When it comes to travelling with kids, trying to please everyone and still make some time for yourself to actually relax can be quite a challenge. Choosing the right family hotel is a vital decision, whether it’s a short city break or a 2-week adventure in a foreign country.
We’ve scoured the top child-friendly destinations for Danes and talked to people in the know to curate this list of the best family hotels to appease the kids and pamper the parents, too.
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Tivoli Hotel
Copenhagen, Denmark
- Families
Tivoli Hotel sits on the bank of the Nyhavn River in Kalvebod Brygge, close to the Tivoli Gardens amusement park. This modern 4-star hotel is one of the finest properties for families in Copenhagen. Facilities include a stylish indoor pool and a dedicated playroom for toddlers, featuring soft-play foam obstacles and various arts and crafts. Babysitting services are also available at a surcharge.
If you’re bringing the whole troop, family rooms at Tivoli Hotel sleep up to 4. Another great option would be booking 2 connecting rooms, which gives you the option of a double bed, 2 twin beds, and a sofa bed.
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Hilton Berlin
Berlin, Germany
- Families
- History
- Luxury
Hilton Berlin occupies one of the best locations in the city if you plan to do a lot of family activities. The hotel overlooks Berlin Concert Hall in Gendarmenmarkt square in the Mitte District. Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie are within walking distance, both of which are great for learning more about the tumultuous history of the German capital. If you’re looking to do some shopping, the hotel is within walking distance of notable malls like The Q and Mall of Berlin.
At the end of your day of sightseeing, retire back to the luxurious Hilton Berlin to enjoy a family dinner at Restaurant Beletage, take a dip in the large indoor pool, or enjoy a massage at the full-service spa.
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Helnan Marselis Hotel
Aarhus, Denmark
- Adventure
- Families
Helnan Marselis Hotel is a beachfront family hotel just south of Aarhus. You can walk directly from the hotel to Marselisborg Strand, or take a short trip to relax on Moesgaard Beach, one of Denmark’s most popular beaches. For something more cultural, the royal summer residence of Marselisborg Castle is just a short drive away.
This 4-star hotel has a lot to satisfy all ages. The large indoor pool and fitness room are a nice addition if the weather isn’t beach-friendly. The front desk at Helnan Marselis Hotel can help you book a range of active pursuits, including kayaking trips, golf lessons, and bicycle rental for a morning on the trails around the city. Sea-view rooms are stylishly furnished and come with a large balcony.
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Grand Elysee Hamburg
Hamburg, Germany
- Families
- Luxury
The 5-star grandeur of Grand Elysee Hamburg promises plenty of luxe touches during your family trip. Amenities befitting a hotel of this calibre include a heated swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a high-end spa with solarium, a juice bar, and 4 onsite restaurants. Children will be entertained at the full-time kindergarten connected to the hotel. It's available to children between 8 months and 6 years old.
Guest rooms at Grand Elysee Hamburg are spacious and classically styled, with views of the city or the garden courtyard. Once you're ready to explore the city, you can rent bicycles from the hotel reception. Many landmarks, such as Hamburg Townhall and the Altstadt building, are within easy reach of Grand Elysee Hamburg.
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Chessington Safari Hotel
London, UK
- Families
- Photo
- Unusual
Chessington Safari Hotel is a real treat for the youngsters and the young at heart. The hotel features an exotic African safari theme, with the added benefit of being within walking distance of one of the best theme parks in the UK.
The onsite kids club is one of the best we’ve ever seen. You get to enjoy the Savannah Splash Pool and an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the animals at Chessington Zoo. All guests can take advantage of the Early Ride Time offer, which allows early access to Chessington World of Adventures to hit the rides before it opens to the general public.
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Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Maui, Hawaii
- Families
Four Seasons Resort Maui is an expansive 5-star property in the high-end resort town of Wailea. In every sense of the word, this is luxury living. The beach here is separated into a small group of coves of fine and golden sand. There are moderate ocean waves to splash around in, or you could relax at any of the 3 swimming pools within the resort grounds.
Even for a Four Seasons brand property, the range of attractions tailor-made for families is truly special. This resort is especially good for pre-teens, with a full day of planned activities for children aged 5 to 9. Camp counsellors arrange treasure hunts, sports games, arts and crafts lessons, video games, and movies with snacks.
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Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
- Families
If you're looking for a relaxing family beach break in a charming European city, Barcelona is hard to beat. Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona, a 4-star hotel near Platja del Bogatell, is close to several sandy bays on the Mediterranean coast and within walking distance of several famous landmarks.
The pool area at Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona is huge – it has a separate kiddie’s paddling pool and is surrounded by sun loungers. You will have plenty of choice in the sun or shade after enjoying a delicious buffet breakfast, a hallmark of Hilton properties. Family Suites overlook the sea, though it's a good idea to visit the rooftop bar for some of the best sunset views you can find in Barcelona.
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Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel
Paris, France
- Families
Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel is, despite its name, part of Disneyland® Paris. It gets its name from its New York and Marvel comics theme, which will certainly appeal to fans of the popular superhero movies. The fact that it sits among 2,000 hectares of world-famous attractions, including 2 theme parks, 2 shopping destinations and a golf course add to the draws for families.
The hotel itself boasts both indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna and spa, 2 restaurants, a free kids club, and free cots or infant beds. The place is decorated with about 350 Marvel artworks – the largest such collection in the world. Babysitting services are available for an additional fee.
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Keemala
Phuket, Thailand
- Families
Keemala’s exclusive pool villas promise luxury living and fantastic service on Thailand's tropical island of Phuket. The attention to detail at this 5-star, all-villa resort will impress even the most particular of guests. There are 4 types of villas available, but the Bird’s Nest Pool Villa is among the most impressive and imaginative – not just in the resort, but on the whole island.
The property is built along a hillside overlooking Kamala Beach on the island’s west coast. A free shuttle will take you to and from the beach in less than 5 minutes. Other than enjoying the sea, sun and sand, pre-teens will enjoy nearby attractions like the Blue Tree water park, learning to flow ride at Surf House Phuket, or spending a full day of ziplining through the jungle at Flying Hanuman.
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Hotel Legoland, Denmark
Billund, Denmark
- Families
- Photo
Hotel Legoland, Denmark has themed rooms with famous characters dotted throughout the lobby and public areas. Family rooms include bunk beds themed around Lego characters. Come mealtimes, choose from a medieval banquet at Knights’ Tavern Restaurant or a buffet dinner at Pirates’ Inn. All restaurants here have dedicated kids' options and cater to specific dietary requirements.
Legoland Billund Resort is most suitable for kids aged 4 to 10. The amusement park has over 50 rides to enjoy in areas like Knights’ Kingdom, The Lego Movie World, and Imagination Zone. Babies and toddlers up to 2 years old can enjoy free entry to Legoland Billund Resort.
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