2023 is going to be a big year in the travel industry.
The world has opened up post-Covid, travellers’ confidence is back, and all those lovely hotel projects that have been on hold for years are finally coming to fruition.
We don’t know about you, but there’s something about a brand new hotel that really tickles our pickle. From brand new bedrooms and gleaming swimming pools to keen staff eager to make a name for their new establishment; there’s a lot to enjoy in a new resort. Particularly if it’s part of a legacy brand who’ve already proven themselves in the market.
We’ve chosen our top picks for the latest luxury hotels that are also family-friendly. Bringing your toddler? No problem at all. These hotels welcome kids and are incredibly well set up for young families.
Let’s take a look behind the curtain…
Best New Family-Friendly Luxury Hotels In 2023
Atlantis The Royal
- Dubai, UAE
- Opens February 2023
Dubai is well established as the world’s hub for family-friendly luxury and this latest hotel offering from the Atlantis hotels is set to be the absolute jewel in the crown.
Atlantis The Royal promises “ultra-luxury” in its unique, Jenga-style building that’s located on Crescent Road in Palm Jumeirah. As you might expect in Dubai, you can really expect the best of the best here when it comes to service, room amenities and the sheer breadth of restaurants available.
It sports a 2km stretch of private beach and two outdoor pools, as well as a lazy river, a waterslide and cabanas to relax in afterwards. If your kids are water babies, you definitely won’t want to miss the nearby Aquaventure water park (free access for hotel guests!), which has plenty for toddlers and littles ones to enjoy.
If you fancy availing yourself of the many other indulgences on offer here — the spa, for instance, or one of the amazing 17 restaurants — then you can take advantage of babysitting in the evening and supervised childcare during the day. The Royal is actually just down the beach from Atlantis’ other property, The Palm, and you’re able to use many of the facilities there, including the restaurants, while you’re staying here. Just Aquaventure and Dolphin Bay lay between them.
There are a huge number of different room types to choose from — and apparently ‘endless’ options for connecting rooms — so you’ll be well provided for regardless of your family dynamic. Half board options are available, which will include breakfast and dinner, as well as their standard rates which include breakfast.
Ikos Odisia
- Corfu, Greece
- Opens May 2023
The all-inclusive Ikos resorts are always a popular choice with families looking for luxury holidays with young kids. Ikos Odisia is one of the latest resorts to open, and the company’s second offering on the island of Corfu (alongside Ikos Dassia).
Spread over an impressive 60 acres on the Dassia Bay on the Ionian coast, Odisia sports 10 heated swimming pools and a 420-metre long serviced beach. Make sure you take advantage of the free beachside childcare on offer!
Speaking of childcare, kids of all ages are well catered for here, thanks to the wealth of kids clubs on offer — from 4-month old babies all the way up to 17 year olds. There’s also babysitting available. All of the 6 restaurants are child-friendly and the fact that it’s all inclusive means you can make the most of every meal.
There are plenty of room configurations available that are suitable for families with young kids, including multiple bedroom suites, private gardens and more. Each room or suite has a balcony so you’ll always be able to get some alone time!
Ikos Porto Petro
- Mallorca, Spain
- Opens June 2023
Another Ikos opening is the much-anticipated Porto Petro — the company’s second resort in Spain, this time on the island of Mallorca.
The resort stretches alongside a kilometre of coastline with a handful of sandy coves to sunbathe in. There are 5 indoor and outdoor heated pools and a beautiful spa. You’ve got the same expansive childcare offerings here as at Odisia above, so you’ll definitely be able to enjoy some quality, child-free time if you so desire!
Ikos Porto Petro is an all-inclusive holiday and there are 5 different restaurants, as well as a Food Hall, to choose from. You can also make the most of Ikos’ Local Discovery options and enjoy some meals outside the resort too.
As always at an Ikos resort, there are a wide variety of room configurations to choose from, including a 3-bedroom suite option — ideal for larger families and groups.
Son Bunyola
- Mallorca, Spain
- Opens June 2023
Son Bunyola is part of the Virgin Limited Edition group of hotels and the latest brainchild of Richard Branson. It’s located on the Son Bunyola estate (all 1,000 acres of it), a UNESCO World Heritage site, and centres around the historic, 16th century Finca.
This is true, intimate luxury, with just 26 rooms and suites on offer. Daily breakfast is included with all rates and Full and Half Board supplements are also offered — there are 2 restaurants on site so plenty of choice. Children are welcome all year round and kids under 6 go free (including all food, soft drinks and icecream!)
There’s a beautiful outdoor pool to enjoy with lots of poolside fun on offer for kids, as well as other activities like tennis, pizza making and lots of nearby hikes and watersports. The estate is also well located to explore Mallorca.
The Mole Resort
- North Devon, UK
- Fully opens June 2023
Returning a bit closer to home now with this brand new luxury hotel opening in Chittlehamholt, North Devon — The Mole Resort.
Nestled in the Devonshire countryside are The Mole’s premium, self-catering, eco-conscious lodges suitable for families and couples alike. Each lodge enjoys a balcony deck and a private hot tub. The resort stretches out over 125 acres around the well-established Highbullen Hotel, which will become part of the Mole Resort in June 2023, as well as some of the estate cottages.
Activity wise, kids will love the indoor and outdoor pools while you can relax in the sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi. And then, of course, there’s plenty of other activities to keep you busy, including tennis, footgolf, croquet and much more. The beautiful location of the resort lends itself well for walks and bike rides too.
Cellars Bar and Restaurant offers up breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus there’s an all-day café and a farm shop stocked with local produce too. If the kids fancy a night in, you can even order takeaway to your lodge.
One & Only Aesthesis
- Athens, Greece
- Opens Summer 2023
One & Only have a reputation for building some of the most luxurious hotels in the world and their latest project, the Aesthesis, has certainly earned its spot.
Located on the Athenian Riviera, around a 30 minute drive from the Greek capital, Aesthesis is found in 21 hectares of protected forest and exudes a Mediterranean glamour and nostalgia.
While the sophisticated interiors, holistic spa and grown-up feel don’t necessarily scream ‘family-friendly’, it turns out that impression couldn’t be more wrong — the little ones from toddlers to teens are more than welcomed here. There’s a KidsOnly club that focuses on outdoor fun and getting closer to nature, and One Tribe — a teens only spot full of games, sports, arts and crafts, and much more.
Activity wise, the beach and pools at the beach club are the main events, but you can also enjoy tennis, padel, watersports, cycling and more. And, of course, you’re in easy reach of the treasures of Ancient Greece.
There are two restaurants on site offering all-day dining and some incredible Mediterranean cuisine.
Cap Karoso
- Sumba, Indonesia
- Opens January 2023
An hour’s plane ride from Bali is the beautiful island of Sumba, a surfing hotspot and now home to the unique and inspiring Cap Karoso. Deeply in touch with the local heritage, this is definitely somewhere to visit if you want to learn more about the island.
This extends to any children staying as well — there is a kids’ club for ages 3 to 12 that offers such activities as discovering constellations, growing crops in the farm and much more. They are happy to provide baby and toddler equipment if required and babysitting is also available.
While the kids are occupied, there’s plenty of opportunity to unwind for adults, whether in the spa or yoga pavilion.
There are 47 rooms and 20 villas on offer — everything from a studio all the way to 3-bedroom and beachfront villas. The villas have private swimming pools and open air kitchens, which you can cook in using produce from the on-site organic farm. Of course, you can also eat at the Beach Club, Julang or Apicine restaurants within the resort.
Which new hotel is on your bucket list this year?
