Multigenerational getaways for families that travel together

Multigenerational travel is on the rise, with families holidaying in a range of cohorts from grandparents to young adults, toddlers, and more. Properties and destinations are responding with equal gusto, introducing family packages, experiential activities, and culinary extravaganzas, to begin with. Yet, certain destinations are specifically well-suited to families, with accommodations and spots that cater to every age range. Bali comes with healing sessions by the river, Botswana has the luxury safari camps, Switzerland boasts snowy escapades, and the Cotswolds have a lot more to offer than cottages. We’ve rounded up the ideal places—with property recommendations—so you know exactly where to head next!'

Beaches and Coastal Getaways

Contrary to popular belief, the Maldives is not a couples-only destination, with properties going all out to cater to multigenerational groups. Of course, the allure of solace in an overwater villa is not lost on us, but if you’re travelling with kids, beachfront villas work best, pragmatically speaking. For instance, Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives has a stunning sunset beach pool villa, perfect for nuclear families, which comes with panoramic views of the Maldivian waters and private beach access. For families travelling with teenagers, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands is as luxe as it gets, with a range of villas.

For bigger groups, there’s the Ritz-Carlton Estate, which comes with three villas, four bedrooms, a separate living and dining room, a kitchen, and a sprawling sundeck with al fresco dining. There’s also a dedicated Aris Meeha, island butler, for convenience. Here, families will love The Naturalist program, an immersive experience to explore marine life, besides recreational evenings at the tennis, padel and pickleball courts.

Beyond the Maldives, Goa is a classic getaway for sunset chasers, with a multifaceted persona that appeals to youngsters and adults alike. At the Taj Holiday Village Resort & Spa, you can simply walk to the adjacent Sinquerim Beach, no shuttles required, and return to your Portuguese-style cottage for dinner. Fort Aguada is a stone’s throw away, and the resort is adept at coordinating sightseeing experiences, with a dedicated staff that lives up to the “Taj” name. Don’t miss the friendly geese on property, or post-pool meals at Caravela, where the head chef personally checks in on guests and even accommodates requests (like cheesy baked potatoes) for little diners!

Meanwhile, on the Southern California coast, good weather and the best stays make for memorable trips. Grandparents who may not be into adventure sports will love bonding with their grandkids at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach’s Tides & Tales walk, where they can explore the monarch butterfly sanctuary and look for sea anemones. Parents can indulge in wine, champagne, or tequila tastings and golf, while children will love s'mores while stargazing and the indoor pretend camping set-up!

In terms of sightseeing, there’s Old Pasadena, which comes with cultural lore, while young movie and tv fans can explore the banks family home in father of the bride, pasadena city hall from parks and recreation and The Big Bang Theory, or visit the Colorado State Bridge, seen in la la La land.

If your bunch is keen on true tranquillity, Fiji is the place to be. Here, Kokomo Private Island comes with private villas, chefs, butlers, nannies, infinity pools, and experiential kids and teen learning programs. There’s also a 5.5-acre organic farm, hydroponics garden, and a sustainable “Dock to Dish” fishing program. Guests of all ages can embark on premium diving, fishing, kayaking, yachting and snorkelling.

Back on asian land, in Thailand’s Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, guests of all ages can plant rice, craft pottery, and participate in buffalo bathing. There’s also a family bonds treatment, featuring movement sessions, cultural activities, restorative spa treatments and afternoon tea, designed to encourage relaxation, connection and meaningful moments together. If Phuket is your preferred locale, opt for a standalone property like Villa Amanzi Kamala, which comes with panoramic sea views. Ideal for extended families, it boasts a cinema room, games area, infinity pool and dedicated villa team.

Elsewhere, Bali comes with the beaches and cultural exposure. Here, at the hyper-exclusive Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bali, there are local art activities for kids like canang sari, weaving Ketupat, and creating beautiful designs with banana leaves. A self-made souvenir to cherish for posterity. Parents will love the Watsu therapy (done in a warm pool), alongside homa Yajna, an ancient fire blessing ritual. Don’t miss a session with intuitive blind healer Ibu Ketut Mursi, who works harmoniously with her assistant, Ibu Kis, to realign and release any blocked energy patterns through bodywork or reflexology. Senior citizens can sign up for subak farming or rice cultivation with a local guide in Jatiluwih, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site, followed by a visit to Taman Ayun, an ancient Hindu royal temple. And for a grand finale, there’s always the white-water rafting adventure on the Ayung River, as you and yours witness the breathtaking beauty of towering trees, stunning waterfalls, and intricate stone carvings of the epic tales of Ramayana and Mahabharata.'

