The multi-generational hotel gem not to miss

Words: Vivian Vassos

It’s always been family first for Sir Rocco Forte, from the time he purchased his first hotel in 1996, The Balmoral in Edinburgh, to his plans for Rocco Forte Hotels’ newest property in Sicily, opening in 2026. Sir Rocco’s sister, Olga Polizzi, co-founded the company and is director of design, while Sir Rocco’s children, Lydia, Irene and Charles, drive the culinary offerings, wellness concepts and future development, respectively. Fourth-generation hoteliers, they have a natural way with exceptional travel experiences for multi-generational families. Their forte is family, both yours and theirs. Here’s why.

Flexible fun

Is getting away really getting away when you’re sharing close quarters with the kids? Perfect for multi-gen get-togethers, Rocco Forte hotels deliver a huge variety of accommodation options, where deluxe interconnecting rooms can instantly become suites and it’s easy to add extra rooms nearby. What’s more, families might book a villa, for example, at Sicily’s Verdura Resort, or an apartment at a Rocco Forte House in Milan or Rome. There’s the luxury of privacy, multiple entrances and plenty of space, and each hotel captures a sense of its place: you’re living in historic buildings that embody London, Rome, Sicily or Berlin – not a cookie-cutter chain that could be anywhere. Stay in a suite for the additional benefits of the Rocco Forte Suite Experience unique to each hotel, plus the unpacking service allows families to seize the day.

Family-focused concierge concepts

Each Rocco Forte Hotel features a resident animal mascot (birdwatch with the wise owl at The Balmoral in Edinburgh and in The Charles Hotel, Munich, Charly the lion takes breakfast every day on the hotel’s terrace). From the moment you arrive, no matter your age, you feel welcomed. Children – from babies up to 16 years old – are greeted at check-in as VIPs by the specialised Family Concierge teams. Marina can help you taste the difference between a Roman and Neapolitan pizza at Rome’s Hotel de Russie, Gianluca at Hotel Amigo in Brussels will take you on a Tintin-inspired adventure, and David at The Balmoral will set you on the trail to Harry Potter’s secrets. Surprise treats, such as personalised passports upon arrival, add to the fun, and keep little jetsetters occupied while the grown-ups complete registration.

Memory-making magic

The Forte family knows how to take care of your family and then some. Its Rocco Forte Kids programme includes complimentary meals for children under the age of three, and specially priced meals for four- to 12-year-olds. Bedtime rituals are a nightly occasion – wee ones will be soothed by a bespoke baby bath (rubber ducky included) and say sweet dreams with the Teddy Turndown Service, while teens get some downtime with a bespoke spa treatment or in-room interactive entertainment. But it’s not just for the kids. How about a mother-daughter getaway? For pre-teens, Hotel Amigo in Brussels (the city of Tintin and The Smurfs) will capture imaginations, The Charles Hotel is the spot for a relax-and-recharge holiday, and more grown-up offspring will adore shopping at Hotel Savoy in Florence.

All-ages activities

How does apéro hour sound at Hotel de Russie while the children play – and if they’re lucky, spot wild baby frogs – in the Secret Garden? Families can also climb aboard an electric tuk-tuk for a private tour of Rome, ride along the Appian Way, or take a day trip to the Pope’s estate for an organic lunch (yes, really). Brown’s Hotel in London encourages kids of all ages to channel their inner Harry Potter with itineraries around the wizard’s adventures, then delight in a Jungle Book afternoon tea. In Masseria Torre Maizza, Puglia, spend the day by the sea while your little ones take a cooking lesson. Or they can fine tune their sports skills with the pros at Verdura Resort’s Academies with the Stars. Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, Brussels and Florence, the whole family can challenge themselves to a scavenger hunt.

Catch-all comforts

What’s better than a plush robe and pair of slippers? Snuggle down your tiny travellers with their own kid-sized versions (don’t worry, grown-ups get extra treats, too, such as pampering toiletries from the Irene Forte Skincare line). You can even camp out with a child’s tent in the suite or throw a teddy bear picnic. Then there’s 50 per cent off kids’ meals, Verdùland, the kids’ club at Verdura Resort, where a cooking class and games with Verdù, the resort’s resident mascot, are on point. Active guests can book golf, go-kart or bike rides across several dreamy destinations, the weary can be pampered in the spa, and foodies can rejoice in each hotel’s culinary programme, which reflects the local cuisine and culture.

The icing on the cake? With the Rocco Forte Family Experience, you could save up to 25 per cent on your stay.

Choose your Rocco Forte family adventure