But there are also trips with a local fisherman to harvest razor clams and oysters (eaten straight away on the boat, washed down with chilled white wine), and adventures exploring the wilder beaches east of Tavira, with their white sand dunes and warm water. Larger families should nab one of the newly renovated villas, Vila Trevo and Vila Praia, which sleep up to 10 and have their own infinity pools. The sugar-fine, bleached beaches of Comporta, empty as far as the eye can see, hold a particular charm, especially for the smartest Lisboetas for whom it has long been a private playground. Barrocal is in a dark sky reserve, meaning terrific stargazing. This is a great option for smaller budgets, however, unlike most of the rest on our round-up, there is no kids club. Olive groves and wild pines surround three separate cabanas ideal for giving grandparents or older siblings a bit of space that are linked by sandy pathways; theres no need to bring shoes. For example, guests can choose two activities, such as a private family cooking class at the exclusive new Mimo Cookery School. The Young Guest Concierge will take children to water polo in the indoor pool, to mocktail workshops with Wilson Pires, Portugal's Barman of the Year, to dance classes or to make marzipan golf balls in the Little C Palace kids' club. All around is this silent, ancient landscape, where red squirrels chase each other and you might just hear wolves howl from the distant mountains. Luckily Motorpoint is there to take the strain out of buying a car. Average transfer time: Around 1hr 15 minutes from Faro airport. If your frazzled teenagers are in need of sunshine and downtime after exam exhaustion, consider this whitewashed farmhouse in the Algarve. The crowd that returns summer after summer to the traditional-style terracotta-roofed villas and apartments is a mix of Portuguese and British, who dont need the finger-clicking service of an all-singing, all-dancing hotel but like having the option of being able to order a coffee by the pool. Breakfast is a selection of meats, cheeses, freshly baked pastries, eggs, five different types of bread and jars of organic jams. There might not be a sea view but the Atlantic is just moments away over the sun-bathed, terracotta-tiled roofs of Vale do Lobo. Its a well-trodden path. In the two-bedroomed villas, which are connected to the hotel, the design is clear cut, with muted natural tones. Available from: Thomas Cook and www.clubmed.co.uk, Average transfer time: Around 30 minutes from Faro airport. In summer, the hotel is filled with fresh-faced, outdoorsy European families. A sleepy village overlooking a beach pounded by Atlantic waves doesnt scream child-friendly destination. The park's location is ideal to visit nearby Chaves and Vila Real. A complimentary travel cot and highchair is available on request. In a toy-filled kids corner, friendly staff entertain the little ones while parents finish their meal. Furniture is a smart mix of antique and retro and you'll spot little piles of books everywhere (Portuguese authors in translation). best Spanish family hotels with water slides, eview of the Club Med, Da Balaia Portugal, Top 10 family travel products to take on the plane, 30 of the best kids' and babies swimwear 2019 swimsuits, trunks and swim nappies, Short-haul flights and travel with your baby or toddler. If you decide to venture out in the evening sans-children, great dining and watering holes abound. Theres also plenty to enjoy as a family. Inside the hotel are 37 apartment suites, ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments with bunk beds that can accommodate a family of six. The forest hideaways are tiny but brilliantly designed like a yacht's galley, with a sleek kitchenette, smart shower room, pristine blonde wood from top to toe and high thread count cotton sheets. Available from: www.nh-hotels.com or Booking.com. There's even a juice corner where you can choose the fruit and vegetables you would like and add spirulina, chia seeds and other healthy toppings. It closes at 7PM, when room service takes over until 11:30PM. 
