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Top 5 luxury wellness hotels for families

Words by Hannah Ross

From the wilderness lining Canada’s nurturing coast to the healing powers of Maldivian isles, these resorts are breaking the mould and proving wellness is for every branch of the family tree. 

Stories for... The Head

Wellness escapes designed for every generation 

Picture the perfect family holiday and it’s probably visions of kids’ clubs they never want to leave, menus that make their faces light up and an activity list as long as your arm. And even if it’s none of those things, it’s undoubtedly not a spa. Often with an ‘adults-only’ caveat, wellness breaks of any kind cater to those seeking relaxation, rejuvenation or simply to switch off – arguably the opposite of a big family getaway. But with the rise of multigen travel (and well-being becoming the buzzword of the times), wellness holidays for families are the new go-to getaway. 

They may not be the most fast-paced, but child-friendly wellness retreats allow for bonding at a slower, deeper level; think mothers introducing their daughters to their first spa treatments, grandparents and grandchildren whipping up a new favourite dish in a healthy cooking class, and teens (and parents alike) learning to put down the devices in favour of mindfulness in an hour’s guided meditation.  

What wellness means when you travel together 

Defining wellness is a tricky one, it embodies many different things to different people after all. For some, it’s about the physical; getting blood pumping on a hike in the great outdoors or testing stamina in fitness classes. For others, it’s more emotional; disconnecting from the day-to-day in bubbling thermal pools or revelling in that fresh facial glow. That’s why, at Carrier, we take the time to get to know what wellness means for you, so everyone can catch that flight back home feeling like the best versions of themselves.  

Whatever the preference, these holidays are proof that nurturing those connections with your nearest and dearest can come in moments of quiet respite as easily as they can in grand unforgettable occasions – so it’s best to make sure that the trip is full of them. So, we’ve used our expertise and know-how to sift through the trends and find our favourite luxury family spa resorts that do wellness for both the young and young at heart not only in the best ways, but in diverse ways too.

Handpicked hotels for restorative family travel 

Activities to get little limbs moving, experiences that build those familial bonds, and moments that make children feel like one of the grown-ups; these wellness hotels for families have it all...

JOALI BEING, Maldives

Bürgenstock Resort, Switzerland

 

JOALI BEING, Raa Atoll, Maldives

Masters of multigen 
Once reserved just for the grown-ups, this Maldivian idyl has reimagined family wellness with its multigenerational zone. With the aim to introduce younger guests to healthy, mindful and sustainable practices early on, the B’Kidult area is made up of spaces to enjoy the likes of child-friendly yoga, eco art sessions and herbarium workshops that every generation can get stuck into. A bit of pampering isn’t out of the question either, with a special spa menu focusing on four key pillars – mind, skin, microbiome and energy – consisting of the likes of mini manicures and gentle massages.  

 

 

Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

On cloud nine 
With over 10,000 square metres to soothe the mind and body and sweeping views to soothe the eyes, the spa at this hilltop haven is the definition of relaxation. Its five pools and warren of treatment areas are predominantly for ages 16 up, but from 9am – 12pm and 5pm – 7pm daily, younger families can come together to enjoy some time poolside. Outside of these hours little ones aren’t far away – the kids’ club is right next door – and away from the resort the whole clan can explore together on days out learning about Switzerland’s heritage, landscape and food. 

Photo 1. Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, Canada
Photo 2. Six Senses Kanuhura, Maldives
Photo 3. Verdura Resort, Sicily
  • Photo 1. Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, Canada
  • Photo 2. Six Senses Kanuhura, Maldives
  • Photo 3. Verdura Resort, Sicily

 

Six Senses Kanuhura Resort, Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives

Nurture and nourish 
The beating heart of the resort, when guests aren’t exploring the ocean, they’re usually found in Kanuhura’s spa. A feature of all the brand’s properties, the Grow with Six Senses Children’s Club is packed with activities to keep boredom at bay – a lot of which focus on health and wellness. At Kanuhura, they manifest in the likes of mother/daughter spa packages and watersports and cooking lessons that ignite new hobbies in all ages. Health and fitness are also on the cards here in the form of programmes where children can work on their breathing and brain development while grown-ups up their workout levels. 

 

 

 

Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte hotel, Sicily, Italy

Go for gold 
Here, wellness takes on a more active and outdoorsy approach under the Sicilian sun. While guardians are distracted in the spa, kids and teens have their pick of sporty ventures from football and tennis to volleyball, plus there are educational sessions for some brain training. It’s not the place where families barely see each other though. After everyone has had their fill of independence, off-site bonding in the form of bike rides around rural villages and archaeological sites, and family golf tournaments ignite joy and a touch of friendly competition.  

 

 

 

Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge, Vancouver, Canada 

A natural remedy 
Surrounded by glorious wilderness, nature takes centre stage at Clayoquot where devices are willingly left to one side in favour of time together. As serene as it gets, the Healing Grounds Spa straddles the ocean and features treatments using indigenous flora and therapies like outdoor yoga and glacial plunge pools. Understandably this is more geared towards tribes with teens, but younger children (note: the lodge only admits ages six plus) reap the rewards of the outdoors just as much; think horseback riding, archery, waterfall hikes and cruising the waters in search of wildlife. 

 

Get in touch your way…
We customise every trip to you and our quotes are bespoke. We’re here to offer advice, recommendations and answer your questions.