10 Family Wellness Holidays
While 2018 may have been all about solo retreats and self exploration, 2019’s biggest travel trend is all about wellness for the entire family.
Hotels are quickly cottoning onto the fact that wellness is for the whole family and while having the kids in tow might lead to some early nights and even earlier mornings, that means that there’s lots of time in between for the whole brood to keep active, get pampered and squeeze in some well-deserved ‘me’ time!
We asked the experts at The Healthy Holiday Company to pick their favourite resorts for families in search of a healthy escape, from surfing and yoga in Morocco to organic family meals in Thailand 2019 really is the year of family wellness.
1. Fitness Training & Treasure Hunts- Pine Cliffs, Algarve, Portugal
Pine Cliffs is the perfect destination for families after private sandy beaches, on-site sports, kids’ activities and wellbeing programmes for parents. Whist little ones take part in face painting, treasure hunting and scooter races at one of two kids clubs, parents can head to the gym, relax in the spa or take part in fitness programmes (from personal training to fitness assessments) or wellbeing weeks, which combine a healthy menu with yoga classes, spa sessions and an array of complimentary wellness classes. Kids clubs are priced from €20 per half day (approx. £17) and are open from 09:30-17:00. www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/pine-cliffs
2. Family Yoga & Face Painting- Six Senses Kaplankaya, Bodrum, Turkey
Not only does Six Senses Kaplankaya, set on the South Aegean coast of Turkey close to Bodrum, offer an extensive range of health, fitness and wellness programmes held by highly accomplished professionals (from Yogic Detoxes to Personal Wellbeing and Yogic Sleep) but it also boasts a fantastic (free) kids club, offering football, basketball, swimming, painting and hiking. For a small additional cost, families can also take part in family yoga, traditional cookery classes, yachting tours, helicopter rides and exploring local markets with one of the hotel’s head chefs.www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/six-senses-kaplankaya
3. Wellbeing & Watersports- Marbella Club, Andalucía, Spain
This hotel is getting even more serious about its wellbeing offering, recently adding a new variety of new programmes for zapped parents, from Fitness and Energy to De-Stress and Unwind. There's also a terrific area dedicated to kids with a wide range of activities including kayaking, paddle boarding, Spanish lessons and sushi making. The hotel is also offering private wellness classes for families and little ones; focused on improving both movement and coordination through simple yoga and Pilates. https://www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/marbella-club/
4. Sun, Surfing & Open Air Movies- Paradis Plage, near Adagir, Morocco
This charming surf and yoga resort is set on an impressive three mile beach an hour south of Agadir. With direct flights and year-round warm weather, this makes a great winter sun family escape. The resort offers heaps for families to do; from yoga, fitness, body-boarding and surfing (for those aged 8+) to relaxing by the beachside firepit and watching movies in the open air beachside cinema. Also, as a bonus for mum and dad, there’s a free kids club for those aged 4-11, open daily between 10am and 6pm, and a choice of on-site restaurants that offer flexible family dining. www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/paradis-plage
5. Spa Sessions & Family Sports- FeelViana, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
Based on Cabedelo Beach, surrounded by pine forests close to Viana do Castelo in Northern Portugal, and just a short drive from Porto, this new hotel offers plenty for all the family to enjoy, whether they want to simply relax with beach games and spa sessions or opt for something a little more active such as surfing, sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing or paddle boarding- all with lessons available for little ones. Children can also sign up to the Adventurers Club (with bike rides, pool games and nature walks) whilst parents relax with yoga and Pilates.www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/feelviana
6. Sports Academies & Swimming Pools- Forte Village, Sardinia, Italy
If you're looking for a family resort that offers a comprehensive array of Sports Academies (Rugby, Cricket Golf), activities and entertainment, it's very difficult to beat Forte Village Sardinia, located on the south coast of the island and just 2.5 hours flying time from London. It is justifiably famous for its superb range of accommodation options and its outstanding array of activities on offer for both adults and children of all ages; from biking, tennis and climbing to yoga, spa sessions and swimming (in one of nine freshwater pools). www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/forte-village-hotel-castell
7. Fitness, Golf & Complementary Kids Classes- The Abama, Tenerife
The Abama resort, set high on a cliff top in Guia de Isora on the sunny west coast, offers as little or as much activity as each family member requires; from tennis lessons, yoga classes, rounds of golf and stints in the fitness studio to relaxing poolside to exploring subtropical gardens or indulging at the spa. The complimentary year-round Ritz Kids club offers plenty to keep little ones occupied between 10am-6pm- from astronomy classes to island treasure hunts, pizza workshops, zumba lessons and mini-musicals. www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/abama-golf-and-spa-resort
8. Rafting, Rainforest & Caribbean Cool- Carlisle Bay, Antigua
Set on one of Antigua’s best beaches on the unspoilt south coast, Carlisle Bay has spacious family suites with cool interiors, white linens and private terraces overlooking tropical rainforest. There’s plenty to keep adventurous types busy; from exploring the sheltered bay by kayak to playing tennis with a pro, learning to dive at the PADI centre or visiting two 18-hole courses nearby. When it’s time to relax, the spa offers a variety of treatments and grounds are dotted with chic white sun beds. Families will love the Cool Kids Club- set in the shade of the tropical gardens and offering mini tennis, raft building and beach barbeques. https://www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/carlisle-bay/
9. Holistic Packages & Free Family Watersports- AmataraWellness Resort, Phuket, Thailand
Tucked away in a peaceful corner of Cape Panwa on the south-eastern tip of Phuket, this hotel centres around total wellness; from holistic packages and exclusive retreat programmes (including detox, weight management, yoga and fitness) to complementary daily massages, free health and fitness classes and its organic wholefood cuisine. Parents looking to switch off needn’t worry, as little ones will be kept occupied at the Children’s Area, where they can enjoy customized activities, pool games and play areas. Families can also relax by a 55m infinity pool or head to the beach for free stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking classes. www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/amatara-wellness-resort
10. Bottomless Champagne & Free Childcare- Shandrani, Mauritius
Surrounded by 70 acres of lush landscaped gardens and three white sand beaches, Shandrani really goes the extra mile. Firstly, there’s no need to wait for a 2pm check in like many other resorts (great for families looking to unpack right away) and secondly it offers free family watersports and bottomless champagne for parents after 6pm! What’s more, there’s a free Bob Marlin Mini Club for children aged 3-12, offering a set programme of activities that little ones can dip in and out of. There’s also a choice of five restaurants and an impressive Clarins Spa as well as the only National Geographic PADI-Diving Centre in the Indian Ocean! www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk/trips/shandrani
For more information on any of the holidays listed above, or to book, call 0208 968 0501 or visit www.thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk.
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