Travelling with kids is equal parts wonder and wild. One minute you’re floating in turquoise water; the next, someone’s lost a shoe, and you’re sharing one ice cream between three people. It’s messy, loud, joyful, and—if you choose the right place—surprisingly calm.
Luxury family travel isn’t about perfection or prestige. It’s about connection. The hotels that stay with us aren’t just the ones with five-star ratings—they’re the ones that make space for family life to happen.
These are the stays that felt like home and holiday all at once, with practical advice from years of adventures (and a few meltdowns) woven in.
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1. Our Favourite Hotels and Why
Villa Mawar – Bali
Read → A Home Away from Home: Our Love Affair with Villa Mawar
Set in Canggu’s lush greenery, Villa Mawar was the definition of barefoot luxury. The kids could run wild between garden and pool while we enjoyed slow breakfasts under ceiling fans and long evenings talking by candlelight.
Why we love it: Privacy + warmth = peace. The staff remembered our routines within a day—fresh juice for the kids, Balinese coffee for us—and the space invited genuine rest.
AYANA Komodo Resort – Flores
Read → Discovering Paradise at AYANA Komodo Resort
Perched above clear water, AYANA redefined what family luxury could feel like. Days began with snorkelling among coral, afternoons ended with sunsets over the jetty.
Why we love it: Adventure wrapped in elegance. Every experience—from the kids’ playroom to the open-air restaurants—was designed for families without losing the resort’s tranquil rhythm.
Emporium Hotel – Brisbane
Read → Luxury Redefined: Emporium Hotel Brisbane
Proof that you don’t have to fly overseas to experience indulgence. With skyline views, flawless service, and a rooftop pool made for golden-hour swims, Emporium became our go-to staycation spot.
Why we love it: Five-star style, family heart. They welcomed us with colouring packs, remembered our breakfast order, and treated the kids like regulars.
Qualia Resort & Intercontinental Hayman Island
Read → A Tale of Two Paradises
Two islands, two moods. Qualia was intimate and reflective—perfect for recharging. Hayman was vibrant and social, filled with beach picnics and reef days.
Why we love it: Variety. Split your stay for the best of both worlds: quiet mornings, playful afternoons, and plenty of photos worth keeping.
Brisbane Marriott Hotel
Read → A Luxurious Getaway at Brisbane Marriott
Sometimes, luxury is a night to yourself. The Marriott gave me just that—room service, spa time, and silence. A short escape that refilled my patience and creativity.
Why we love it: Because “family-friendly” also means happy parents.
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2. Price Points + Perks
Luxury looks different for every family. Some prefer all-inclusive resorts where everything’s organised; others crave boutique villas where life slows down.
Category | Average Rate (AUD) | Perfect For | Perks We Loved |
Private Villas (Bali) | $450–900 | Space + privacy | Chef, laundry, open living |
Island Resorts | $600–1200 | Adventure + ease | Kids’ clubs, transfers, snorkelling |
City Hotels | $350–700 | Short breaks | Pool access, dining, babysitting |
Non-negotiable family perks:
- Interconnecting rooms or two-bed suites
- Buffet breakfast (saves every morning)
- Late checkout options
- Kid-friendly menus
- Genuine smiles from staff
(See Our Ten-Night Family Bali Itinerary for how we mixed splurge nights with mid-range gems to stretch value.)
3. Instagrammable Moments + Content Ideas
Travelling with kids gives you ready-made content: curiosity, chaos, and colour.
The trick is capturing memories without turning the trip into a production.
Ideas that work every time
- Morning light: sleepy eyes at breakfast, feet in sand.
- Textures: tiles, towels, palm shadows—little details tell big stories.
- Movement: twirls, splashes, giggles.
- Perspective: photograph from their height; it changes everything.
Filming Tips
- Use burst for spontaneous moments.
- Record short clips instead of full vlogs—easier to edit later.
- Photograph transitions (packing, arriving, exploring).
- Capture sound: laughter, ocean, footsteps—it adds emotion when editing.
