Where to go When It’s F*cking Freezing

We’re big fans of autumn, Christmas, and all the festivities. But come January, we’d rather be anywhere else.

We say swap the layers for loungers with a much-deserved parent-pleasing holiday courtesy of the family travel experts at Tiny Travelship…

The Maldives

Yes, it’s expensive but the sapphire seas and blinding white sands of the Maldives are something to dream about during night-feed fantasies. And if you’re serious about it, January is a great time to go as it is blessed with highs of 27c, a cooling breeze, low humidity, and minimal rainfall. And it’s a lot more kid friendly than you’d think! *Hold the baby! Sea turtles we’re coming for you.

The Best Places to Stay in The Maldives With Kids

The Fantasy Desto
The Fantasy Desto

Luxury hotels are two a penny in the Maldives. However, few resorts combine sustainability, reef protection and a seamless no-need-to-lift-a-finger service, like the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau. The Zen-inducing spa, eco-friendly Kids Club (4+) and thriving marine scene (complete with resident Manta Rays) really puts it above the rest of the fantasy fray. *Go now before they start school!

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau
The (Slightly) More Affordable Family Stay
The (Slightly) More Affordable Family Stay

Ok, it’s still not cheap but this is straight off a postcard, and amidst a sea of honeymoon hideaways, the Conrad offers a genius family-friendly solution as the resort is split into two private islands, one for tiny travellers (with a brilliant Kids Club for 3+) and one for adults only.

Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

St Lucia

A week (or two) in St Lucia will break you out of any winter slump. Drenched in rum and sunshine, February offers dry skies, warm waters and fabled sunsets. Suiting both experience-seekers and horizontal-holidayers, St Lucia has it all. Not only does it provide clear cobalt waters and sunkissed shorelines, but there are also towering piton peaks to hike, jungles to explore and a wealth of waterfalls and wildlife to fill your camera roll.

The Best Places to stay in St Lucia With Kids

A Home from Home (But Better)
A Home from Home (But Better)

You’ll find both traditional rooms and spacious whitewashed villas at Windjammer Landing. Which allow broods to make themselves at home with fully equipped kitchens, separate sleeping spaces and private pools. Plus, the legendary Kids Club (4+) is one of the most beloved in the country.

Windjammer Landing
Best For Ultimate Luxury
Best For Ultimate Luxury

Sugar Beach is one of the most super luxe beachfront boltholes, where some rooms have their own private Jacuzzi, plunge or infinity pool.

Sugar Beach

Tulum, Mexico

Swap your bed socks and blankets for barefoot strolls on a heaven-sent holiday to Tulum. You’ll find some of Mexico’s best beaches and most talented chefs in this neck of the jungle. Between sunbathing sessions, there are ruins to explore, cenotes to swim in and jugs of mezcal to be drunk. *This can be a slightly trickish one to get to, so make sure you pre book a transfer with your hotel.

The Best Places to Stay in Tulum With Kids

Kind on the Purse Strings
Kind on the Purse Strings

Tempted by Tulum but have a smaller budget to stick to? For a seriously kind on the purse strings stay (with prices starting from £90 a night), head to Hotel Tiki Tiki, an in-town alternative with Palm Springs vibes.

Hotel Tiki Tiki
Family Friendly *but Luxe
Family Friendly *but Luxe

Tucked between the jungle and a crystal-clear coral reef, Jashita offers a Tulum twist on family-friendly hotels, expertly bridging the gap between grown-up vibes and tot-tastic facilities. There may not be a Kids Club, but the spacious suites and secluded shoreline (which is the safest and shallowest around) majorly tick our parent-pleasing boxes.

Jashita

Dubai

Love it or (think you) loathe it, Dubai’s extreme child-friendliness is unquestionable; you can pre-book car seats in taxi apps, there are highchairs in all restaurants, hotels stock baby paraphernalia, and you’re never far from a boredom-busting waterpark. Effectively having only two seasons (hot and hotter), temperatures pleasantly sit at around 24C in January. For a faff-free winter fly-and-flop, it’s a no-brainer.

The Best Places to Stay in Dubai With Kids

The Best Family Stay
The Best Family Stay

Sprawling Jumeirah Al Naseem is the Middle East’s answer to Sani: 5 pools, a complimentary Kids Club, a pristine private beach, over 40 restaurants and even its own water park!

Jumeirah Al Naseem
For Those Unsure on Dubai
For Those Unsure on Dubai

Torn between Dubai and the tropics? Head to Anantara, on the corner of the Palm, for the best of both worlds. With the only over-water villas in the UAE and Thai-inspired buildings, this cultural melting pot offers serene seclusion away from the maddening crowds.

Anantara

Morocco

Looking to escape the bitter cold but can’t face spending ten-plus hours in economy? Don’t underestimate the parent-pleasing power of a mere 3-and-a-half-hour flight with tiny travellers in tow. With highs of 22C, Morocco might not be our first beach break choice this time of year, but it’s perfect for a spot of sightseeing and shopping underneath a sunny sky.

Best Boutique Bolthole, Marrakech
Best Boutique Bolthole, Marrakech

A stylish sanctuary proving Pinterest dreams can become a reality. Offering the best of both worlds, this hidden hideaway is footsteps from the main city sights, yet the owners have done an incredible job of creating an oasis of peace and tranquillity – not an easy feat in this non-stop neck of the woods.

Le Riad Yasmine
Best for Sandy Beaches, Essaouira
Best for Sandy Beaches, Essaouira

Looking for a slower pace of life? With wide sandy beaches and a more manageable souk, Essaouira is considered by those in the know as the most family-friendly city in Morocco. The unique set up at serves guests spacious self-catering riads with hands-on help and hotel amenities; think a heaven-sent hammam, tennis, volleyball and roaming resident turtles.

Rebali Riads

Tiny Travelship’s Top Tips for Long-Haul Family Flights

“Whilst the thought of being stuck in the sky with a travel companion prone to meltdowns might not sound like the most fun you’ve ever had, we’re here to reassure you there’s no need to fear the flight.”
“Planes basically act as giant white noise machines, and the younger the babe, the easier it is to travel.”
“That being said, if you’re looking for an extra helping hand, we always recommend roping in the grandparents (and ‘accidentally’ booking seats far, far away). If you’re feeling super boujee, splash the cash with The Air Nanny, an in-flight childcare chaperone. Finally, for the ultimate ease, book a transfer directly with your hotel *and don’t be afraid to ask for photos of car seats. Happy holidaying!”

The Air Nanny

What is Tiny Travelship?

tinytravelship.com is a brilliant website packed with parent-pleasing stays all visited and verified by a fellow family. Making booking your next trip easy, you can filter holidays by the age of your children, weaning and sleeping requirements, distance from the airport, and the details important to you. 

You can also give them a follow on Instagram for daily inspiration, itineraries, insider reviews and the chance to share your recommendations.