Child-friendly resort hotels

THREE OF A KIND:ANASSA, CYPRUS 40 Regenas Road, 8852 Neo Chorio, Cyprus, 00357-26-888000, anassa.com/cy

The Anassa resort sits on a beach overlooking Chrysochou Bay in northwest Cyprus, with the mountainous Akamas Peninsula as a backdrop. The coastline and coves can be explored of foot, by boat or diving – there’s a watersports cente attached to the resort. Other activities include golf, tennis, squash, banana boats, canoeing, windsurfing, rock climbing, hillwalking and sailing.

The hotel has been designed following local traditions – interiors include mosaics and frescoes – and comprises low-rise buildings and gardens, with three swimming pools (there’s a fourth indoor pool). Children of all ages are entertained at the resort, which also has tons of baby equipment you can pre-book allowing you to travel light.

There are kids clubs for a variety of age groups, and a teens’ club for those aged 13 to 16; with sports and activities as well a teen hangout space with games and DVDs.

Rooms: There are 175 rooms and suites, incuding Studio Suites in the main building; Garden Suites; Junior Suites, in either the main building or garden; Family Studios with two extra beds or cots; Two-Bedroom Suites with views over the bay; the roof-top Adonis and Aphrodite Suites with fireplace, antiques and balcony whirlpool; the Anax Suite with its painted domed ceiling, arched windows and antique furnishings; and a two-storey villa with it own pool. Prices are from €350 for a double, but there are offers.

SHERATON SALOBRE GOLF RESORT AND SPA, CANARIES

Urbanizacion Salobre Golf SN, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain, 0034-928-943000, sheratonsalobre.comThis resort, beside a 27-hole golf course, is inland on the south coast of Gran Canaria and set amid mountains.

There is plenty of water about though, with its seven outdoor pools and another on the 11th floor. The hotel also has a beach house (reached by shuttle bus) on Maspalomas beach with a pool, showers, sun loungers, changing rooms and bar. At the hotel, there’s a variety of activities including a spa, gym, bike rental, yoga, pilates and aquaerobic classes. For children, there’s a kid’s club, playground, children’s pool and a babysitting service.

Rooms: All rooms have a terrace or balcony and views of the golf course, mountains or out to sea. Deluxe Rooms accommodate up to two adults and a baby; Premier Rooms accommodate up to three adults or two adults and a child; Junior Suites have a bedroom, living room with sofa bed and two bathrooms; Deluxe suites have three rooms; and the Presidential Suite has three rooms, roof terrace, private solarium and Jacuzzi. Prices from €200 a double with special offers for families.

SANDS RESORT HOTEL AND SPA, ENGLAND

Watergate Road, Porth, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 3LX, 0044-1637-872864, sandsresort.co.uk

Sands Resort Hotel and Spa is a traditional seaside holiday destination on the north coast of Cornwall between Padstow and Newquay. It sits atop a cliff (at a safe distance) overlooking the Atlantic and above Watergate Bay. Sands believes it is the first hotel in Europe to start kids clubs. “It began when guests asked if we could look after their baby,” says managing director Nicholas Malcolm.

The idea at Sands is that adults have just as good a time as the children: this even runs to children’s entertainment at meals times “so couples can dine alone together and remember how it used to be,” says Malcolm, “ while also enjoying a holiday with their kids.” Sports such as tennis and golf are included in the price, and there’s a pool, bouncy castle, croquet, basketball, skittles, climbing wall, maze and the sea.

Rooms: Children sleep in adjoining rooms, and have their own TV and DVD player. All rooms have kettles, chill box, baby listening monitors, irons and PlayStations. Prices range from £28 (€34) per adult in low season to £86 (€104) in high season. There are various prices for children, including under-sevens going free, and other offers.