11 Luxury Family Hotel Brands We Love

Even in the luxe and ultra-luxe market, many people seem to have the idea that larger global hotel brands won’t be compelling or distinctive. Not true! At Ciao Bambino, we absolutely love independent boutique properties, but we’re also big fans of luxury brands that go above and beyond to feel like a natural extension of the travel experience. A truly exceptional hotel doesn’t just provide top-notch accommodations, service and facilities — it enhances your understanding of the destination itself. Each of the brands featured here does just that, with a perfect mix of thoughtful design, authentic activities and stellar hospitality. And when it comes to families, they really shine: From child-friendly amenities and engaging kids’ clubs to activities that immerse little ones in the local culture, these brands make family travel both fun and enriching.

TIP: In addition to our full vacation planning service, Ciao Bambino’s Travel Advisor team can help with hotel-only bookings for any destination you have in mind. As a member of the Virtuoso network of luxury properties and a preferred partner of brands such as Belmond, Four Seasons, Langham and Rocco Forte (more on these below), we have access to exclusive offers and perks that you can only get by booking through an Advisor — at the same rate you would pay if you booked on your own. This often translates to hundreds of dollars in savings per hotel! Reach out to us for info or to start the process.

11 of Our Favorite Luxury Family Hotel Brands

Aman Resorts

Boasting some of the most exclusive hotels and resorts in the world, Aman offers sumptuous hideaways in locations as varied as Sri Lanka, Morocco, Utah and Montenegro. Its name comes from the Sanskrit word for peace, and that’s exactly what you’ll experience at its 35 properties, known for their cocoon-like serenity, minimalist design and discreet vibe. Befitting Aman’s roots in Thailand, fully two-thirds of these are in Asia, but the brand has grown exponentially in recent years, with locations in Europe, northern Africa and North America and the Caribbean. Homage to the natural world is part of Aman’s DNA — the buildings are designed to integrate smoothly into their surroundings, and onsite experiences from activities to dining feel organic to the area.

Auberge Resorts Collection

If design details matter to you in choosing accommodations, Auberge is a great match. Each of its 33 (and counting) locations across North America and Europe is outfitted with stylish decor that evokes a strong sense of the landscape and culture in that part of the world. The settings vary from the New England coast to the cliffs of Santorini to the vineyards of Napa Valley, but what doesn’t change is the connection to local experiences and the thoughtful, personal service. Every Auberge property feels unique, and all of them adeptly showcase the very best of what their respective regions have to offer.

Belmond

Belmond’s origins are tied to the legendary Orient Express train, and opulent rail and river journeys are still essential to the Belmond experience, spanning destinations like Venice, Peru, Malaysia, the U.K. and southern France. But the brand’s hotel portfolio is equally robust and refined. By and large, Belmond properties are housed in historic or iconic venues — for instance, Casa de Sierra Nevada in San Miguel de Allende occupies a group of 17th- and 18th-century homes, while Castello di Casole in Tuscany contains remnants of a medieval castle. Belmond also has ventured into the safari market with a pair of luxury lodges in Botswana, which anchor a wildlife-spotting adventure with every creature comfort you could want.

COMO Hotels & Resorts

Founded by Singaporean entrepreneur Christina Ong, COMO Hotels & Resorts is just one piece of a broad portfolio that ranges from fine dining to high-end fashion. In similar form, the collection of accommodations is diverse and far-reaching: chic oases in cities like London and Bangkok; rural retreats in the Tuscan hills and the Dolomites; private island escapes in Fiji and the Maldives. COMO also offers experiences themed around the nature of each property and region, meaning guests can participate in a butter lamp lighting ceremony in Bhutan or plant a coconut tree in Turks & Caicos. Wellness is a cornerstone of the COMO ethos, and the hotels and resorts all include COMO Shambhala amenities in the form of spa treatments, fitness classes and facilities, and nutritious chef-driven cuisine.

Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts

When Canadian philanthropist Isadore Sharp opened his first Four Seasons in Toronto, he set out to create a group of properties that would each feel like a luxurious home away from home. Six decades on, the 130-plus hotels and resorts that now comprise the brand live up to his mission in grand style. Four Seasons invests heavily in training its team in the art of hospitality, and guests feel cared for just as if they were staying with a solicitous host. It’s not unusual for team members to have worked at several different locations, which enhances the continuity of the overall guest experience. One more thing we love: Four Seasons properties are masterful at fostering a sense of occasion — holidays and other events are celebrated in splendid style, with lavish decor, menus, themed programming and more.

