our favorite places

where

to sleep


Not all hotels are created equal, but I do my best to find the best, safest, and cleanest family-friendly places for our crew of five to stay when we’re on a trip.

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rest your head

favorites for family accommodation


Traveling in Europe with kids is a totally different ball game, and it can honestly be a little overwhelming trying to find a great spot for your family to spend the night. Here’s a quick breakdown of general family-friendly places to stay. If you have a question about a specific place, shoot me an email!

  • Kinder Hotels are like the holy grail of amazing family accommodation in Europe. Think: all-inclusive/half-board with childcare included. Staying there is like going on a cruise but on land.
  • Yelloh Village and CenterParcs are our favorite budget-friendly versions of a kinder hotel. They’re super fun, casual, and great for longer stays. (No childcare, but lots of other great activities.)
  • Hostels aren’t just for backpackers; they’re a great option for families, too. Search for private rooms on HostelWorld, or see if your destination has a Meininger hotel chain.
  • We use Booking.com often; the more you book through them, the more perks you get.
  • AirBnB and VRBO are other great options. If you’re booking from here, make sure there are plenty of reviews available; I often double-check (by googling the name and finding the same listing on different sites) to make sure it’s a legit place to say. Also, keep in mind the extra fees and extra deposits—they add up quickly.
  • TripAdvisor is a great place to see where a hotel ranks within a city. I use this as another way to check reviews on activities and family-friendly places.
where we’ve stayed

Our Favorite Family-Friendly Places


These are all family-friendly places we’ve stayed at in Europe that we’ve liked and recommended. Please keep in mind that places and prices may change, and what we love may not work for your family.

I’ve also asked trusted friends who have multiple kids (trying to stick to families with 3+ kids right now) to share their favorite family-friendly places to stay in Europe. Their recommendations are designated with an asterisk (*). If you’d like to contribute, shoot me an email and we can chat.

Austria

Burgenland

Where We Stayed:
Streckhof Frauenkirchen

The Space:
Huge house for 8 people; 3 rooms, 7 beds (4 of them bunk beds), and 2 baths

Good to Know:
This is an American’s dream and a perfect family-friendly place to stay in Austria. It would be great as a “hub” to explore the area. Not only is it huge, but every detail was considered for your stay, including the giant fridge with an ice machine and a washer and dryer. The kids never wanted to leave their room, and when they did, they never wanted to leave the garden area with all the playground fun. Highly recommend.


Tyrol

Where We Stayed:
Alpenrose Familux Resort – a kinderhotel

The Space:
Marienberg Apartment (but just like a regular room) 1 queen-sized bed, a couch/bed; a small room with bunk beds. Also had a balcony and a split shower/bathroom.

Good to Know:
Wow. This kinder hotel in Austria will blow your mind! Stayed over NYE, and had the best time — a true vacation! Childcare is included (my kids never wanted to leave), the food was fantastic, and you can’t beat the location. It was all beyond wonderful.

Belgium

Bruges/De Haan

Where We Stayed:
Centerparks De Haan

The Space:
Comfort Cottage for 8 people

Good to Know:
We love Centerparcs, and this one was a perfect place for a family to stay near Bruges. We spent most of our time at the AquaMundo (waterpark), but you’re close enough to Bruges (30 minutes away) to spend the day there, too. The beach and surrounding towns are also awesome.


Ghent

Where We Stayed:
Hotel Onderbergen

The Space:
Family apartment (with 2 bedrooms/1 bath)

Good to Know:
The location was great, but it’s not attached to the actual hotel, and parking is bout 10 minutes away at the cathedral. It has a small elevator, and if our family of five visited Ghent again we’d stay here.

Czech Republic

Prague

Where We Stayed:
Old Prague House

The Space:
Maisonette with Terrace (two bedrooms—one was in a loft; one sleeper sofa; two bathrooms)

Good to Know:
Our place was HUGE and the city-center location was perfect for walking around Old Town. But, there is not a 24-hour reception and there is no lift to the top floor where the huge family room/apartment is.

