As experts in family travel, we’re keen to encourage the input of every family member when it comes to holiday planning. So, we decided to ask a focus group of junior travellers about their family holiday preferences, including the accommodation they prefer to stay in while abroad. Forget five-star hotels; the results revealed that youngsters would much rather stay somewhere fun than fancy on holiday (think: teepees, beach cabins, igloos and boats), particularly if that place is unique to the destination (think: ryokans, safari lodges and ranches). Teepees were a firm favourite, closely followed by beach cabins, boats and igloos, all of which pipped the likes of overwater villas and five-star luxury (unless it’s a city break, in which case they’re rather partial to a rooftop pool, thank you very much). Read on for our selection of the coolest hotels in the world that are bound to wow travellers of all ages…
Tokyo, Japan
Henn na Hotel has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s first hotel with walking robots. During your futuristic stay, expect to be checked in and looked after by friendly animatronic dinosaurs and humanoids; this cutting-edge technology is bound to entertain children and adults alike. With multiple locations across Tokyo to choose from, Henn na Hotels are as practical as they are fun. For a truly innovative experience, stay in Akihabara, an area famed for its high concentration of electronic stores, gaming centres and manga memorabilia. Spend time strolling through the neon-lit neighbourhood, hunting for anime souvenirs at Nakano Broadway and seeing animation come to life at the Studio Ghibli museum.
Lapland, Finland
Igloos are to children what stilted resorts in the Maldives are to adults – a bucket-list-worthy stay with incredible nature right on your doorstep. Lapland’s Levin Iglut glass igloo resort is a magical boutique hotel located within the forests of Northern Finland, consisting of 27 igloos and a restaurant. The igloos are domed, with glass-grid ceilings and walls, so you’ll feel fully immersed in nature as deer and birds pass by your windows. Spend mornings tucking into hearty breakfast buffets by an open log fire, and come nightfall, stay on the lookout for the elusive Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed. Daytime adventures can include husky-led sled rides, hovercraft tours of the frozen archipelago and wilderness skills lessons with a knowledgeable guide in Finland’s mystical forests.
Utah, USA
Set against the rocky backdrop of Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park, experience life in the Wild West with a stay in a traditional Western wagon. The Capitol Reef Resort’s luxury wagons are based on authentic 19th-century western carts and are kitted out with a double bed, bunk beds for the little ones, on-theme interiors and an outdoor campfire. Set across 378 square miles of wilderness, the surrounding badlands feature far-reaching landscapes of sandstone, ginormous canyons and otherworldly rock formations. The expansive setting can act as a playground for the whole family, with key sites including the 125ft-tall natural arch of Hickman Bridge and the Fremont Native American rock carvings and pictographs. Horseback trail rides are also available on-site – every cowboy needs a stallion, after all.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
The perfect way of getting youngsters far, far away from their gadgets is by sailing out to the far-reaching seas of Raja Ampat. Indonesia's Dewi Nusantara liveaboard has been designed to replicate sailing boats from the 1800s, but all with the comforts of the 21st century. The three-masted wooden schooner is the perfect base for excursions to some of Raja Ampat's world-class diving spots, from the richest reefs of the Coral Triangle to kayaking adventures through clearwater mangroves. After days spent at sea, head back to dry land to explore villages and meet the locals, trek to waterfalls and learn all about the local marine projects with a visit to a sea turtle conservation.
South Africa
Begin your family adventure in South Africa along the country’s unspoiled eastern coastline in Mkambati Nature Reserve. Stay at GweGwe Beach Lodge to ensure you're at the heart of the action, as this is one of the few places on earth where you can watch zebra and whales at the same time. Situated between dramatic cliffs, beaches and pockets of wild swamp forests, Mkambati is alive with grassland-grazing kudu and reedbuck, as well as southern ground hornbill and fish eagles among the woodland. Children will relish the chance to run around the wide-windowed beach lodge and splash about in the ocean-view pool, while the parents can keep watch from the luxe lounge area or expansive garden, which comes with a fabulous floating deck. After a couple of days spent soaking up the beach lodge’s wild beauty, set off on a safari adventure in Madikwe Game Reserve. Remember to bring your binoculars for the occasion, as Madikwe is famous for its cheetahs, African wild dogs and iconic Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos). Parents will also be happy to hear that this is a malaria-free area, too.
