Seeking barefoot luxury? Islas Secas is a 14-island archipelago on
Panama’s Pacific coast, 13 of which have been left pristine and
undeveloped. The other houses this spectacular, but approachable,
stay. Wildlife (including dolphins and humpback whales) greatly
outnumbers humans – with only 18 guests welcomed at a time. The
hotel has an outdoor-indoor vibe, pairing relaxation (think al
fresco tubs, sprawling decks and soul-stirring Pacific views) with
a little bit of adventure – the reason mother Felicia (@_felicia_) recommends it as family-friendly winter
sun destination. “When planning a family trip, I tend to seek out
beautiful and unique properties in new destinations that are a bit
off the beaten path. Islas Secas checks off all of these boxes, and
remains one of our most memorable experiences,” she says.

The Maldives might be the archetypal honeymoon hotspot, but its
sugar-soft sands and crystal-clear waters make it a good choice for
a family holiday, too. With an ethos that champions shared
experiences, Patina Maldives offers an array of experiences aimed
at guests of all ages, including Maldivian cooking classes and
coral conservation workshops. “I really love the idea of holidays
where you’re connecting with your family, and Patina Maldives was
the perfect place to enjoy activities together,” says Rhiannon
Taylor (@inbedwith.me). “It had everything in one spot for the
whole family.” That includes a clever Montessori-inspired kids’
club, Footprints. For a chance to switch off completely, drop your
charges there and head over to the private pools (or back to your
supersized outdoor bathtub) to recharge.

With spectacular scenery, world-class wine, magnificent beaches
and in the same time zone as the UK – goodbye, jet lag – South
Africa is fantastic for families. A safari adventure doesn’t need
to be put off until your kids have flown the nest, either. Melozhori, a
game reserve in the Western Cape (a mere two-hour drive from Cape
Town), was created for parents, by parents – and comes recommended
by adventurer Faye Shearwood (@meandbeau_travels). Free from both predators and
malaria, the surrounding wilderness is home to 38 species of game
and 129 species of birds, allowing guests to immerse themselves in
nature. Tiny travellers will marvel as you flit between private
game drives, restorative hikes, sunset picnics and hot-tub
stargazing. “We spent our days spotting giraffes, wildebeest and
zebras on safari with our private guide, and our nights watching
the stars while toasting marshmallows and listening for animals in
the bush,” says Shearwood.

Don’t underestimate the power of a short three-and-a-half-hour
flight to a sun-soaked whole new world when your travel companions
are inclined to a quick tantrum. Marrakech has all the ingredients
that make for a stellar winter escape, including boutique
boltholes, labyrinthine streets to be explored, flavour-filled
feasts and an abundance of artisanal wares to fill your suitcase
with. An intimate eight-room stay in the heart of medina, Riad Yasmine is
the passion project of French owners Gabriel Paris and Alice
Tassery. All of the rooms are individually designed, while the
central courtyard cocoons a plunge pool set amid a lush jungle of
plants. Hungry? Modern Moroccan food can be found at Nomad, a
rooftop café that boasts the city’s best views over the medina and
mountains. It’s tranquil, but kids are welcome. “Located in the
heart of the medina, footsteps away from the main sights, it feels
far from the noise of the city,” says Portugal-based parent and
traveller Ola (@hellotravellady). “We stayed in the Naila
suite, one of the biggest rooms available. The kids loved the tub
in the large, green-tiled bathroom, and splashing in the pool after
a long day of sightseeing.”

We suggest parents swerve the crowded islands of New Providence
and Grand Bahama in favour of the lesser-known Bahamian base
Eleuthera, a pink-sand island that flies under the radar. A
solar-powered, sustainability-minded retreat, The Other Side has
been designed to leave little imprint on the environment, but we
guarantee it will leave a big mark on your family memories. Lean
into laid-back island life with scenic swimming and sandy
strolling. With just a scattering of cottages and three lavish
“tents”, it’s easy to feel like the only guests on the entire
island – it’s all a little Robinson Crusoe (minus the cannibals).
There may be canvas roofs involved, but camping this is not: think
four-poster beds, sumptuous sofas and palatial bathrooms kitted out
with outdoor tubs and rainfall showers. “I still struggle to
describe this heavenly place, but I now fully understand the
meaning of the words ‘paradise found’,” says Thandi Maqubela
(@thandimaq). “Think ultimate seclusion with beautiful
views and quite possibly the most spectacular pool I’ll ever swim
in.”

Singapore might not be first on your list when planning an
all-the-gang adventure, but with the dry season between February
and April offering warm days with little humidity, and a new push
to make the city-state a little more lovable (via, primarily, a
host of super green city parks and gardens), we’re calling it the wild
card of family explorations. Your base in the city? The Warehouse
Hotel, a historic stay with a top-of-the-class location. Bunk
up at this striking, 1895-built property and you’ll be a hop and a
skip away from the sights and smells of Tiong Bahru Market, as well
as the family-friendly exhibitions at STPI Creative Workshop &
Gallery. You’re also not too far from the city’s best stretch of
sand: on days when little legs are tired, we’d hotfoot it to
Tanjong Beach Club, a child-friendly restaurant and bar. “City
hotels can be quite businesslike and not always the most
family-friendly,” says travel writer Milly Kenny-Ryder (@millykr).
“This wasn’t the case at all with The Warehouse Hotel, with its 37
slick and stylish rooms housed in a meticulously restored heritage
building.”

Offering so much more than package holidays and all-inclusive
clichés, Lanzarote is a surprisingly cool Canary, and, according to
Tiny Travelship, always comes up in conversations with in-the-know
parents, who rate its guaranteed sunshine, tantalising tapas,
unspoilt shores and sublime wine offering. Traveller Claire Such
(@clairesuch) suggests making life easy by booking into
Kamezí Boutique Villas, where you’ll have the
privacy of a private villa but can enjoy the pampering of a hotel
experience, including on-site dining (if you want), a daily
housekeeping service and access to a wellness centre. You can spend
mornings lounging by your personal pool and evenings devouring the
seasonal specialities, like Canarian potatoes, at the sea-gazing
hotel restaurant. “We stayed in a modern and spacious open-plan
four-bedroom villa with a private garden and pool,” says Such.