Family holidays are the ideal opportunity to make treasured memories, but when you're travelling with babies or young children, the list of things to pack can seem never ending.
With our guide to the best hotels and family resorts in Italy, there's no need to worry about keeping them occupied. We've featured six luxury family hotels and resorts that provide babysitting, kids' clubs for tweens and teens and essential equipment, plus unlimited activities.
Whether you're looking for small, family friendly hotels, or sprawling five-star resorts with dedicated clubs and activities, our guide will help you to narrow down your search.
1. Verdura Resort, Sicily
- Verduland kids’ club tailored to babies, kids and teens with pools and playgrounds
- Children's activities range from cooking and art classes to sports and science clubs
- Dedicated children's menus, bath products and hedgehog teddy turndown service
Sitting between fragrant olive and orange groves and the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean, Rocco Forte's Verdura Resort in Sicily offers a memorable seaside holiday for every age group.
There's space for little ones to run around amongst the vast grounds and stroller-friendly pathways, and plenty of entertainment at Verduland. Run by the specialist kids team, little ones will be kept busy with craft, science, cookery, culture, and sports, while teenagers play table tennis, pool, and video games at The Fort.
While the kids are entertained, you can laze on the soft white sands of the 1.8 kilometre-long private beach, or sip a cocktail beside the impressive infinity pool. Book a babysitter to enjoy a romantic meal on the Amare Rooftop, indulge in a luxury couples' spa treatment, or play a round of golf at one of the resort's acclaimed courses.
Rooms and suites have everything you need for a relaxing family holiday. Children's bed linen and laundry bags, plus rubber ducks, hooded towels, and even pint-sized robes and slippers are all provided for youngsters. For a truly luxurious family holiday in Italy, the exquisite Forte Suites have private pools.
Enjoy your breakfast with a side of Sicilian sunshine at Buongiorno, and lively family feasts at Liola Restaurant, a fun, colourful dining room where kids can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine.
Away from the resort, visit the popular fishing village of Sciacca for a family boat trip, explore the temples of historic Agrigento and Selinunte, take a helicopter ride to Mount Etna, or cruise the coastal roads for a fun day out.
2. Hotel Bouganville, Forte Village, Sardinia
- Children’s Wonderland kids' club team is certified by Worldwide Kids
- Families can choose from five spacious Deluxe Bungalows
- Convenient for sports and leisure activities
The island of Sardinia offers an irresistible blend of stunning coastline, fascinating history, and some of the best beaches in Italy. Young children will love riding The Little Green Train or exploring the island's caves and grottoes.
Hotel Bouganville sits in lush Mediterranean gardens at the heart of Forte Village Resort. The beach is sheltered from the wind and the sea temperature is two degrees warmer than the rest of the island, so kids can comfortably build sandcastles and paddle in the turquoise water.
Choose from a range of spacious Deluxe Bungalows, all with every comfort imaginable. The Deluxe Family Plus Bungalow has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, while the Family Play Garden Bungalow has its own private garden with ride-on toys, slides, and playhouses. Some bungalows can be interconnected, and there's a special Barbie™ room package available on request.
The resort has 21 fabulous eateries including Mario’s Restaurant that’s perfect for young children. After dinner, kids can take the toy-train shuttle to Children’s Wonderland to splash around in the lagoon-style family pool or race down the slides at Acquapark. The Wonderland also offers an interactive play village, theatre workshops and a Barbie house, as well as bowling, go-karting and dancing at Leisureland.
If you fancy a romantic lunch at a Michelin-starred restaurant or a day at the spa, a complimentary nursery is on hand for children aged two and above, so you can relax while they're having fun.
3. Borgo Egnazia, Puglia
- Three kids' clubs and a dedicated children's pool
- Beach Club with a Watersport Centre and beach dedicated to families
- Da Frisella restaurant entirely dedicated to young guests
Sparkling blue seas and abundant sunshine make Puglia a wonderful destination for a luxury family holiday. During peak season, Borgo Egnazia is adult-only, but, there's plenty for families visiting off-peak.
