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Fun-Filled Family Stays for Big and Little Kids Alike!

30 January 2025

Going on holiday with the family should be a highlight of the year. But as many a stressed-out parent will attest, keeping everyone happy and entertained can be challenging.

That means choosing the right place is crucial. You’ll want to make sure there’s plenty for the kids to do, but ideally with scope for a few grown-up adventures – everyone’s on holiday, after all.

Well, we’ve chosen these unique retreats with just that objective in mind. Rich in family-friendly adventure by themselves, they’re also close to (or in some cases, right on!) immersive attractions that all but guarantee a fun-filled holiday for everyone.

A mere hour from Disneyland Paris, you can bed down in one of two enormous themed suites, with child-friendly furniture, indoor games, and delights that include a Citroen Mehari car-bed, a circus-themed bathroom, and a ‘mini club’ room with disco lights!

Longer breaks could see you heading for the US of A, perhaps to a vibrant animation-themed retreat in Pennsylvania’s ‘Red Rose City’, or a movie-themed pirate ship in Wisconsin Dells – a city famed for its abundance of theme parks.

Staying closer to home? Sleep in a scrumptious Oreo bed (yes really) at Chessington World of Adventures, or make like a fairytale princess in an enchanting Alton Towers-based treehouse… your choice.

There’s much more to choose from here, including underwater suites, school-bus stays, and thrilling ‘film-set’ glamping. Come and take a look!

Author: Nina Jervis-Green
Main image: Fun Hotel Paris, France

Oreo Room

Chessington, London, England
Savour a sugar-sweet family escape with a cookie-themed room that’s rich in quirky features and cosy comfort, set within an iconic theme park for fun that never ends!
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 4
From
£169 / night

Enchanted Village Treehouses

Alton, Staffordshire, England
Recreate those carefree childhood days with a luxurious treetop stay in an enchanted theme-park village, complete with scenic decking and a private hot tub.
Bedrooms: 4
Sleeps: 8
From
£750 / night

Fun Hotel Paris

Montmartre, Paris, France
Two gloriously quirky, spacious, and fully soundproofed large family suites with kiddie treats galore, at Fun Hotel in Paris Montmartre.
Bedrooms: 2 Suites
Sleeps: 7
From
£125 / night

La Balade des Gnomes

Durbuy, Luxembourg, Belgium
Enter the mystical world of La Balade des Gnomes, where imagination is converted into reality in a series of fantasy themed rooms to take your breath away.
Bedrooms: 11
Sleeps: Varies
From
£149 / night

Skoolie Stays

Ashington, West Sussex, England
An iconic American school bus, creatively transformed into an off-grid haven with loving attention to detail, nestled beneath the South Downs National Park.
Bedrooms: 1 & bunks
Sleeps: 4
From
£110 / night

Stable Stays

Cartmel, Cumbria, England
A fun and completely unique stay in luxury self-catering stable, complete with a beautiful horse for company, set on a friendly farm in the Lake District.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 1-3
From
£350 / night

HMS Bond

Newport, Isle of Wight, Isle Of Wight, England
Relax with a Vesper Martini aboard the jaw-dropping submarine replica HMS Bond that once starred in a Bond film, now nestled on a quirky Isle of Wight campsite that's full of surprises!
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: up to 5
From
£450 (4 nt)

Folly Farm Showman's Wagons

Begelly, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Roll up, roll up, for a fun family stay in a fairground-themed caravan, set within a 120-acre Pembrokeshire farm and adventure playground.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£395 (7 nights)

Jurassic Retreat

Washougal, Washington State, USA
Take an authentic trip back to prehistoric times, in a unique movie-themed retreat that features life-sized dinosaurs and a private hot tub, secluded in rural Washington.
Bedrooms: 3
Sleeps: 8
From
£550 / night

Equarius Ocean Suites

Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa, Singapore
Take in unique underwater views from the bed, in these two-storey havens with a personalised butler service, secluded on Singapore’s Sentosa island.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 3
From
£1,195 /nt

Champing Aldwincle

Aldwincle, Northamptonshire, England
Snuggle down inside the original Champing church - All Saints in Aldwincle, a beautiful ancient space in Northamptonshire.
Bedrooms:
Sleeps: Up to 12
From
£55/adult/night

Kaleb the Combine

Friskney, near Skegness, Lincolnshire, England
A former combine harvester expertly transformed into a unique and quirky pet-friendly retreat, peacefully set by a scenic lake on a Lincolnshire family farm.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 2 (+2)
From
£120 / night

The Oakey Koakey Treehouse

Ticehurst, East Sussex, England
Get set for family fun, fresh adventure and relaxing woodland seclusion at The Oakey Koakey Treehouse, just an hour away from London.
Bedrooms: 2
Sleeps: 4
From
£185 / night

Glamping Under the Stars

Portlaoise, County Laois, Ireland
A private, magical haven with joyfully quirky retreats and idyllic wildflower meadows, peacefully secluded in Ireland’s ‘Ancient East’ close to bustling Dublin.
Bedrooms: 1
Sleeps: 6
From
£195 / night

Hocus Pocus Tiny Hotel

York, Yorkshire, England
Escape into an immersive world of wonder, in the form of a boutique hotel with authentic magic-themed rooms, deliciously secluded in the heart of York.
Bedrooms: 5 Rooms
Sleeps: 2-5
From
£139 / night

Forest Holidays Deerpark

Liskeard, Cornwall, England
When all you crave is peace and serenity, it's time to head to Deerpark. Here, 45 luxurious Forest Holidays cabins are set in a blissful woodland location, all just 15 minutes from the fabulous Cornish coast.
Bedrooms: Varies
Sleeps: Varies
From
£345 (3/4 nt)

V8 Hotel

Stuttgart, Germany
Welcome to V8 Hotel -  a vibrant and luxurious motor-themed retreat with a unique selection of rooms and suites, perfectly positioned in one of Germany's top car-loving locations.
Bedrooms: 26 Themed
Sleeps: Varies
From
£112 / night

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