Book It: Four family-friendly hotels for the school holidays
The school holiday is looming and the kids need entertaining. Panic not! These family getaways will save the day.
Paradise Islands Cruise, Caribbean
Best for... a big family treat
The low down:With 13 decks, 10 restaurants, 10 bars, a shopping mall, theatre, cinema, outdoor pool and new luxurious Champneys spa, the Marella Explorer isn’t exactly petite – but the fun, hi-de-hi atmosphere is balanced by quiet, hide-away corners. The Junior Suites on deck 12 have their own spacious verandahs with amazing views – in the morning, slip into a fluffy robe and watch Antigua hove into view, then wave goodbye at dusk over a cocktail.The all-inclusive food is non-stop (don’t miss fresh sausage rolls at 3pm!) and, if you want a special celebration meal, head to Kora La, the pan-Asian restaurant.
Out and about: The choice of excursions are endless and unmissable on this trip; snorkel with turtles in Barbados, hop aboard a catamaran and enjoy cruising round Antigua whilst nibbling on lobster, ride the train in St Kitts (complete with singing choir) and discover the lush island and celeb spot in Mustique.
Stella Loves: Champneys’ Marella massage is a dreamily indulgent session that will focus on all knotty areas. Don’t miss the opportunity for a salt steam afterwards, or sit in the ocean-view dry sauna with all your new pals – it’s huge.
Marella Cruises offers a seven night Paradise Islands cruise on Marella Explorer from £1,121 per person. Based on two adults and two children sharing a deck 8 or 10 family balcony cabin on an all-inclusive basis, this cruise departs on 11th November 2018 from Gatwick airport. Price includes return flights, transfers, port taxes, tips and service charge; tui.co.uk
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Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk
Best for... little explorers
The low down: A country house, a lake with rowboats, picturesque sheep, meadows, woodlands, a secluded pool – these idyllic ingredients go into many a dream of the perfect UK escape. And they’re all in full, glorious effect at Wilderness Reserve. The 2000-acre Suffolk estate is home to a grand manor house and a collection of farmhouses and cottages that make ideal bases for families or groups of friends eager to shake off city pressures in favour of lazing, lounging and just another nibble of that freshly baked Victoria sponge cake. The pink-painted Farmhouse, with its vast country kitchen, cosy lounge and suntrap patios, is a difficult place to leave – unless you’re only going as far as the nearby pool, that is. But Suffolk rewards exploration. It’s worth the effort to get out, see what there is to see – and then hurry back to the fireside to talk it all over.
Out and about: Crabbing in Walberswick is the stuff happy childhood memories are made of, especially when followed by a dreamy pub lunch at The Anchor.
Stella Loves: Roasting marshmallows on a woodland bonfire before wandering back through the dark to a warmly lit house... magical.
Farmhouse weekends from £2,262 (sleeps 12); wildernessreserve.com
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Ditchling Cabin, West Sussex
Best for… messing about on the water
The lowdown:This secluded, stylish wooden cabin is perfect for families with energetic children old enough to fish, canoe, paddleboard and kayak on the private lake. And as you’re in relative seclusion, you don’t have to worry about disturbing the neighbours. There's a log burner so you get cosy after a dip, plus roll-top bath overlooking the water in the master bedroom (with dreamy emperor size bed) upstairs.
Out and about: Visit the nearby Ridgeview wine estate and stock up on some English fizz for the weekend.
Stella Loves: The extra-large Big Green Egg BBQ on the deck overlooking your totally private lake, ringed with trees. Cook and dine outdoors, surrounded by nature.
From £320 per night (sleeps 4); canopyandstars.co.uk
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Le Barn, Ile-de-France, France
Best for… animal lovers
The low down:An hour outside Paris within a 500-acre equestrian training facility in the heart of the Rambouillet forest, Le Barn occupies a series of 19th-century farm buildings. Compared to a French Soho Farmhouse, it’s more Farm than Soho: unpretentious and bucolic, with dozens of horses occupying the surrounding paddocks. The 71 rooms are full of hipster touches with cork walls and camping-style crockery, and the indoor-outdoor restaurant dishes up delicious Provencal fare. While kids master their rising trot in the indoor menage, adults can indulge in an Ayurvedic massage in the wellness centre, complete with outdoor hot-tubs. Bikes, outdoor table tennis and running trails cater for the less equestrian inclined.
Out and about: The picture-perfect commune of Bonnelles, half an hour’s walk through the forest, offers typically French boulangeries and pâtisseries; Rochefort-en-Yvelines is home to a few restaurants and a golf course. For the ultra-fit; a 17 km running route takes in four historic chateaux – the 14th-century Château de Rambouillet is 25 minutes’ drive away for the rest.
Stella Loves:Watching horse and their riders at every turn: Paris never seemed so far away.
Rates from £198 for a Family Suite b&b; lebarnhotel.com
