With the imminent arrival of the royal baby, we’ve picked our favourite getaways for recent parents – showing how families can still holiday in style, even with a new addition in tow.
With a choice of chic hotels, intimate B&Bs and even a welcoming eco-retreat, there’s something to suit all tastes and budgets. This is family holidaying made super-easy – airport transfers are no longer than an hour, and parents can pack light as all the recommended properties are fully equipped with baby paraphernalia…
Esplendido Hotel, Mallorca
Only 30 minutes from Palma airport in the pretty seaside town of Puerto Soller, Esplendido is one of the funkiest hotels in Mallorca – and one of the most family-friendly. Cots, babysitting, highchairs and bottle warming are all available, and there’s a kids’ pool where water babies can splash around. Many of the 74 rooms and suites have stunning views of the island’s mountainous northwest coast, and the stylish lounge-bar and spa are perfect for parents who need to recover from sleepless nights.
From £107 per night, based on 2 adults and a baby sharing a Garden Standard Room. This includes breakfast and tax.
Le Tresor, France
Le Tresor is a lovely B&B in a sleepy, sun-soaked Languedoc village, only an hour from Carcassonne airport. It’s ideal for first-time family holidays, with chic (and great-value) accommodation, charming British owners, and delicious dinners on request. Stay in one of the 5 rooms or take the small self-catering cottage next door, with its private garden and wood-burning stove. Pushchairs, toys, changing mats, travel cots and highchairs are available, and there’s an honesty bar where parents can treat themselves to a cheeky glass of rouge once the littl’un has gone to sleep.
From £72 per night, based on 2 adults and a baby sharing Room 2. This includes tax but not breakfast. Guests booking through i-escape get a complimentary bottle of wine and a free room upgrade (subject to availability on arrival).
Almyra, Cyprus
Almyra is a luxury beachside hotel only 20 minutes from Paphos airport. There’s baby equipment galore, with potties, training seats, buggies, baby bathtubs, sterilisers and bottle warmers to borrow, as well as water wings and swim nappies for making the most of the heated kids’ pool. Parents can look forward to some much-deserved me-time in the spa, as the Globetrotters Kids’ Club takes children from the age of 4 months. Babysitting is also available for those who want to enjoy Asian-Med cuisine in the rooftop restaurant or a Cypriot meze at a lamp-lit table by the sea.
From £92 per night, based on 2 adults and a baby sharing an Inland View Room. This includes breakfast and tax, plus a complimentary bottle of wine if you book with i-escape.
Muxima, Portugal
This rural Algarve eco retreat makes a lovely base for parents seeking a calm escape from everyday life. An hour’s drive from Faro airport, it has warmly welcoming hosts, delicious breakfasts, a natural swimming pool (complete with lily pads!) and suites with handy kitchenettes. Baby equipment includes night lights, baths and pushchairs, and babysitting and bottle warming can be arranged on request. There are sandy beaches and beautiful forests nearby, providing the perfect setting for some quality family time in the sun.
From £93 per night, based on 2 adults and a baby sharing the Sotouboua Suite. This includes breakfast and use of bicycles, but not 6% government tax; i-escape guests get a free fruit basket and traditional Portuguese chocolate bars.
Borgo Egnazia, Italy
Treat your new family to a holiday fit for royals at Borgo Egnazia – the only ‘5-star luxe’ hotel in Puglia. Located within 40 minutes of Brindisi and Bari airports, it has indoor and outdoor pools, a sumptuous spa to soothe stressed-out parents, and a range of rooms, villas and townhouses to suit all shapes and sizes of family. The long list of baby equipment includes cots, highchairs, changing tables and sterilisers, and there’s even a crèche (additional charge) for those over the age of 8 months. For a real treat, book a babysitter and head to the gourmet restaurant for mouth-watering seafood, or tee off on the 18-hole golf course.
From £299 per night, based on 2 adults and a baby sharing a ‘La Corte Bella’ room. This includes breakfast, use of the tennis courts and a shuttle to the nearby beach club (with baby seats available). Guests booking through i-escape get a free bottle of wine.
Polurrian Bay Hotel, Cornwall
If you want to avoid flying with a baby, head to Polurrian Bay Hotel near the pretty Cornish harbours of Mullion and Porthleven. Perched on a cliff above the sea, it has a crèche which takes babies from just 3 months old (free for 2 hours per day), meaning new parents can recover in the Elemis spa or the indoor and outdoor pools. The 41 rooms are soothing and stylish, and the complimentary baby-listening service makes for easy dining à deux in the restaurant. What’s more, with carriers, night lights, potties, Bumbo seats, changing mats, sterilisers, swim nappies and pushchairs to borrow, you won’t need to worry about packing lots of kit.
From £99 per night, based on 2 adults and a baby sharing an Inland Facing Double Room. This includes breakfast and tax, and i-escape guests get a free room upgrade (subject to availability on arrival).
Browse our Kids Collection for more family-friendly hotels, B&Bs, apartments and house rentals >>