Tour in Italy: the top destinations and luxury hotels

Italy is one of Europe’s most concerned countries, when it comes to the well-being of children. The most luxurious accommodations in the nation all place the comfort of families and the care of toddlers at the heart of their services and values. Little Guest (collection of luxury hotels for families) has selected for you the most beautiful kid-friendly addresses from the bunch, in order to offer you an unforgettable tour.

Each region in Italy is full of wonders which you can explore. In the North, ski slopes that enthrall sports families; in the south, a unique cuisine and a sea with translucent waters for the dolce vità enthusiasts; to the west, an architectural heritage that’s witnessed centuries of history; and to the east, colorful cultural traditions that will entertain tourists in shorts. A quick look through the best destinations in the country and their most prestigious hotels!

1 – THE ALPS

MIRTILLO ROSSO FAMILY HOTEL ****

Celebrate Christmas every month in Piedmont

We do not have to leave the Alps, but rather put down our luggage at the Mirtillo Rosso Family Hotel, located in the Piedmontese valley of Valsesia, a few kilometres from the Swiss border. Being warm and family-friendly, this hotel facility is ideally located near the 180 km of slopes of the Monterosa ski area. At Mirtillo, children are kings! Their facility has a baby club for toddlers between 1 to 3 years old, a free mini club for children between 4 to 10 years old, an indoor playroom, homemade mashed potatoes for infants, a baby kit and a high-quality babysitting service. What’s the hotel’s major kid-friendly asset? The celebration of Christmas Eve every 24th of the month! An opportunity for savouring the restaurant’s special « party » menu, for making delicious pastries with your family and for participating in a treasure hunt in the footsteps of Santa Claus. During summer, the resort activities are complemented by sports and water excursions: kayaking, canoeing, rafting, fishing, etc.

Parents love: The spa’s 34 °C heated indoor pool, the traditional dinner « Walser » and the regional wine tastings.

Children adore: The bunk beds in connecting family rooms, the paddling pool and the excursion to the educational farm.

As from €178/night

2 –TUSCANY

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE *****

Culture and prestige at the heart of the Tuscan capital

Four Seasons Hotel Firenze is considered as the most beautiful hotel in Florence and even the entire Italy. A true open-air museum, the hotel facility has two buildings that are respectively listed to have witnessed the 15th and 16th centuries. Its chic country atmosphere and the classic interior decoration makes it the favourite address for the families visiting the Tuscan capital. Being located in the largest private garden in the city, at a 10-minute walk from the city centre, this facility offers a wide range of activities and VIP services to families: a secure outdoor playground, a free mini club for children between 4 to 12 years old, a heated outdoor pool that is supervised by a lifeguard, spacious and comfortable duplex suites equipped with suitable children’s beds, high chairs and allergen-free menus for the little ones, a complete childcare kit, a high-quality babysitting service, children’s cosmetics that are placed in the room and a family excursion program that meets the expectations and desires of the entire family.

Parents love: The Michelin starred restaurant, Il Palagio; the meditation lessons and the walks in the park.

Children adore: The welcome gifts, the pizzas shop and the spa’s special « kids and teenagers » spa card.

As from €349/night

3 – APULIA

Masseria Torre Coccaro *****

An idyllic and bucolic getaway

Nestled in the heart of Apulia, the Masseria Torre Coccaro is the most authentic and elegant 5-star hotel on the Adriatic coast. The hotel is renowned for its refined rustic decor, its location in the middle of olive trees, its wonderful restaurants and its panoramic views to the Adriatic Sea. Families lodge in one of the 43 spacious rooms and suites, some of which are adjoining and have private pools. The parents always strive to visit the region at the wheel of an Alfa Romeo, a Fiat or a vintage Lancia, to discover the local wines. Children, on their part, love swimming in the hotel’s magnificent outdoor swimming pool, as well as checking out the allergen-free children’s menus at the restaurants. The hotel facility has its own private beach which is easily accessible thanks to a beautiful external pathway; a boon for families who love taking a nap by the sea.

