Unique Baby and Toddler Friendly Stays That Are Worth the Splurge
Traveling with babies and little kids doesn’t have to mean giving up the kinds of incredible hotels you dreamed of staying in before becoming a parent. In fact, some of the most extraordinary luxury hotels in the world have gone out of their way to create experiences specifically for young children.
We’re talking about sleeping next to elephants in Thailand, staying in a real palace at Versailles, treehouses in the Singapore rainforest, and five-star hotel suites with slides, secret playrooms, and bunk beds that look like pirate ships.
Forget the generic kids’ clubs and plastic toys in the lobby. These are the kinds of hotels where the accommodation itself is part of the adventure.
How to Book these Hotels
I’m a travel advisor who can offer the following complimentary benefits at any of these resorts like the following:
- Complimentary room upgrade, if available (at check-in).
- $100 USD or USD equivalent property credit per stay
- Daily complimentary breakfast for 2 guests per day.
- Priority for early check-in and late check-out, if available.
- WE CAN MATCH ANY RATE you find online.
We’ve stayed in each of these ourselves as paying customers, and speak from personal experience. It doesn’t cost anything extra to book through us. Contact us via email, text us on WhatsApp, and/or learn more about bespoke trip planning service.
I’ve spent years traveling the world with my son, and one thing I’ve learned is that luxury and family travel absolutely can coexist. The trick is finding hotels that make the experience special for everyone, including the parents.
Here are some of the most unique luxury hotels in the world for families with babies and little kids.
1. Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong
For some of the most elaborate family suites I’ve seen
Island Shangri-La might have some of the coolest family hotel rooms anywhere.
The hotel has an entire collection of themed family rooms and suites, with designs inspired by Hong Kong trams, castles, underwater adventures, and more.
Some have bunk beds with slides, little hideaways, and interactive features. The Hong Kong-themed suite even has a bunk bed designed to look like one of the city’s famous trams.
But what really makes this property stand out to me is that it hasn’t forgotten about the parents. Along with separate sleeping areas in the larger suites, the hotel has a family pantry with practical amenities, including laundry facilities, and dedicated spaces for families to spend time together.
These are the kinds of details that I look for when traveling with little kids. The themed bedrooms are exciting, but the convenience is what can make a hotel stay genuinely enjoyable with a baby or toddler.
Benefits at Island Shangri La when you book with us:
- Room upgrades (applicable to non theme rooms)
- $250 suite credit
- Breakfast
- Early check in and late checkout when available
2. Grand Hyatt Bali, Indonesia
For pirate and mermaid-themed bedrooms
I love when hotels put a little extra thought into their family accommodations, and Grand Hyatt Bali has some particularly fun options.
The resort has pirate- and mermaid-themed connecting rooms that are a huge departure from the typical hotel bedroom. The pirate room has a ship-inspired bunk bed, complete with a steering wheel and telescope, while the mermaid room has seashell-shaped beds and ocean-themed decor.
What’s especially nice is that the themed rooms connect to a separate king bedroom for the parents. If you’ve ever tried to put a toddler to bed at 7pm while sharing a hotel room, you know how much of a difference that makes.
Grand Hyatt Bali is also a beachfront resort in Nusa Dua with beautiful grounds, pools, and plenty of space for kids to play. The rooms are probably most exciting for toddlers and preschoolers, but I would consider this with a baby as well, particularly because of the connecting room layout.
Benefits at Grand Hyatt Bali when you book with us:
- Room upgrades (applicable to non theme rooms)
- $100 resort credit
- Breakfast
- Early check in and late checkout when available
3. Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, Singapore
For sleeping in a giant seed pod in the rainforest
This is one of the more unusual hotel designs I’ve come across recently.
Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree in Singapore has treehouse accommodations designed to resemble giant seed pods nestled among the trees.
The curved structures have private patios and views of the rainforest and reservoir, and the entire resort is built around the idea of being immersed in nature.
What makes this especially interesting for families is the location. The resort is right by the Mandai wildlife attractions, including Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, River Wonders, and Night Safari.
Unlike the Shangri-La properties, this isn’t a hotel filled with elaborate themed bedrooms and play equipment. The setting itself is the experience.
One thing to know is that the treehouses have limited occupancy, so you’ll want to confirm whether they work for your family. There are also family rooms with bunk beds if you need more space.
Benefits at Banyan Tree when you book with us:
- Room upgrades (applicable to non seed pod rooms)
- $100 resort credit
- Breakfast
- Early check in and late checkout when available
5. Anantara Golden Triangle, Thailand
For sleeping among elephants in a transparent Jungle Bubble
At Anantara Golden Triangle in northern Thailand, you can spend the night in a completely transparent Jungle Bubble overlooking the hotel’s elephant habitat.
We did this with our son when he was a baby, and it was such a special experience. The hotel transported us to the bubble by golf cart and brought along a crib and high chair, which made the experience surprisingly easy with a baby.
