Hamptons, United States

Style: Breezy beach house

Setting: Glamorous island hideway

This boutique hotel in the Hamptons brings St Tropez to the shores of Shelter Island. Sunset Beach has a glamorous following of young movers and shakers – the who’s who of the Hamptons on an otherwise quietly residential offshore retreat. The elite come to party in this tastefully transformed Sixties motel, where gleaming glass doors and whitewashed private sun decks lead straight down to the ocean.

Rooms 20

Rates Double rooms from £244.68 ($395), excluding tax at 11.63 per cent.

Lake Taupo, New Zealand

Style: Trad Twenties hunting lodge

Setting: Banks of the Waikato

Whether you’re into fishing, food or the great outdoors, luxury boutique hotel Huka Lodge is rated as one of the world’s top retreats. Set in Taupo, home to New Zealand’s largest lake in the heart of the volcanic North Island, this heritage 1920s hotel was founded as a simple fishing lodge. Surrounded by lush, green grounds beside the Waikato River and cascading Huka Falls, it’s still a top angling destination as well as an adventurous gourmet getaway, offering al fresco dining under the stars. It also makes a great base for skiing in winter, with the North Island’s premier slopes, undulating amid volcanic cones, a short hop from Taupo.

Rooms 18 Lodge Rooms, one suite; the exclusive-use four-bedroom Owner’s Cottage and two-bedroom Alan Pye Cottage.

Rates from NZ$1828.50 including taxes, breakfast, apéritifs, dinner and local airport transfers.

Babysitting The lodge can arrange babysitting with a local nanny given 24 hours’ notice for NZ$20 an hour, including tax at 12.5 per cent.

No need to pack Baby cots or car seats. The lodge can also order in any diapers, toiletries, baby foods or other supplies required for infants.

For more info visit Mrandmrssmith.com

Ranthambore National Park, India

Style: Wild at heart

Setting: Tiger territory

Perched on the edge of prime tiger-spotting territory in Ranthambore National Park, Aman-i-Khás boutique hotel in Rajasthan takes the lavish history of Maharajas’ hunting parties to new heights, with 10 luxe tents, butler service and the chance to spot a Bengal beast in the wild. Safari has never been so chic.

Rooms 10 luxury tents.

Rates Double rooms from $925 a night, excluding taxes, service charge and compulsory board charges of $125 per person excluding taxes.  The board charge includes all meals, soft beverages, house pours and laundry

Overview Aman-i-Khás caters to Smiths of all ages, and with safari-park surrounds Juniors can go wild and embrace their inner Mowgli.

Best for All ages are welcome, but the hotel is probably best suited to kids aged five and over because they’ll be able to enjoy (and sit still during) the safaris.

Activities Once the kids tire of safari sessions, there’s a swimming pool, croquet lawn and games of cricket to be won (and lost). The Spa offers Mehendi, traditional henna art of temporary patterns that are usually applied to your hands. Children can also learn to design their own hand-block print fabric. Beyond the camp, there are camel-cart rides, visits to

For more information or to book please visit Mrandmrssmith.com

Mactan Island, Philippines

Style: Tasteful tropical base

Setting: On the waterfront

Secluded, serene and so seafront you’re almost in the water, tropical island hideaway Abacá Boutique Resort teams a seductive spa with Med-influenced fine dining to romantic effect. Cool, contemporary suites showcase the work of renowned local designers (including Brad Pitt’s bed-maker) alongside ethnic touches from the Philippines’ archipelago, warm, dark woods and soothing stone.

Rooms Nine, comprising six suites and three villas.

Rates Double rooms from $414.80 including taxes and breakfast.

Best for Eight year-olds or under, who stay for free.

Recommended rooms All are family-friendly, with one or two day-beds ideal for kids to nap on, except the two Master Oceanfront Suites.

Crèche Staff can provide children’s toys and DVDs, and a kids’ playroom, next to the hotel’s nanny quarters, should be up and running by June 2010.

Activities Mactan may not have the country’s best beaches, but it’s a great place for water sports if kids fancy getting active.

Swimming pool There’s a shallow end in the main outdoor pool, with floats and arm-bands for keeping small folk safe, plus a lifeguard during opening hours.

Meals The hotel restaurant welcomes kids at any time and offers a children’s menu as well as high chairs. Staff can prepare a packed lunch if required and can heat up baby milk or food if you need it.

Babysitting Your butler can arrange babysitting with a local nanny (US$8 for the first hour, then US$6.50 an hour), given one hour’s notice, if you fancy a night out.

No need to pack Baby cots, which are supplied for free, or toys (there’s a wide range to suit kids aged two to 12). The hotel will happily buy anything special you need for just a 10 per cent charge.

Also Separate maid or nanny quarters (female only) are also available at PHP2,500 a night, including ensuite bathroom, TV and breakfast.

For more information or to book please visit Mrandmrssmith.com

Hobart, Australia

Style: Arty avant-garde architecture

dSetting: Banks of the Derwent River

Maverick, multi-tasking MONA Pavilions mixes a serene riverside setting with ultra-contemporary pavilions, original art, a winery, microbrewery, lip-smacking restaurant and alternative festivals – and comes up trumps. With an ambitious private museum also on site, this is one for culture vultures, gourmets, gadget heads and style fiends.

Rooms Eight pavilions, all suites.

Rates Doubles from AU$400 including taxes and breakfast

Recommended rooms The original two-floor, two-bedroom pavilions, Brett and Charles, are spacious yet intimate, but opt for one of the two-bedroom newer pavilions if you want even more acreage. All rooms boast kitchens and laundry rooms, so work well for families.

Activities Arrive at MONA by boat and you’ll already have the kids eating out of the palm of your hand. The winery, microbrewery and gourmet restaurant may not be the most child-friendly distractions, but there’s a cool pool on site, and you can tour the Cadbury Factory (www.cadbury.com.au) just across the river (if thoughts of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory don’t make you nervous). When the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) opens on site in January 2011, its curious mix of Egyptian mummies, ethnic artifacts, antiquities, digital works and modern art should appeal to older kids.

Swimming pool The heated indoor pool is just for pavilion guests to use (secure entry with your room key), and is not too deep for the smalls. It’s more suited to laps than aqua play, but floats and arm-bands are available.

Meals MONA’s restaurant the Source can cater for children, and offers high chairs for wee folk. Staff are happy to heat up milk or baby food too, and can whip up hampers for packed lunches. In-room dining here is a great option if you’d rather eat with the kids in the privacy or your own pavilion, either around the living room table or out on the terrace. As well as room service orders, you can request whatever condiments you need, and rooms come with state-of-the-art kitchens, fridges and microwaves. Continental breakfast can be provided in your room, or you can enjoy cooked breakfasts up at the Source.

Babysitting Given three days’ notice, MONA can arrange babysitting with reputable local child minders for AU$25 an hour.

No need to pack Baby cots, high chairs, entertainment (pavilions come with satellite TV and lots of amusing gadgets).

Also MONA can supply baby cots for AU$25 a night, or free roll-away beds for older children sharing your pavilion. There’s a buggy on hand to ferry you to your room if you’re loaded down with kids and luggage.

For more information and to book please visit Mrandmrssmith.com