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Hotels
Our family-friendly winter hotel ideas
In the mountains, in the countryside, by the sea or in the forest, these hotels welcome families in winter with special attention and services designed for all ages.
1. Les Fermes de Marie, Megève | A family winter in the mountains
At Les Fermes de Marie, Megève's legendary hotel since 1989, winter mornings have the taste of cozy wakings in the mountains. While the children linger under the comforter, breakfast is served in the room, on a tray, to be savored while taking time to observe the décor: ancient beams, patinated woodwork, lanterns, woolly fabrics. A delightful atmosphere, warm and naturally kid-friendly.
Spread over a two-hectare site, the alpine chalets form a veritable hamlet, where the soul of mountain farms is omnipresent. Carved furniture, motifs carved into the rough wood, herbal objects make up a décor where alpine nature dialogues with antique trophies and adventure books from the 19th-century. The patina of time signs the ideal setting for an authentic family holiday in the Alps.
The rooms? 70 rooms and suites make up this luxury hotel. From the Club room for two (with balcony and bath, please) to the splendid Mont-Blanc suite with sauna (facing south and south-east for maximum natural light), the hotel caters for all tastes. Groups and families are won over by the 50 m2 Duplex Famille or the Mont Joly family suites (60 to 90 m2): 3 bedrooms, a fireplace or balcony, and a view of the surrounding Rochebrune and Mont Joly mountains.For larger family gatherings, 7 independent luxury chalets accommodating up to 10 people offer full hotel services and a dedicated Chalet Manager who ensures a personalized welcome and looks after every detail, before arrival and throughout your stay.
Back from the mountains, it's time to relax. Head for the 1,000 m2 spa, where from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. you can indulge in an Alp-Cells Repair treatment with gold leaf or an edelweiss elixir detox massage with Pure Altitude products in one of the 13 enveloping treatment cabins. Open from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., the wellness area offers a full range of facilities: indoor swimming pool heated to 28-30°C, 14 x 3-meter swimming corridor, sauna, steam room, Japanese bath - or ofuro - alternating hot and cold water to promote relaxation and recovery after skiing. There are also indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis with massaging jets, a relaxation room and a fitness area.
Every day, children aged 5 and over are welcomed like kings at the Kids Club: mini-boum, magic show, movie night, treasure hunt or baking classes punctuate the program. Dinner is served on site at 7pm. Meanwhile, parents can enjoy a light meal in one of the seven Megève restaurants in the Sibuet collection, two of which are located within the hotel itself: Restaurant des Fermes, a traditional mountain restaurant serving farmhouse chicken and crozet gratin, and Carnotzet, dedicated to cheese specialties, serving Savoyard fondues and raclettes in a rustic setting. Other options include restaurants in the heart of the village: Le Vieux Megève (Savoyard dishes served by the fire) and Relais Mont-Blanc (specialities from Italy, Savoy and Switzerland) or, at altitude, Relais des Fermes, the latest address opened by the group, serving Aravis pela and tartifle fritters.
Ideal for? Families who want to enjoy the mountains to the full without worrying about logistics. From booking ski lessons for children and adults alike, to paragliding lessons and horse-drawn carriage rides around Megève, the concierge orchestrates all activities to suit individual tastes and rhythms. Pets are also welcome, making for a complete family vacation!
Les Fermes de Marie
70 keys, prices from 430 euros per night
163 chemin des Épis, 74120 Megève
Official website
2. La Folie Barbizon | A family winter in the forest
If the call of the mountains is seductive in winter, escaping to the forest holds just as many wonderful surprises. La Folie Barbizon, a kid-friendly hotel just an hour from Paris, plunges you into the imaginations of the 20 artists in residence who helped shape the place. The tone is one of enchantment. Butterflies and tree branches painted on the walls punctuate the communal spaces, in the spirit of a revisited country house.
The magic happens in the 21 rooms, which can accommodate up to four people. Their names: La Mare aux Fées, La Suite du Chevalier, L'Appel de la Forêt... announce singular universes, like so many open books. Inside, the decor is clear: deep colors on walls and ceilings, antique stone or parquet flooring... Above the beds, large fabrics adorned with constellations; here a shell headboard, there painted motifs: birds, plants, graphic shapes...while the view of the forest completes the decor.
