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Baby boltholes fit for a royal
  • Built in 1560 in the French lake district of Limousin, Château Ribagnac has been converted into an impressive country retreat by ex-London lawyers Patrick and Colette. The Beamed Suite, housed in the chateau's octagonal tower, is fit for a king while the adjoining Governess Room, which comes with oak floors and lake views, means parents can bring along staff to help with newborn baby care if needed. Patrick and Colette offer table d’hôtes as well as an early child's dinner and will provide nappies, high chairs, baby food, baby baths and changing mats on request. Rooms start from £78 per room, per night.

  • Housed in the former headquarters of the Dresdner Bank, Hotel de Rome oozes luxury - there's even a spa built into the old jewellery vault. Staff provide complimentary cribs, bedtime milk and biscuits, baby bath supplies and baby-sitting on request. Future leaders of society will also be asked if they would like to receive a newspaper every morning at check-in, the choices being either Mickey Mouse or Geolino comic books. A classic suite with balcony starts from £566 per night for two adults and one child, including breakfast.

  • Hidden away in a tiny Cotswolds hamlet, Sandown Holiday Cottage would be a home away from home for any royal and, with four poster beds and all mod cons. There's plenty of room for grandparents too. The Bruern Holiday Cottages were made for children with a Wendy house, a play cabin complete with dressing up box, child-size cricket and croquet sets and even push cars in the walled gardens. There's a spa onsite for the adults, heated pools and cots, cot linen, bed guards, sterilisers and baby alarms are provided free of charge, as well as a list of dedicated babysitters. A week in Sandown starts from £1,278.

  • Billing itself as luxury for parents and paradise for kids, the One & Only Royal Mirage combines the desert romance of Arabia with modern amenities and services. Overlooking Palm Island bay in 65 acres of private grounds, the resort has two children's centres offering activities from henna painting and camel riding to belly dancing and sand sculpting. Meanwhile parents can indulge in 4x4 desert safaris, sand dune surfing or a spot of relaxation at the palatial spa, hammam or chiropody centre. Babysitting, potties, playpens and baby car seats can be supplied with advance notice. Seven nights for a family of four starts from £4,380 in low season.

  • Relax with your baby at Chewton Glen Hotel, a luxury country house set in 130 acres on the edge of the New Forest. Try the treatments at the award-winning spa or get active on the golf course, tennis courts or croquet lawn. Kids get pampered, with mini bathrobe and slippers, while tiny tots are provided with baby wellingtons, bottle warmers, baby food and swim nappies. The Spa offers kids manicures and pedicures and nanny and baby-sitting services are provided upon request. Contact luxefamilytravel.com for details on current rates, offers and packages.

  • If all you want to do is escape with your newborn to your own slice of paradise then Kanuhura might be the perfect option. Set on a blue lagoon on its own, private island overlooking some of the most beautiful beaches in the Maldives, the hotel offers a special baby bath ceremony with mini bathrobes, cookies and a baby turndown service in their beach and water villas. The resort also offers free cot and highchair hire and baby-sitters on request. The prices are fit for a king too, with low season starting at £7,850 and £17,750 in high season for a family of four for seven nights bed and breakfast.

  • How about an Italian farmhouse, complete with stone walls, remote-controlled covered infinity pool, games room and beautiful views of over the rolling Tuscan countryside? Le Pratola has five bedrooms and a designer kitchen and, if you are too tired to cook, the Per Voi delivery service will bring fresh, local groceries straight to your door, as well as baby essentials. Siena and Florence are a short drive away and car booster seats are available on request. Low season prices start from £6,514 for seven nights bed and breakfast for a family of four.

  • Essex might not be the first place you'd think of when looking for a quiet, family resort but Osea is the island that time forgot, smack bang on the Essex commuter belt. This private island is enclosed by miles of beaches and coastline and, with its abundance of wildlife, makes the perfect peaceful retreat for parents and tiny tots alike. The grand Edwardian Manor house sleeps 20, is packed with period charm, has a private salt water pool and offers incredible views along the beach and across the Estuary. Use of the Manor House starts from £3,500 and smaller cottages can be booked from £311.

  • A stone's throw from Halkidiki, Porto Sani is part of the family owned and privately developed ecological reserve run by the Sani Resort group. This exclusive resort surrounded by gardens, pine forests turquoise waters and white sandy beaches is specifically designed for families. The resort consists offers family suites with private gardens as well as an onsite creche. Babysitters are on hand as well as cots, high chairs, sterilisers, potties and infant car seats and the kids have their own separate pools. Low season prices start from £1570 for seven nights bed and breakfast including airport transfers.

  • What better way to introduce your baby to the world than in the fairytale surroundings of a real-life castle? Surrounded by the pristine waters of Lake Fuschl, meadows, woodland and mountains in Austria's Sound of Music Salzkammergut region, the storybook Schloss Fuschl Resort dates back to 1450. Stay in one of the Tower Suites or occupy a Lake Cottage with private terraces, lake acces and open fire places. A week in a Tower Suite is £1,652 and £2,348 for a Lake Cottage in high season.

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