Whether you've enjoyed more time together than ever before or you're longing to be reunited with loved ones, the past year has made it clear just how important family is. So, with brighter days ahead, celebrate those you cherish and plan a luxury holiday for the entire tribe. Get ready for fun in the sun, private family dinners and enriching experiences for all ages, creating memories to treasure forever.
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
St Lucia, Caribbean
For kids: Sugar Beach warmly welcomes young guests, encouraging them to interact with the wonderful nature and culture of St Lucia. The complimentary Sugar Club is a fun-filled supervised space for children aged four to 12 years, offering various enriching activities that include science experiments, local arts, archery, coconut bowling and fish feeding, as well as movie nights each week. Tweens and teens can embrace the incredible alfresco adventures that await at the Spice Club - whether kayaking, tennis or even a 6-day sailing programme!
For adults: No luxury Caribbean retreat is complete without a tasting of the region's signature spirit. Sample some of the best-aged native and international rums in the world at the aptly named Cane Bar, where an expert 'rumologist' is on hand to select the perfect rum for your taste. If you fancy some food to go alongside your tipple, there is an extensive menu of deliciously light Asian dishes to choose from - whether super-fresh sushi or colourful rice bowls.
For everyone: Old and young, everyone loves chocolate, and it just so happens that this delicious sweet treat is a huge part of St. Lucian heritage, grown and made across the island. From de-shelling the beans to pouring your very own bar, the Bean to Bar Tour promises fun, education and plenty of chocolatey goodness for the whole family.
Ikos Andalusia
Costa Del Sol, Spain
For kids: Pure paradise for children, Ikos Andalusia is home to three incredible children's clubs - Heros Crèche, Heros Kids Club and Just 4Teens - the latter open just during high season. Run by UK-based childcare experts Worldwide Kids, each offers various, age-appropriate activities for guests aged four months to 17 years old, from cooking to watersports. For football fanatic minis, the WK Football Academy offers a truly unforgettable opportunity for kids to train alongside world-renowned footballers. Bobby Zamora (of West Ham Utd and Fulham) is set to take the lead in summer 2021.
For adults: While children spend fun-filled hours at their clubs or you embrace the wonderful complimentary beach childcare service, parents can sneak off for a little peace and quiet at the super serene adults-only section of the fine golden sand. Read a book, sip a cocktail or head out on by paddle board to explore the coast a little further.
For everyone: This luxury Andalusia hotel offers some of the best dining in Spain and beyond, and every single restaurant welcomes little ones with menus dedicated just to them. Ouzo celebrates laid-back living and flavoursome Greek cooking, flaunting menus created by Michelin-starred chef Lefteris Lazarou, while Fresco has been envisioned by another Michelin-starred genius, Ettore Botrini, offering classic and contemporary Italian dishes using the best ingredients. For fabulous French cuisine created by Michelin-starred chef, Anthony Jehanno, Provence is the place to head, or if Asian flavours are more your thing, Anaya serves flavoursome Chinese, Thai and Indian dishes from renowned Chef Thiou. Even better, the resort is all-inclusive, meaning you can feast to your heart's delight with it all included in your stay!
Niyama Private Islands Maldives
Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives
For kids: This tropical playground was designed with the littlest VIPs in mind, with the ever-enticing Explorers Kids' Club right at the heart of the 'Play' island. Considered one of the Maldives' best, the action-packed programme immerses children in the eye-opening nature and cultural beauty of the Indian Ocean islands, with four age-segmented 'tribes' to choose from. An alfresco area includes a playground, trampoline and splash park, while the little gourmet kitchen and mini stage make sure young ones are always the star of the show. All-day activities include wildlife walks, island treasure hunts, gourmet Master Chef classes and dolphin-spotting safaris.
For adults: Leave little ones having plenty of fun with a babysitter as you take a short speedboat ride and descend the dramatic three-tier staircase to SubSix. Set six-metres beneath the lagoon's surface, this unique venue is adorned with Italian chandeliers and anemone-inspired chairs, surrounded by glass walls which showcase colourful fish and the resident hawksbill turtle swimming by. Held each Wednesday and Saturday evening, the adults-only Underwater Glow Parties invite you to sip cocktails and dance to the beats of a DJ, all while admiring the nocturnal marine life around you.
For everyone: For a trip filled with education, fun and family memories, join the resident marine biologist on a private speedboat trip or guided snorkel in the lagoon, learning all about the magical marine creatures that call the waters around Niyama home. Play your part in protecting the precious environment, as you assist the marine biologist to name and cultivate your family's very own coral. You will receive a well-deserved certificate, as well as regular updates once you return home so you can see how your coral thrives!
Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Muscat, Oman
For kids: Encouraging little ones to learn more about art, cuisine and sustainability, the glorious Ritz Kids programme offers an array of educational and enjoyable pursuits for children, whether cookery classes, seashell collecting or yoga. There is also an incredible Aqualand waterpark, filled with slides, swimming pools and ziplines, offering hours of watery fun in the Omani sun. Allowing them to live like pirates or princesses, little ones will love the resort's indoor camping experience, during which their room will be set up with a cosy tent, balloons, special amenities, drawing books, toys and a personalised storybook!