Parents love: the spa situated in the facility’s former oil cellars, the Yoga-Pilates session on the facility’s rooftop terrace and the private beach club.

Children adore: the nannies of the babysitting service, the COMPLIMENTARY kids club for children from 3 to 12 years old, as well as the numerous activities just for them

As from €304/night 

4 – SICILY

VERDURA GOLF & SPA RESORT *****

Luxury and relaxation in the Sicilian countryside

Athletic families lodge every summer in the inevitable Verdura Golf & Spa Resort. Being set on the seafront, South of the Sicilian countryside, this luxurious hotel offers a wide range of sports and water activities for both children and their parents. Among them, there are ten academies: a centre for fencing, tennis, golf, beach volleyball, rugby, hip-hop, basketball, swimming, taekwondo, and especially the famous and highly anticipated Juventus Training Experience where your toddlers train alongside real professionals, whenever they aren’t being entertained at the mini club alongside their favourite facilitators. On their part, Mom and Dad can enjoy two golf courses, as well as one of the most luxurious spas in Europe. The 4,000 sqm wellness area includes three outdoor thalassotherapy pools with breathtaking views to the valley. Little Guest advises large families to stay in one of the superb 3-bedroom suites with a private pool, terrace and garden.

Parents love: The mixology lessons, the private beach and the surf initiation classes.

Children adore: The welcome gifts, the complete baby kit and the special « kids » excursions.

As from €299/night 

5 – SARDINIA

FORTE VILLAGE RESORT *****

A kids-friendly resort on a dream beach

Head to the south of Sardinia for an idyllic stay at the best kid-friendly resort in Italy, or even in the entire world: Forte Village! Nestled on one of the island’s most beautiful white-sand beaches, the property boasts of luxurious facilities in 47 hectares of lush gardens. Up to you to chose among the 9 stunning hotels of the resort, including Hotel Le Palme ****, Hotel Il Castello **** et Hotel Bouganville ****. Children are kings at Forte Village! From the age of 3, they benefit from daily and free access to an extraordinary mini club run by professional child welfare workers. The youngest can join a baby-club orchestrated by loving nannies, while teenagers from 13 years can join the U Club which organizes sports and recreational activities throughout the summer, one of which is the resort’s aquapark. Even the accommodations are incredibly kid-friendly, like this room which is entirely decorated on the theme of the famous Barbie doll… The hotel also enthrals parents thanks to its thalassotherapy centre and its restaurant, Le Belvedere, which serves the cooking of the British chef, Gordon Ramsay, who has awarded 7 times in the Michelin guide.

Parents love: The option of being able to choose between the resort’s 23 restaurants, the connecting family rooms and the water activities.

Children adore: The ultra-complete and varied « kids » offer, the small kids club village and the mini-spa packages.

As from €495/night

HOTEL ABI D’ORU *****

Haute cuisine and dolce vità

After the South, here we are in the North-east of Sardinia, on the so-called most authentic coast of the island. Bordered by a crystal-clear sea and a white sandy beach, the Abi d’Oru estate (which means « golden bee » in Sardinian language) offers a warm setting, a chic bucolic atmosphere and an impeccable service to the families who seek after relaxation. Thanks to its summer children’s club, its 18-hole golf course, its superb spa, as well as its sports and water activities galore, the hotel will be appealing to every member of your family. The real stars of the hotel are none other than its restaurants, wherein the Haute Sardinian cuisine and innovation blend together! On the menu: grilled meats, fish and shellfish, pasta, antipasti, etc. Even the little ones will keep asking for more! Little Guest recommends that families travelling with young children should lodge in one of the Garden Deluxe rooms that have direct access to the beach through its small private garden whereon the baby can romp around safely.

Parents love: The agritourism visits to the area, the fitness room and the equestrian excursions on the beach.

Children adore: The ultra-complete baby kit, the children’s menus at restaurants and the family sailing lessons.

As from €299/night

Sarah, 27 years old, Italian gastronomy and travel addict, from Brussels