to families who want more than just beach time.
France
France offers some of the most established and high-quality family villa regions in Europe. From the Dordogne and Provence to the south coast, you can get a strong mix of private villas, local markets and easy access to beaches or countryside. It suits families who want space, high-quality food, culture and a slightly more authentic, less resort-focused feel, while still keeping comfort and convenience.
When to Book Luxury Family Holidays
The best luxury family hotels sell out early, especially during school holidays.
For summer travel, booking 9 to 12 months ahead gives you the best choice of rooms and resorts.
For the October half-term, early booking is essential as demand is high and availability is limited.
For Easter, aim to book several months in advance for the best options.
Winter sun destinations also benefit from early booking, particularly for premium family rooms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best luxury family holiday destination from the UK
Greece is one of the strongest all-round choices due to short flights, excellent resorts and reliable summer weather. The Balearics and Canaries are also very popular.
What is the easiest destination for families with young children
Short-haul destinations with calm beaches and simple resort layouts work best. Greece, Mallorca and Portugal are all strong options.
What is the best luxury all-inclusive family holiday destination
Greece leads in premium all-inclusive resorts, particularly at Ikos and Sani Resorts. Turkey also offers excellent alternatives.
Where is best for winter sun with children
Dubai and the Canary Islands offer the most reliable winter sun with strong family hotel options.
How far in advance should I book
For school holidays, booking 9 to 12 months in advance is ideal for securing the best family rooms at the most popular resorts.