At six you may enter the Quellenhof's Family Spa, at sixteen its rooftop spa, and at Almar in Jesolo the spa is closed to anyone under sixteen. With children, the minimum age matters more than the square metres: here is where a golf hotel's spa truly welcomes the whole family.
A luxury spa and a seven-year-old almost never get along, and hotels know it: that is why many separate the areas. For a family of golfers, the result is that the first question is not "what is the spa like?" but "from what age can we go in?".
Hotels with a spa devoted to families
Quellenhof Luxury Resort Passeier
The Quellenhof Passeier, in San Martino in Passiria, has 10,500 m² of spa divided into areas by age: the rooftop spa is reserved for adults aged 16 and over, the Vital Spa for guests over 14 (with the sauna from 16), and the Family Spa welcomes children from the age of 6. For the youngest there are a kids club and a junior club, a dedicated restaurant, the Acqua Family Parc water park, a 3D cinema and a climbing gym. The Golf Club Passeier Meran is five minutes away by car; within the resort there are four holes of its own and a three-hour trial course for beginners, also available in a family version.
Quellenhof Luxury Resort Lazise
The Quellenhof Lazise, on Lake Garda, has a 2,000 m² wellness world with separate areas for adults and families. For children aged four and over there is an outdoor pool with two slides, open from mid-April to October, as well as two family saunas, a tree house and a football pitch. The annexe is designed for families, with suites for up to eight people. The rooftop sky pool, by contrast, is reserved for adults and heated all year round.
Hohenwart
The Hohenwart, in Scena, above Merano, splits its spa in two: the VistaSpa, reserved for guests over 16, and the FamilySpa for all ages. In all there are three pools and seven saunas, plus a 25-metre sports pool in the garden, heated all year round to 28 °C. The hotel welcomes families with reduced rates up to age 13, and for golf it offers special terms on the nine-hole course at Gutshof Brandis.
Thermal water and pools, children welcome
Terme di Saturnia
The Terme di Saturnia has a 20,000 m² Thermal Park, open to children too: the resort has four thermal pools, two of which are accessible to the little ones. The water springs from the ground at 37.5 °C. The Terme di Saturnia Golf Club lies within the estate.
Grand Hotel Fasano
At the Grand Hotel Fasano, in Gardone Riviera, the Aqva Spa has five pools at different temperatures, from the cold plunge at 15 °C to the outdoor pool at 34 °C, plus an outdoor pool with a slide at 24 °C. Access is included in the stay and children may use the pools if accompanied by an adult, while saunas and the steam bath are reserved for adults.
Resorts with kids clubs (check spa access)
- Forte Village, Villa del Parco (Pula): the resort has Mario's Village, a nursery, the U-Club for teenagers, a water park and more than thirty sports academies. For children's access to the thalassotherapy circuit, with six sea-water pools, it is best to ask in advance.
- Verdura Resort (Sciacca): the Verdùland kids club, open in high season, was named best kids club in Europe by The Times in 2023. The Irene Forte Spa has four thalassotherapy pools; for access by minors it is best to ask the hotel. Golf is at the Verdura Golf Club.
- Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort: a pool for children, a play area and, in high season, the Mini Club. The 2,700 m² spa has an indoor saltwater pool; the minimum age should be asked of the hotel.
By the sea: kids clubs and pools for the little ones
On the coasts, where the spa is often only one part of the offer, children's services count:
- Romazzino: two pools, one of sea water carved into the rock and one of fresh water designed for families; the Kids' Club looks after children aged 3 to 12, with babysitting on request.
- Hotel Cala di Volpe: La Volpe Kids Club, every day from 10 am to 6:30 pm during the opening season, and a children's pool.
- Masseria Torre Maizza: the Rocco Forte Kids programme covers three age groups (0-3, 4-12, 13-16), with dedicated menus and 24-hour babysitting on request, for a fee.
- Grand Hotel Rimini: a children's pool and, in July and August, the mini club, on the 15,000 m² private beach.
- Andreus (South Tyrol): the FINKI Island adventure park with its pirate ship, a 15-seat cinema, a small zoo with alpacas and a riding stable beneath the hotel.
Where the spa is closed to children
To avoid surprises, here are the age rules declared by the hotels:
| Hotel | Rule |
|---|---|
| Almar Jesolo | Almablu spa: admission from 16 |
| Il Picciolo (Castiglione di Sicilia) | Ætna Spa: admission from 16 |
| Hohenwart | VistaSpa: 16+ (the FamilySpa is for all ages) |
| Quellenhof Passeier | rooftop spa 16+, Vital Spa 14+ |
| Preidlhof (Naturno) | hotel reserved for guests over 16, in every area and all year round |
This does not rule out staying there with children when the hotel is open to families, as Almar and Il Picciolo are, but it means that one parent at a time will be able to use the spa.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can children enter the spa in golf hotels?+
It depends on the area. At the Quellenhof Passeier the Family Spa welcomes children from age 6, while the rooftop spa is 16+; at Hohenwart the FamilySpa is for all ages; at Lazise the children's pool is for ages 4 and up.
Where are there pools with slides for children?+
At the Quellenhof Lazise (two slides, from mid-April to October) and at the Grand Hotel Fasano (an outdoor pool with a slide at 24 °C).
Is a thermal park suitable for children?+
At Terme di Saturnia the 20,000 m² Thermal Park is open to children too, and two of the four thermal pools are accessible to the little ones.
Can I leave the children at the kids club while I go to the spa?+
Where there is a kids club, yes, for example Mario's Village at Forte Village or Verdùland at Verdura. Hours and ages depend on the club: check them.
Are the saunas open to children?+
It depends on the hotel: at the Grand Hotel Fasano saunas and the steam bath are reserved for adults, and at the Quellenhof Passeier the Vital Spa has its sauna from 16. At Lazise, however, there are two family saunas.
Which hotels ban minors from the spa?+
Almar Jesolo and Il Picciolo allow spa access from 16; the Preidlhof is reserved for guests over 16.
