10 family friendly holiday homes
Far from being an enjoyable prelude to a relaxing break, planning the family holiday can often be a bit of a headache. Especially for those with small babies, it can be tricky making the right choice and being sure the accommodation will have everything you need.
Hotels can often be disappointing and ill-equipped, not to mention a bit of a squash! So, what better option than a holiday home rental to provide all the space and facilities the family needs, often with added bonuses such as private gardens, play rooms and pools?
Whether the family likes traditional beach holidays, rural retreats or action packed adventures, there are thousands of properties in family friendly holiday spots around the world to choose from on HomeAway.co.uk.
To ease the stress of planning the family break and help parents choose the best place to kick back and relax, HomeAway Holiday-Rentals has compiled a list of the top 10 family-friendly holiday homes in Europe and further afield; from luxury villas to country farmhouses and smaller homes for just the immediate family to larger properties perfect for a big group. With full kitchen facilities, rentals are perfect for those with fussy eaters, and with no set timetables and no set meals, the family can eat, sleep and play at their own pace. No more rushing to get everyone ready for the crowded breakfast buffet at 7am or embarrassing tantrums over a lack of ketchup at dinner!
Fancy playing some pool, table tennis or even a Wii game together? Or simply relaxing by ‘your’ pool while the kids amuse themselves in the games room or garden? Then take your pick from one of the top properties below or browse more than 95,000 family-themed properties and 129,000 child-friendly properties available on the site.
Prices quoted are per property per week and correct at time of going to press. Properties are ordered by number of bedrooms.
The Top 10 holiday homes on HomeAway.co.uk
1. UNITED KINGDOM
Stunning character cottage 150 meters from the lovely Saundersfoot beach, Pembrokeshire
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6. From £525 per week
This is the perfect holiday retreat! Featuring three large bedrooms, a beautiful kitchen, patio with stone BBQ/fire, deck and garden house overlooking the sea and loads of family games, this property is set within a short distance of the beach. With the Saundersfoot beach around the corner you have everything you need for the perfect day.
homeaway.co.uk/p441134
2. ITALY
Stone country house with private pool and horses, Tuscany
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 9. From £550 per week
Il Collonzolo is a peaceful medieval farmhouse sitting in an unspoilt valley on the border between the provinces of Siena and Pisa. The thick stone walls and the original layout of the inner rooms give this house an ancient atmosphere and a lovely cool temperature in summer. In winter the large fireplace in the living room creates a cosy nest. The house is made up of three bedrooms each with its own full bathroom two of which, a fully fitted kitchen and a living room with fireplace are on the ground floor. The garden develops over different levels and features different eating and relaxing spots under the secular trees, a hammock, garden chairs, a little wooden playground for children and a pool.
homeaway.co.uk/p411916
3. FLORIDA
Exclusive townhouse with private pool close to Disney World
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. From £415 per week
This is a luxury villa only 15 minutes away from Disney World with a large pool area and a wide range of entertainment facilities, including a full size air hockey table in the garage, Nintendo Wii and PS3. The property boasts three large bedrooms, a spacious living room and a fully equipped kitchen. The house represents the ideal base for exploring Disney World, but also for keeping your children amused while at home.
homeaway.co.uk/p415260
4. USA
Kid-friendly home with hot tub, game room and beach access, Oregon
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12. From £700 per week
Steps away from the beach the house is located in the new Olivia Beach community on a corner lot which overlooks the neighbourhood park. The home is decorated in tropical Bali style, paired with all the modern comforts and features a spacious gourmet kitchen, three bedrooms including a rainforest-inspired bedroom for kids and a game room above the garage, with a wide range of videogames, toys and films, as well as a Wii game system and a Pinball Machine. The park across the street features a play structure, fire pit, and a beach volleyball court, for children to enjoy while the parents relax in the outdoor hot tub.
homeaway.co.uk/p278048
5. PORTUGAL
Modern villa with heated private pool and children’s playground, Colares
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 10. From £1,193 per week
This is a luxury modern multi storey villa, in a secluded area, only five minutes away from Praia das Maçãs, one of the most popular beaches of Sintra's coast. The ground floor living space has an elegantly decorated lounge overlooking the outdoor terraced leisure area next to the heated swimming pool and large kitchen with adjoining breakfast room. There also is a large windowed basement featuring a spacious children's playroom.
homeaway.co.uk/p406572
6. GREECE
Luxury stone built villa with private pool, Crete
4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8. From £1,284 per week
Villa Alkeon is a stone built villa situated on a hill overlooking the traditional village of Gavalohori, 25km East of Chania Crete. Its unique architectural style is combined with modern facilities in order to provide an ideal environment. The villa is completely autonomous with 300 m2 of living space on a 1000 m2 plot of land. It offers complete privacy with its own parking space for two vehicles, private garden and pool.
homeaway.co.uk/p420345
7. SPAIN
Golf villa with sea and mountain views and private fenced pool, Costa del Sol
5 Bedrooms, Sleeps 12. From £1,514 per week
Villa Solana is located on the 18th fairway of Estepona Golf with its own private access onto the course and only a two minute walk from the Clubhouse. The villa features a large terrace with BBQ and dining tables to seat ten along with relaxing wicker furniture which can all be found next to the roman style pool. The interior has been tastefully furnished with quality Chesterfield sofas complemented with Mexican pine furniture. The property is especially suited for families with children who can enjoy a game of pool, darts or air hockey in the games room.
homeaway.co.uk/p409604
8. FRANCE
Luxurious villa ideal for a large family, with billiard and home-cinema, Languedoc-Roussillon
6 Bedrooms, Sleeps 13. From £844 per week
This bright and spacious villa is set in a landscaped enclosed garden and features a large swimming pool opened from April to the end of October. The kitchen, the lounge, the large hallway leading to the bedrooms and the bathrooms follow one another, which gives light and space and a very friendly atmosphere. The lounge opens by large picture windows on the terrace shaded by a pergola, overlooking the pool with countryside view. There is also a lounge living room for small children with a variety of games.
homeaway.co.uk/p70210
9. IRELAND
County Kerry holiday farmhouse
6 Bedrooms, Sleeps 11. From £1,101 per week
This is an attractive, grey stone building, originally stables for the early 18th Century Westcove House, overlooking the Kenmare Estuary on the southern tip of the beautiful Ring of Kerry. The Stables was converted in the 1960s and its facilities have been regularly upgraded over the years. All main bedrooms have a view of the sea and the hills of West Cork beyond. This is a perfect venue for extended family re-unions, being very suitable for children, featuring a large games/party room and a lawn, swing set and patio that provide the ideal play area for children.
homeaway.co.uk/p439174 (The Stables)
10. CANARY ISLANDS
A magnificent villa set in beautifully landscaped gardens, Lanzarote
9 Bedrooms, Sleeps 20. From £1,949 per week
Located in the peaceful village of Guime, this prestigious, detached villa, with its private heated swimming pool, is set in beautifully landscaped gardens with panoramic sea views and is ideal for large families. The two beautifully equipped luxury kitchens open onto very spacious lounges furnished with an abundance of sofas enabling you to relax and enjoy five large flat screen TVs with full sky package and a WII games console. WIFI is available throughout the villa and there is also a games room with pool table, table tennis and football table. This prestigious, detached villa is extremely private with walled-in gardens, an electrically operated entrance gate and to give you peace of mind, the villa has a safe and is alarmed. Cots and highchairs are also available.
homeaway.co.uk/p420396
