Feature: Swimming pool
Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park, England, UK
Nestled in the rolling valleys of Dartmoor National Park and standing within 275 acres of beautiful countryside, Bovi Castle is the ultimate English retreat for a luxurious, relaxing getaway. You will find a wide range of activities for adults and children, including 60 individually-designed bedrooms located throughout the historic manor and courtyard, for the ultimate hotel break in Devon. ROOMS A range of elegant hotel rooms are available, in addition to comfortably furnished lodges. Settle down in a family-friendly lodge, the perfect option if you prefer a private escape with your family. Enjoy daily activities and delicious home-cooked family favourite dishes with convenient lodge dining. Lodges are perfectly placed within the glorious Bovey Castle grounds so you can experience all the private lodge benefits and lap up the perks of hotel luxury right next door. DINING From a quintessentially English afternoon tea in the Cathedral Room, to a laid-back homestyle meal cooked in the Smith’s Brasserie, you will find a range of delicious dishes to choose from. The Great Western Grill has an à la carte menu, including dishes like Brixham crab salad and red wine braised oxtail cottage pie, and poached native lobster with truffle macaroni cheese. While Smith’s Brasserie offers dishes inspired from the Mediterranean, with countryside views and a fire pit. KIDS CLUB With interactive activities aplenty like dressing up, imagination toys such as a wooden kitchen and crafts, the younger members of the family will be transported to a world of creativity that will capture the interest of all. ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES Two restaurants Afternoon tea (plus children’s afternoon tea menu) Golf course Spa Fitness centre 4×4 off road track Woodland walks Falconry Cider and sloe gin making Bee keeping experience Bovey Bushcraft Deer Park Tour Horse riding KidsZone TechZone Yoga classes Archery Car parking A NOTE… A sweet touch for children – at 9am each day, a member of the activities team hosts a 30-minute session where visitors can get hands-on with the ferrets and then go on to feed breakfast to rescue chickens. For the KidzZone, you will need to visit the activities desk to purchase your ‘PlayZone Passport’ and get a special stamp to give you access to come and go throughout the day, or for your entire visit! A one day pass: £15.00 for 1 child – one day pass for unlimited play time. £25.00 for 2 children – one day pass for unlimited time. For your entire stay:£40.00 for 1 child – Unlimited for the duration of their stay. Please also note that baby cribs are available but at an additional cost. Bovey Castle is a dog-friendly resort (must be over 6 months and fully house-trained)!
andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge, Kruger, South Africa
andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge offers Big Five game viewing on the border of the Kruger National Park. With 20 classic thatched cottages, including three family cottages and a family suite, andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge is family-friendly with classic, old-world charm. Set within South Africa’s largest and most well-known game reserve, Ngala Private Game Reserve offers not only one of the most incredible Big Five wildlife experiences in the world, but also an intimate one due to their exclusive traversing rights on 14,700 hectares (36,000 acre) of wilderness land. Safaris are led by expert &Beyond-trained ranger and tracker teams, that ensure sensitive off-roading practices to allow close-up game sightings of elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe and more. Enjoy a variety of activities such as twice-daily game drives with intimate wildlife encounters, interpretive bush walks, a rhino notching conservation experience, or even a tailor-made private safari suited for your needs. Designed for families with children who are wanting to experience the wonders of the South African bush together, each family safari is planned with your specialist guide taking into account your children’s ages, their interests, your preferences and the fun seasonal activities available. Special WILDchild programme for children aged 3–12 years Each WILDchild receives a backpack filled with age-appropriate goodies Activities are seasonal and include bark rubbing, bug collecting, frog safaris, ‘poo walks’, baking with the chef and more Special children’s menus are available Childminding services available at additional cost ROOMS andBeyond Ngala Safari Lodge consists of 20 cottages, including 3 family cottages, and 1 family suite. All cottages feature refreshing alfresco showers, state of the art Swarovski binoculars to use during your stay, and Wi-Fi. Family Cottages can accommodate two adults and two children, while the family suite also accommodates two adults and two children, with the added benefit of access to a private swimming pool and the use of a private vehicle. ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES Safari game drives – day and night safaris with expert guides Bush walking adventures Game viewing Treehouse experience (suitable for children 10 + years old) Outdoor swimming pool Complimentary laundry service Spa Fully-equipped fitness centre Safari shop with handcrafted items, sourced from local artisans A note… Children over the age of 6 years old, will be charged as adults. Game drive policy at &Beyond: The below policy applies to children participating in game drives at &Beyond lodges in South Africa only. Please contact the lodge directly with the age of your children, to see how they can cater to your family requirements. AGE OF CHILD SAFARI PARTICIPATION 0 – 5 years Not permitted on game drives unless on a private vehicle, in which case only at the guide’s discretion Not permitted on walks outside of the lodge grounds or on Walking Safaris 6 – 11 years Permitted on game drives only at lodge manager’s discretion Not permitted on walks outside of the lodge grounds or on Walking Safaris 12 – 16 years Permitted on game drives and nature walks Not permitted on Walking Safaris Please note that, due to the fact that the lodge is not fenced off, children are required to have an adult accompanying them at all times. LOCATION The park is located in the north-east of South Africa, in the eastern parts of Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces. Getting to Ngala: Federal Air offer daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg and Nelspruit to Ngala Private Game Reserve Connect Ngala Private Game Reserve to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Phinda Private Game Reserve, and the Sabi Sand Game Reserve There are daily Airlink flights from Cape Town to Hoedspruit Airport, which are then followed by a two-hour road transfer It is a six-hour drive from Johannesburg, on very good roads, in a two-wheel-drive vehicle SUSTAINABILITY &Beyond’s acclaimed conservation policies led to Ngala becoming the first private reserve to be incorporated into the world-famous Kruger National Park. Through a unique partnership with WWF SA and the SANParks Trust, Ngala’s contributions directly influence the expansion of various high biodiversity regions through the country, and assist SANParks daily in their conservation and anti-poaching initiatives. Along with Africa Foundation, Ngala works closely with the neighbouring communities of Welverdiend, Hluvukani and Hlabekisa, employing locally and investing in community education, healthcare and small business development. Sustainability practices are a daily priority at Ngala and include the elimination of plastic bottles and a focus on energy-saving initiatives.
