best resorts in europe for families

Travel restrictions getting you down? This post on luxury family resorts in Europe is packed with travel inspiration for your next family getaway.

Many of us didn’t get the opportunity to travel overseas recently, so I think it is fair to say we should make up for it in 2022 – right? We may not travel as often, or travel to far flung destinations, but may choose a luxury hotel closer to home instead. With this in mind, I have hand-picked some of the best luxury family resorts in Europe to whet your appetite.

These hotels are some of Europe’s best, so they won’t be cheap… I have visited some of these personally, while others are still on my own wish list. However, I have researched these far and wide, so you can rest assured that these are some of the best luxury family resorts in Europe.

1. Sani Resort: Greece

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I visited Sani Resort in 2019 and to say I loved it is an understatement. I have rebooked it for 2022 and can’t wait to show my family why I think it is one of Europe’s best family resorts. 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 anticipates 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. This 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 convinced that Sani Resort is one of the best luxury family resorts in Europe, 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.

2. Martinhal Resorts: Portugal

Martinhal Resorts were specifically designed with families in mind and are without a doubt some of best luxury family resorts in Europe. There are two resorts on the Algarve, Martinhal Quinta and Martinhal Sagres, as well as Martinhal in Cascais, and Chiado in the heart of Lisbon.

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We had the pleasure of staying in Martinhal Chiado in Lisbon, and Martinhal Sagres on the Algarve, and I can confirm they we both superb for families. Not only were our apartments beautifully furnished, but the attention to detail was mind blowing.

It is no surprise that Martinhal have won numerous awards for their family friendly accommodation – they really have thought of everything. I love how Martinhal manage to cater so well for families but yet manage to keep everything understated.

The furniture has no sharp edges, there were hooks for hanging up clothes everywhere, and as for the bathrooms – expect child steps, a choice of potties, toilet seats and even a nappy bin!

family apartments in Lisbon — Living room at Martinhal Chiado, Lisbon

Everything you could possibly want for babies and toddlers can be pre-ordered via their baby concierge before you arrive, including high chairs, sterilisers and suitable strollers for the cobbled stone streets in Lisbon.

Breakfast can be served to your room if preferred and the kids club offers evening sessions if you fancy a night out in Lisbon on your own.

The variety on the kids menus in Martinhal Sagres was something I had not seen before. There was separate menus for babies, toddlers and older children, with lots of healthy options.

family play areas outside restaurants at Martinhal Sagres — Family play area outside As Dunas Restaurant in Martinhal Sagres

The play areas outside the restaurants, including sunken trampolines, meant adults could enjoy a leisurely mean or post dinner drink while their kids played happily outside. Staff were also on hand in restaurants to play with younger children.

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All resorts have kids clubs, ranging from creches to teen clubs – extra charges do apply, and they need to be pre-booked in advance. Teenagers can try surf, paddle board and diving lessons, enjoy tennis and football academies, or games consoles in their dedicated teen-clubs. However, I did feel that the resort caters more for younger children.

There is a choice of pools, and plenty of outdoor play areas including playgrounds and football pitches. There are a wide selection of activities for the whole family including water sports, horse riding, jeep safaris and boat trips.

There is also a wide selection of rooms to choose from, including town houses and villas for larger families. We stayed in a two-bedroom Ocean Beach House at Martinhal Sagres and loved it!

best apartments for families in the algarve — Two bedroom beach house, Martinhal Sagres

Likewise the attention to detail is superb with stair gates, bathroom accessories and every possible accoutrement available in the kitchen. The view from the balcony, and our garden with private sun loungers will stay with me forever!

Read: My review on Martinhal Sagres.

How to get there?

Faro (Algarve) and Lisbon airports are served by many European airlines, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair, and accommodation can be booked directly via the links below.

See Martinhal Sagres

See Martinhal Cascais

See Martinhal Quinta

See Martinhal Chiado

3. Ikos Resorts: All Inclusive Luxury Family Resorts in Greece and Spain

I had a sneak peak at two Ikos Resorts in Greece, and had the pleasure of staying overnight in Ikos Olivia in Halkidiki. There are two Ikos resorts in Halkidiki, as well as Ikos Dassia in Corfu, Ikos Aria in Kos, and the newly opened Ikos Andalucia on the Costa del Sol.

