Design-forward style, luxurious amenities, sophisticated dining and immersive cultural opportunities are not descriptions often associated with family-friendly hotels. But, if you are seeking the perfect spot for a multi-generational holiday, fortunately, there are some brilliant hotels that cater with aplomb to all ages, without skimping on the elements that make it feel like a truly rejuvenating getaway – for everyone involved.

Is a safari on your family bucket list? Under the Singita umbrella, famed for its portfolio of safari lodges and camps, Milele is a magnificent private hilltop villa that immerses visitors in the sweeping wilds of the Tanzanian Serengeti. Five suites host 10 guests in total – each one takes its name from the collective noun for the region’s most well-known residents: giraffe, lion, cheetah, zebra and rhino (Journey, Pride, Coalition, Dazzle and Crash). Once-in-a-lifetime safari experiences are on offer in the bush, with itineraries tailor-made for the group, while the villa’s stunning infinity pool overlooking the Serengeti plains, four separate spa pools, expansive outdoor lounges, 10-person cinema room and spa treatments give a plethora of spaces in which everyone can unwind.

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Picture this: lounging on an over-water hammock, suspended above your private infinity pool, soaking in the cerulean shades of the Maldivian sea and sky while your kids whizz down a water slide from the bedroom into the still, crystal-clear waters below. A dream for all involved, no? The renowned Soneva brand – which has three sustainably minded, barefoot-luxury (“no shoes, no news” is the recommendation for relaxation here) resorts in the Maldives and one in Thailand – has recently enhanced The Residences, a collection of expansive (three- to nine-bedroom) villas at two of its Maldives properties, Fushi and Jani. Complimentary services at these ultra-luxe, ultra-large villas include an on-call private chef and a tennis session with the resident coach. Away from the capacious villas, The Den at Soneva Fushi is one of the largest children’s clubs in South Asia. There are plenty of other activities for all to enjoy this slice of paradise, from scouring the clear night skies with the astronomer at the observatory, to snorkelling in the house reef and catching a film alfresco at Cinema Paradiso.

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In Tuscany’s Montalcino, a 5,000-acre, 900-year-old estate is the fairytale setting of Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco, encircled by green meadows, olive groves and towering cypress trees to get lost in. A beacon of Italian heritage, the estate is made up of 42 beautifully designed suites and 11 recently renovated private villas, restored from 17th- and 18th-century Tuscan farmhouses. These come with their own pools, gardens and pergolas, giving a stay that’s secluded but also benefits from all the close-by amenities of a Rosewood hotel. And these amenities are superb. Being Tuscany, it is obviously a gateway to gastronomic excellence: there are two restaurants – Michelin-starred Ristorante Campo del Drago and trattoria-style Osteria La Canonica – and an organic kitchen garden, a cooking school, and an historic on-site winery, with wild woodlands and rolling countryside for foraging and truffle-hunting. There is also a spa, fitness centre, golf club, and kids’ club.

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The legendary Marbella Club sizzles on the Andalusian coast, a Mediterranean medley of mountains, sea and botanical gardens. The cliché rings true – there is something to please everyone here: beach-club glamour, alfresco sun-downers and fresh, seasonal menus served in the courtyard, rugged coastal hikes, holistic wellbeing treatments, water sports and a state-of-the-art kids’ club. Young guests can enjoy experiences that immerse them in the destination, including perfume-making using local herbs, cooking lessons with native ingredients, craft workshops with local artists, and paddle surfing in the calm waves. The low-key-luxurious, thoughtfully designed accommodation on offer includes two-, three- and four-bedroomed bungalows and villas, with private pools and kitchens, perfect for bigger groups and all ages.

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To score serious points with younger – and young-at-heart – members of your travel clan, an elevated, state-of-the-art take on a treehouse stay will exceed expectation and imagination. Rising between the tall pine trees of Sweden’s Norrland forest, the Treehotel is a mesmeric playground for adults and children alike. Perched above the forest floor, the extraordinary “treerooms” have been designed by leading Scandinavian architects – from the birdhouse-covered Biosphere to the completely reflective Mirrorcube, and the 10m-high 7th Room, which has a transparent floor and see-through railing looking out over the vast Lule River Valley. A stay here is a one-of-a-kind adventure, matched by experiences to immerse yourself in the spectacular surroundings – including canoeing and fishing in the Lule, guided Northern Lights tours, snowshoeing, husky tours, sleigh rides, horseback riding, and close encounters with alpacas and moose. Moreover, Treehotel has impressive sustainability credentials, from constructing with as little environmental impact as possible to working with local businesses and communities, adhering to the ethos of “we want to have our hotel in the middle of nature, [but] we want to do it on nature’s terms”.

treehotel.se

This is not a hotel, per se, but a private, exclusive-use house rental is in many ways the optimum choice for a larger group holiday. And even better when all the details and extras have been taken care of. In the bucolic Suffolk countryside, Wilderness Reserve’s incredible collection of cottages, barns and farmhouses – some with their own private pools, hot tubs, spas, and a swimming lake – is an assortment of dream houses sure to make for the most wondrous of family getaways. There are centuries-old manor houses, a Tudor cottage with its own moat, the characterful gardener’s house, the square-shaped clockhouse (formed from a restored stable block) and even a decadently designed 18-bedroom barn. Just as impressive as the unique accommodation options is the range of experiences across the estate, which is described as “an 8,000-acre playground”, spanning archery, birdwatching, falconry, spa treatments, nature walks, scavenger hunts and adventure camps for young explorers. Better yet, the Estate Kitchen can serve up hampers, private-chef dinners and fireside feasts in the ancient woodland. Consider this a home from home that is far superior to home.

wildernessreserve.com