Getting ready for the Easter break or April holidays? Or perhaps you’re thinking of a trip later in the year? You might want to check out the top family-friendly hotels in Australia according to the 2013 Traveller’s Choice Awards from TripAdvisor.
A total of 231 properties were identified as officially ‘family friendly’ across the globe. Award winners were determined by the hotels most highly rated by those who travelled with family, based on first-hand reviews of travellers – not travel ‘experts’ or journalists.
"For those planning family trips this year, these lists highlight hotels in Australia or elsewhere around the world that family travellers love most," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor.
"Wherever you're thinking of traveling, the lists provide inspiration for places to stay in popular family spots as well as lesser-known but similarly appealing family-friendly destinations."
In the Australian top 10, seven hotels are located in Queensland and one each in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.
The top family hotel in the world is located in the Italian Alps with family hotels from Italy taking up another two of the top ten positions. USA has five top family hotels with Mexico and Jamaica one each. The 'family hotels' in Italy are only for families and have extensive programs for children of all ages.
Top 10 Australian Hotels for Families
1. Treasure Island Resort and Holiday Park, Biggera Waters, Gold Coast (main picture)
2. Ashmore Palms Holiday Village, Ashmore, Gold Coast
3. Ocean Beach Resort and Holiday Park, Umina Beach, Central Coast NSW
4. Gemini Resort, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast
5. Beachlands Holiday Park, Busselton, Western Australia
6. Central Plaza, Port Douglas, Queensland
7. Viscount Towers on the Beach, Surfers Paradise
8. Merrijig Motor Inn Resort, Merrijig, Victoria
9. Trafalgar Towers, Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast
10. Hi Surf Beachfront Resort Apartments, Surfers Paradise
Top 10 Hotels for Families in the World
1. Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel, Ortisei, South Tyrol, Italy
2. Club Med Ixtapa Pacific, Ixtapa, Mexico
3. Family Hotel La Grotta, Vigo di Fassa, Italy
4. Hotel Baltic, Giulianova, Italy
5. Floridays Resort Orlando, Florida, USA
6. Woodloch Pines Resort, Hawley, Pennyslvania, USA
7. WorldQuest Orlando Resort, Florida, USA
8. West Inn and Suites Carlsbad, California, USA
9. Red Jacket Mountain View Resort, North Conway, New Hampshire, USA
10. Beaches Negril Resort and Spa, Negril, Jamaica
The ski school at the World's Best Family Hotel, Cavallino Bianco.