Ikos brings the term all-inclusive to a whole new level. Not only is the food superb, but the choices available are remarkable, with menus curated by Michelin-starred chefs.

The all-inclusive arrangement includes branded spirits in your mini bar, over 300 wine labels to choose from, waiter service to your sun lounger, and 24 hour room service – I could go on and on.

It is not only in dining where Ikos stand out from other luxury all-inclusive resorts, the facilities available are superb too – you are even given a complimentary Mini Cooper to explore the local towns and villages.

I love that Ikos Resorts encourage you to discover the local areas, and dining in selected local restaurants and access to museums is included in your stay in selected hotels.

The resorts are super stylish too, with private beaches, bright modern rooms and signature spas. There are also countless activities for adults and children, including kids clubs, full entertainment programmes and sports facilities.

How to get there?

There are flights available with Ryanair to Thessaloniki airport where Ikos Olivia and Oceania are located. Ikos Andalucia is located close to Malaga airport, which is served by many European airlines. Ikos Aria ( Kos ) and Ikos Dassia ( Corfu ) are both available as package holidays with TUI, or can be booked separately via links below.

4. Sensatori Resorts: All Inclusive Luxury Family Resorts in Greece, Turkey and Spain

TUI is renowned for offering great value package holidays, but this doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style! TUI has a wide selection of luxury hotels and resorts to suit all tastes including all-inclusive Sensatori Resorts with an emphasis on sweeping pools, spas and sophisticated dining.

There are many TUI Sensatori Resorts but only five are available to book from Ireland. There are two resorts in Turkey, as well as Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace in Crete, Sensatori Altantica Dreams Resort and Spa in Rhodes, and Sensatori Ibiza.

Sensatori resorts offer family suites as well as swim-up rooms, they even offer private pools at some resorts. Daily activities include yoga, pool pilates and archery, as well children’s entertainment including kids clubs and the Play House, where children can enjoy the Crazy Kitchen and Silly Science Lab. Some resorts have waterslides and tipping buckets too.

If you just want to relax, you can enjoy some quiet time in their luxury spas or chill-out at one of the adult-only swimming pools.

You can expect sophisticated dining options at Sensatori Resorts. Dishes change daily at the buffet, with cooking stations and a separate children’s buffet as standard. If you prefer waiter service, each resort has at least three à la carte restaurants in the all-inclusive offering.

How to get there?

Sensatori resorts are exclusive to TUI and can be booked as package holidays from many European countries including Ireland and the UK.

See more here Package Holiday from Ireland

See more here Package Holiday from UK

5. Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, Lanzarote, Spain.

I recall staying at the Princesa Yaiza many years ago at Christmas time, and how I loved swimming in the heated outdoor pool. Luke was a toddler and loved the dedicated whirlpool bath for children – I considered this pure luxury at that time!

The Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort is regularly regarded as the best family resort in Spain, and it is not difficult to see why. Its stunning beachfront location, choice of dining options and selection of family entertainment is superb.

There are eight restaurants to choose from, including three buffet areas, as well as three swimming pools, with dedicated adult-only areas. The Thalassotherapy Centre is a welcome place to relax while the children play happily in the dedicated children’s park, Kikoland.

There are kids clubs available up to 16 years, with a a separate BabyKikoland for children aged 4 – 36 months, as well as a teen club. The hotel has its own mascots, Hooky, Cooky and Kiko, who make regular appearances throughout the day, even at breakfast time.

There is a wide variety of sports available including beach volleyball, football and tennis. There is also a dedicated football academy in peak season.

Rooms are spacious and large families are well catered for with a selection of 2 bedroom suites. One of the major advantages of holidaying in the Princesa Yaiza resort is that you can travel here all year round, as temperatures in the Canary Islands rarely go below 20 degrees celsius.

How to get there?

There are regular flights to Lanzarote with many airlines, including Aer Lingus, Ryanair and Easyjet. TUI also arrange package holidays from many European countries including Ireland and the UK.

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.