Best places to go for your first family holiday abroad

Looking for a child-friendly holiday destination, but no idea where to start. To help you make the best choices for your first family break, take a look at our handy pick of hotels and resorts that cater to the whole gang…

If you’re travelling with a newborn or a baby under two, all of these resorts have a Twinklestars crèche run by UK-qualified level three nannies. It offers daytime and evening sessions, and free stay and play time where parents can comein and use the facilities. There are also parent and toddler swim classes on the agenda and, during July and August, our Stage Academy features widget gems to get little ones moving. Older kids will love the First Choice Kids’ Club which is split by age group – there’s Little Stars for three to five year olds, Super Stars for six to eight and Mega Stars for nine to 11s.

The resorts also offer pre-bookable baby packs with all the essential items included – stroller, playpen, highchair, bottle warmer, steriliser, sun tent, changing mat and baby bath. Sorted.

The quick one – Holiday Village Majorca

The best thing about the our Holiday Village Majorca is that it’s a quick two and a half hour and twenty minutes’ flight away with easy transfers. So, you’ll have less time journeying with kids, and more time at the beach – there’s even a free shuttle to take you there from the hotel. Besides boasting a near-perfect location, this place is packed with activities like an Aerial Adventure course, climbing wall and sports academies to keep everyone busy. Plus, there are six pools to choose from, including a family splash park and toddler splash pool for little ones.

The other quick one – Holiday Village Costa del Sol

Located on the Spanish coast, the Holiday Village Costa del Sol is in another easy-to-get-to destination. The star attraction of this huge family-friendly hotel is the Beach Club waterpark, which pairs some lagoon-like pools with panoramic sea views, a pirate ship and a wave machine – what more could you want? Besides the all-action pool scene, the resort also boasts activities like crazy golf, archery, a circus skills workshop and snorkelling. When it comes to dining, as well as the main buffet restaurant, you’ve got an Italian eatery serving pasta and pizza, plus an American Diner to keep the pickiest of eaters happy.

The luxury one – Insotel Puna Prima Resort & Spa

Who said family holidays had to be all about the kids? It’s your holiday, too. Make the Insotel Punta Prima Resort & Spa in Menorca your base for a relaxing family break with a side of pampering for the parents. This huge hilltop hotel combines beautiful views of the Mediterranean with a nearby sandy beach and plenty going on for all the family. There’s a kids’ club for all ages, including toddlers, plus a children’s pool and evening entertainment, from children’s mini-disco to live music and cabaret nights. Adults can also relax and unwind at the spa, which boasts a Turkish bath and a menu of treatments including massages and facials – yes, please.

The wet one – Villa Mandi and Siam Park

If the kids are a bit older, Villa Mandi takes over the town of Los Cristianos in Tenerife and could be a good shout for your lot. Down on the south-west coast, the world-famous Siam Park is just a five-minutes’ drive away. Take the hotel’s free transfer to the beach or hop on their twice-daily ride to slip and slide around this Thai-themed waterpark. Let the world’s longest lazy river take you away, or take a breath before the plunge down the Tower of Power’s 28-metre drop. Closer to home, the pool game is strong, too. Four swimming spots snake their way around the grounds, with one reserved as kids-only. But don’t worry, a waterside bar caters perfectly to a more adult crowd as well – win, win.