For adults: Escape to the tri-level, Arabian-style Al Bustan Palace Spa for an immersive wellness experience inspired by Omani culture. Treatments incorporate the very best local ingredients - from fragrant rose to fresh turmeric - while an authentic Arabian hammam promises a truly rejuvenating experience. All that relaxing will make you hungry, so refuel with a delicious, nutritious spa lunch. You may opt for a super-fresh shawarma - a Middle Eastern favourite - or a moreish mezze spread, washed down with a refreshing mocktail of cucumber, ginger and mango.
For everyone: While exploring Muscat's magnificent mosque and heading into the nearby mountains are great ways to spend your holiday, sometimes all you need is a little time to chill out, soak up the sunshine and enjoy each other's company. There are no less than six swimming pools to choose from here, including a kids' pool dedicated to little water babies, while a kilometre-long stretch of beach invites you catch some rays, refuel with gourmet lunchboxes from the comfort of your loungers, or take to the waters of the Arabian Gulf with snorkelling, kayaking, bodyboarding and more!
The Ritz-Carlton Dubai
JBR, Dubai
For kids: Innovative, educational and bound to inspire, the Ritz Kids offering celebrates all things Arabian, with an ever-changing array of activities based on four concepts: water, land, environmental responsibility and culture. Little ones up to 12 years old can enjoy art with recycled materials, workshops to learn about sharks, whacky alphabet games, desert-inspired crafts and lots of alfresco fun. The club is open until 6pm on weekdays and 8pm on weekends, while the wonderful Ritz Kids Evening Programme means children can have plenty of supervised fun while adults enjoy a romantic meal or sophisticated drink.
For adults: While kids are kept busy with the oodles of activities on offer for them, spend a sun-kissed afternoon beside the adults' only pool, reserving a plush private cabana for plenty of privacy and utter comfort. The luxury cabanas are ideally located beside La Baie, a super-chic, sea-view bar with a cool beach club vibe; think DJ-spun soundtracks, craft cocktails, shisha and delicious light bites.
For everyone: No family holiday to Dubai is complete without a desert safari. Head out of the city towards an expanse of glorious golden sand, enjoying dune bashing, sand boarding, spectacular sunsets and an Arabian adventure for all. Another top tip for families is to book a Club room or suite here. Seriously wonderful value and convenient with kids in tow, the exclusive Club Lounge serves up daily complimentary American breakfast, light lunch, afternoon tea and elegant hors d'oeuvres, as well as sweet treats in the evening for adults. Grownups can also enjoy a splendid selection of wines, beer and spirits throughout the day - you're on holiday after all!
Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech
Marrakech, Morocco
For kids: A sanctuary of discovery, fun and adventure, you'll struggle to tear little guests aged - three to 12 years old - away from the complimentary Kids' Club here, designed in a vibrant Moroccan style with plenty of colourful fabrics and adventure play tents. Perhaps they'll make new friends in the treehouse, join a locally inspired music workshop, whip up culinary creations in the Little Chef's kitchen, work on their serve in one of two mini tennis courts, or score plenty of goals on the mini football pitch.
For adults: A true masterpiece, the 18-hole, par-72 golf course (designed by US architect Cabell B. Robinson) is set across 75 hectares, combining fairways, water obstacles, greens and wild bunkers. Built around the Wadi river and planted with a variety of bougainvillea, oleanders and plants that bloom at different times of the year, the golf course is an ever-changing garden, backed by views of the Atlas Mountains. Set within the resort and accessible only for hotel guests and nearby villa owners, expect utmost privacy and exclusivity as you play. If you want to perfect your play, embrace the private coaching and personalised programmes on offer.
For everyone: The resort is home to its very own organic farm, surrounded by sweet-smelling palm, olive and orange trees. There is a thriving vegetable garden (from which much of the restaurant's ingredients are sourced) as well as a large area especially for the resident animals. During a tour, spot turtles, rabbits, chickens, donkeys, horses and more! For a faster pace, take the complimentary shuttle to nearby Marrakech, or discover the serenity of the Atlas Mountains.
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI
South Malé Atoll, Maldives
For kids: This tropical island resort is home to the incredible Kuda Koli Kids Klub, where children of all ages can enjoy exploration and fun through a range of innovative and enriching activities - including pizza making, face painting, educational treasure hunts, t-shirt painting, island exploration, and pool games. For teens who want a little more space, the uber-cool Teen Lounge is stocked with games consoles, interactive activities and more.
For adults: Indulge your inner wine connoisseur at the irresistible Wine RESERVE. The truly exceptional library features more than 2,000 bottles and 350 different labels, sourced from acclaimed vineyards from both the Old and New Worlds. Join a sommelier for a guided tasting, or sample exquisite cuisine that has been perfectly paired with your wine. This experience isn't included in the all-inclusive RESERVE Plan, but it's well worth the additional surcharge.
For everyone: For family fun throughout your luxury holiday, book a suite or reserve with its very own waterslide right into the turquoise waters of the lagoon, whilst also offering a huge alfresco deck for family time together and super refreshing infinity pool. Bound to delight the entire family, OZEN also houses an eco-friendly, open-air ice rink - the first in the Maldives - where you can enjoy the unique buzz of whizzing around the ice while admiring views of the Indian Ocean. Other family-friendly pursuits include snorkelling, catamaran trips and, of course, feasting at the fabulous restaurants that are included in your stay, where fresh, zero-mile ingredients are sourced from the island's kitchen garden.