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Best Family Luxury Resorts

Luxury island resorts that make family travel easier, compared on kids' clubs, family villas, shallow lagoons and transfers.

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What to look for in a family luxury resort

A luxury resort works for a family when the practical details are in place: childcare that accepts your youngest, rooms where everyone sleeps behind a door, safe shallow water and food children will eat. Plenty of five-star resorts welcome children without offering much for them, so compare the facilities line by line.

What to check before booking

  • Kids' club ages and cost: most clubs take children alone from four, a few from 12 months, and teen spaces are rare. Ask whether it is included or charged per session.
  • Bedroom layout: a two-bedroom villa or connecting rooms beat a sofa bed; compare the price of one large villa against two smaller rooms.
  • Water and villa safety: overwater rooms can carry age limits or a waiver, and pools need a gate or a clear line of sight for small children.
  • Babysitting and menus: sitters are usually charged by the hour, often from around US$35, so check minimum bookings and evening cover.
  • Transfer and luggage: seaplanes allow about 20kg plus 5kg hand luggage each, which is tight with a buggy and cot; a resort boat takes more and runs after dark.
  • How children are priced: many resorts treat over-12s as adults for meal plans and activities.

How family resorts differ

Large resort islands give room to cycle, play football and change beaches, which suits active children and teenagers. Smaller, design-led islands may have one standout club but less to do beyond it. Beach-strip resorts, such as those along Grace Bay or Mauritius's west coast, let you walk to a café or take a taxi to a doctor, which is easier with toddlers. Private islands built for families exist too, with buggies, a kids' club and multi-bedroom villas, but every meal is on the island.

Price signals

Family-friendly Maldives resorts in the guides start from around US$950 a night for a beach villa, while the islands with the biggest clubs sit from around US$1,700 to US$3,500. Mauritius delivers a full kids' club for much less, from around US$5,000 to US$10,000 for a week for two adults. We'd pay for the extra bedroom before any upgrade to a pool or a better view.

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