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.
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!
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.
France
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.
Italy
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.
Spain
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.
Sweden
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.