After more than 20 years in travel, one thing I have noticed is that families who start booking Four Seasons often keep booking Four Seasons. Not necessarily because of the brand itself, but because they find a resort that works and keep returning. That does not always mean returning to the same property. Family travel evolves.

A family might start with Four Seasons Orlando when the children are young and Disney is the priority. A few years later they may move towards somewhere like Four Seasons Punta Mita, where the focus shifts towards beaches, watersports, surfing and activities for older children and teenagers. As children grow, what makes a great family holiday changes. One of the strengths of Four Seasons is that there are resorts suited to every stage.

That said, I also have clients who return to the same Four Seasons year after year because it has become part of their family tradition. There are currently more than 50 Four Seasons hotels and resorts worldwide, but not all are equally suited to family travel. These are the properties I most often recommend based on the age of the children, the style of holiday and feedback from clients who have stayed there.

A lot of the marketing focuses on Kids For All Seasons, Four Seasons' children's program. While many children love it, I find parents often misunderstand what makes Four Seasons such a successful family brand. The kids' club is only part of the story. Some of our clients have children who spend hours in Kids For All Seasons and make friends from around the world. One of our US clients recently stayed at Four Seasons Megève, where their child met another child from Switzerland. They have stayed in touch ever since. Other families barely use the kids' club at all. Instead they spend their days at the beach, by the pool, learning to surf, spotting wildlife, joining resort activities or simply spending time together. The best Four Seasons resorts cater to both.

Why Families Keep Coming Back To Four Seasons

The kids' club is only part of the story. What I find is that Four Seasons usually gets the family details right before you even have to ask. Depending on the resort, children may receive their own robes, welcome amenities, activity packs, children's toiletries and small treats on arrival. Many properties also offer family cooking classes, seasonal programs, children's spa treatments, babysitting and activities designed around different age groups.

Most importantly, children feel welcome. There is a difference between a hotel that allows children and a hotel that genuinely enjoys having families stay there. Four Seasons generally falls into the second category. That is one of the reasons we see so many repeat families. Some return to the same property every year. Others move through the portfolio as their children grow and their travel style changes.

Which Four Seasons Is Best For Your Family?

Best Four Seasons resorts for toddlers: Four Seasons Orlando, Four Seasons Punta Mita and Four Seasons Anguilla.

Best Four Seasons resorts for younger children: Four Seasons Orlando, Four Seasons Maui and Four Seasons Hampshire.

Best Four Seasons resorts for teenagers: Four Seasons Costa Rica, Four Seasons Tamarindo, Four Seasons Punta Mita and Four Seasons Maldives.

Best Four Seasons resorts for multi-generational travel: Four Seasons Maui, Four Seasons Anguilla and Four Seasons Punta Mita.

1. Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

Best for: Families with younger children.

If Disney is the main reason for the trip, this is where I would start. The biggest advantage is that you get Disney during the day and a genuine luxury resort at night. Many families stay in Disney-owned hotels and find themselves surrounded by crowds from breakfast until bedtime. Four Seasons Orlando offers something different. You still have easy access to the parks, but at the end of the day you return to a resort that feels calm, spacious and distinctly Four Seasons.

The lazy river is one of the biggest hits with children. Add in waterslides, splash zones, family pools, character breakfasts and plenty of activities, and there is enough to keep younger children entertained without leaving the resort. What I often see is families arriving because of Disney and leaving talking about the resort itself. For many children, this becomes their first Four Seasons experience. For many parents, it becomes the moment they realise family travel can be both child-friendly and luxurious.

The only reason families sometimes move on from Orlando is because their children eventually outgrow Disney. That is often when destinations like Punta Mita, Costa Rica or Maui start becoming more appealing.

Clements Travel Tip - Book with a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, such as Clements Travel where you get a significatant credit towards their famous 'Character Breakfast'.

2. Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo

Best for: Active families and teenagers.

Costa Rica is one of the easiest family destinations to recommend because there is so much to do. This is not a holiday where children spend a week moving between the beach and the swimming pool. Families can spend one day ziplining through the rainforest, another surfing, another taking a wildlife excursion and another exploring the coastline by boat. Children often come home talking about monkeys, sloths and adventure activities rather than the hotel itself.

