A Practical Guide to Memorable Family Hotel Stays in Europe

Making sure everyone’s happy during a family hotel stay can be a full-time job. You’ve got to choose the destination, make the booking and manage the budget, so kid-friendly breaks often take a lot of organising – but Novotel has got it all covered. You’ll find all the answers in this practical guide to carefree holidays with the family. 

There are several criteria to take into account when deciding on your dream family holiday stay. These include the age of your kids, the level of comfort required and the amount of red tape involved. Choose your destination with the least constraints – visas and vaccinations – that are suitable for very young children or travellers with reduced mobility. Make things easy for your first family hotel stay: look for any family-friendly deals, discuss the possible options together and choose a destination that’s easy to get to, accessible and child-friendly.

Try to keep your packing to a minimum as well. Whether you travel by train, plane or car, heavy luggage is both cumbersome and expensive – and you may be charged excess baggage fees at the airport. Rely on your kid-friendly hotel to provide you with all the essentials like towels and complimentary bathroom products. Be sure to take a first-aid kit and the necessities for the smallest members of the family, but the rest you can find onsite.

To enjoy every moment of your baby’s memorable first holiday, don’t aim too high. Instead, go easy on yourself and keep long journeys to a minimum. The UK is a fantastically family-friendly holiday destination with an impressive variety of landscapes to fascinate young and old alike. There’s no time difference, so baby’s sleep patterns won’t be disrupted, and there isn’t a language barrier should you have any issues or queries.

Why not have astaycation in the UK? You're sure to find a destination that’s right for your family.

Hosting fascinating cities packed with cultural life and home to magnificent countryside, the UK is spectacular destination for families with kids of all ages. Here, you can visit the birthplace of Shakespeare, climb mountains in the Scottish Highlands or feast on seasonal cuisines in anything from cosy thatched pubs to fine-dining restaurants. Whatever your adventure in the UK, there’s a Novotel for you.

There’s nothing quite like the excitement of making your first memories in another country. On a family hotel stay abroad, your children will learn new languages, taste new flavours and have new experiences on a daily basis. Among the must-see destinations suitable for everyone, consider the following:

Majestic mountains, some of Europe’s most beautiful beaches, spectacular countryside and iconic museums in historic cities. France has it all. In summer, escape the crowds on a family sports holiday in the mountains – and return in winter to ski! Teach youngsters to swim in the Mediterranean, or take the teens to surf on Atlantic waves. Enjoy colourful local markets and munch your way through countless regional cuisines. 

A stay at Novotel Paris Centre Eiffel Tower puts you in sightseeing central, while Novotel Antibes Sophia Antipolis is minutes from Mediterranean beaches and family-friendly Marineland. 

With its thousands of islands, Greece is an exotic playground for lovers of history, hiking or lazing in the sun. Step back in time at mythical temples and monuments in Athens, the Cyclades, Rhodes or Corfu, discover wild coves where you can swim in complete privacy, and enjoy incomparable sunsets over the sea. Book your family an exceptional holiday on Aegean shores or in the heart of the vibrant capital city.

Novotel Athens is easily accessible from the port at Piraeus or the international airport. When staying there, you can soak up views of the Acropolis as you lounge around the rooftop pool.

Portugal is one of the most kid-friendly countries in Europe. With year-round sunshine and reasonable prices, Lisbon and the Algarve region are particularly popular. Try your hand at a host of water sports off Atlantic beaches, and discover dramatic cliffs on the south-west coastline. Or explore picturesque towns with an historic vibe, and tuck into a cuisine that’s as regional and seasonal as it is kid-friendly. 

Novotel Setubal is the perfect base for exploring Portugal’s west coast, and makes an idyllic summer hideaway thanks to its spacious family rooms, swimming pool and kids’ play area in the garden.

Discover Italy’s iconic cities, one gelato at a time. Experience the amazing cultural heritage of Rome, Florence and Naples, where world-beating museums offer kid-friendly trails and activities to inspire young minds and every excursion is like something out of Pixar. Want to give the cities a miss? There are beaches galore – both on the mainland and on the islands – where the whole family can take a swim. 

Italian hotels that make every moment matter include Novotel Venezia Mestre Castellana on the outskirts of Venice, and Novotel Salerno Est Arechion the Amalfi Coast, which is also near ancient Pompeii.

Looking for an easy way to make your family holiday a success? Novotel hotels can help you there. From the moment you arrive at a Novotel, there are special touches to enjoy. Relax in the Social Hub until your room is ready, and discover the personalised gifts for your junior travellers. Thanks to the Family Time by Novotel programme, you’ll all enjoy a memorable stay. Benefits include: 

• Children up to the age of 16 enjoy a free stay and breakfast where they share your family room.
• Get 50% off a second room for children aged between 8 and 16, with an additional discount of up to 10% for ALL members.
• Treat everyone to a final dip in the pool thanks to late check-out at the weekend; departures are possible until 5 pm.
• Nightlights and baby cots are provided for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Check out more travel ideas in the Novotel Magazine.