The great outdoors

There’s always at least one adventure aficionado in every family. If yours prefers adrenaline to art and architecture, Switzerland is great in terms of vistas and luxe offerings. At Six Senses Crans-Montana in the Swiss Alps (which enjoys 300 days of sunshine, no less), even children aged 5 to 12 can enjoy activities ranging from circus and origami to treasure hunts, nature stamping, trampolines and baking, with a childcare professional leading the program. Babysitting is also available, while the resort’s alpine setting lends itself to skiing and hiking. Winter comes with snow sports, while summer brings with it golf and equestrian pursuits.

For safari-style ventures, head to Botswana for a truly authentic experience out in the wild. Here, Jack’s Private Camp is a must-visit. Located in the Makgadikgadi Pans, it was founded by Ralph Bousfield and named in honour of his legendary father, Jack Bousfield, the man who pioneered safaris and established a bush camp presence in the area in the 1960s. Rustic on the outside yet premium on the inside, the standalone villa boasts two bedroom suites, each with a private veranda, alongside indoor and outdoor showers. Guests can customise their safari, with quad biking, horseback riding, and helicopter rides on the menu. Young ones will be thrilled to spot brown hyenas, aardwolves, honey badgers, and black-maned Kalahari lions on game drives. Children of all ages may join game drives, bushman walks and meerkat interactions.

For a classic safari experience, the newly opened JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve safari camp keeps things raw yet regal with an ultra-luxury tented camp designed around the rhino's quiet presence. Don’t miss the specialist night safaris to spot nocturnal species like serval and caracal. Look out for panoramic views of Mount Kenya from your tented suite, or your private plunge pool. Conveniently, wildlife viewing takes place throughout the day, ideal if your kids are not daily early risers, with guided game drives at sunrise and in the late afternoon, while night drives offer a distinct perspective of predators such as leopard, lion and spotted hyena. Evenings can also be spent at camp, gathered around the fire pit to share the day’s meaningful moments.

Next, we’ve got a rare find—Glenapp Castle in Scotland—a 22‑bedroom luxurious Relais & Châteaux hotel, which offers a unique Hebridean Sea Safari. Located on the Ayrshire coast, guests here can learn about marine life, boats and the rich history of the Scottish islands. The island of Jura is just a boat ride away, also home to a private glamping site, with clear waters home to basking sharks, minke whales, seals, and dolphins. A stop at Ailsa Craig introduces guests to a mesmerising wildlife sanctuary home to over 40,000 seabirds, including puffins and gannets, creating unforgettable close-up encounters with nature.

At Jura, families can indulge in dishes such as local venison, lobster, or seabass, enjoyed against striking sunsets and peaceful coastal views. On clear nights, there is even the chance to witness the Northern Lights due to the minimal light pollution along Scotland’s south-west coast!

If you’re looking for raw adventure with a touch of regality, Rajasthan is the place to be. Sujan The Serai, Jaisalmer Relais & Châteaux offers the perfect blend of Rajputana legacy and luxury, set amidst a 100-acre private estate of indigenous desert scrub. Families will love the plush tented suites and camel safaris. There are also desert picnics, village safaris, dune sundowners, and more, making the most of the desert landscape. For tiger spottings, head to Amanbagh nestled at the foot of the Aravallis, where accommodations include pool pavilions and haveli suites with an attached garden or terrace. But that’s not all, Amanbagh will organise your luggage to be shipped from any destination ahead of an upcoming stay, a true blessing when travelling with the entire family!

We’ve saved the best for last–The Cotswolds. No, it’s not just a Christmas escape and, in fact, perfect for multi-generational travel, with villages, countryside, gardens, farms and food experiences. Don’t expect hardcore adrenaline; it’s more experience-driven with an idyllic background. For instance, at Cotswold Alpacas, families can meet the alpacas and take part in an alpaca walking experience. At Blacklion Vodka, adults can take a farm-to-bottle tour and tasting, while also meeting the farm's Valais Blacknose sheep. There’s also seasonal foraging, baking and traditional craft workshops, visits to antique stores, galleries, traditional pubs and tea rooms, for a mix of slow travel and cultural extravaganza. Straight out of a fairytale! 

Image credits: The brands

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