Culloden Cove, Culloden, Jamaica
An hour from Montego Bay, right on the coast, with its infinity pool overlooking the private beach and jetty, is a gorgeous staffed villa and cottage, which together sleep up to 12, perfect for an extended family holiday. You get two toy baskets, board games, badminton and a paddling pool. Meals can be tailored to suit, and there’s a wealth of beaches nearby.

Prices start from £391 a night for a two bedroom villa sleeping four. Accommodation only basis. Full services of a chef, housekeeper, caretaker and night-time security guard, plus snorkelling equipment, badminton set, kayaks and use of car seats and other baby equipment included. Book now at www.i-escape.com/culloden-cove?kids_mode=enter

La Malvasia, Arico Viejo, Tenerife, Spain
The Canaries provide the quintessential winter sun break, and these three neighbouring self-catering cottages (sleeping four to six each) in the southern part of Lanzarote provide charming family accommodation. The wonderfully helpful owner provides a wealth of local information, there’s a good-sized shared pool, the fully equipped kitchens include a washing machine, and the airport is only 30 minutes away.

Villas from £138 a night for three bedrooms sleeping two adults, two children and one baby. Accommodation only basis. Government Tax and Service Charge included. Book now at www.i-escape.com/la-malvasia?kids_mode=enter 

Hotel Esencia, Playa del Carmen, Yucatan, Mexico
An elegant white-on-white hotel with sleek modern rooms and feted organic spa may not seem to suit kids, yet the wonderful friendly service, heated swimming pool with toys, and a lush 50-acre beachfront estate make this a dream destination. Under twos stay for free, and you get two hours free babysitting if using the restaurant or spa. Plus the monitors they provide work everywhere on property.

Garden Suites from £462 a night for two adults. Children aged two and under for free, 3-11 £55 per night and 12 + years for £110 a night. Breakfast included. Book now at www.i-escape.com/hotel-esencia?kids_mode=enter

Kurland, Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route, South Africa
Our director reckons this to be the best small hotel for families she’s ever been to for its lovely large grounds, dedicated loft rooms for kids complete with toys and teddies, a creche during peak season, playroom, kids pool, sandpit, climbing frame, and buckets and spades to borrow for the beach. Those aged one to six get free rides on Shetland ponies, and kids under five stay for free. 

Elegant Suite from £196 a night for two adults and two babies. Luxury Suite from £265 a night for two adults, two children and one baby. Breakfast included along with soft drinks, tea and coffee, transfers to Nature’s Valley Beach, daily pastries/cakes, use of sauna, steam room, gym, quad bikes, mountain bikes and tennis courts plus children’s Shetland pony rides for ages one to six. Government Tax included. Book now at www.i-escape.com/kurland?kids_mode=enter

Bananaquit House, Soufriere, St Lucia
In the hills above Soufriere (and with fantastic views over the Pitons) is this relaxed summery villa (for up to 12) which offers comfort and a fenced pool to splash in, as well as large gardens for hide and seek. There are books, toys and baby kit, a bunk room for pre-schoolers, the nicest staff to look after you all, and family beaches are nearby. 

Private Villa sleeping 10-12 from £590 a night. Accommodation only basis and arrival meal included. Government Tax included. Book now at www.i-escape.com/bananaquit-house?kids_mode=enter

Fawakay Villas, Marrakech, Morocco
You’re only 10km from Marrakech, yet a world away when staying at this trio of boutique villas each with its own plunge pool (sleeping two-eight). The convivial English owners have created a sanctuary of lush gardens (complete with peacocks, dogs, cats and donkey plus small playground) and a delightful large swimming pool (with a shallow end). Food is available all day, there are age-appropriate toys and books to borrow, plus traditional Moroccan tents to play in.

Suite from £150 a night for two adults. Children under four stay for free of charge, over fives in an extra bed cost £25 a night. Breakfast included. Family Suite with two bedrooms, sleeping four from £220 a night. Breakfast included. Book now at www.i-escape.com/fawakay-villas?kids_mode=enter

Finca de Arrieta, Arrieta, Lanzarote, Spain
This unique eco-resort of volcanic-stone cottages and Mongolian yurts has it all: a really imaginative playground including a giant chess set and trampoline; solar-heated pool; animals to meet including ducks and chickens; donkey rides; toy box and board games. You have the flexibility of self-catering (there are restaurants 10 minutes away), and a range of accommodation to suit every size of family. The airport is 35 minutes away, and the beach is at hand.

Prices start from £84 a night for two adults and one baby in the Eco Garden Cottage or Eco Yurt and go up to £269 for a three bedroom Eco Farmhouse which sleeps eight plus two baby cots. Large variety in-between for families of all sizes and with some accommodation options a bottle of sparkling wine is given on arrival and the use of a Toyota Prius Hybrid car for the duration of the stay. Accommodation only basis – tax included. Book now at www.i-escape.com/finca-de-arrieta?kids_mode=enter

Hotel el Mondalon, Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
A rustic-chic family-friendly finca, only 30 minutes from the airport, and with a solar heated pool and playground is a godsend for families with small fry. There’s also a play shed full of toys and games, farm animals to pet, rooms that can sleep up to four, and a children’s entertainer on site every weekend.

Large double from £80 a night with breakfast included, including tax. Cots for under threes can be added for free. Bed for children aged three to 12 for £20 a night and child 13 + years in extra bed for £30 a night. Book now at: www.i-escape.com/hotel-el-mondalon?kids_mode=enter

Why House, Galle, Sri Lanka
For a taste of the exotic, this tranquil bijou hotel with big lawned gardens is truly magical. There’s a large swimming pool to keep you cool, and if you’re looking for waves the beach is only 15 minutes away. 

Cabana from £222 a night for two adults and one baby. Suite from £278 a night for two adults – babies two years and under in baby cot are free; children two to 12 years in extra bed from £22 a night children 13+years in extra bed from £50 a night. Breakfast included. Government Tax and Service Charge included. Book now at www.i-escape.com/why-house?kids_mode=enter

Marari Villas, Marari, Kerala, India
Set on pristine white sands, and only an hour and a quarter from Cochin Airport, are five staffed architect-designed beachside villas (for two to six); two come with their own pool and all have their own garden and kitchenettes. Heaps of toddler equipment is available including booster seats and potties, there’s an all day kids menu plus age-appropriate toys, games and colouring books.

Orchard Pool Villa from £90 a night for two adults. Children aged zero to four for free, ages five plus at £30 per night. Breakfast included. Book now at: www.i-escape.com/marari-villas?kids_mode=enter