If your little ones are looking for more from their holiday than lying on a beach and flopping into a swimming pool then the good news is there are some great hotels which offer a range of sports and activities for on-the-go children.
Holidays don’t need to be about ‘doing nothing’ and ‘relaxing’: for loads of active youngsters, their idea of fun is to have the time away from their weekly routine to spend more time doing the sports and activities they love. Here is my selection of the best family-friendly hotels with great activity packages.
Football Focus
If you’re the parent of an avid football fan then you’re going to love the sound of the Verdura Resort in Sicily. Part of the Rocco Forte Hotel Group, the Verdura Resort hosts the Juventus Soccer School during the summer months, an absolute paradise for football crazy youngsters. For siblings (or parents) not so enthralled by the beautiful game, don’t worry: there are plenty of other activities on offer to keep you all entertained, including a golf course and six tennis courts – not to mention a vast infinity pool.
This family hotel also has its own private beach with a range of water sports on offer, so maybe you could enjoy a family day out on the water together. If you’re looking for a break from the little ones there are two kids clubs, one for 4-12 year-olds and another for 13-16s, so you can be sure that the activities will be well targeted to their age groups.
Ball Games on the Beach
Whether you and your crew are into golf, tennis or a spot of beach volleyball, the Sheraton Mallorca Arabella Golf Hotel will have what you’re looking for. The best thing about this family hotel, set just outside of Palma, is that there is as much to do as a family together as there is for the kids to do individually. From a group game on the golf course and splashing about together in the indoor and outdoor pools to enjoying the weekly barbeque, this is a place where you can really enjoy reconnecting as a family.
The rooms here are spacious and comfortable (and all come with free Wi-Fi to keep your little – and not so little – ones happy). If you’re travelling with younger children then there is an option for interconnecting rooms which can be reassuring and create a larger space.
Tennis Academy and Kids Club
Any budding Serena Williams or Roger Federer will love the Pine Cliffs Resort on the cost of Portugal. Part of the Luxury Collection Resort, Pine Cliffs is a family hotel with five-star appeal. The Annabel Croft Tennis Academy is open to all children throughout the school holidays and there is also a wonderful children’s club at the resort which offers a range of other daily activities.
Parents will love the spacious villas which are perfect for families as they feature their own garden areas and have access to their own pool. The villas are set slightly away from the main hotel so kids can run around and relax without parents worrying about disturbing other guests.
Travelling with family is a precious time but it can be difficult to keep active children happy and entertained, especially when what you really want from your holiday is to relax. These family hotels will give you a chance to indulge their passions and interests while enjoying a little luxury and relaxation yourself.
John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays. For over 30 years, he has been providing luxury family hotel options in destinations as varied as Sicily, Bermuda and Croatia. John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties, and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.
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