Travel restrictions getting you down? This post on luxury family resorts in Europe is packed with travel inspiration for when we can travel again.
Most of us didn’t get the opportunity to travel overseas in 2020, so I think it is fair to say we should make up for it in 2021 – right? We may not travel as often, or travel to far flung destinations, but may choose a luxury hotel closer to home instead. Correct safety measures are vital, and hotels with wide open spaces and private beaches will prove extremely popular. With this in mind, I have hand-picked some of Europe’s best luxury family resorts to whet your appetite.
These hotels are some of Europe’s best, so they won’t be cheap… The good news is that you can secure most hotels with free cancellation, so if travel restrictions are in place, you can cancel free of charge. Note, that a small deposit is required for package holidays. So why not secure a room now and give yourself something to look forward to in 2021?
1. Sani Resort: Greece
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I had the pleasure of visiting Sani Resort last year and to say I loved it is an understatement. It is the first place I want to go back to when we can travel again, and can’t wait to holiday there with my family. There are five different hotels to choose from, Sani Beach, Sani Club, Sani Dunes, Porto Sani, and the top of the range Sani Asterias.
Each hotel is furnished with its own unique style, although all hotels are located close together. Regardless of which hotel you stay in, you are free to use the facilities in all five hotels.
Sani Resort is set on 7km of white sandy beaches on a stunning peninsula, it feels more like a Caribbean resort than a Mediterranean one. There is a private yacht marina, stunning beach bars and 22 restaurants to choose from.
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The Sani Dine Around programme allows you to dine in 22 restaurants throughout the resort as part of the half-board or full-board arrangement. There are separate toddlers and kids menus, as well as waiter service at the beach and an ice-cream van touring the resort with free ice creams. Sani Resort anticipate your every whim.
Sani Resort is one of the world’s top family resorts, so kids clubs, entertainment and sports activities are a given. What sets Sani Resort apart is the quality of these facilities. Sani has a tennis academy in collaboration with Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, and a UEFA-approved soccer pitch with football coaching sessions, in association with Chelsea Football Club. Children can enjoy a football camp with qualified coaches in various camps ranging from age four to sixteen years, and a Chelsea FC Foundation kit is given to all attendees.
There are many activities free of charge including the Sani Adventure Park, with high ropes and zip lines, archery, aerobics, hiking and paddle-board yoga. Selected sports such as waterskiing, catamaran, canoeing, parasailing etc incur extra charges, as well as the soccer camp, tennis lessons and diving.
There are kids clubs for children aged 4-11 and as well as a separate teen club, and a Crèche Club is available for children aged 4 months – 4 years. Bottle warmers, sterilisers and baby phones are supplied free of charge to your room, and buggies, bikes and trikes are available for hire.
I love the Babywatch babysitting programme that is available on all beaches.. There complimentary service allows you to leave your child with qualified staff at the beach, while you and your partner pop in for a quick swim, or enjoy a quick walk – without having to book a crèche session. Baby swimming lessons are also available in the indoor pool at Sani Club.
TOP TIP: All kids clubs, soccer, swimming, and tennis camps MUST be prebooked before you arrive.
I am fairly convinced that Sani Resort is the best luxury family resort in the Med, and I am not alone there. According to TripAdvisor, Sani Resort is one of the Top 10 Hotels for Families in the World, one of the Top 5 Hotels for Families in Europe and the Top Hotel for Families in Greece.
Read: My ultimate guide to Sani Resort
How to get there:
Sani Resort is about 40 minutes from Thessaloniki airport, and Ryanair operate regular flights from many European airports, including Dublin. There are not only five different hotels to choose from, but also a huge choice of room types. Remember to book a room with free cancellation in case travel restrictions are in place.
See Sani BeachSee Sani Dunes
See Sani Club
2. Martinhal Resorts: Portugal
I had booked a trip to Martinhal Sagres for Easter but unfortunately had to cancel due to travel restrictions – hopefully I will get to visit next year.
Martinhal Resorts were specifically designed with families in mind. There are two resorts on the Algarve, as well as Martinhal in Cascais, and Chiado in the heart of Lisbon. Martinhal Sagres enjoys a spectacular setting beside the beach, while Martinhal Quinta is located in the heart of Quinta do Lago golf resort.


How to get there?
See more here Package Holiday from Ireland
See more here Package Holiday from UK
I hope this post on luxury family resorts in Europe will give you some inspiration for when we can travel again. Note some of the links in this post contain affiliate links, where I receive a small commission if a booking is made, but at no additional cost to you.
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Sarah