If you need a place to stay in Lesser Town (the other side of the river by the castle), I have many friends who recommend Dům u Velké Boty, aka The House at the Big Boot.

Denmark

Billund

Where We Stayed:
Lalandia Billund

The Space:
Design Plus 6-person Holiday Home

Good to Know:
This was much like the Center Parcs we’ve stayed at, meaning it was a “self-catering” spot, kinda like an AirBnB. It was perfect for what we needed it for and loved that it included access to their water park. Our cottage was the furthest from the main part of the property, but luckily there was a little train that came by twice an hour to take you to the front. The walk wasn’t too bad either.


Copenhagen

Where We Stayed:
Urban House Meininger

The Space:
6-person private room (4 bunk beds and two twin beds pushed together). Private bathroom with shower.

Good to Know:
This Meininger was busy and the room we had was much smaller than any other Meininger we’ve stayed at. The breakfast area was extremely small and we often had to wait for a table. However, the location and the price were fantastic, and the reason why we picked this spot.

Alsace (Nothalten)

Where We Stayed:
Independent house in the Alsatian vineyard

The Space:
Apartment with 2 bedrooms (4 beds)/1 bath + terrace

Good to Know:
LOVED our stay here around the holidays. The house was decorated and so festive. Don’t miss out on breakfast—it was a feast and a highlight of our stay. The hosts were SO friendly, and the location is close to so many picture-perfect towns! Would be fantastic any time of year.


Alsace (Colmar)

Where We Stayed:
My Sweet Homes

The Space:
1 bedroom apartment with 1 double bed, 2 pull-out sofa beds, room for pack ’n play or air mattress, 1 bathroom, kitchen, bathtub. 

Good to Know:
Great location steps away from the Grand Rue and Place de l’Ancienne Douane. Very quick walk to several Christmas markets. No elevator and narrow stairway up to the apartment and parking is only available at nearby public garages Montagne Verte or Saint-Josse.

*Submitted by Lindsey (Abroad Wife)


Lille

Where We Stayed:
Chez Charlotte

The Space:
House/Apartment with 2 bedrooms (2 beds/1 bath)

Good to Know:
Things to note: Only stayed one night, but would’ve stayed longer. Close to Lille, and the space was great. Street parking (looked a little shady, but was perfectly fine).


Normandy

Where We Stayed:
La Capricieuse

The Space:
Premium Cottage with 3 rooms (5 beds)/2 baths

Good to Know:
Stayed here for a week and it was PERFECT. Just enough space for our family and plenty to do within the camp. Restaurant on site, walkable into town, and activities for the whole family. Would stay here again.

Germany

Cochem

Where We Stayed:
Charming holiday home in Roes with a balcony

The Space:
Apartment with 2 bedrooms + couch bed/1 bath

Good to Know:
You’ll need a car, but it’s a great location for exploring the area. About 20 minutes to Burg Eltz. We loved everything about this apartment.


Limburg/Idstein

Where We Stayed:
Carolinger Hüttendorf

The Space:
chalet (two bedrooms; bunkbeds; 1 bath)

Good to Know:
Bare bones and small, but had everything you need in it and makes for a great “hub” for exploring the area. Breakfast was also good, and there was a delicious restaurant within walking distance (make a reservation


Munster

Where We Stayed:
Ferienhof Kotten Kunterbunt

The Space:
Apartment within house. Kid room with 3 beds; 1 queen bed + couch/ 1 bath

Good to Know:
Super hospitable and close to Munster without actually being in the city. The kids had a blast and never wanted to leave.


Wernigerode

Where We Stayed:
Charming apartment in half-timbered villa

The Space:
Apartment with 2 bedrooms (4 beds)/ 1 bathroom

Good to Know:
Close to the center of town, and the apartment had toys for the kids. Had to bring our own sheets (brought sleeping bags for kids; paid for sheets for the grownup’s bed). Stairs to reach apartment; street parking, very safe area.

Sicily (Avola)

Where We Stayed:
Ammari Sicily Villa

The Space:
House with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (technically; one is in the adjacent building). Great entertaining area with separate outdoor kitchen + shower. Washing machine (no dryer)

Good to Know:
EXCELLENT beachfront property and the house is exactly as it is in the photos. Perfect spot for a long stay in Sicily. Host is fantastic and has beach activities + ample towels.


