Travel: iescape’s Best for Kids Awards 2015

Nov 26, 2015

The i-escape.com/kids collection is growing up fast and now offers 900 stylish family escapes across the world. To celebrate its fourth birthday, the collection has announced its annual ‘Best for Kids’ Awards, honouring 2015’s top boutique breaks for families of all shapes and sizes.

The awards aim to celebrate the variety of family getaways on offer, whether you have babies, toddlers, teens or the lot in tow – proof that child-friendly holidays needn’t mean sacrifices on style. All the winners have been chosen by i-escape.com/kids Editor Nadine Mellor.

Best newcomer: Le Jardin des Douars, Essaouira, Morocco
Le Jardin des Douars is hidden in a gorgeous garden just outside the coastal town of Essaouira, Morocco. This seriously chilled countryside escape matches relaxation for parents with heaps of activities for young ones, including pools for families and toddlers, a ping-pong table, board games for battles under the bougainvillea and a range of rooms, suites and villas of varying sizes.
Prices start from £79 per room per night
www.i-escape.com/le-jardin-des-douars

Best for adventurous families: Chalet Cannelle, Alps, France
Grab a room or hire it all: sleeping up to 14 plus kids, this dreamy Alpine chalet is the ideal base for families bursting with energy. Mountains and fresh air beckon – there are 650km of ski slopes for all levels to enjoy in winter, and wild swimming, bobsleigh runs, zip-lining and more in summer. Indoors, there’s a gadget-filled playroom, a dressing-up box and board games galore.
Prices start from £154 per night
www.i-escape.com/chalet-cannelle

Best for babies and toddlers: Caserio del Mirador, Costa Blanca, Spain
This idyllic mountainside hideaway sits high above the Costa Blanca and is run by a couple with three kids who understand family holidaying. No need to bring a pushchair, baby bouncer, monitor or night light – it’s all here, along with a sandpit, a trampoline and animals to pet. The apartments have a home-from-home vibe and the food is fabulous; kids’ teas are served in the afternoon while the grown- ups can enjoy fresh fish, vegetables from the garden and a glass of local wine.
Prices start from £135 per apartment per night
www.i-escape.com/caserio-del-mirador

Best city break: Reykjavik Boutique Apartments, Reykjavik, Iceland
This trio of sleek self-catering apartments for two to four offers a true ‘live like a local’ break. The owners are on hand to give expert tips on exploring the friendly Icelandic capital, and the apartments have cots, bedding and high chairs for little guests. A 5-minute stroll takes you to shops, restaurants and all the main city sights, and there’s a playground opposite.
Prices start from £139 per apartment per night
www.i-escape.com/reykjavik-boutique-apartments

Best for older kids: South Sands Boutique Hotel, Devon, UK
For pure British seaside heaven head to South Sands, a chic waterside hotel on the beach on Devon’s iconic south coast. Just a bay round from Salcombe, this stylish coastal hideaway puts older kids and teens in the heart of the sailing action with a sailing school next door, as well as kayaks and windsurfers for hire. And with stupendous views from the restaurant terrace, parents can watch on as they enjoy delicious treats devised by seafood enthusiast Mitch Tonks.
Prices start from £235 per room per night, based on 2 adults and 1 child sharing on a B&B basis.
www.i-escape.com/south-sands-boutique-hotel