(If you’re building your brand, read How to Become a Lifestyle Influencer as a Mum for full content-capture checklists.)
4. Travel Routines, Schedules & Meal Tips
The secret to calm family travel is rhythm, not rigidity.
Our Typical Day
Morning: slow start, hearty breakfast, short adventure (markets, local walk).
Midday: pool time + rest—everyone recharges.
Afternoon: family outing or content-capture window.
Evening: early dinner, one photo of the sunset, phones down.
Meal Tips That Save Sanity
- Pre-book breakfast—hungry mornings derail plans fast.
- Choose restaurants with outdoor space; kids move, adults relax.
- Ask for “half portions” to avoid waste.
- Always carry snacks—bananas, muesli bars, crackers.
Bonus: Hotel Hacks
- Pack a foldable laundry bag (it doubles as beach gear).
- Bring small gifts for staff; kindness travels.
- Keep meds, swimmers, and sleep toys in your carry-on.
Travel with Kids: Our Favourite Family-Friendly Luxury Stays
Discover our favourite family-friendly luxury stays — real hotels, villas, and resorts we’ve loved, with honest notes on price points, perks, routines, and how to
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<a5. How to Make Luxury Travel Feel Purposeful
Luxury isn’t only marble floors—it’s mindful experiences that leave you changed.
Connect with Culture
Instead of rushing attractions, join local life: morning markets, cooking classes, nature walks.
At AYANA Komodo our kids learned about coral restoration; in Bali they practiced simple greetings with the staff. Those lessons stuck longer than any souvenir.
Choose Hotels That Give Back
Ask about sustainability programs or community partnerships. Your booking can support local schools or conservation.
(AYANA’s reef initiative and Villa Mawar’s village outreach are two examples that made us proud guests.)
Use Travel to Teach Gratitude
Talk to your kids about why travel is special. Let them help plan, budget, and journal. It builds appreciation and independence.
Balance Rest and Adventure
Not every day needs a checklist. One “do nothing” afternoon often becomes everyone’s favourite memory.
(If you’re inspired to plan your next destination, Our Ten-Night Bali Itinerary is packed with gentle-paced days that worked for all ages.)
6. Keeping Luxury Real with Kids
People often ask, “How do you travel to luxury places with little ones?”
The answer: by letting go of perfection and embracing humour.
- A spilled mocktail isn’t a crisis—it’s a memory.
- Matching outfits are optional; patience is not.
- Your kids’ joy is the real luxury.
Even five-star properties become approachable when you remember: behind every polished lobby are parents doing the same juggle you are.
(See Let’s Go Motorhomes for proof that chaos and comfort can share the same postcode.)
7. Practical Checklist Before You Book
Questions to Ask Hotels
- Do you have connecting rooms or family suites?
- Are babysitting or kids’ clubs available?
- What’s nearby for families (parks, beaches, cafés)?
- Do you provide airport transfers with car seats?
- Can meals be adjusted for children’s preferences?
Essentials to Pack
- Portable charger + adaptors
- Reusable drink bottles
- Lightweight stroller
- First-aid mini-kit
- Favourite bedtime item (saves tears nightly)
8. Post-Trip Reflections
After each trip, I jot down three things:
- What worked. (The flight timing, the villa layout.)
- What I’d change. (Pack fewer shoes, more snacks.)
- What we learned. (That downtime is the real luxury.)
Then I share the highlights on the blog, partly to inspire others and partly to remind myself that even imperfect trips become beautiful stories.
(That’s how A Home Away from Home: Villa Mawar began—a note scribbled mid-flight that became one of my most-read posts.)
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Family travel will never be flawless, but that’s not the point.
It’s the early wake-ups, the new foods, the laughter echoing down hotel corridors.
Luxury family travel isn’t about escaping real life; it’s about expanding it.
The comfort, the culture, the chaos—all of it tells your family story.
So, pack light, laugh often, and book the trip.
You’ll never regret the memories you made together.