The world's finest family hotels are not always the most obvious ones. For every Four Seasons and Rosewood there is a wilderness lodge in British Columbia accessible only by helicopter, a mid-century Italian estate above a secret stretch of the Tyrrhenian coast and a surf hotel on a Portuguese beach most families have never heard of. These are the properties that reward curiosity, that make even the most well-travelled families feel like they have found something genuinely extraordinary.

This is our Unique Finds edit. Seven exceptional hotels chosen not for their fame but for what makes them genuinely unlike anywhere else.

Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia, Canada

Best for: Adventurous families with children aged six and over

Tucked into the wild and remote beauty of British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest, Nimmo Bay is the kind of place that feels almost impossible to reach, in the best possible way. Accessible only by helicopter or seaplane, it offers a rare blend of adventure, comfort and deep immersion in one of the world's last great wilderness landscapes. Families spend their days bear spotting, salmon fishing, kayaking through still waters or exploring the coastline with expert guides, before retreating to beautifully designed cabins and genuinely warm hospitality. There is nowhere else in our collection quite like it.

The Family Suite says: Nimmo Bay is our recommendation for adventurous families who want to go further than almost anyone else. The helicopter arrival, the bear spotting, the salmon fishing and the sheer remoteness of the Great Bear Rainforest create an experience that stays with children for a lifetime.

Best time to visit: May to October for wildlife and summer adventures.

Chablé Yucatán

Chocholá, Yucatán, Mexico

Best for: Families seeking Mayan heritage, jungle immersion and extraordinary wellness

Where Mayan heritage meets modern luxury in a jungle sanctuary, Chablé Yucatán is one of the most distinctive properties in our entire collection. Set on a 750-acre private estate in the heart of the Yucatán Peninsula, centred around a sacred Mayan cenote, it offers private pool villas hidden among the jungle, an extraordinary spa built into a centuries-old hacienda and experiences rooted in the ancient culture of the region. Chocolate making, Mayan cooking classes, cenote swimming and exploration of the surrounding archaeological sites give families a depth of experience that no conventional resort can replicate.

The Family Suite says: Chablé Yucatán is our Mexico recommendation for design-conscious families who want something completely beyond the obvious. The sacred cenote, the private jungle villas and the Mayan cultural programming make this one of the most genuinely immersive family experiences in our Latin American collection.

Best time to visit: November to April for the dry season.

Santavenere

Maratea, Basilicata, Italy

Best for: Families who want undiscovered Italy, a private beach and genuine Italian warmth

Perched above the Tyrrhenian Sea on a natural terrace in Maratea, one of the most beautiful and least visited towns on the Italian coast, Santavenere is a 34-room Leading Hotels of the World property that feels more like a private estate than a hotel. Set within 25 landscaped acres with a secluded private beach cove, three restaurants serving exceptional Lucanian cuisine, an outdoor pool, a spa and an experience coordinator dedicated to making every stay feel entirely personal, it represents Italian hospitality at its most genuine and most unhurried. Elegant suites and interconnecting rooms make it naturally suited to families, and cribs, bottle warmers and babysitting are all available as standard.

The Family Suite says: Santavenere is our recommendation for families who want to discover a corner of Italy that most visitors never find. The Maratea setting, the private beach, the extraordinary local dining and the mid-century estate atmosphere make this one of the most quietly special properties in our Italian collection.

Best time to visit: May to October. Please note Santavenere is a seasonal property closing in mid-October.

Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach

Lake Tegernsee, Bavaria, Germany

Best for: Families who want an extraordinary Alpine escape without committing to a ski trip

On the shores of Lake Tegernsee in the Bavarian foothills, Bachmair Weissach offers something that very few hotels in our collection can match: an exceptional experience for parents and children simultaneously that feels completely balanced. Named Condé Nast Traveller's Best Family Hideaway 2025, the resort pairs a spectacular 2,700 square metre Tegernsee Phantastisch indoor world for children, complete with a Ninja Warrior course, high-ropes park and VR room, with a world-class Japanese-inspired MIZU Onsen Spa for parents. Seven restaurants and four bars, riding stables with pony rides, a daily kids club from age three and a dedicated teens lounge complete an extraordinary picture.

