The best family spa breaks for Summer
The SPA Traveller reveals the best family-friendly spas in the UK and around the world and pays tribute to the kids’ clubs that make it possible!
Family-friendly spas around the world:
Aphrodite Hills Resort, Paphos, Cyprus »
Verdura Golf & Spa Resort, Sicily »
The Almyra, Cyprus »
Princess Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, Lanzarote »
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Le Méridien Limassol Spa & Resort, Cyprus »
Constance Ephélia Resort, Seychelles »
Porto Elounda and Six Senses Spa, Crete »
The Spa at the Four Seasons resort, Provence »
ShuiQi Spa, Atlantis, The Palm Dubai »
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Family-friendly spas in the UK:
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Calcot Manor, Gloucestershire »
Center Parcs – Longleat, Wiltshire »
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Bedruthan Steps Hotel and Spa, Cornwall »
The Elms, Worcestershire »
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Le Méridien Limassol Spa & Resort, Cyprus
Le Meridien Limassol is renowned for its award-winning Le Spa with its hydrotherapy pools and unrivalled children's facilities - including the Penguin Club.
As winner of The SPA Traveller’s Best International Family-Friendly Wellness Reseort, Le Meridien successfully offers that mix of family time and “me time” for anyone seeking rest and relaxation in the spa.
The hotel boasts 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.
A spa to splash out on! »
www.lemeridienlimassol.com
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
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.
And, don’t leave without having a dip in the infinity pool as you will marvel at the views…
The Retreat Spa at Aphrodite Hills - The GOLD Collection »
www.aphroditehills.com
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
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.
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 mere 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
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.
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.
fourseasons.com/provence/spa
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
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 pre-order 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
Princess 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
Family-friendly spas in the UK
Calcot Manor, Gloucestershire
If you’re searching for style and substance from the ultimate English spa look no further than Calcot Manor.
Housed in a Cotswold stone building near Tetbury (just opposite the hotel’s pub) is Calcot Spa. It’s big and airy, comforting and boasts an Ofsted-registered crèche which takes babies and toddlers.
Older children can take advantage of a cinema, Play-Stations, X-boxes and computers while you take advantage of the spa. Calcot Manor aims to achieve that fine balance of keeping children and adults happy, and creating a real home-from-home.
The spa is a magnificent private leisure complex, with outstanding facilities for health, beauty, fitness and relaxation and features a 16-metre pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor spa pool, exercise studio, tennis and seven treatment rooms.
One of the highlights is a sexy outdoor hot tub (the size of a small swimming pool) that steams away like a geyser at 40 degrees and where you can indulge in the ultimate luxury of ordering champagne.
The actual spa menu is long and comprehensive with everything from hot-stone massages to Reiki. PS – Dogs are also welcome if you book ahead!
A rose among thorns »
www.calcotmanor.co.uk
Bedruthan Steps Hotel and Spa, Cornwall
This is a traditional family hotel with three major plus points – the stunning views, wonderful children’s facilities and their spa.
Don’t be deceived by the rather austre frontage when you arrive, as all is forgotten when you enter and look out across Mawgan Porth beach and step into The Ocean spa which boasts a couple of treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, whirlpool and cool-off pool and indoor pool.
There are children's supervised morning activity clubs for three to 12 year-olds and for under-three’s. An evening session from 7.15-10.15pm also operates during school holidays.
A programme of activities for adults, teenagers and younger children; includes kayaking, survival skills, mountain biking and craft-making. Split into different age groups, the Penguins, Dolphins and Sharks start play at 9.30am, giving you three hours' grace to treat yourself in the spa.
The Ocean Spa includes a Hammam . This offers a special place to receive body conditioning treatments whilst the hot stone bed warms your muscles and relaxes the mind.
The collection of spa treatment therapies have been inspired by nature and includes 100 per cent organic seaweed treatments from VOYA, facial skincare from REN and maternity treatments from Mama Mio.
On Golden Sands »
www.bedruthan.com
Center Parcs – Longleat, Wiltshire
As Center Parcs celebrates it 25th anniversary this year, you can check your children into the Center Parcs kids’ club as you take time out to enjoy the Aqua Sana Spa - nestling in the wood.
The World of Spa offers 15 multi-sensory spa experiences from around the world in the hydrotherapy-based rooms arranged around the open-air pool. You can mix and match from the Indian Blossom Steam Room and Laconium to the Greek Herbal Bath or Japanese Salt Steam Bath where the misty air is infused with mineral salts, jasmine and mint for a head-clearing treat.
The Aqua Sana Spa is a circular building constructed around an open-air pool nestling in the middle of the forest; it is spacious and calm, with plenty of room in the treatment rooms. The minimum age in the spa is 16.
As well as the World of Spa there is also a full range of treatments using Elemis, Decleor and Carita products and it is worth noting the changing rooms are communal. Aqua Sana Spas are found at each one of the Center Parcs Villages: Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire, Elveden Forest in Suffolk, and Whinfell Forest in Cumbria, all of which are located in 400 acres of beautiful UK woodland surroundings.
The perfect spa for a mother »
For spa bookings: www.centerparcs.co.uk
www.centerparcs.co.uk
The Elms, Worcestershire
This is the sort of spa where children are seen and heard and nobody minds.
Historically, The Spa at The Elms would have been the sort of place where children were seen and not heard but not today – in fact, being heard is actively encouraged in this home-from-home Queen Anne mansion set in 10-acres of rolling Worcestershire countryside.
So, this is the ideal place for any family looking to kick back for the weekend “life doesn’t have to be complicated” as The Elms claims on its brochures.
First port of call is usually the charming Bears Den, an Ofsted-registered kids club within easy reach of the spa complex. And as all parents know if the kids are happy you’re happy.
As the Bears Den offers two hours of free babysitting this is the perfect amount of time to choose one of the treatments on offer and then chill out in the pool which is heated to a balmy 33 C and take a dip in the bubbling inside/outside Jacuzzi.
A spa where children are seen and heard! »
www.theelmshotel.co.uk
