Luxe, five-star family-friendly retreats, as recommended by the IMAGE editors
A perfect day in Mexico, castle comfort in Cork and an alpine resort with year-round appeal are amongst the IMAGE editors most recommended must-visits for five-star family fun.
Perfect Day Mexico
Time to get planning ahead for five-star fun for all the family. Coming August 2027 and spanning more than 200 acres of Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico is set to break records with never-before-seen features for adventurers of all ages across seven neighbourhoods.
With over 30 high speed waterslides including the world’s longest coaster waterslide in Loco Waterpark, wave zones surrounding a 100,000-square-foot pool, the world’s longest lazy crazy river in Splash Cove, more than six picturesque pools, three beautiful beaches, 12 dining options from sit-down spots to grab-and-go eateries (with nearly all food spots complimentary to guests) and 24 on-site bars (including six swim-up bars), Perfect Day Mexico guarantees every type of holiday-maker the, well, perfect day.
Kick off the day at the Fiesta Plaza, the arrival area that brings you right to the heart of Mexico with live music and dance, margaritas, cervezas and the world’s largest sombrero. Take in Mariachi performances, art installations, and local artisans for souvenir shopping before braving sky-high raft rides to slides that launch you into the air, to family-friendly pools and kid-sized adventures.
Prefer to go without the kids? The adults-only El Hideaway is a party all day long with a zero-entry pool, a swim-up bar and an in-pool DJ, not to mention the Ultimate Party Cabana for 20 guests, with its very own pool and bar. Looking for something more chill? Try nearly 2 miles of white sand beaches at Chill Beach or the heated infinity pool, private cabanas with personal pools and premium dining of the Costa Beach Club.
Also joining Royal Caribbean’s growing portfolio of exclusive destinations of shoreside adventures are two new Royal Beach Clubs in The Bahamas and the South Pacific (including the world’s largest swim-up bar) and a private beach destination in early 2027 in Lelapa, South Pacific – the first private island cruise destination in the Southern Hemisphere.
Perfect Day Mexico will welcome Western Caribbean itineraries sailing from Galveston, New Orleans and all Florida homeports this August. Join me on the waitlist here and find out more at royalcaribbean.com. – Holly O’Neill, Editor of IMAGE.ie and Beauty Editor at IMAGE.
Naturhotel Forsthofgut, Austria
After what felt like the one millionth “are we there yet?”, we pulled up outside of the Naturhotel Forsthofgut in Leogang, Austria. This is an Alpine retreat like no other – think considered Japandi-cool architecture meets effortlessly plush five-star luxury with a dollop of von Trapp family charm.
As a multi-generational group made up of grandparents, parents, four young children and a baby bump, it can be hard to find a holiday that will appeal to everyone. This new wave of family hotel, or kinderhotel as they say in Austria, is quickly gaining momentum on Instagram (and leading the charge is this very hotel, as evidenced by its almost one million followers) and in WhatsApp groups worldwide for offering what all young families want: an aspirational escape that is as much a feast for the senses for adults as it is for the kids. Add to this complimentary 9am-9pm childcare so we can really switch off and we will sign on the dotted line. On arrival, we were ushered upstairs to our family room, complete with a master bedroom-living area combo, a bunk bed room to fit all three kids (and spark a few rows about top bunk) and a vast balcony overlooking the outdoor pool.
What really sets Naturhotel Forsthofgut apart, besides the incredible eye for design, the meticulous attention to detail, the vast spa amenities, the drop- in 9am-9pm childcare, and mouth-watering breakfast buffets (acai bowl with a side of shakshuka anyone?) is the daily menu of activities. They range from adult-only – think sauna rituals, morning stretching, outdoor yoga, clothes-free pools (not for the faint-hearted), hot stone massages and evening wine tastings or sake pairings – to the friendliest of kid-friendly. Little ones will love mermaid swimming classes, feeding the resident farm animals, pony riding, the parkour room, and soft play, while there is also a teens room and cinema, as well as daily art classes. The showstopper for us was the family-friendly heated pool, spa and waterplay area, which kept our twins occupied for hours every day.
We visited in winter and were able to take advantage of the incredible ski-in ski-out adjacencies to the slopes of Leogang, Saalbach and beyond as well as to the on-site sledding, which was a huge hit for all generations. More popular again is their spring/summer season, where the alpine resort comes to life with greenery, offering serene hikes, adventurous biking trails, mountain yoga and outdoor water play. You would be hard-pressed to find a better place to visit with your family this year but don’t say I didn’t warn you, once will not be enough.
Stays start from €240 per person per day, including breakfast, afternoon snack and dinner, forsthofgut.at. – Sophie Power, Chief Operations Officer, IMAGE Media.
Castlemartyr Resort, Cork and The Pure Magic Lodge, Achill
My partner and I recently snuck away for two nights in Castlemartyr Resort. It was the perfect place to escape the business of life, and after a 3.5 drive into the Cork countryside we arrived to soft sheets and a warm welcome.
The resort is surrounded by beautiful grounds and a forest, most of which we spent the next morning wandering around aimlessly after a delicious hotel breakfast (is there ever anything better?).
The afternoon was spent in The Spa at Castlemartyr having an indulgent and glorious full body massage followed by sauna and a dip in the pool.
Dinner was exceptional at the signature Canopy restaurant, overlooking the terrace and at one with nature. I can’t recommend a few nights here enough.
If you are in Achill this summer The Pure Magic Lodge is THE place for head for family friendly vibes, the best view in Mayo and potentially the best pizza too. I was there recently with the kids and grown ups and little ones alike had the best time ever with relaxed vibes and great food.
castlemartyrresort.ie, puremagic.ie. – Dominique McMullan, IMAGE Editorial Director and host of the IMAGE Wellness Project and The IMAGE Motherload.
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