The Family Suite says: Bachmair Weissach is our recommendation for families who want the magic of the Bavarian Alps without the structure of a ski trip. The lake setting, the extraordinary indoor world for children and the Japanese-inspired spa make this one of the most complete family resort experiences in our European collection.

Best time to visit: Year-round. Winter for Bavarian atmosphere and nearby skiing; summer for lake swimming and Alpine hiking.

Noah Surf House

Santa Cruz, Portugal

Best for: Active families with older children and teenagers who want surf culture and Atlantic beaches

Part boho beach hotel, part surfer's retreat, Noah Surf House sits right on the sand in Santa Cruz on Portugal's Silver Coast, an hour from Lisbon in a wave-rich area far less known than Ericeira or Peniche. An eco-conscious design-forward property with an on-site skatepark, surf school, yoga studio and ocean view jacuzzi, it represents a genuinely different kind of luxury, one rooted in movement, nature and a deeply relaxed Atlantic pace. The surf school caters to all ability levels from complete beginners to experienced surfers, and the on-site restaurant serves exceptional local seafood with the beach directly in view.

The Family Suite says: Noah Surf House is our recommendation for active families who want surf culture, Atlantic beaches and a genuinely cool eco-conscious base without the crowds. The skatepark and surf school alone will keep older children and teenagers completely absorbed throughout the stay.

Best time to visit: May to October for the best surf conditions and warmest weather.

Devasom Khao Lak

Khao Lak, Phang Nga, Thailand

Best for: Families seeking a quieter and more considered alternative to Phuket

A lagoon-fringed boutique resort on Khao Lak's golden Andaman coast, an hour north of Phuket Airport, Devasom sits between a natural lagoon and a west-facing sunset beach with all 69 rooms, suites and villas enjoying sea views. The maritime Silk Road design runs through every detail of the property, from the architecture to the curated art, and the restaurant has earned recognition in the Michelin Guide, reflecting a genuine commitment to culinary excellence. A dedicated kids club, a two-tier saltwater pool and an activity programme spanning Muay Thai boxing, cycling, yoga and paddle boarding ensure every member of the family finds their rhythm.

The Family Suite says: Devasom Khao Lak is one of our most personal Thailand recommendations. The lagoon setting, the Michelin Guide-recognised dining, the extraordinary breadth of activity and the quieter alternative to Phuket it represents make this a property that consistently delights families who discover it.

Best time to visit: November to April for the dry season on the Andaman coast.

The Marine

Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa

Best for: Families combining a Cape Town itinerary with extraordinary whale watching

Perched on the famous cliff path above Walker Bay in Hermanus, The Marine is one of South Africa's most spectacular and most distinctive boutique hotels. A Small Luxury Hotels of the World member and part of the celebrated Liz McGrath Collection, its 40 rooms and suites sit directly above the ocean with views across one of the world's finest whale watching locations. Southern Right Whales are regularly spotted from the sea view bedrooms between June and December, making this one of the most genuinely extraordinary wildlife experiences available from a luxury hotel anywhere in our collection. The Pavilion restaurant, the Carchele Beauty Spa and the salt-water pool complete an exceptional picture.

The Family Suite says: The Marine is our South Africa recommendation for families who want something genuinely distinctive beyond Cape Town and the safari circuit. The cliff path setting, the whale watching directly from the hotel and the warmth of the Liz McGrath Collection hospitality make this one of the most memorable boutique hotel experiences in our African collection.

Best time to visit: June to December for whale watching season. Year-round for Cape Winelands exploration and coastal walks.

Book with The Family Suite

All seven properties are part of The Family Suite collection. Book through us to enjoy exclusive perks and hotel credit at every property, always at the best available rate and at no extra cost.

Enquire at info@thefamilysuite.co.uk or visit thefamilysuite.co.uk