By Nadine Mellor, Kids Collection Editor
What a great year of family travel! We’re delighted that so many fantastic new family partners joined our Kids Collection in 2019, read on for 12 of our favourites.
1 Elmley Nature Reserve, Kent, UK
Uniquely, Elmley is the only National Nature Reserve in England you can overnight in – either in two handsome and recently restored houses or in six stylish shepherds huts, all of which overlook the wild salt marsh landscape. Self-cater or order picnic baskets.
For kids: a walled garden for football, a play tractor, swing, games in the barn and 3,200 acres to run around.
2 Masseria Mongio, Puglia, Italy
This 19th-century traditional large farmhouse surrounded by vines and olive trees has been elegantly restored and comes with delicious home-cooked food, a wellness spa and is only a five-minute walk to a glorious white-sand beach.
For kids: a big outdoor pool with a shallow area that runs its length, bikes to borrow, in-room kitchenettes and the spa has a heated indoor pool too.
3 Bella Mare Hotel, Corfu, Greece
This smart beachfront retreat has sleek rooms and a watersports centre, and is close to hidden beaches and beach tavernas serving great grub.
For kids: there’s a huge main pool plus a separate kids pool, two kids’ clubs during the summer holidays (for 7-10 & 11-16 year olds), table tennis and boat trips.
4 Casa das Arribas, Lisbon Coast, Portugal
This historic clifftop house has been cleverly converted into six fabulous apartments which share a garden on a spectacular stretch of the Atlantic coast – so all have stunning long views.
For kids: there’s a pool and tennis court on site, plus a cliff-carved natural pool and surfing beaches below.
5 Hope Cove House, Devon, UK
A brand-new great-value family-run coastal B&B with an excellent restaurant and a lovely relaxed vibe, plus style-mag interiors.
For kids: there are toys in the living room and two stunning adjacent beaches to explore, plus plenty of watersports nearby.
6 Dordogne Boutique Villa, Dordogne, France
Launched in summer 2019, this former ancient paper mill turned six-bedroomed contemporary villa wows with its generous and gorgeous conversion; and it’s in the heart of foodie heaven.
For kids: the vast heated pool comes with inflatable toys, lots of games including boules & Swingball, table tennis & DVDs. There’s everything from canoeing to horseriding nearby.
7 The Positano Hideaways, Amalfi Coast, Italy
Hiding in plain sight 10 minutes’ walk above Positano, these five charming apartments are found through a secret door, have staggering views from spacious private terraces and boast peaceful terraced gardens.
For kids: a superbly positioned lap pool and a hidden beach below.
8 Marrakech Hideaway, Marrakech, Morocco
We’ve wanted a cute riad rental for ages and have finally found it! This contemporary hideaway sleeps 2-4, has a stunning roof terrace, you can order meals on request and is right in the heart of the medina.
For kids: you can use the pool at a sister riad hotel, the souks are a marvel for all ages, camel riding and horse buggy rides are on offer nearby.
9 OceanBlue Coastal Retreats, Isle of Wight, UK
Four sea-facing cottages on the south coast of the Isle of Wight which have suntrap terraces, log burners and breathtaking views; the Coastal Path runs right past.
For kids: lots of kids’ gear, twin rooms, games and puzzles, and there’s so much to do on the doorstep.
10 Lanzarote Luxury Villas, Canary Islands, Spain
A pair of sugar cube supervillas in the north of Lanzarote, with six and seven bedrooms apiece. Each villa is 1km from La Garita golden beach; watersports, boat trips and lava caves are also nearby.
For kids: A solar-heated pool at each villa and table tennis; the larger villa also has a pool table and a yurt with a plunge pool.
11 Araca Azul, Bahia, Brazil
Pristine Boipeba island is a car-free utopia with beautiful empty beaches, backed by Atlantic forest and fringed with shallow reefs. Magical Araca Azul is a four-bed eco-home of quirky driftwood art and furniture from old fishing boats.
For kids: a treehouse, slide and swing, toys & books, tropical garden, surfboards, snorkelling kit and kids’ sailing boat to borrow.
12 Gitcombe Estate, Devon, UK
Found in a secluded valley, this private estate comprises nine family-friendly restored Georgian farm buildings (sleeping 4-13), 14 acres of grounds for adventures, a sauna and a hot tub; ideal for multi-generational holidays.
For kids: two heated swimming pools (indoor and out), soft play area, tennis court, boules, basketball net, games room and heaps to do nearby.