One of the ironies of parenthood has always been that just as you need time and space in your life to relax, it’s rendered almost impossible as the most relaxing locations aren’t generally child friendly.
The choice for parents has become either find somewhere lovely and luxurious and find someone to take care of the kids at home. Or head somewhere the kids will enjoy that gives you a biscuit and a cup of coffee from a vending machine with 30 seconds of semi down time.
We get it, children by nature are not the most relaxing of companions, but create the right environment and it’s incredible how much mum, dad and kids alike can relax all in the same place.
Here are some of the best spa hotels for family friendly wellness this half term:
A family friendly hotel and part of the Luxury Family Hotels Collection, Fowey Hall in Cornwall overlooks the Fowey estuary and is a little bit of bliss for guests of all ages. The palatial property is the stuff of fairytales, and is rumoured to have been the model for Toad Hall in Kenneth Grahame’s childhood classic, The Wind in the Willows.
Children can run around the grounds and on the beach. There are also plenty of activities, buckets and spades and an indoor pool as well as two hours of free childcare available for every day of your stay. Meanwhile, adults can sip fine wines, dine in splendour and relax in the spa complete with a hot tub and sea views. There’s a sun deck with loungers and treatment rooms offering a beautiful array of face and body therapies.
From the breakfast buffet feast to the kids club and football academy, Anantara Vilamoura Resort is a family holiday destination in the truest sense of the words. It is not somewhere that offers endless activities for children, nor does it edit the overall experience and compromise it.
It is a family escape that really brings you all together for quality time, taking care to incorporate Portuguese culture in all the details rather than simply being another holiday resort. A particular highlight was hiring a tug tug and going to Falesia beach, which is the most famous in Vilamoura.
A glorious outdoor adventure for families looking for a getaway this half term, Fota Island is a small island in Cork Harbour, and home to Ireland’s only wildlife park.
Activities both indoors and outdoors are in abundant supply whether the children are interested in swimming lessons or ballet, golf or tennis, but the wildlife park itself is a wonderful experience. Stay in the hotel or self catering lodges, take in picturesque views and in general enjoy an awe-inspiring fusion of relaxation and adventure.
ClubSpa@Kenwick is a complete fitness and relaxation facility that’s a haven for mum and dad and also offers classes for children in the form of Kenwick Kidz. In these classes children are encouraged to enjoy physical workouts as well as to develop positive associations with the water.
Furthermore, one of the estate’s unique factors is the lodge accommodation. Surrounded by beautiful grounds and allowing an opportunity to have your own space, they are perfect for families to enjoy a full and relaxing mini break.
Celtic Manor is celebrated for its incredible size and scope of facilities for anyone who visits. Perhaps best known for its famous golf course which hosted the Ryder Cup in 2010, it is surrounded by 1400 acres of park land and the Usk Valley.
However, it is also just 45 minutes from Cardiff. It is a five star experience, and it has a wealth of things to do from the spa to Go Ape. Welcoming children with open arms it offers activities, swim times and nursery care so you can also have time to yourself in the spa knowing they are safe, sound and entertained.
An 18th century manor house, surrounded by rural Cork landscapes, The Maryborough Hotel and Spa offers everything from Family suites to luxurious Spa Rooms with Jacuzzis for a glamorous twist on school holidays.
Views of the 300 year old listed gardens, are to be enjoyed over afternoon tea, light lunches, and drinks into the evening. Meanwhile, children can enjoy an on-site pet farm, DVDs, kids’ menus, kids’ pool, and babysitting services.
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