Muddy Stilettos


<p>A memorable family hotel isn’t just about waterslides and kids’ clubs (though these do tend to go down a storm with younger members of the family), it’s about places that appeal to all generations. We’ve found the resorts hitting the sweet spot between entertaining and relaxing.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ikos-andalusia-spain"><a href="https://ikosresorts.com/resorts/ikos-andalusia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ikos Andalusia</a>, Spain</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="685" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-1.jpeg" alt="Ikos Andalucia, Greece  " class="wp-image-75786" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-1-600x411.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-1-766x525.jpeg 766w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>It took gold at this year’s TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for best family hotel and we concur, it’s legendary. Swimming acadamies, tennis workshops, football sessions, whatever sport your kids want to try, it’s on offer. And if they’re not sporty? No problem &#8211; with playgrounds, beach and Heroes Village, where they can try everything from cooking to arts and crafts. When it’s family time, borrow one of the resort&#8217;s Teslas and nip into nearby Marbella, share stories around the table at one of the nine restaurants and enjoy your suite’s private pool.&nbsp; </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sani-resort-greece"><a href="https://sani-resort.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sani Resort</a>, Greece</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/proxy-image.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-75788" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/proxy-image.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/proxy-image-600x400.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/proxy-image-787x525.jpeg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Holidaying in Halkidiki is heaven thanks to this haven which caters for old and young with taste and style. While you hit the gym (okay, lie around the pool), kids are kept amused trying a vast array of activites, from the Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre to the Football Academy and Bear Grylls Survival Academy. New parents? Enjoy a much-needed afternoon nap thanks to Sani’s Little Guests and creche, where teenies as young as four months are cared for. And extra points for Babe Watch, a beach team entertaining your kids while you do, well, nothing for once.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-verdura-resort-sicily"><a href="https://www.fandptravel.com/hotel/verdura-resort-sicily-italy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Verdura Resort</a>, Sicily&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="777" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-08-at-17.41.13.png" alt="" class="wp-image-75789" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-08-at-17.41.13.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-08-at-17.41.13-600x466.png 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-08-at-17.41.13-676x525.png 676w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>An hour from Palermo, this sprawling resort on its own stretch of dazzling coastline is as good as it gets when it comes to entertaining kids in the holidays. Budding Beckhams will want to enrol in the football academy, mini Tiger Woods will want to try junior golf lessons. Sicilian cooking classes teach them skills you’ll want them to use back home, while video-making and photography sessions are a great way to capture the holiday. And as for you? Well, a glass of Sicilian wine overlooking the pool after an afternoon spa session sounds on point.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aurora-anguilla-resort-golf-club-anguilla"><a href="https://www.auroraanguilla.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aurora Anguilla Resort &amp; Golf Club</a>, Anguilla&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="749" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Sunrise-at-Aurora-Anguilla-1000x749.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-75791" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Sunrise-at-Aurora-Anguilla-1000x749.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Sunrise-at-Aurora-Anguilla-600x450.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Sunrise-at-Aurora-Anguilla-1536x1151.jpg 1536w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Sunrise-at-Aurora-Anguilla-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Sunrise-at-Aurora-Anguilla.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>A paradise island is a great start to a family holiday, and this east Caribbean getaway’s white sand beaches are some of the best Muddy’s ever seen. But it’s not all about the sand quality &#8211; this popular resort is just about to open the Aurora Entertainment Complex, complete with a half-acre sized swimming pool with lazy river, slides and kid’s splash zone, a tennis centre, basketball courts, climbing walls, 18-hole mini golf course and even a dance floor with video screen.&nbsp;We know where we&#8217;d like to be heading this winter. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tivoli-alvor-algarve-resort-portugal"><a href="https://www.tivolihotels.com/en/tivoli-alvor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tivoli Alvor Algarve Resort</a>, Portugal</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="521" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-7.jpeg" alt="Tivoli Algarve " class="wp-image-75804" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-7.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-7-600x313.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-7-900x469.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Recently opened and already a hit with families, this new escape close to the city of Portimão has five pools &#8211; one for adults, three for families and one for children, which indicates who takes top priority here. Let your brood loose in the Puma Junior Club (4-12 years) to indulge in the daily entertainment plus use facilities like mini golf and pool with slides. There’s even a mini train transfer to nearby beaches and Alvor village.