The best family-friendly hotels for a summer holiday

Hip hideaway specialist i-escape.com has gathered its top picks for stylish stays that still have availability during the peak season

Hotel Martinhal

Grand Hotel des Bains, Locquirec, Brittany, France

Getting the location right makes a holiday, and you can’t go wrong here: this New England-styled spa hotel has a commanding position on a headland, with nine adjacent sandy beaches, rock pools and coves to explore. There's a sailing, surf and paddleboard school nearby (with free two-hour lesson per child during the holidays) plus riding and fishing to try. The hotel’s indoor heated pool is open for children each afternoon, and the interconnecting rooms are ideal for families.

Seven nights in late July cost from £291pp based on a family of three sharing a Church View room on a self-catering basis.

Grand Hotel des Bains (00 33 2 98 67 41 02; grand-hotel-des-bains.com).

Grand Hotel des Bains

Monaci delle Terre Nere, nr Mt Etna, Sicily, Italy

This country hotel defines relaxed sophistication. The views stretch from Mount Etna to the Ionian Sea; the restoration of the Baroque manor house and its dependencies in the grounds manages to be eclectic, comfortable and classy all at once; and the food and wine are sublime. Add a swimming pool, acres of orchards, lawns, woodland and terraces to explore, cooking classes and a small playground, plus beaches and Mount Etna itself to discover and you’re set for a wonderful family holiday.

Seven nights in late July cost from £555pp based on a family of four sharing a suite on a B&B basis.

Monaci delle Terre Nere (00 39 095 708 3638; monacidelleterrenere.it).

Monaci delle Terre Nere

Hotel Martinhal, Sagres, Portugal

Portugal’s rugged and wild south-west tip juts into the Atlantic: it's a landscape of bold cliffs, perfect windsurfing breezes, and marvellous coastal views. This clean-lined, contemporary hotel is perched above a glorious sandy beach in the Costa Vicentina national park, and comes with a choice of restaurants, a Finisterra Spa (with treatments for children and teens), fully-staffed crèche and kids' clubs, playgrounds and a bar complete with VW camper van, gelateria and games area. Facilities include a cycle track, football and tennis academies, four pools and video game room.

Seven nights in late July cost from £574pp based on a family of four sharing an Interconnecting family room on a B&B basis.

Hotel Martinhal (00 351 218 507 788; martinhal.com/sagres).

Hotel Martinhal

Pristava Lepena, Soca Valley, Slovenia

Set off the beaten track, in a valley surrounded by pristine Alpine beauty, is this cluster of two-three-bedroom chalets, perfect for outdoorsy families. There’s a riding school (for all ages), endless walking trails, archery, rafting, kayaking and tennis on offer, even a small solar-heated swimming pool. After an active day, return to hearty meals in the on-site restaurant, and then kick back in the games room with pool table and table football.

Seven nights in late July cost from £383pp based on a family of four sharing Apartment A2 on a half board basis including daily cleaning, one hour of horse riding per person and one sauna session per family.

Pristava Lepena (00 386 5 388 9900; pristava-lepena.com).

Pristava Lepena

Captain’s Club Hotel, Christchurch, Dorset, UK

Right on the banks of the River Stour, close to the New Forest (ponies), Poole Harbour (sailing) and long, sandy beaches (bucket-and-spades), is this nautical-chic glass-fronted hotel, which hits the sweet spot for families, with spacious two-three-bedroom suites and kids’ menus. Relax in the spa with hydrotherapy pool and book the babysitter for a night à deux to enjoy cocktails on the riverside terrace and seafood in the buzzy seafood restaurant.

Seven nights in July available from £803pp based on a family of four sharing a suite on a B&B basis.

Captain's Club Hotel (01202 475 111; captainsclubhotel.com).

Captain's Club

Cuatre Finques, Xalo Valley, Costa Blanca, Spain

Families seeking a relaxed sunny stay which won’t break the bank should consider this charming casa rural surrounded by almond trees and fruiting gardens, with dreamy views over the Marina Alta hills. Your charming hosts, Nicky and Pep and their daughter Isla, have created a house party atmosphere - you get great home cooking four nights a week and lovely lunches most days, plus an honesty bar. Children will enjoy feeding the chickens, playing petanque, the swing and Wendy House and the lovely pool terrace.

Seven nights in July available from £259pp based on a family of three sharing a double room on a B&B basis.

Cuatre Finques (00 34 622 834 134; cuatrefinques.com).

Cuatre Finques

Chalet Cannelle, Abondance Valley, Alps, France

Although many consider the Alps to be synonymous with snowsports, there is plenty to do in the summer season, including hiking, mountain biking, and wild swimming. Stay at this picture-perfect chalet for ambrosial dinners, gardens with a view, a playroom with toys, games, a dressing up box, en electric piano and Nintendo Wii. Children will also enjoy the cute attic bedroom, Moo. The local activities multi-pass gives you access to 24 ski lifts, local swimming pools, tennis, ice rinks, bobsleighs and zip wires.

Seven nights in late July cost from £302pp based on a family of four in two rooms on a B&B basis.

Chalet Cannelle (00 33 4 50 73 30 97; chaletcannelle.co.uk).

Chalet Cannelle

Anassa, near Polis, Cyprus

We defy any family not to have a dream holiday at this superlative luxury resort set above an unspoilt bay, with lush flowering gardens, private beach, excellent staff and a wealth of facilities, including a wide range of Med-chic family suites. There are all-ages kids' clubs with a host of activities from watersports to stone painting; a Baby Go Lightly service so you needn’t pack the kitchen sink; children’s menus; playground and heated kids' pool. For parents there are wonderful restaurants, tennis courts and an award-winning Thalassa spa with 18 treatment rooms.

Seven nights in late July cost from £922pp based on a family of thee sharing a studio suite on a B&B basis.

Anassa Hotel (00 357 26 888 000; anassa.com).

Anassa

Ekies All Senses Resort, Sithonia, Macedonia, Greece

All the ingredients for a successful family holiday combine here in Halkidiki: the fresh and colourful resort is on a safe, shallow sandy beach; there's a heated swimming pool and separate toddler’s pool (with lifeguard on duty June-September); plus a playground with swings and playhouse. Buffet meals make life easy for fussy children, and there’s an organic juice bar and snacks available all day. Borrow bikes for excursions or take a boat trip, take turns to rejuvenate in the spa, or book a babysitter.

Seven nights in late July cost from £910pp based on a family of four sharing a family suite on a B&B basis.

Ekies All Senses Resort (00 30 237 509 1000; ekies.gr).

Ekies All Senses

Round Hill, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Head to this former sugar plantation-turned beachside spa estate for old school hospitality - the kids' clubs are complimentary and the service is impeccable - and charm. The timelessly chic villas (some designed by Ralph Lauren, some with private pools) are dotted around tropical grounds, which cascade down to a sandy cove. There are two restaurants serving seafood and Jamaican specialities, reggae lessons, talent shows, arts and crafts, a children's pool, and a games room with Wii, Xbox and Rock Band for over-sevents. Take a glass-bottomed boat tour, go snorkelling, kayaking or even river rafting.

Seven nights in July cost from £751pp based on a family of four sharing a two-bedroom classic villa on a self-catering basis.

Round Hill (001 876 956 7050; roundhill.com).

Round Hill

To book any of the hotels listed and for more family holiday options, visit i-escape.com/kids