Château de la Couronne

Dordogne, France[view map]

Best for: Smiths of all ages.
Recommended rooms: All five suites have plenty of space for extra beds, but numbers 2 and 5 are interconnecting, so they’re the ones to plump for.
Activities: Château de la Couronne maintains a collection of board games and kids’ DVDs (to be watched in the private cinema for added distraction value), and there are child-sized cues for use on the American pool table in the billiard room.
Swimming pool: The pool area is securely walled in and there’s a shallow end by the steps.
Meals: Don’t worry about preparing baby food – each suite comes complete with a large fridge and a kettle, and there’s a microwave on the ground floor. The breakfast buffet (€10 for youngsters) includes child-orientated cereals and yoghurts, and high chairs are on hand.
No need to pack: Cots are available free.