The kids are back at school, so it’s about time to plan this year’s family holiday. How about one that involves sipping champagne in Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower? Believe it or not its possible, and kids will be well looked after. Perhaps they will enjoy Hotel Plaza Athenee’s ice rink, or they can play with the provided colouring book and teddy nears or dig through the goody bag.

Former SVP of Sales and Marketing with Ritz-Carlton, Bruce Himelstein, says upscale family travel has always existed – it’s just been better emphasised and marketed in the past five years than ever before. “As times have changed, hotels have kept up with what would add value to a family vacations” says Himelstein.

The Athenaeum Hotel on Piccadilly in London has successfully married British elegance with modern children’s services. The hotel offers kids agedd 2 to 10 gift boxes with age- and gender specific toys upon arrival, a free DVD lending library and free cookies and milk in the evenings turndown service.

Kids Play Area at Commune by the Great Wall

The 2008 Olympics helped make China a fresh vacation spot, and children will lead a charmed existence at the architecturally stunning Commune by the Great Wall, managed by Kempinski. The hotel complex is nestled in the lush Shuiguan Mountains just an hour’s drive from Beijing. Adults can unwind in one of the villas while the kids play in a brightly colored children’s facility. Programs for young guests include arts and crafts, cooking classes, storytelling in the children’s bookstore, outdoor swimming in the summer and-best of all-a nature hike that includes a climb up the Great Wall.