Three dedicated kids' clubs offer entertainment and activities for all ages. Supervised by qualified staff, there's a nursery, play area, relaxation room, shallow kids' pool, and adventure playground. Older kids can make new friends over a game of pool, join dance contests, cook Italian food, or run around the pitch during a football tournament.
With the hotel's babysitting service, you can indulge at Vair Spa, tee-off on the hotel's 18-hole championship golf course or learn how to make authentic Italian fare at the cookery school. Prefer to relax on the beach? You’ll have direct access to the sea from the hotel's sunbathing deck, or you can use the shuttle to visit one of the property's exclusive sandy beaches.
4. Abi d’Oru Beach Hotel & Spa, Sardinia
- Children's splash park and plenty of watersports
- Dedicated Family Classic rooms
- Restaurants offer a Bee Happy children's menu
Beachfront Abi d'Oru Beach Hotel & Spa boasts spectacular views of Marinella Bay, where soft sands and shallow waters offer safe bathing and family fun on the beach.
The Bee Happy Kids Club is a dedicated space for kids to play games and get creative, supervised by childcare professionals. There's also a babysitting service for all ages, and a special menu designed for fussy eaters in the kids-only section of the restaurant.
Older children can enjoy tennis, soccer, and table football, or learn about sailing and windsurfing in the crystal-clear Gulf of Marinella.
Away from the resort, take an exhilarating jet ski ride to the lively harbour town of Porto Rotondo, or discover the Costa Smeralda on a yacht. For a taste of local life, learn to make gnocchi in an authentic Sardinian cookery course, or step back in time at an ancient farm.
5. Chia Laguna, Sardinia
- Kids' Club with a team of entertainers
- Creative workshops and sports including Chia Football Academy
- Special baby welcome amenities mean you can pack light
Chia Laguna resort sits atop a rugged knoll, with glorious views of Chia. The resort’s private beach is a short walk or shuttle ride from the hotel, where children can explore sand dunes while you relax on the white sands.
There's a nursery for babies up to the age of two, while children between three and six can play at the Mini Club. The Junior Club's activities such as football and beach volleyball suit children up to twelve, and the Adventure Club promises exciting adventures for teenagers to make new friends and try different sports.
You'll be able to pack light thanks to the Chia Baby Welcome, which provides a stroller, changing table, baby bath, and bottle warmer for guests. Book a babysitter for some child-free time to relax by the sparkling pool, lounge on the beach, recharge at the spa, or go diving.
The main pool has a large shallow end that's perfect for family fun, and there is a dedicated kids' swimming pool for splashing around. Fill their stomachs at nine fantastic restaurants, including a pizzeria and Bimbi kids restaurant with a fun interactive kitchen.
6. Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany
- Horse riding, arts and crafts, treasure hunts, and chocolate factory tours
- Just 39 rooms and suites for a boutique family stay
- Children will love the sprawling gardens and large heated pool
This resort is ideal for a magical family holiday in Tuscany. Within easy reach of Florence, San Gimignano, and Siena, this renovated 10th century castle is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, with complimentary shuttle services to sister hotel Villa San Michele.
Enjoy enchanting views of the Tuscan countryside from Castello di Casole's heated outdoor infinity pool, luxury spa treatments at Essere and several outstanding restaurants. Although there's no dedicated kids' club, there are many activities for youngsters in and around the hotel.
Open spaces mean children can explore and run around safely, and families can choose a Junior Suite, spacious Suite or Traditional Townhouse for supreme comfort. Dining highlights include Afternoon Tea at The Enchanted Table, a Tuscan picnic in the woods, and pizza-making with an experienced Pizzaiolo.
Explore the local area on a hiking or cycling tour, or go on a truffle hunting tour accompanied by sniffer dogs. Then, indulge with a truffle experience at Essere Spa and savour a truffle-inspired four-course dinner later on.
For a romantic evening, book a babysitter and head out for an evening of stargazing with an expert guide. For nature lovers, there's sunset woodland adventures, where you may spot porcupines, pheasants, and wild boars.
Feeling inspired to book your next luxury holiday with kids? We can help you to find the best hotels and family resorts in Italy. Get in touch with our travel experts today.
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