Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel

With its pastel-pink facade, pretty white balconies, and intricately ornate gables the first impression of the Cavallino Bianco Family Spa Grand Hotel is of part alpine chalet and part fairytale palace. A decoratively carved wooden portico is flanked by two familiar-looking cartoon mouse statues, immediately making it clear who this hotel is aimed at. In fact this is a family-only resort, and the first and only Grand Hotel dedicated exclusively to families with children. This doesn't mean everything panders to the little ones, and the interiors are elegant, traditional (if slightly aging), and full of neo-classical touches, with only the occasionally child-focused flourish. Unsurprisingly, however, the ambience is friendly and fun and fizzing with the energy of overexcited children.

The Cavallino Bianco is located in the center of the small traditional town of Ortisei in the South Tyrol Dolomites in northeast Italy. The hotel is set in a pedestrianized area opposite the main road and a block from the St Ulrich-Sieser Alm cablecar. From Ortisei there are also direct cable cars to the ski resorts of Val Gardena and Alpe di Siusi Seceda. The nearest railway station is in Bolzano, about a 50-minute drive away -- shuttle buses bring guests directly to the hotel -- while Innsbruck Airport is an hour and a half away by car.

Rooms here have one of two design styles. Some tend towards simple country-style decor with blond wood furnishings and patterned drapery, while rooms in the Lux category are more elegantly traditional with antique-style furnishings and textured fabrics. Rooms can vary in size depending on number of occupants, and many are suites, but all include separate sleeping areas for kids. 32-inch flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and minibars all come standard, while all bathrooms include tubs, robes, and hairdryers. Most rooms also come with ceramic stoves, and many open to spacious balconies with mountain views. The wall-to-wall, green or brown patterned carpets in all rooms make them feel a tad dated.

The hotel offers a dizzying range of facilities for kids and plenty for adults. Unusually, the spa is child-friendly and includes a selection of pools from baby-safe, to a family pool with hydromassage, and heated outdoor pool with views of the Dolomite mountains. There are also five saunas on-site, including one for families, as well as a range of massages and treatments. Just for the kids, there is an almost endless array of play areas, mini-clubs, playgrounds, and entertainment programs including ski schools and even their own theater. An all-inclusive plan also includes all meals at a choice of two on-site restaurants.