Dream destinations for 2011
The SPA Traveller reveals the 10 best family-friendly spas around the world and pays tribute to the kids’ clubs that make it possible!
1. Porto Elounda and Six Senses Spa, Crete
3. Aphrodite Hills Resort, Paphos, Cyprus
5. Constance Ephélia Resort, Seychelles
Indian Ocean
7. Le Méridien Limassol Spa & Resort, Cyprus
9. The Almyra, Cyprus
|
2. Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily
4. The Spa, Four Seasons Resort, Provence
6. Kulm Hotel St Moritz and Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Switzerland
8. ShuiQi Spa, Atlantis,The Palm Dubai
10. Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, Lanzarote
|
1. Porto Elounda and Six Senses Spa, Crete
The luxurious Six Senses Spa at Porto Elounda, Crete is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking spas in the whole of Greece.
Located on a peninsular overlooking a stunning expanse of the Aegean Sea, the spa reflects traditional architecture highlighted with cutting edge trends plus the Ark which is a first-class facility for children up to the age of 10.
Ranged over two levels, the 23 treatment areas include the Tepidarium - the spa’s focal, Thalassotherapy Suites, Oriental treatment rooms, Ottoman hammam, couples treatment areas with outdoor bubble-tubs, hair salon and Cleopatra bath.
Therapies such as thermal facials and seaweed wraps are bang on, but it's still the look that'll impress you. Stay in one of the villas with seawater pools and their own little gardens - perfect for short -haul fun with your rowdy crew.
www.sixsenses.com
Go back to top
2. Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort is Europe's most exciting new resort, located on the south coast of Sicily near the seaside town of Sciacca.
Recently picked by Conde Nast Traveller to appear on their 2010 Hot List, the resort offers discreet exclusivity that few places can match.
The resort is set over 230 hectares of stunning landscape with 1.8km of private coastline, yet has just 203 rooms and suites, giving a true sense of space and privacy.
For those seeking deep relaxation the Verdura Spa is exceptional - with four thalassotherapy pools, an extensive treatment menu and personalised well-being programmes.
There is plenty to keep the youngsters busy with two 18-hole championship golf courses and a 9-hole, six tennis courts; a full- size football pitch; a 60 metre infinity swimming pool; a fully-equipped gym and running trails which meander through the olive and lemon groves.
The resort's restaurants and bars celebrate Sicilian cuisine with menus created from fresh organic ingredients complemented by a superb wine list.
www.verduraresort.com
Go back to top
3. Aphrodite Hills Resort, Paphos, Cyprus
It's a real family affair at Aphrodite Hills Resort in Paphos, Cyprus.
Aphrodite Hills Resort is heaven for children and a blessing for parents.
Favourites include Junior Golf and Tennis, the brilliant Pirates Village, playing crazy golf, splashing in the pool... all of which means there is plenty of opportunity for you to relax as well.
Child-friendly facilities range from playgrounds to separate babies' pools for the little ones, children’s menus at most restaurants, crazy golf, pitch & putt, mountain biking (with children’s bikes, baby seats and trailer bikes - all available for hire), snorkeling and horse riding.
Spa facilities include 27 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy, Thai rooms and outdoor massage pavilions and you have the opportunity to indulge in the Spa’s ‘thermae’ facilities. Deriving from the Greek word ‘heat’, thermae bathing is a detoxifying treatment dating back to ancient Roman times and involves a series of heat rooms progressively increasing in temperature, tempered with cooling hydro showers or ice shavings.
www.aphroditehills.com
Go back to top
4. The Spa at the Four Seasons Resort, Provence
A grand villa of calm and space in lavender-scented countryside at Terre Blanche. Every visit to the Spa offers a personalised experience and features an indoor pool, vitality pool, sauna, laconium, hammam, ice fountain and tropical shower.
Before your stay, simply provide The Four Seasons with the names and ages of the children in your party, so they can prepare a welcome amenity for our youngest guests, Child-size bathrobes and Complimentary babies' and children's toiletries plus Children's menus in their restaurants and through In-Room Dining.
The hotel also provides cribs and sofa beds, Complimentary use of high chairs, bottles and bottle warmers, complimentary use of books, videos, games and toys and a babysitting service.
www.fourseasons.com/provence/spa
Go back to top
5. Constance Ephélia Resort, Seychelles
Situated on two of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Mahé, Constance Ephélia Resort enjoys a unique location set within 120 hectares of land with luxuriant and rare vegetation.
But music to the ears of most parents is the mini club which is open from 9am-10pm every day for children aged between four and 12.
The mini club offers indoor and outdoor activities as well as daily excursions. Baby-sitting can be arranged on request.
Meanwhile, you can escape to the Spa Village. The vast spa is set in beautiful tropical gardens and includes: the Spa De Constance with its 11 single treatment rooms, one double, beauty bar and manicure and pedicure room plus the Shiseido Spa which is equipped with specially designed scrub area and Japanese bath nestled in a private garden.
www.epheliaresort.com
Go back to top
6. Kulm Hotel St Moritz and Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Switzerland
If you’re seeking the ultimate golf and spa holiday – with the added benefit of it being a family-friendly destination – then look no further than the Kulm Hotel St Moritz and its sister property Grand Hotel Kronenhof in nearby Pontresina.