Boschendal Farm Estate, Franschhoek, South Africa
Boschendal Farm Estate is an historical wine farm, located in Simondium, a 10-minute drive from Franschhoe, offering a taste of luxury farm living in South Africa. You will find an emphasis on stylish simplicity and farm style accommodation, soil to fork dining and award-winning wines, combined with a seasonal kids club and a host of activities for children. With open access to the farm, you’re free to explore and discover everything Boschendal has to offer. Enjoy world-class mountain biking and hiking trails or long afternoons sampling award-winning wines, while the children experience an authentic outdoor adventure at the kids club. ROOMS Discover luxury farm living at Boschendal Farm Estate with a range of accommodations, from the spectacular Mountain Villa, to the historical Herbert Baker-designed Cottage 1685, or Cow Shed, which is comfortably nestled in the corner of the farm, to the beautifully restored farm cottages in the Orchards, Werf and Retreat. All cottages come complete with a tv, a full kitchenette with a fridge, and some of cottages are fitted with an oven. DINING Enjoy farm-style meals from breakfast to lunch and dinner, with menus inspired by the seasons. Werf Restaurant offers contemporary soil-to-fork dining using the best local, seasonal and ethically sourced ingredients. Relax under the oaks, at The Deli, for casual dining with family and friends. You also have the opportunity to have a picnic of seasonal and ethically sourced ingredients and locally made artisanal goods, or gather friends and family for a memorable winelands experience. The Farm Shop & Butchery showcases the fresh produce grown on the farm, or crafted by local, like minded suppliers. Celebrate the best of Boschendal with Black Angus beef, Duroc pork, pantry items, baked goods, fresh produce, free-range eggs, and more. ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES Horse riding Picnics Mountain biking Fishing Hiking Wine tasting Farm tours Art gallery BBQ facilities Children’s playground Swimming pool FOR KIDS For young adventurers, there is an outdoor playground, pump track and supervised holiday programmes (please check with the hotel directly for specific opening dates of the kids club). Supervised edu-tainment programmes cater to children aged 3-7 and 8-12. Each week brings new themes and boundless excitement, including farm adventures and learning about animals, fruits, and vegetables. Kids aged 4 – 12 years have the chance to enjoy an authentic outdoor farm experience under the leadership and professional guidance of the Tree House team. With 2-hour morning, mid-day, and afternoon slots or immersive full-day slots available, the Outdoor Experience focuses on delivering captivating eco-edutainment that unpacks the joys of farm life. The Kids’ Outdoor Experience is available daily for both in-house and day visitors – bookings are required to secure your child’s seat and only 10 seats per slot are available. The daily Tree House free-range toddlers’ programme is also exclusive to in-house guests at Boschendal and has been designed for toddlers aged 3 – 4yrs. The programme must be booked 24 hours in advance. A note… Boschendal Farm Estate is a cashless farm, providing a convenient and secure payment experience for visitors.
Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort, Dubai, UAE
Experience Middle Eastern culture and a luxury getaway in Dubai’s golden dunes at 5-star resort, Bab Al Shams, a go-to desert experience just 45 minutes from downtown Dubai. Bab Al Shams is an opulent, quiet luxury resort and yet it is fantastic for families seeking a one-of-a-kind desert experience, with a range of dining options, family rooms, a kids pool and kids club. Nestled in nature, Bab Al Shams combines modernist architecture with authentic Arabian pursuits; a relaxing getaway only a short drive from Dubai, making it perfect for multi-centre holidays in the United Arab Emirates. ROOMS Stay in recently renovated, beautifully crafted rooms where every detail is carefully considered to ensure your ultimate relaxation amidst the stunning desert landscape of the Arabian Peninsula. The perfect blend of elegance and practical comforts for the discerning guest; Bab Al Shams offers a range of room options for families, including family rooms and family suites. DINING Experience the very essence of Arabia with a theatrical open-air dining experience under the stars at Al Hadheerah, where you will find authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, dancers, musicians, falconers, and camel riders. Revel in glorious sunsets, masterfully crafted cocktails, and Pan-Asian delights at the rooftop lounge of Anwa. Enjoy a Mediterranean blend of dishes at Zala, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or take a seat at the pool bar for a refreshing beverage and light meals. ACTIVITIES AND FACILITIES Plunge pool, infinity pool, children’s pool Kids club Spa Gym Fat bike desert safari Private hot-air balloon Desert stargazing Arabian horse riding Camelback trekking Falconry Archery The art of Arabic coffee making and serving Emirati storytelling Camel rides KIDS CLUB The kids club is open daily from 9:00am – 6:00pm, for children aged 5-12 years (children below four years, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). With indoor and outdoor activities to reflect the seasons, it is an ideal respite from the heat in the intense summer months. Little travellers will be thrilled by a selection of hands-on activities, including origami, clay modelling and face painting, amongst others.