The Alentejo in Portugal has long been a weekend escape for Lisbonites lucky enough to have farms there. While the kids are making new friends, grown-ups can indulge in the Cinq Mondes spa. Its 7,700 square feet are divided into age appropriate sections, accommodating children from 6 months to early teens with everything from playmats to PlayStations. The food, beautiful setting and high design reminded me of the type of hotel that we sought out pre-children. Indeed, they thought of every detail. I am stunned at how beautiful and dreamy these resorts look! All have a kitchen complete with a stove, fridge (pre-stocked with milk and juice upon arrival), a dishwasher, basic cookware, a washer and dryer. New life has been breathed into Vidago Palace a century later, with rooms emerging clad in dazzling De Gournay hand-painted silk wallpapers, all cherry blossom and flowers, the bar lined with leather and the spectacular staircase topped by gilded ceilings. This is the Pampas of Europe. Available from: Expedia, Booking.com and Kuoni. From the Algarve to Lagos, Portugal is a fun destination for all the family we seek out its most child-friendly yet stylish hotels, Win a three-night stay at Ibizas Hotel Riomar, Where is hot in October? Floors and stairs are sun-burnished polished concrete, with black, white and grey tiled detail. Thats in no small part due to this hip eco-hotel designed by the couple behind gorgeous Areias do Seixo a few miles away. Surrounded by a 28-hectare cork and eucalyptus forest, this North African-inspired eco-retreat is an ideal spot for a tranquil break. A delightful, under-the-radar find, even though its been here for more than 30 years, quietly being recommended by word of mouth from friend to friend. Families seeking a balance between sightseeing and nature should head to the Cascais property. Kids happily wander around the restaurant, making noise and no one seems to mind the relief on the parents faces that they have found such an accommodating destination is visible. The Ocean Saloon is the pick of the bunch, with glass doors looking out to a private terrace and roaring, in-your-face sea views. Also close by is Lisbons trendy bar area Rua Nova de Carvalho, or the Pink Street, a pedestrian area where the pavement is painted in a distinctive fuchsia hue. The secluded spot also has loads of space for little ones to explore, and the owners have two children of their own who always appreciate new playmates! Budding cooks can take sushi-rolling classes with cool Aussie chef Andrew McGie, whose prawn popcorn is a hit at Louro restaurant. The Tagus River area that has recently been rejuvenated with restaurant and retail activity, is just at the bottom of the hill. Set in the charming seaside village of Salema, the duplex townhouses of Salema Beach Village are great if you want to self-cater. Sitting in the restaurant, you can actually see across the bay to the market where the chefs buy the fresh fish daily it doesnt get much more locally sourced! Housekeepers Barbara and Maria stir up dishes inspired by the childhood recipes of owners Nuno Ramos and Rui Liberato de Sousa, including salt cod with layers of sweet potatoes and fig ice cream. If you're thinking of going to Disney, check out our Disneyland Paris review. INSIDER TIP Even in the summer school holidays, rooms are generally less than about 180 per night, and flying to Lisbon rather than Faro cuts the airfare down, too which makes this a seriously savvy call. The rain showers are lit naturally by skylights, there's springtime almond blossom by the bathroom sinks, and the polished-concrete floors have underfloor heating for chillier weather. Even the Vicentino Alvarinho, from the nearby winery, is a love affair with local living. Interior designer Dagny Bain created the interiors leaning Scandinavian in style. This is the antithesis of many people's idea of the Algarve, a tiny gem with crisp white lines on a country hillside far from the coastal crowds. The sheer space of the resort, sitting atop the russet cliffs above glorious sandy Praia da Falsia, the clear blue skies, the reliable sunshine, and the fact everything you need is on tap all make for a reassuringly relaxing family trip. Yes, there's a spa and yes the views are lovely, but mostly this holiday is about your children. When Jos Antnio Uva inherited his familys 780-hectare estate at just 26, he devoted the next 14 years to remodelling its ancient village as a hotel. But the restaurants here are right on point, each one with a designated children's area jam-packed with colouring books and games, all overseen by a smiling member of staff who will remember your child's name. Within our edit, most rooms come with convenient kitchens and washing machines, some have dedicated kids' pools and outdoor activities on offer, and most are close to some of thebest beaches in Portugal. Portugal vacations offer such a variety of activities that combine historic sites, hip city strolls, and sunny beach experiences. Example package: From 3,437 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in a family deluxe with terrace for 7 nights in August 2022, including breakfast on Booking.com. Noah exhibits the same artistic flair but with a more industrial aesthetic. In the Piazetta, Caf Bica serves coffee and the most sublime pastis de nata, the speciality custard tarts. All products are independently selected by our editors. There are 72 rooms, ranging from studios to villas that can accommodate multigenerational and larger family groups. Although it may be a little more challenging to get to with either a 3-hour drive from Lisbon or a 1 hour 20-minute trip from neighboring Faro airport it is such a family-focussed paradise, that the extra journey time was definitely worthwhile. As is the cork that lines the sauna the sleek concrete spa is a beauty, with a hammam lit by burnished copper lanterns and the logs that carpet the entrance. The resort also has a cycle hire school on site and we tried out a family-friendly route to the local lighthouse, Cabo da Roca. Surrounded by a sweet-smelling pine forest, with a path cutting through the trees to the beach, Praia Verde is an untapped family hideaway. The area around Sagres is a popular surfing spot, and while the resort beach is better suited to windsurfing, kayaking and paddle boarding, local surf lessons can be organized through the hotel easily.
