Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

What makes a luxury family-friendly resort? It’s not about giving kids free rein but making people of all ages feel welcome at all times. And let’s not forget the parents. A great family hotel doesn’t only cater to the children but knows how to help parents unwind. Our selection of the best family suites provides the best of the best when it comes to multi-generational travel. Selected by parents who have done the trial and error on your behalf, these lists of hotels and resorts meet all the key criteria for a great family vacation.

Credit: Rosewood Mayakoba

There’s a real majesty to Rosewood Mayakoba’s coastal setting. The resort is encircled by mangroves, where turtles glide through the water and spider monkeys hop through the trees and excursions might lead guests to ancient Mayan ruins or allow for whale-shark sightings.

Credit: Rosewood Mayakoba

It’s a magical setting for families. Staying at The Founder’s Villa makes it all the better. Completely private and genuinely home-like despite its vast 16,300-sq-ft footprint.

Credit: Rosewood Mayakoba

The standalone six-bed property is packed with facilities and amenities, including its own chef and servers, personal golf carts, a chic beachfront cabana with a swish sound system and inviting fire pit, plus a 92-ft infinity pool with unobstructed views of the sea. Price upon request.

Credit: Gstaad Palace

The original snowy playground for the elite (not least because its airport only accommodates private planes), Gstaad remains top of the list for skiing vacays. And once the wheels of that jet have touched down, where are we staying? Why, the Gstaad Palace, of course. Seemingly plucked from a fairytale, the hotel has stood in the heart of the town for over 100 years.

Credit: Gstaad Palace

For large groups, pick the Penthouse Suite. Blending Alpine charm (think: timber frames, fur throws and roaring fires) with indulgent extras (there’s a humidor, wine cabinet and two steam baths) Gstaad Palace’s three-bedroom penthouse is everything we look for in a top-notch skiing suite.

Credit: Gstaad Palace

Outside, there’s a 1,615-sq-ft rooftop terrace, complete with a hot tub and sauna inside a turret (we told you it was straight from a fairytale). For little guests, make use of the fun kid’s club — the hotel refers to them as VIKs (Very Important Kids) so you can rest assured that they’ll be having a blast while you secure a few extra hours of apres ski. From $15,000 per night.

Credit: Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Sitting proud on the pristine shores of Lake Como, Grand Hotel Tremezzo looks to be straight from the brilliant mind of Wes Anderson with its symmetrical, butter-hued facade. When it comes to accommodations, guests are spoiled for choice (the rooftop suites are especially lovely), but if you’re bringing the family along, it must be Villa Sola Cabiati.

Credit: Grand Hotel Tremezzo

Separated from the main hotel but still overlooking the lake, the villa sleeps 12 in six suites, each as grandiose as the next. Historical details abound: original terrazzo floors remain, as do period heirlooms, frescoes by the school of Tiepolo and handmade Murano glass chandeliers. One room even holds the very same bed that Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte slept during a visit to Palazzo Serbelloni in Milan.

Credit: Grand Hotel Tremezzo

The villa has its own swimming pool as well as a private jetty for accessing the lake. Service is second to none, too; guests can make use of a full complement of dedicated staff at all hours, including butler, housekeepers and a chef. From $10,000 per night.

Credit: The St Regis Maldives

A private island set a 35-minute seaplane ride away from Malé, The St Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is as close to heaven on Earth as you can get with powdery white beaches and a private lagoon.

Credit: The St Regis Maldives

While the ocean views are pretty spectacular from wherever you look, the John Jacob Estate is one of the best places to soak them in.

Credit: The St Regis Maldives

The three-bedroom, over-water villa is ideal for larger groups and boasts an enormous 990-sq-ft private pool plus two private plunge pools and a whirlpool, and plenty of daybeds, sofas and sun loungers for spending languid days in the sun. There are also three guest rooms for personal staff. From $26,000 per night.

Credit: Waldorf Astoria Maldives

Sometimes, the most luxurious thing a suite can offer is space and privacy — and the Private Island at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi has both in abundance.

Credit: Waldorf Astoria Maldives

. Located in South Male Atoll, Isthaafushi, it's a 40-minute yacht journey or 25-minute flight from the airport that feels like a million miles away from the rest of civilization.

Credit: Waldorf Astoria Maldives

As the region’s largest private island, totaling just shy of 350,000 sq ft, there’s enough space for even the extended family, with room for 24 guests (18 adults and six children) across the island’s two beach and overwater villas and one four-bedroom residence. From $65,000 per night.

Credit: The Ritz-Carlton

Find yourself charmed by the coast of the Caribbean, from the endless stretches of white sand beaches (the resort is set within the tranquil harbor poised on the world-renowned Seven Mile Beach) to the abundant marine wildlife and endless watersports activities on The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s doorstep.

Credit: The Ritz-Carlton

And, after a long day of exploring, the Seven South is the ideal respite, presenting a one-of-a-kind experience to stay in the largest luxury hotel suite configuration in the Caribbean. Formed of three-bedroom, four-bathroom Grand Cayman Penthouse, the suite can also be configured to sleep up to 18, occupying an entire top-floor wing of the resort.

Credit: The Ritz-Carlton

The suite also enjoys the services of a dedicated butler, concierge/guest relations manager and private chef, meaning guests can focus on spending quality family time. From $25,000 per night.

Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

A sprawling estate set on the tranquil blue waters of its namesake, nestled between the sky-high pines of Georgia, the Lake House of The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, is the ideal retreat for guests seeking outdoor adventure and comforting Southern charm.

Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

Perfect for multi-generational families, the resort offers prime fishing occasions, five championship golf courses, watersports for the thrillseekers, and The Ritz Kids Clubhouse for those who don’t yet meet the height restrictions.

Credit: The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee

At the heart of the residence’s sprawling private estate is the three-story, four-bedroom, lake-front residence, complete with a pool and an abundance of private indoor and outdoor space. From $15,000 per night.

Credit: Grand Hyatt Cannes

Way up on Hôtel Martinez’s seventh floor, overlooking the crystal-hued Mediterranean Ocean beyond, is the hotel’s creme de la creme: the Penthouse Apartments. Inspired by Hôtel Martinez’s long standing relationship with Cannes Film Festival, the apartments pay homage to two cinematic icons: Isabelle Huppert and Thierry Frémaux.

Credit: Grand Hyatt Cannes

Interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon sought to capture the unique identities of the two: Hupperts rooms are delicate, light-filled spaces with highlights of gold. Frémaux’s, on the other hand, is darker with cool blue tones throughout. The two conjoining suites can be booked individually, but if you’ve got a group in tow, go the whole hog and take both to create one mega four-bedroom, 13,455-sq-ft penthouse.

Credit: Grand Hyatt Cannes

There’s a huge outdoor terrace for cocktail hour, too (with more of those brilliant views of the Bay of Cannes). Price upon request.