Families have access to facilities designed for sharing time together when the weather turns fickle: library, board games, piano freely available. In fine weather, the garden and direct access to the Fontainebleau forest invite outdoor activities, from walks around the hotel to cycling outings. Yoga and pilates sessions can also be arranged on request. This winter, children can also take part in a modeling workshop led by an artist, open to all ages.
La Folie Barbizon
21 keys, prices from 139 euros per night
5 Grande rue, 77630 Barbizon
3. Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu | A family winter in the countryside
Who hasn't dreamed of living the life of a château? With its 12-hectare park, this château-hotel lends itself naturally to family getaways: depending on the mood and the weather, you can sit by the fireplace or put on your coat and boots to explore the estate, from boat trips to bike rides. Activities can be enjoyed indoors or out, in a place that's free to roam, ideal for reunions and a simple, straightforward way to enjoy winter in the great outdoors.
The 98 rooms are divided into three categories. The Tradition, designed for two people; the Évasion, more generous and suitable for families; and the Château, vast and elegant. Large windows, thick curtains and meticulously-crafted bedding create a warm, cosy atmosphere. Rooms without ostentation, but with that sense of detail that makes you feel at home.
The all-inclusive formula simplifies the organization of the stay and allows families to take full advantage of the estate. Meals in the restaurant, as well as Sunday brunch, structure the rhythm of the day. Children are welcomed to the kids club, where they can enjoy a supervised program of treasure hunts, archery, tree house building and creative workshops. Teenagers have more independent spaces and activities at their disposal, including a cinema and tennis courts. For their part, parents enjoy the indoor pool, spa and golf practice. And everyone can get together for an evening of karaoke or a visit to the stables.
For larger families, communicating rooms, convertible sofas and extra beds make it easier to organize your stay, and Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu provides all the childcare equipment you need: cot, bathtub, changing table, so you can travel comfortably. And if you'd like to spend a little time together, we offer a babysitting service.
Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu
98 keys, prices from 380 euros per night
Rue du Centre, 78770 Villiers-le-Mahieu
Open weekdays during school vacations, weekends only outside school vacations
4. L'Hermitage, La Baule | A family winter by the sea
A popular destination all year round, the coastline retains a particular appeal in winter. On the west coast, La Baule is a sure bet for family holidays, with its soft light, immense beach and resort villas. Facing the ocean, the hotel L'Hermitage fits naturally into this landscape. With its slate roofs and Anglo-Norman architecture, the spa hotel in La Baule has an elegant presence, both imposing and discreet, turned towards the horizon. Inside, the atmosphere is soothing: weathered woods, light tones and large picture windows opening onto the sea create a restful setting where you can take your time, even in the middle of winter.
The hotel has 200 rooms, including 16 suites, spread over six floors. The connecting family suites offer the space needed to get together without getting in each other's way. The décor remains true to the spirit of the house: sober, elegant, punctuated by ochre and blue tones, in direct echo of the surrounding landscape. From the windows, the sea or the dunes are revealed differently depending on the light, a simple spectacle that children are often the first to marvel at.
During the day, tribes are free to enjoy the estate's facilities: tennis, golf, yoga classes, bike rides, walks along the seafront or in the forest. The heated swimming pool is accessible to all ages, while direct access to the beach invites you to enjoy iodized walks. Children aged 4 to 12 are catered for at the Kids Club, while teenagers have their own Teens Club, and adults enjoy a moment at the spa before dining at Ciro's La Baule, a La Baule restaurant overlooking the sea.
On New Year's Eve, adults enjoy the hotel's gala dinner, followed by the Belle Époque ball, while the kids celebrate on their own with a buffet, games, a party and a disco, all supervised by the entertainment team.
L'Hermitage
200 keys, prices from310 euros per night
5 esplanade Lucien Barrière, 44500 La Baule
All locations are independently selected by our specialist journalists. If you make a reservation, we may receive an affiliate commission.