• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10

Top European Getaways

The Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments
116 Piccadilly
London, England W1J 7BJ
44 (0) 20 7499-3464; US Toll Free 800/335-3300
When we revisited The Athenaeum we learned that, while one of London's top hotels still offers a comfortable atmosphere and warm, personal service in the traditional British style (as well as the private nannies, children's DVD library, robe, milk and cookie service, baby supplies and toy chest that earned them FTF's 1998 award), their new sister property exceeds any B.U.P.P.Y's (British Urban Professional Parent) expectation. We believe that The Grove (44 0 1923-807807; Chandler's Cross Hertfordshire, WD3 4TG, U.K.), a country estate resort founded by the same management as The Athenaeum, is an even more fabulously family-friendly getaway.

Located in the English countryside just 25 miles northwest of London, The Grove offers a myriad of kids' activities include biking (helmets provided), tennis, croquet, children's indoor pool, and a walled garden. For infants and toddlers, Anouska's Kids Club offers supervised activities for babies 3-months-old and up, while parents golf or spa. An outdoor adventure playground, bouncy castle, face painting, cake decorating, jewelry making, teddy bear picnics and more are available to entertain its young guests. Though there is no fixed age limit at the supervised club, its activities are appropriate for infants, toddlers, and young children. Open daily from 9am to 5pm, rates run £6/HR and include all snacks, meals, and drinks. Parents looking for a more intimate one-on-one childcare, or after-hours service, can opt for private babysitting. Advanced reservations for both the club and babysitting services are strongly recommended, particularly over weekend breaks. The hotel can also arrange for family excursions to nearby attractions including Bowman's Farm, horseback riding, and the always popular Legoland in Windsor.

Sheraton Algarve Pine Cliffs
Pinhal do Concelho
Apartado 887 8200-912
Algarve, Portugal
351/289 500-300
The Luxury Collection's Sheraton Algarve Hotel in Portugal, overlooking the Praia da Falesia and the Atlantic, remains popular with families for its townhouses, villas, golf suites, and the new Pine Cliffs Residence apartments. With cooking facilities available, families can prepare their own meals (a huge potential savings with today's Euro) or take advantage of 24-hour room service. Guests can also enjoy the housekeeping services, concierge, reception, restaurants, bars and leisure activities of one of the region's most luxurious coastal resorts.

Sarah Moreira, Marketing & PR Manager for the Sheraton Algarve, notes that today's families tend to have children later in life, which often means more income for luxury travel. And because most parents who arrive at the resort are both in the workforce, a family vacation is more important than ever to renew bonding and promote relaxation. The resort recently underwent a careful study of what family guests are looking for, then worked to meet new demands by implementing children-only experiences, varied childcare options, indulgences like gourmet food and beverage choices (especially for children), and a stress-free and uncomplicated guest experience, among other key factors.

Still a staple of the resort after 10 years is Porto Pirata, an imaginative children's village for ages 6-months to 12-years that entertains tinies and big siblings year-round. The 7,000-square-meter play area has two pirate ships, one private pool, playground, mini-golf and a bouncing castle, as well as napping quarters, room for treasure hunts, and other counselor-led activities. The youngest family members ages 6- to 36-months are cared for in an exclusive nursery by a university-trained, multi-lingual staff with a ratio of 3:1. Kids 12 and older can participate in activities ranging from bicycling, basketball, tai chi, step aerobics, archery, video games, beach walks and more. Private babysitting is also available, ensuring a customized vacation experience for families seeking a tranquil resort in a picturesque setting with upscale amenities and services.