Book It: Four hotels for a family escape to the Med
Heatwaves at home are all very well, but you just can’t beat getting away from it all in spectacular style with the family.
Valle dell’Erica Resort, Thalasso & SPA, Sardinia
Best for… peace and luxury
The low-down: Set on almost a mile of private coastline, Valle Dell’Erica is that rare gem – an all-inclusive resort that never feels too crowded. Part of Delphina, a group owned by a Sardinian family (unlike many of the islands resorts), it’s a love letter to the island, with five pools (plus more at the adult-only spa) and pathways built around 28 hectares of rock formations and fragrant native greenery. Seven restaurants (from buffet to à la carte) serve locally-inspired food, from simple but more-ish pasta to shore-side fine dining.
The resort comprises two hotels: the eponymous original and the more modern La Licciola, where we stayed in a supremely comfortable, spacious open-plan Junior suite; if you want to blow the budget, book the Archipelago Suite with a sea view and its own pool; a sliding door separates a double bedroom from the two built-in sofa beds. Throughout, art and fabrics by local artists cover the walls and beds. The staff to guest ratio is incredibly high, but a friendly, low-key, unfazed and extremely child-friendly attitude characterises them all (even in the most formal of restaurants): pool attendants will offer to play with your kids, while electric golf buggies regularly circle, ready to whisk you from one end of the enormous campus to the other, should you fancy resting your legs. A well-staffed mini club will also keep the kids busy – there’s even an overnight beach camp-out for older ones. Win-win.
Out and about: You’ll never fully appreciate the beauty of Sardinia until you see it from the sea: either sign up for an excursion on one of Delphina’s boats for a tour of the La Maddalena archipelago, or take your hire car on a ferry yourself from the sleepy nearby town of Palau. Further afield, the gorgeous beaches on the isthmus leading to Capo Testa are a must.
Stella loves: Hopping on (and diving off) the resort’s yacht into the azure sea.
Read the full review: Valle dell’Erica Resort Thalasso & SPA
From £3,250 a week for a junior suite (two adults, two children); delphinahotels.co.uk
Words by Kate Bussmann
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Pero di Rondo, Andalucia, Spain
Best for... those seeking serenity
The low-down: Pero di Ronda is not a hotel, but it does offer five-star hotel service. A gorgeous seven-bedroom villa set in the Andalucian hills, this is the perfect place to escape if you want a family holiday without any other families – and with plenty of glorious nooks and crannies to escape your own. The villa’s owners act more like a concierge, offering up the services of a cook (we ate delicious tapas and paella), spa treatments and even pilates and yoga instructors who provided excellent classes right there in the stunning gardens. Bliss.
Out and about: If you can drag yourself away and fancy a bit of thrill-seeking, Sport Mountain specialise in hiking, caving and canoeing and the scenery is just jaw-dropping. Foodies must head to Azahar and sit amongst the orange and lemon trees. The cuisine is Andulician inspired but with innovative and modern flair – a real treat.
Stella loves: Swings, climbing frames and badminton sets are provided as well as over two hectares of orchards and pathways to explore.
Rates from £3,600 a week for up 14 guests; redsavannah.com
Words by Bryony Gordon
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Sani Dunes, Halkidiki, Greece
Best for… chic Greek vibes
The low-down: The Sani Resort is vast: there are several different hotels within it, each one with its own appeal. The jewel in the crown is Sani Club, a collection of newly-refurbished rooms and bungalows set into the glorious hills of Halkidiki. There's plenty of things for kids to do (much besides playing on the spotless beach) and the breakfast and dinner offerings are plentiful. If full or half-board holidays aren't usually your thing, try Sani Club for the most luxe version possible. Once you've had enough of the beach, head to the spa for a relaxing Anne Semonin treatment.
Out and about: Activities offered at the Sani Dunes include a water park, tennis, water sports galore, an olive experience and football coaching by Chelsea FC Foundation. There are even eco-activities designed for children aged four to 11, who can head out into the nearby forest with compasses to discover indigenous plants, insects and animals, or to the beach to create their own ecosystem jars and record their findings with waterproof cameras. The Garden Theatre, an open-air entertainment space serves up a bulging entertainment schedule, or whisk yourself off on a sunset cruise, sundowner in hand. A beautiful mile-long walk from the hotel but still inside the resort lies the Sani Marina, home to shops and restaurants galore.
Stella loves: Sani Resort offers the incredible Babewatch Service where dedicated staff look after your little ones for up to 30 minutes free of charge on the beach, giving you a moment to catch your breath and soak in some rays.
Read the full review: Sani Dunes
From £144 a night for a junior suite (two adults and two children); sani-resort.com
Words by Sonia Haria
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Aphrodite Hills Resort, Cyprus
Best for… foodie families
The low-down: Nestled against the beautiful mediterranean landscape, Aphrodite Hills is the perfect holiday spot with something for every member of the family – and the enormous resort really does seem to have everything (including no fewer than 18 restaurants). Golf enthusiasts will enjoy the manicured fairways of lush grasses and spectacular views, while its tennis academy offers coaching for all abilities. But if you’ve come just to relax then the Retreat Spa by Atlantica is the place for you.
Out and about: As the villas are only a stone’s throw away from the Aphrodite Hills Village Square by Atlantica, you can either choose to eat in or pick from the 18 restaurants and bars the resort has to offer. They offer a range of culinary delights, but when in Cyprus you have to experience the authentic Cypriot cuisine, and why not do it while looking out over the Mediterranean at Pithari Tavern?
Stella loves: Sunset yoga with sea views, a perfect way to relax.
Read the full review: Aphrodite Hills Resort
From £300 a night for a three-bed villa with pool; aphroditehills.com
Words by Rachel Matthews
