Mr & Mrs Smith’s Top Hotels With Free Childcare

Smith & Family is a collection of child-friendly hotels with grown-up appeal that takes the hard work out of planning family holidays. They’ve hand-picked some special stays offering free childcare and activities so you can indulge in a little down time, safe in the knowledge that your little ones are in good hands.

Calcot Manor, Cotswolds, United Kingdom

Sitting in the heart of leafy Gloucestershire, this country house hotel boasts rooms designed especially for families, with an all-day creche, a scrumptious children’s tea and a swimming pool just for juniors. Hide away in the parent-pampering spa, an award-winning haven with seven treatment rooms, a sauna, relaxation room and steam room. The free baby-listening service means reception will monitor your sleeping tots for free while you tune out for a grown-up treat.

Smith Extra: A Calcot house champagne cocktail for each adult.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji Islands

There’s little this beachside beauty can’t do: with free childcare from 8am to 9pm, there’s no excuse not to make the most of the pristine coastline and pulse-racing activities on offer. Run by the son of legendary scuba-pioneer Jacques Cousteau, this serene resort has access to some of the world’s best dives. Spend time exploring the nature trails and trio of pools en famille, or drop your little ones off at the Bula Club, which runs a creative programme of Fijian experiences, from snorkelling with a marine biologist to baking in a traditional sun oven.

Smith extra: A private island picnic for two, and free breakfast and lunch prior to 2pm check-in if arriving earlier.

InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Danang, Vietnam

Framed by monkey-filled forests on a picturesque hillside, this impressive retreat is as playful as it is luxurious. Just steps from a nature reserve, it sits in its own private bay,  a fabulous setting for older kids to let loose with kayaking, beach volleyball and trekking trips. This sprawling resort has a laid-back family atmosphere, but if you’re in need of some adults-only escapism, Smith guests get free babysitting throughout their stay – the perfect excuse to hole up in the colourful, quiet sanctuary of the Harnn Heritage Spa.

Smith extra: Afternoon tea for two at Citron, plus free babysitting throughout your stay.

Hotel Esencia, Riviera Maya, Mexico

For utter escapism, far-flung Mexico’s Riviera Maya is heaven incarnate. This intimate oceanfront resort takes great care to spoil families: there are cookery classes for budding chefs, a host of beach essentials (frisbees, boogie boards and snorkel gear) to borrow and all areas of the hotel are pushchair-accessible. There’s both a family friendly pool and a quieter adults-only one, and the Aroma spa was the area’s first organic spa. With five treatment rooms, four Jacuzzis and two Mayan-style temazcal domed steam rooms, relaxation here is serious business – especially since parents are treated to two hours free babysitting every day of their stay.

Smith extra: Complimentary cocktail for each parent and a 30-minute chocolate massage for each child.

La Bandita, Tuscany, Italy

If a European getaway is on the cards for your family, take time to find this glorious Tuscan hideaway – proof you don’t need high-tech frills or fancy kids’ club to keep everyone happy. Children can spend hours exploring the acres of gardens and getting to know the local lambs. Meals at this restored hillside farm are served sociably around one table and there’s a full-time chef on site to whip up meals for fussy eaters. If you’d rather take your time over dinner without fear of interruption, pick a room close to the dining area to make use of the borrowable baby monitors.

Smith extra: A bottle of wine.

Book through Smith & Family for a price-match guarantee, 24/7 travel support and a free extra on arrival. Visit smithandfamily.com.