Venice

Where We Stayed:
Ca Derai Fenice

The Space:
2-bedroom Apartment (2 double beds and 2 pull out sofa beds), 2 bathrooms, kitchen, and washing machine. 

Good to Know:
Excellent quiet location; 5-minute walk to Piazza San Marco and less than 10-minute walk to the Rialto bridge. Plenty of space for a bigger family and very helpful host. Located near the Fenice Theater, plenty of eateries and gelato are just steps away. No elevator; the apartment is on the 5th (I think) floor.
*Submitted by Lindsey (Abroad Wife)

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Where We Stayed:
Meininger Hotel Amsterdam City West

The Space:
5-bedroom hotel room (4 bunk beds; 1 double bed + bathroom/shower)

Good to Know:
Great location; one train stop away from Amsterdam central, and has storage lockers. Great breakfast, too. “Dorm” style, but private room


Amsterdam

Where We Stayed:
Mr. Jordaan

The Space:
Double Small Canal view (mom and daughter)

Good to Know:
Excellent location, fantastic place, wonderful breakfast, and very helpful staff. If staying with a family they said to call to book two rooms together. Splurge on the canal view; has a (slow) elevator!


Giethoorn

Where We Stayed:
Chalet Park Kroondomein Giethoorn

The Space:
3-bedroom chalet (sleeps up to six) OR two chalets

Good to Know:
Stayed as a family of 7 (we had two chalets between two families). Great location; rent a boat or bikes at the front desk.


Het Heijderbos

Where We Stayed:
Center Parcs Het Heijderbos

The Space:
VIP Cottage (two rooms; 1 bath)

Good to Know:
This is a bare-bones, but has everything-you-need spot. Water park, activities for all ages, restaurants, and grocery store on site. We absolutely loved our stay here.

Portugal

The Algarve

Where We Stayed:
Turiscampo

The Space:
Premium cottage 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms

Good to Know:
You’ll need a car, but it’s a great affordable option for Algarve. Multiple pools, restaurant, market, and activities on site. Only 15 minutes from a wonderful beach.


Lisbon

Where We Stayed:
Exotic Fusion double Suite with Garden

The Space:
Apartment with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms + washing AND dryer (!) and outdoor enclosed patio

Good to Know:
You’ll need a car and it’s away from the city, but it’s PERFECT for a family. The host has literally thought of everything. We’ll stay here again if we go back to Lisbon.


Porto

Where We Stayed:
Apartment with shared garden

The Space:
Large apartment; 3 bedrooms; 1.5 beds

Good to Know:
Great location and the space is good. The place seemed slightly run down, but the star was the shared garden overlooking Porto. Worth staying here for sure.

Segovia

Where We Stayed:
3 bedroom house 15 minutes from Segovia

The Space:
Huge 3 bedroom house on a split level + 3 bathrooms, and a washing machine

Good to Know:
The house is EXCELLENT, but it’s in a very sleepy town (i.e., there’s nothing to do there), but for the cost and space, it worked for us. Segovia is a 15-minute drive away.


Seville

Where We Stayed:
Monkeys Luxury Adriano Terrace

The Space:
HUGE 2 bedroom (4 beds), 3 bathroom apartment

Good to Know:
Split-level apartment. Great location; can walk all around Seville. The kitchen was small and missing some necessities.


Tarifa

Where We Stayed:
El Erizo Apartamentos

The Space:
Apartment with 2 bedrooms (3 beds + extra cot) and 1 bath

Good to Know:
Great location in old town, but there was zero cell service and wifi didn’t work. Had to leave a cash deposit (which I don’t like doing), and the parking was sketchy. But the location was great and worked for our family.

Stockholm

Where We Stayed:
Downtown Camper by Scandic

The Space:
two regular rooms

Good to Know:
They did not have connecting rooms but had rooms across from each other. Very affordable for Sweden, and the location was FANTASTIC. Also amazing? The breakfast. Super impressed with this place.