The resort is also large enough that it never feels crowded. There are multiple beaches, family pools and plenty of outdoor activities. For teenagers, Costa Rica works particularly well because they remain engaged throughout the trip. One challenge with older children is finding a destination that feels exciting enough to compete with phones and social media. Costa Rica usually succeeds.

This is also one of the few luxury beach resorts where the destination itself is often just as important as the hotel. Families leave with memories of experiences rather than simply another week at a resort.

Clements Travel Tip - This has to be one of the best resorts out there for multi-generational family travel due to their wide range of villas on site. Many of the villas are up to six bedrooms.

3. Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea

Best for: Families of all ages.

If someone asked me for the safest family recommendation in Hawaii, Maui would probably be it. The beaches are excellent, the weather is reliable and there is enough variety that families rarely become bored. One day might involve snorkeling with sea turtles, another could be a whale watching trip, while another might simply be spent by the pool.

The resort also works exceptionally well for multi-generational travel. Grandparents can enjoy the beach and restaurants while parents and children explore the island. Few destinations cater to such a wide age range as successfully as Maui. It is also one of the Four Seasons resorts where repeat families are particularly common because there is always something new to do while everything still feels familiar.

Clements Travel Tip - While there is so much to do on site at the resort, do a half day trip out to the 'Road to Maui' and swim in one of the many waterfalls.

4. Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo

Best for: Families looking for something different.

If I had to choose the most underrated Four Seasons resort for families, Tamarindo would be near the top of the list. The property sits within a vast private nature reserve on Mexico's Pacific coast. Children can spend time at the beach and pool, but the destination encourages exploration. Wildlife, guided nature experiences and outdoor activities become part of the holiday.

One unexpected highlight for many families is the stargazing. The night skies here are remarkable. What I particularly like is that Tamarindo works across different age groups. Younger children enjoy the beaches and activities. Older children and teenagers appreciate the adventure, wildlife and sense of discovery.

Many resorts are heavily geared towards either younger children or teenagers. Tamarindo manages to appeal to both. Families looking for a traditional luxury beach resort may prefer somewhere else. Families looking for something memorable often love Tamarindo.

5. Four Seasons Resort Anguilla

Best for: Caribbean beach holidays and larger families.

For families considering the Caribbean, Anguilla is always worth looking at. The beaches are outstanding and the atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed. One of the biggest advantages is the accommodation. Families can choose from rooms, suites, residences and villas depending on the size of the group, which makes Anguilla particularly appealing for multi-generational travel.

The pace of life is also slower than many Caribbean destinations. Families are not rushing between activities. Instead, the focus tends to be on spending quality time together. For many parents, that is exactly what they are looking for from a family holiday.

Clements Travel Tip - Book a residence here, it allows extra room to spreadout and these rooms are usuaully closest to all the kids facilities.

6. Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire

Best for: Families visiting the UK.

Less than an hour from London, Hampshire remains one of my favourite family hotels in Europe. There is simply so much space, which immediately makes travelling with children easier. Families can enjoy horse riding, cycling, falconry, countryside walks and a wide range of seasonal activities.

For overseas visitors, it also provides a completely different experience to London. Many families combine a few nights in the city with several nights at Hampshire, creating a much more balanced UK trip. If your children need open space rather than another museum or city tour, Hampshire is often exactly what the family needs.

Clements Travel Tip - Be sure to participate in one of the pony experiences at the stables.

7. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Best for: Families with older children and teenagers.

Punta Mita is one of the resorts I recommend most often once children get older. Many families who previously focused on Orlando-style holidays eventually start looking for something different. That is where Punta Mita comes in. The beaches are excellent, the atmosphere is relaxed and there is a huge range of activities. Surfing is particularly popular, but there are also boat trips, watersports, golf and a dedicated teens club.

That last point is more important than many parents realise. Teenagers often want some independence on holiday. Punta Mita gives them enough freedom while still keeping the family holiday intact. For parents, it can be a more relaxing stage of family travel because everyone still spends time together, but older children have opportunities to do their own thing as well.

