By Nadine Mellor, Kids Collection Editor
When we can travel again more freely these are the kind of blissful family-friendly beach hotels that everyone will be looking for – so get your towel down now while you can.
And don’t worry, if travel is still impossible, you won’t lose your i-escape deposit (see our Flexible Booking Promise). But let’s think positive!
1 Noah Surf House, Portugal
Where: On the Silver Coast’s Praia da Fisica, in Santa Cruz village, 40 minutes from Lisbon.
What: An eco-chic hotel with boho interiors, a sea view breakfast room, cool beach shack restaurant, and a warm community vibe.
Why we love it: Excellent facilities for active families with a skate park and surf school on the premises, plus a heated pool, kids’ yoga and bike rentals.
2 The Datai, Malaysia
Where: On a perfect crescent-shaped beach on the north-west tip of Malaysia’s holiday island, Langkawi, 40 minutes from the airport
What: A luxuriously unique rainforest resort with impeccable rooms and jungle villas, outstanding service and superb food across four restaurants.
Why we love it: There’s a dedicated kids pool and shaded toddler pool by the beach, as well as watersports and a brilliant nature centre with resident naturalists offering guided jungle, canopy and mangrove walks. We loved their signature butterfly walk.
3 Paradis Plage Resort, Morocco
Where: On shimmering golden sands in the village of Immi Ouaddar on the Surf Coast between Essaouira and Agadir, and close to surfing village Taghazout.
What: A welcoming surf, yoga and spa resort with two restaurants; all suites have ocean views and private balconies.
Why we love it: There’s an on-site surf school, a complimentary kids club, a playground and heated kids pool, kids treatments in the spa and kids yoga for over 10s. Best of all, kids under 12 stay free.
4 Elies Hotel, Greece
Where: Just 1 km outside the lovely coastal village of Kardamyli in the southern Peloponnese.
What: A collection of great-value pretty stone seaside cottages of varying sizes tucked in olive groves, each with a secluded terrace.
Why we love it: The beach is safe for kids, there are basic kitchens in the cottages and a brilliant taverna on-site with a small playground beside it.
5 Hotel Esencia, Mexico
Where: On the powder-white beach of Xpu-ha, 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan peninsula.
What: A luxurious white-on-white hotel with flawless service on 50 acres of beachfront estate, backed by tropical jungle overlooking turquoise seas.
Why we love it: You get two hours’ free childcare if using the spa or restaurant; there is a large heated beachside pool plus separate kids pool, and kid-focused activities including yoga, chocolate spa treatments and cooking classes.
6 Med-Inn, Turkey
Where: On the Bay of Gulluk overlooking its own private beach on the Aegean Coast, 40km from Bodrum.
What: A good-value serene beach hotel with wonderful views set in lush Mediterranean gardens.
Why we love it: Spacious suites, a warm welcome, a private jetty, a beachfront pool and delicious restaurant. Enjoy fun boat trips to hidden coves.
7 Grootbos, South Africa
Where: Between the Garden Route and Cape Town, 40 minutes south of Hermanus
What: A wilderness retreat on a private coastal nature reserve set in a whopping 2,500 hectares of indigenous fynbos vegetation.
Why we love it: A great base for horse riding, whale-watching (June-December), pristine sandy beaches and cave exploring. Grootbos also has two pools, bikes to borrow, treasure hunts and guided walks
8 Anassa, Cyprus
Where: On a protected hillside on the north-west coast of the island (near Polis) spilling down to lovely Latchi Bay.
What: A luxe beachside spa resort with a choice of outstanding restaurants, signature infinity pool, perfect rooms and suites, and superb service.
Why we love it: There’s a heated kids pool with toys, an ice cream trolley, kids’ menus, tennis and ping pong, watersports and golden sands, plus terrific childcare in the kids clubs catering for 4 months to 11 years, plus a Baby Go Lightly service
9 Round Hill Hotel & Villas, Jamaica
Where: In Hopewell, 12km from Montego Bay, on the NW of Jamaica
What: An exclusive institution created from a former sugar plantation, with 110 acres of delightful grounds, gourmet restaurants and an excellent spa.
Why we love it: Two free kids clubs (for 3yrs – teen), a large beachside pool with a shallow end, a safe sandy cove, a games room, plus arts and crafts, playgrounds and watersports.
10 South Sands Boutique Hotel, Devon, UK
Where: Above golden sands on the outskirts of Salcombe in South Devon, sandwiched between Exeter and Plymouth.
What: A boutique hotel with a buzzy restaurant and beach-chic rooms and apartments.
Why we love it: the perfect option for Brits who don’t want to risk overseas travel. There’s a great sailing school next door. Parents can also enjoy lazy lunches from the restaurant terrace with a full view of their kids building sandcastles on the beach below.