The best sunny destinations for a family holiday (where kids stay free)
Planning a sunny family holiday can feel like a game of travel roulette. Will it be toddler-friendly but a little soulless? Or totally stunning…but impossible with kids? Well actually, you don’t have to choose. With companies like Club Med, all-inclusive sun resorts blend five-star ease with actual fun - for children and grown-ups alike.
And the cherry on top is that kids under six stay free at many of their family-focused destinations, which means you can stretch the holiday a little longer or upgrade to the sea-view suite you’ve been eyeing.
Here’s our pick of the most joyfully sun-drenched locations for your next family holiday where kids stay free.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
For barefoot beach days and adventure-loving kids
Soft sands, palm trees and that sea you dream about in January - Punta Cana is the sort of place that makes even the most tightly wound grown-up loosen up by day two. At Club Med Punta Cana, families settle quickly into the rhythm of Caribbean life, where breakfast is taken slowly, pool time is sacred, and the hardest decision of the day is “kayaking or paddleboarding?”
The resort sits on a private stretch of beach, with family suites set just back from the shoreline. Little ones can toddle about safely, older kids can join sailing lessons or circus school and parents can finally read that novel they’ve been carting around for months.
There’s a gentle focus on connection here - Club Med’s Amazing Family Programme brings everyone together for scavenger hunts, kite-making, family yoga and giant board games on the beach. And when you want to peel off for a massage or an hour by the adults-only Zen pool, the kids' clubs (from 4 months up) are just steps away.
Why it works:
Warm, calm waters and shallow beach entry
Excellent Mini Club and Baby Club
Circus school and watersports included
Kids under 6 stay free
Palmiye, Turkey
For short-haul ease and golden Mediterranean sunsets
If you’re craving that “abroad” feeling without long-haul flight logistics, Club Med Palmiye delivers all the beauty and none of the faff. Nestled between the Taurus Mountains and the sparkling Mediterranean, this Turkish resort is one of Club Med’s most photogenic - and most family-friendly.
Days here are sunny, simple and relaxed. Teens hang out by the tennis courts or on the water, little ones dart between pool and kids’ club - and you? You’re deciding between a beach hammock or a Pilates class. The on-site restaurants are open, bright and unpretentious - with plenty of kid-friendly options that don’t feel like afterthoughts.
Why it works:
Easy to reach from the UK
Laid-back, warm vibe
Stunning setting with mountain views
Age-specific kids clubs and water activities
Albion, Mauritius
For once-in-a-lifetime scenery - without sacrificing ease
Mauritius might sound like a honeymoon destination, but Club Med La Plantation d’Albion makes it equally magical for families. Think lush green gardens, vibrant reefs and Indian Ocean sunsets that genuinely take your breath away - all within a gated, family-safe resort with zero stress.
This is barefoot luxury that understands the realities of travelling with children. Baby Club Med starts from 4 months, and the resort caters seamlessly for babies, toddlers and teens. Family rooms are spacious, modern and moments from the beach. There’s even a flying trapeze set up in the gardens (because why not?).
Outside of the clubs, there’s snorkelling, archery, cooking classes and local exploration - and plenty of ways to do absolutely nothing, too.
Why it works:
Feels luxurious but is deeply practical
Kids stay free under 6
Excellent early-years childcare
Long-stay discounts and direct flights from London
Miches Playa Esmeralda, Dominican Republic
For eco-adventure and space to roam
Over on the quieter, more lush north-east coast of the Dominican Republic is Miches - one of Club Med’s newest and most sustainably designed resorts. It’s divided into distinct zones, including Explorer Cove, created especially for families.
Expect bike trails, wildlife, nature walks and water-based adventures on tap. The Amazing Family Programme is particularly strong here, with creative workshops, storytelling under the stars, and themed beach parties that make kids feel like they’re in a real-life movie.
There’s also a kids-only splash park, a quiet family pool, and endless green space for running wild - all without leaving the resort grounds.
Why it works:
Sustainable design and a real connection to nature
Tailored family experiences
Huge range of included activities
Calm, secluded setting
Da Balaia, Portugal
For first-time family travellers and weekend sun seekers
Perched on the red-stone cliffs of the Algarve, Club Med Da Balaia is a fantastic option for first family holidays abroad. Flights are short, transfers are simple and the resort itself is calm, compact, and confidence-boosting for parents travelling with babies or young children.
There’s a warm, friendly vibe here - staff go out of their way to learn names, high chairs appear before you ask and fussy eating is met with a smile and a fresh plate. Between the gardens, playgrounds and shaded terraces, there’s always somewhere to retreat from the sun. And if you fancy a moment of grown-up stillness, the resort’s spa overlooks the Atlantic.
Why it works:
Quick and easy from the UK
Perfect for under-fives
Relaxed, sociable pace
Cliff-top views and Atlantic breezes
With destinations spanning Europe, the Caribbean, Asia and the Indian Ocean, there’s a version of “paradise” to suit every age, every stage, and every kind of family.