The Alentejo in Portugal has long been a weekend escape for Lisbonites lucky enough to have farms there. While the kids are making new friends, grown-ups can indulge in the Cinq Mondes spa. Its 7,700 square feet are divided into age appropriate sections, accommodating children from 6 months to early teens with everything from playmats to PlayStations. The food, beautiful setting and high design reminded me of the type of hotel that we sought out pre-children. Indeed, they thought of every detail. I am stunned at how beautiful and dreamy these resorts look! All have a kitchen complete with a stove, fridge (pre-stocked with milk and juice upon arrival), a dishwasher, basic cookware, a washer and dryer. New life has been breathed into Vidago Palace a century later, with rooms emerging clad in dazzling De Gournay hand-painted silk wallpapers, all cherry blossom and flowers, the bar lined with leather and the spectacular staircase topped by gilded ceilings. This is the Pampas of Europe. Available from: Expedia, Booking.com and Kuoni. From the Algarve to Lagos, Portugal is a fun destination for all the family we seek out its most child-friendly yet stylish hotels, Win a three-night stay at Ibizas Hotel Riomar, Where is hot in October? Floors and stairs are sun-burnished polished concrete, with black, white and grey tiled detail. Thats in no small part due to this hip eco-hotel designed by the couple behind gorgeous Areias do Seixo a few miles away. Surrounded by a 28-hectare cork and eucalyptus forest, this North African-inspired eco-retreat is an ideal spot for a tranquil break. A delightful, under-the-radar find, even though its been here for more than 30 years, quietly being recommended by word of mouth from friend to friend. Families seeking a balance between sightseeing and nature should head to the Cascais property. Kids happily wander around the restaurant, making noise and no one seems to mind the relief on the parents faces that they have found such an accommodating destination is visible. The Ocean Saloon is the pick of the bunch, with glass doors looking out to a private terrace and roaring, in-your-face sea views. Also close by is Lisbons trendy bar area Rua Nova de Carvalho, or the Pink Street, a pedestrian area where the pavement is painted in a distinctive fuchsia hue. The secluded spot also has loads of space for little ones to explore, and the owners have two children of their own who always appreciate new playmates! Budding cooks can take sushi-rolling classes with cool Aussie chef Andrew McGie, whose prawn popcorn is a hit at Louro restaurant. The Tagus River area that has recently been rejuvenated with restaurant and retail activity, is just at the bottom of the hill. Set in the charming seaside village of Salema, the duplex townhouses of Salema Beach Village are great if you want to self-cater. Sitting in the restaurant, you can actually see across the bay to the market where the chefs buy the fresh fish daily it doesnt get much more locally sourced! Housekeepers Barbara and Maria stir up dishes inspired by the childhood recipes of owners Nuno Ramos and Rui Liberato de Sousa, including salt cod with layers of sweet potatoes and fig ice cream. If you're thinking of going to Disney, check out our Disneyland Paris review. INSIDER TIP Even in the summer school holidays, rooms are generally less than about 180 per night, and flying to Lisbon rather than Faro cuts the airfare down, too which makes this a seriously savvy call. The rain showers are lit naturally by skylights, there's springtime almond blossom by the bathroom sinks, and the polished-concrete floors have underfloor heating for chillier weather. Even the Vicentino Alvarinho, from the nearby winery, is a love affair with local living. Interior designer Dagny Bain created the interiors leaning Scandinavian in style. This is the antithesis of many people's idea of the Algarve, a tiny gem with crisp white lines on a country hillside far from the coastal crowds. The sheer space of the resort, sitting atop the russet cliffs above glorious sandy Praia da Falsia, the clear blue skies, the reliable sunshine, and the fact everything you need is on tap all make for a reassuringly relaxing family trip. Yes, there's a spa and yes the views are lovely, but mostly this holiday is about your children. When Jos Antnio Uva inherited his familys 780-hectare estate at just 26, he devoted the next 14 years to remodelling its ancient village as a hotel. But the restaurants here are right on point, each one with a designated children's area jam-packed with colouring books and games, all overseen by a smiling member of staff who will remember your child's name. Within our edit, most rooms come with convenient kitchens and washing machines, some have dedicated kids' pools and outdoor activities on offer, and most are close to some of thebest beaches in Portugal. Portugal vacations offer such a variety of activities that combine historic sites, hip city strolls, and sunny beach experiences. Example package: From 3,437 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in a family deluxe with terrace for 7 nights in August 2022, including breakfast on Booking.com. Noah exhibits the same artistic flair but with a more industrial aesthetic. In the Piazetta, Caf Bica serves coffee and the most sublime pastis de nata, the speciality custard tarts. All products are independently selected by our editors. There are 72 rooms, ranging from studios to villas that can accommodate multigenerational and larger family groups. Although it may be a little more challenging to get to with either a 3-hour drive from Lisbon or a 1 hour 20-minute trip from neighboring Faro airport it is such a family-focussed paradise, that the extra journey time was definitely worthwhile. As is the cork that lines the sauna the sleek concrete spa is a beauty, with a hammam lit by burnished copper lanterns and the logs that carpet the entrance. The resort also has a cycle hire school on site and we tried out a family-friendly route to the local lighthouse, Cabo da Roca. Surrounded by a sweet-smelling pine forest, with a path cutting through the trees to the beach, Praia Verde is an untapped family hideaway. The area around Sagres is a popular surfing spot, and while the resort beach is better suited to windsurfing, kayaking and paddle boarding, local surf lessons can be organized through the hotel easily.