Design Hotels That Truly Welcome Families
When you think of a design hotel, it's easy to imagine pristine interiors, perfectly styled corners, and a distinct lack of anything sticky, loud, or Lego-shaped. Yet there's a growing number of places that manage to blend beautifully curated interiors with a warm, open-armed approach to children. Spaces where you don't feel as though you've compromised on style, nor that your family is merely tolerated.
Here are five hotels, both in the UK and a little further afield, that strike that rare balance. All design-led, all family-friendly, and all worth bookmarking for your next escape. Each of these hotels feels like a lived-in design project: layered, thought through, and comfortable enough to let children be children. They've struck that elusive balance between adult sophistication and family practicality. And for me, that's where the best interiors always sit: somewhere between beauty and life, where both can happily coexist.
1. The Newt, Somerset: Elegant, earthy and very welcoming.
Set in 300 acres of Somerset countryside, The Newt is one of those places that feels grown-up and grounded at the same time. The interiors are pared back but thoughtful: soft linens, wide-planked floors, warm stone and ironwork. Outside, there are apple orchards, gardens to lose yourself in, woodland walks and rare-breed farm animals. It's not marketed as a 'family hotel', but children are welcomed with genuine ease.
Design notes: Understated rural Englishness done well. Texture, balance and an unfussy colour palette.
Photo credit: @thenewtinsomerset
2. Hotel Tresanton, Cornwall:
Classic British seaside with polish and charm.
The most enduring spaces are those where every element has been chosen with purpose. I often recommend modular furniture, generous built-in storage and bespoke joinery that can flex with time. A window seat that hides board games today might hold books or craft materials tomorrow. A well-designed alcove can house toys, a reading nook, or a printer, depending on the season of life.
These aren’t design flourishes for their own sake. They are subtle, intelligent responses to the way we actually live, and they create breathing room within a home to grow and shift gracefully.
Photo credit: https://thepolizzicollection.com/hotel-tresanton/
3. Beaverbrook, Surrey:
Whimsical, eclectic and full of personality.
Beaverbrook is a country house hotel with a bit of flair. The interiors by Susie Atkinson and Nicola Harding are full of colour, pattern and playfulness. It's all a little bit theatrical, in the best possible way. Children are made to feel completely at home, with a kids' club tucked into a Japanese-style treehouse, outdoor adventures, and a swimming pool in summer. It's proof that elegant doesn't have to mean formal.
Design notes: English eccentricity, with a designer's eye. Think velvet, murals, patterned tiles and proper character.
Photo credit: @beaverbrook
4. Les Roches Rouges, Côte d'Azur:
Stripped-back Mediterranean beauty.
Overlooking the sea on a quiet stretch of the French Riviera, this former 1950s modernist hotel has been given a quiet, confident refresh. Interiors are minimal but warm: raw plaster, woven textures, concrete, terracotta and sun-bleached tones. Children are very welcome, but the atmosphere is unpretentious and calm. There's a saltwater pool built into the rocks and the Mediterranean just steps away.
Design notes: Natural materials, no fuss. A sense of space and air; everything gently worn and sun-washed.
Photo credit: @lesrochesrouges
5. Casa Cook, Rhodes:
Laid-back, barefoot, and surprisingly practical.
Casa Cook might not shout 'family hotel', but it quietly caters to them. Family suites are set apart for a bit more peace and privacy, and the relaxed pace of life (all outdoor dining, splash pools and shady spots) makes it an easy place to stay with children. Interiors are simple and earthy: textured plaster, rattan, sculptural shapes and a soft, sun-baked palette.
Design notes: Boho minimalism. A sense of calm without feeling sparse or showy.
Photo credit: @casacookhotels