Langham Hotels

Langham’s story goes all the way back to Victorian England, when The Langham, London, opened its doors on Regent Street and ushered in the golden age of grand European hotels. Having undergone several top-to-tail refurbishments (the most recent in 2016), that original location remains a stunner with impeccable service, borne out at newer properties in Boston, Chicago, Sydney, Shanghai and other cities. The Langham aesthetic channels classic European luxury with a sleek, modern undercurrent; art is also a key component as every site displays its own expertly curated collection of works. And as you visit various Langham hotels, you’ll notice a charming tribute to the past: Each one contains touches of a signature pink hue taken from floral wallpaper that once graced the London flagship.

One&Only Resorts

One&Only is a perfect match for families in search of a far-flung bolthole with a sense of exclusivity and an escapist air. Although a handful of its 14 properties sit in the heart of the action in hot spots like Dubai, most are tucked away in off-path locales — Rwanda, Mauritius, Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit — and integrated holistically into the local environment. In addition to its sleek, gorgeously outfitted rooms and suites, One&Only is also known for its one-of-a-kind private homes, which combine the ample space of a standalone villa with the services and amenities of a resort. Foodies, take note: Dining is a particular standout here, thanks to the brand’s partnerships with Michelin-star chefs like Nobu Matsuhisa, Yannick Alléno and Anne-Sophie Pic.

Ritz-Carlton Reserve

The Ritz-Carlton brand hardly needs an introduction, but its lesser-known offshoot, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, offers a slice of rarefied life in remote enclaves worldwide. With just eight locations, the Reserve properties are designed around the goal of providing a highly personalized and experiential stay at singular estates (for example, Dorado Beach — a CB client favorite — was built on a stretch of Rockefeller-owned land in Puerto Rico). Expert-led outings and activities help guests interact with the local topography, wildlife and culture in meaningful ways, like a dedicated Red Sea dive center at Nujuma in Saudia Arabia and a Balinese water purification ritual at Mandapa in Ubud. Dedicated hosts at each resort offer one-on-one attentiveness that makes guests feel truly pampered.

Rocco Forte Hotels

In a world where many hotel brands belong to massive global empires, Rocco Forte has remained family-owned and operated — evident in the welcoming air of the accommodations and the warmth of the staff. Back in the 1990s, Englishman Sir Rocco Forte reimagined and relaunched The Balmoral in Edinburgh, which got a sassy new look courtesy of designer Olga Polizzi (Sir Rocco’s sister). In the years since, the pair has mastered the art of creating spaces that seamlessly combine high style and local heritage in historic buildings throughout Europe. The decor, unique to each hotel yet consistent across Rocco Forte’s portfolio, blends a modern edge with cozy comfort and a few cheeky top notes to boot. The Forte family has been in the hospitality industry for four generations, and Olga and Sir Rocco uphold a deep-rooted passion for service that’s reflected in every detail.

Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

Rosewood’s motto is “A Sense of Place,” and it clearly reflects their commitment to each property’s native character and period-appropriate aesthetic. At The Carlyle in Manhattan, elevator attendants and Art Deco trappings evoke Old New York glamour; Hotel de Crillon in Paris is housed within an 18th-century palace that bore witness to the French Revolution; and Hawaii’s 1960s Kona Village has been thoroughly renovated in a way that preserves its deep ties to the Big Island. In keeping with the motto, Rosewood properties partner with local experts known as PlaceMakers, who act as ambassadors for each destination’s cultural traditions and in some cases host special experiences. Our CB clients also praise the hotels’ high-touch service, a seamless mix of effortless courtesy and anticipation of guest needs.

Six Senses

The brand philosophy at Six Senses centers around connection — with the staff, with the property, with the landscape and with each other. Whether in capitals like London and Rome, mountain retreats in China and Bhutan, or coastal areas that include Vietnam and Grenada, Six Senses properties stand out for their strong focus on sustainability, balance and rejuvenation. These values are reflected not only in the hotel structures themselves, which are crafted from indigenous and recycled materials, but also their wellness facilities and their emphasis on locally sourced, organic cuisine. A stay at Six Senses is more than just a home base; it’s a purposeful experience that nurtures the body, mind and spirit.

Relevant Links:

Browse all ideas for luxury family vacations on Ciao Bambino

3 Belmond properties for a kid-friendly luxury vacation in Africa 

Rocco Forte Italy Collection: Glamour with a sense of place

5 favorite family-friendly luxury hotels in Italy

Our favorite luxury hotels in Scotland with kids

Photos courtesy of the individual hotel brands pictured.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.