If Orlando is where many families begin their Four Seasons journey, Punta Mita is often where it evolves.

Clements Travel Tip - this is one of the best places for teens as not only is there a teens club but theres so much space for them to do there own thing if they want.

8. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

Best for: Families wanting safari without giving up comfort.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is a very different type of family holiday from Orlando, Maui or Punta Mita, but for the right family it can be exceptional. This is not a beach-and-pool trip where children drift between the kids’ club and a lounger. It is about wildlife, game drives, learning about the Serengeti and seeing one of the most famous safari regions in Africa.

I would mainly recommend it for families with older children who can properly enjoy the experience. A safari is exciting, but it also involves early mornings, patience and time in a vehicle, so it needs the right age and temperament. For children who are interested in animals and nature, it can be one of the most memorable holidays they ever take.

The advantage of Four Seasons Serengeti is that it makes safari feel much easier for families who still want a high level of comfort. You have the wildlife and the setting, but also a proper lodge, pool, spa, good dining and the reassurance of Four Seasons service. It is a good option for families who want something more meaningful than another resort holiday, especially once children are old enough to appreciate where they are.

Clements Travel Tip - do what we did and book a villa, not only will you have your own pool but you have more space. We saw a lot of wildlife from our room including a lion.

9. Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Best for: Families introducing children to Asia.

Bali is often the first Asian destination many families visit. The culture is fascinating, the people are welcoming and there is a huge amount to see beyond the resort. Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay does a particularly good job of helping families experience the destination rather than simply staying inside a hotel.

Cooking classes, cultural activities and local experiences help children engage with Bali itself. The villa accommodation also works extremely well for families, particularly on longer school holiday trips where space becomes increasingly important.

Clements Travel Tip - Don't spend the entire trip inside the resort. Bali is one of the easiest destinations in Asia for families to explore. A cooking class, temple visit or trip into the local villages can often become just as memorable as the beach and pool.

10. Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa

Best for: Families who love the ocean.

For children interested in marine life, few places can compete with the Maldives. Families can snorkel together, take dolphin cruises, learn about coral conservation and spend much of their holiday on or around the water.

For many children, this becomes their first close-up experience with tropical marine life. Those experiences tend to stay with them long after the holiday is over. The Maldives is not an inexpensive family holiday, but for families looking for a truly memorable experience, it can be exceptional.

Clements Travel Tip - If your children are interested in marine life, book a few excursions early in your stay. Snorkeling with reef fish, spotting dolphins and learning about the resort's marine conservation work often become the highlights of a family trip to the Maldives.

Book Four Seasons With Preferred Partner Benefits

Clements Travel is a Four Seasons Preferred Partner agency. That means we can book participating Four Seasons hotels with additional benefits, usually at the same rate available directly through Four Seasons.

Typical Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits include daily breakfast for two, a hotel credit, upgrade subject to availability, early check-in subject to availability, late check-out subject to availability and a welcome amenity.

For families, these benefits can be particularly useful. Breakfast alone can represent considerable value over the course of a longer stay, especially at luxury resorts. Hotel credits can often be used towards dining, spa treatments or other eligible charges. Upgrade priority can also be valuable when families need additional space, a better room layout or a more desirable location within the resort.

The other advantage is that we can help match the resort to the family properly. A family travelling with toddlers has very different needs from a family travelling with teenagers. Some families want a kids' club. Others want surfing, watersports, villas, interconnecting rooms, nature activities or a resort that works well for grandparents travelling too.

Booking through Clements Travel also means we can add context to the reservation. For family trips, that might include children's ages, special occasions, room preferences, dietary requirements, arrival details and anything else the hotel should know before arrival.

You still pay the hotel directly. We do not charge booking fees. The difference is that your booking is handled through the Four Seasons Preferred Partner program, with the benefits and hotel relationship attached.

If you are considering a Four Seasons family holiday, we can help identify which resort is likely to suit your family best based on your children's ages, interests and travel style. That is often the difference between booking a good family holiday and booking the right one.

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