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anantara-dhigu-maldives-resort-maldives"><a href="https://www.anantara.com/en/dhigu-maldives" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort</a>, Maldives</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Anantara-Dhigu-Maldives-Resort-Two-Bedroom-Family-Villa-Garden.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-75793" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Anantara-Dhigu-Maldives-Resort-Two-Bedroom-Family-Villa-Garden.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Anantara-Dhigu-Maldives-Resort-Two-Bedroom-Family-Villa-Garden-600x400.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/thumbnail_Anantara-Dhigu-Maldives-Resort-Two-Bedroom-Family-Villa-Garden-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There are so many resorts spread across the Indian Ocean archipelagos, it’s hard to know which to choose if you’ve decided to blow the budget on the trip of a lifetime. We rate Anantara, which ticks all family hols boxes, from its location, 30 minutes by speed boat from the international airport on Malé (so no costly seaplane journeys), to its Dhoni Kids Club, one of the most picturesque we’ve ever seen (see above). Stay in a family beach villa, with private pool, hammocks and bikes. Bliss.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ja-the-resort-dubai"><a href="https://www.jaresortshotels.com/dubai/ja-the-resort" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JA The Resort</a>, Dubai </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="892" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/proxy-image-1.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-75794" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/proxy-image-1.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/proxy-image-1-600x535.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/proxy-image-1-589x525.jpeg 589w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fun seems to be top priority here. Yes there’s a great spa, good restaurants and sandy beach, but alongside this kids can break free of parental gaze and hit the sports academy, go horse riding, try golf and learn to dive. And did we mention there’s a Pirate &amp; Mermaids Kids&#8217; Club and Splash Park? Think rides, slides and soakers, plus an animal discovery centre.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pine-cliffs-a-luxury-collection-resort-portugal"><a href="https://www.pinecliffs.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;Pine Cliffs, A Luxury Collection Resort</a>, Portugal&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-3.jpeg" alt="Pine Cliffs Algarve " class="wp-image-75795" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-3.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-3-600x450.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-3-700x525.jpeg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Award-winning (it won Europe’s Best Luxury Family Resort in the World Luxury Hotel Awards. Impressive), five-star and just a really cool place to holiday with the fam. It’s all about choice here; will you sleep in a villa or multi-bedroom suite? Which of the eight pools will you take a dip in? How much of the day will your kids demand to play in Porto Pirata, a huge playground with pirate ships, basketball courts, kids&#8217; pool, racetrack, bouncy castle and mini golf course? And will you attempt Bake Off at a family-friendly MIMIO Algarve cookery workshop? Questions, questions. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-centara-mirage-beach-resort-dubai"><a href="https://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centara/CDD" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centara Mirage Beach Resort</a>, Dubai&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="660" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-5.jpeg" alt="Centara Mirage Beach " class="wp-image-75801" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-5.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-5-600x396.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-5-795x525.jpeg 795w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Another Dubai hot spot (literally), Centara is giving good family vibes with its candy-themed kids’ spa, water park with slides and lazy river, family suites (some have an option of bunk beds), water sports and outdoor playground. We particularly love the colourful Mirage Family Lounge full of fun toys and&nbsp; entertainment, the ideal place to drop them off for an hour while you sneak off for a sun-downer cocktail.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wild-coast-tented-lodge-sri-lanka"><a href="https://www.resplendentceylon.com/wildcoastlodge-yala/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wild Coast Tented Lodge</a>, Sri Lanka&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="521" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-6.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-75802" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-6.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-6-600x313.jpeg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Unknown-6-900x469.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you’re looking for a completely different experience to myriad waterslides and ice cream on tap, this wild card could be of interest. A 28-tent getaway in Yala National Park, children (6-16) can sign up to a Junior Ranger Programme which includes nature walks, guided game drives and classroom sessions to learn more about the incredible surrounding wildlife (leopards and elephants can both be spotted here). There’s a certificate at the end, the perfect keepsake and &#8216;what I did on my holiday&#8217; back to school brag. Finish the adventure with a few days at Cape Weligama on the south coast, for whale watching, snorkelling  and cycling through rice fields, or games back at Jungle Nook Kids Club for younger members of the family.&nbsp;</p>


The world’s best family-friendly hotels

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