Golf lovers will be in their element practicing their swings on the Kulm’s 9-hole golf course before testing themselves on the more challenging 18-hole courses nearby.
For those seeking a more relaxed day The Kronenhof Spa offers everything from a hydrotherapy pool, to a floating grotto and numerous salt, sauna and steam rooms.
In the evenings, once the kids are fast asleep and being watched by the babysitter, you can wander over to the Dracula Club, which hosts the Festival da Jazz every year (July 14 to August 14, 2011).
Meanwhile, younger ones, can be cared for by a professional nanny at the Children‘s Club where they can enjoy painting, kids‘ gymnastics, craftwork or splashing around in their very own swimming pool, complete with water slides.
www.kulmhotel-stmoritz.ch
www.kronenhof.com
Go back to top
7. Le Méridien Limassol Spa & Resort, Cyprus
Le Meridien Limassol is renown its award-winning Le Spa and its unrivalled children's facilities - including Penguin Club and Leisure Land.
There are 329 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, eight restaurants, five bars and the stunning, Le Spa with its 34 treatment rooms and seven thalassotherapy treatment pools.
The Jewel in the resort's crown is the 3,000-square meter Le Spa with seven elegant mosaic indoor-outdoor seawater pools, each with its own temperature and salinity, 34 treatment rooms, discreet and personal attention, tranquil environment, relaxing area with breathtaking views of the sea, hammam, saunas and a state-of-the-art health club facility with a heated indoor pool.
The pure indulgence of Le Spa relaxing haven will reinvigorate your body and soul while the kids play safely nearby.
www.lemeridienlimassol.com
Go back to top
8. ShuiQi Spa, Atlantis,The Palm Dubai
A stopover at the iconic Atlantis in Dubai ticks all the boxes for a family.
Not only does the ShiQi Spa awaken your senses with it awe-inspiring and serene water surroundings but the efficient Kids Club and Creation Zone takes the children off your hands.
The spa is set over two magnificent floors within the Royal Towers of Atlantis every guest can find the ideal treatment or therapy. The six Laconium thrones in his quarters serve to stimulate circulation and strengthen the body’s defense system.
Walk the earth-hue natural stone steps along streaming water pathways to one of the 27 treatment rooms or discover the secluded Royal Spa Suite.
The Atlantis Kids Club offers kids aged three to 12 with new and awesome adventures everyday! Your kids can explore the creative fun within AKC from being an animator, going on an underwater safari and even have your chance at being a chef!
And during a day together why not swim with the dolphins?
www.atlantisthepalm.com/spa.asp
Go back to top
9. The Almyra, Cyprus
The Almyra is nestled in Paphos, Cyprus but this designer hotel would not look out of place along the strip in the cosmopolitan city of Dubai.
Despite the minimalist, with immaculate white sofas, oversized chandeliers and black-slate swimming pools this hotel and spa is totally child friendly.
A lot of thought has gone into the way the hotel functions. As well as a children’s pool, a lawned play area and an air-conditioned kids’ club, it offers child-sized versions of mum and dad’s towelling robes and slippers. At bedtime, children can phone reception to order (free) milk and cookies.
almyraspa is a holistic utopia complemented by fantastic sea-views.
Six treatment rooms and three spa suites offer organic and marine-based therapies using products from Just Pure and Osea. The Spa has an indoor pool, outdoor infinity pool, yoga deck, saunas, steam rooms, Vichy showers, gym, hair salon, tennis court and eauzone restaurant.
You can also preorder essential baby holiday paraphernalia, such as nappies, wipes and organic food – at reasonable prices – and to provide changing mats, sterilizers, baby gyms and bouncy chairs, all at no extra cost.
www.almyra.com/en/spa/
Go back to top
10. Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, Lanzarote
The fabulous five-star spa resort in Playa Blanca is a pretty and tranquil spot with stunning sea views looking on to Fuerteventura and Isla de Lobos. The luxurious suites, impeccable service, Kikoland kids club, thalassotherapy spa and gourmet dining options make the Princesa Yaiza the ideal getaway for families.
While the kids are being entertained at the Kikoland Children’s Club you can try out the established Thalassotherapy Spa Centre which offers treatments based on the healing properties of seawater and seaweed, both of which are rich in mineral salts, trace elements, vitamins and amino acids.
The star facility the centre is the “Thousand and One Nights” circuit, a seawater pool heated to 34ºC, a phlebology circuit, hydro-massage jets and swan-neck faucets to relax every part of the body.
The spa also specialises in Ayurvedic massage, facial reflexology and peeling treatments in a Turkish bath.
The kid’s club has facilities for new born babies to teenagers and the fun includes football, painting plus a romantic dinner package for mum and dad which includes two hours free babysitting.
www.princesayaiza.com
Go back to top
Your ultimate summer spa guide to London »
Contact us