We had dinner outside overlooking the elephant habitat and then slept under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the jungle.
The bubble has air conditioning, a comfortable bed, and a proper bathroom, so despite feeling like you’re camping in the jungle, you’re not exactly roughing it.
There is now also a two-bedroom Jungle Bubble Lodge, which offers more space for families. Occupancy rules differ between the bubble options, so make sure you’re booking the right one.
I particularly love experiences like this because they’re so different from a conventional hotel stay, but they’re still possible with a little one. You don’t have to take your child on a strenuous jungle trek or spend hours in a safari vehicle to experience something extraordinary together.
Benefits when booking Anantara with us
- Room upgrades when available
- Extra resort activity
- Breakfast
3. Shangri-La Singapore
For castle beds, rocket ships, and an incredible play space
Shangri-La Singapore takes a similar approach to its sister hotel in Hong Kong, with an entire collection of themed family suites – they’re just less detailed and interactive, but still amazing.
The options include castle, space, safari, underwater, and treetop themes, with imaginative children’s bedrooms that look like something out of a storybook.
The Space Suite has a rocket-ship-inspired bed, while the Castle Suite is particularly fun for kids who love pretending they’re royalty.
I also like that the hotel has a dedicated family concierge and family pantry, which makes traveling with babies and toddlers a bit easier.
But it’s not just the rooms that make this hotel special.
There’s an enormous indoor play space called buds by Shangri-La, along with Splash, an outdoor water playground. For families visiting Singapore, that’s a pretty compelling setup, especially considering how hot and humid it can get.
It’s rare to find a luxury city hotel with this many amenities specifically designed for young children.
Benefits at Shangri La when you book with us:
- $250 suite credit
- Breakfast
- Early check in and late checkout when available
6. Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle, France
For staying in an actual royal palace
There are plenty of luxury hotels that look like palaces, but this one is on the grounds of the real Versailles.
Airelles Le Grand Contrôle occupies historic buildings within the Château de Versailles estate, and a stay includes access to exclusive experiences at the palace and gardens. The hotel is incredibly ornate, with 18th-century-inspired interiors, private butler service, and all the details you’d expect from one of France’s most exclusive hotels.
But what I love is that they also have experiences for children. Families can arrange activities like pony rides, special workshops, and private visits to the palace. The hotel has also offered a family-focused Royal Camp experience.
This is for you if you love the idea of being able to explore Versailles without the usual crowds and then actually spending the night there.
Benefits at Airelles when you book with us:
- $100 resort credit
- Upgrades when available
- Breakfast
- Early check in and late checkout when available
7. Grand Hotel Kronenhof, Switzerland
For a grand Alpine hotel that welcomes little kids
Grand Hotel Kronenhof in Pontresina, Switzerland is one of those beautiful historic European hotels with elaborate interiors, grand dining rooms, and incredible mountain views. In the winter, with snow covering the surrounding Alps, it looks especially magical.
What surprised me is how much the hotel offers for families. There’s a kids’ club for children ages three and older, a dedicated children’s restaurant, and a spa area with a warm pool for kids. They also offer baby equipment like cribs, bottle warmers, and baby bathtubs, which is helpful when you’re traveling with an infant.
What appeals to me most about this one is that it doesn’t feel like a typical family resort. It’s an elegant, historic luxury hotel where parents can still enjoy beautiful surroundings, great dining, and a proper spa, but children are genuinely welcome.
Benefits at Kronenhof when you book with us:
- Room upgrades when available
- Extra sweets and kids gifts in the room
- Early check in and late checkout when available
8. Soneva Jani, Maldives
For overwater villas with their own waterslides
For once your kids are water-safe, Soneva Jani is one of the most spectacular resorts in the Maldives, with some villas featuring private pools, retractable roofs over the bedrooms, and enormous outdoor living areas.
The larger villas have separate bedrooms for children, which makes them particularly appealing for families. There’s also The Den, an elaborate children’s facility with activities and spaces designed for kids.
For families with babies or toddlers, I’d look closely at the beachfront accommodations instead. But for families with older children who are strong swimmers, I can see why the villas with slides are so appealing.
Benefits at Soneva Jani when you book with us:
- $100 resort credit
- Room upgrade when available
- Breakfast
- Early check in and late checkout when available
Choosing the Right Unique Hotel With Little Kids
One thing I’ve learned from traveling with my son is that not every incredible hotel is necessarily incredible with a baby or toddler.
Some accommodations look amazing in photos but aren’t particularly practical once you factor in nap times, sleeping arrangements, stairs, pools, and all the little things that come with traveling with young children.
That’s why I look beyond whether a hotel simply allows kids.
If you’re considering one of these hotels, or looking for a unique luxury family vacation somewhere else, we’d love to help you plan it.
Through Muse Bespoke Escapes, we can help you choose the right accommodations for your family and often add complimentary perks like breakfast, hotel credits, and upgrades when available.
