We all know there is no such thing as perfect.
Except when it comes to our kids, who are perfect. Well, at least sometimes they are.
Perfection is different for every family. We all prefer different resorts for different reasons.
Imagine if one resort had absolutely everything for everyone? It would become too popular, so then it couldn’t be perfect anymore.
In this article we’ve dreamt up a mythical perfect resort, based on some of the key factors our clients are looking for.
We focus on the inspirational standout features of our favourite family resorts, to help you find a resort that could be (almost) perfect for you.
A Focus on Health & Sustainability
Of course it should be sustainable and healthy. Even if we don’t demand it, our children will when they start booking their own holidays.
We love Terre Blanche in Provence for this. Highly sustainable and actively teaching children about sustainability through fun activities.
Like beekeeping, the vegetable garden, making bird boxes and their activities with animals.
In summer, restaurant Le Pitchoun is specifically for children aged from two to 12 years, with its farm-to-table-focused menu created in partnership with a paediatric dietician.
Age-Appropriate Kids Clubs
All children are different yet they have relatively similar needs and requirements to their peers. And they play best with children of a similar age.
Age-appropriate kids clubs are a must for our perfect resort.
Martinhal Sagres Family Resort in Portugal is a good inspiration. They have five age-separate kids clubs for only 37 rooms and villas.
A nursery with baby care, creche for one year olds, Raposinhos club for two and three year olds. Then the Fox Club with creative outdoor activities for slightly older kids and Explorers Nature Club for tweens.
A Family Atmosphere
Most resorts manufacture a great family atmosphere.
Whereas a great family atmosphere is completely natural, at resorts owned and operated by a single family.
You will notice it in the small details and the level of personalisation, when you compare resorts by major international brands and single owner-operated properties.
Schlosshotel Fiss in Austria is one of our all-time favourites, owned and operated by the Domenig family since 1992.
The facilities, activities, family chalets, separate areas for children and adults…but mostly we love the atmosphere of harmony and joy, in every little part of the resort.
Endless New & Fun Activities
Keeping the kids busy is often the number one priority for us as parents. The beach, the pool, the nature…all good family resorts provide nice spaces for children to play.
Outstanding resorts also have a wide menu of different activities. Children are not only occupied, they’re continually trying new and cool things.
Nowhere in Europe can compare to Forte Village Resort in Sardinia for the depth and breadth of activities for kids.
A Real Madrid football academy. Chess, tennis, go-karting, Barbie room, kids theatre, vegetable garden, ceramics workshops, cooking lessons.
A very loud zone made for teenagers and a water park (complete with pirate ship, obviously). And there really is so much more for kids to do.
Family Adventures in Nature
Barbie is fine for a few minutes, or even two hours if you’ve seen the surprisingly entertaining movie. But on holiday we want to spend quality time with our kids; ideally not just playing with dolls.
We want to be out in nature, exploring, learning something new together. Doing things on land and water, especially with our older ones, and always within easy reach of the resort.
Like mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, kitesurfing, paddle boarding, sailing, snorkelling, scuba diving. Did you know children aged ten and over can dive to 12 metres as part of PADI Junior Open Water course?
Various destinations can offer this. Recently we’ve been inspired by Costa Navarino in Greece, where a good Mandarin Oriental property opened last year and all the above activities are possible.
Puglia in Italy is also great for these family adventures in nature, where we recommend a villa at Borgo Egnazia.
A Chilled Vibe
It’s great to have hundreds of things to do and many over-excited children loving their holidays. But we need some peace and quiet too!
When it’s peak summer and resorts across Europe are full to capacity, we really value resorts with big grounds, mostly private beaches, and only a few accommodations.
The new Bijal is great for this, especially in comparison to other resorts in Antalya. Even the beach is virtually empty.
Bijal’s resort theme is play, which is so nicely achieved while maintaining a calm and chilled resort atmosphere.
Amazing Villas
There are too many good villa examples to mention. Plus, everyone has a different idea of perfection when it comes to design, optimal layout, amenities and location within a resort.
It’s important to understand that most family resorts offer not only a big choice of room and villa categories, but a variation between villas of the same category.
The exact villa location determines how quiet or loud it is, the distance you walk each day, how far your children can go while still being within sight.
Of course the perfect resort for kids has amazing villas for families. We can advise you personally on which particular villa, within a resort, would be perfect for your family.
A New Experience
If a single resort really was perfect for every family, everyone would go there and it would be too crowded to be perfect.
And if you went back to that same resort for a second time, the experience wouldn’t be new so it couldn’t be perfect either.
As much as there is the comfort of repeating the holiday from a previous summer, the best thing about travel is the constant opportunity to try somewhere new.
As every summer passes the needs of your family change. What’s important to your kids changes year on year.
No resort or destination has absolutely everything for everyone. Travel is about discovery. A new resort and destination can inspire you, it can enrich your life together as a family.
Or you could try a new resort and it’s an absolute disaster. Children complaining for two weeks because they want the holiday from last summer, parents trying to stay upbeat but wishing they chose somewhere else.
We’re here to provide the life-enriching scenario. To understand the desires and requirements of your family, then use our knowledge and experience to propose the best destination, resort and specific villa.
Perfection is subjective. We’ll help in your search for it.
