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A luxury resort in the Dolomites has removed much of the usual stress from family holidays by designing every inch around children — and by only accepting guests who arrive with youngsters. AKI Family Resort Plose in South Tyrol promises practical rooms, staffed childcare and mountain activities that aim to make travelling with little ones easier for parents.
A hotel made for families, not just tolerant of them
From outside the buildings tuck into the hillside like wooden cabins; inside, the layout reads like a child-first plan. A play area faces reception so restless toddlers can be entertained while families check in. Large windows reach to the floor so crawlers and small children can gaze outside without a barrier, a detail highlighted by the hotel’s sales and marketing representative, Eleonora Martinelli.
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“Everything has this concept of nature,” Martinelli says, pointing to the muted colour palette and timber finishes. “This is not a place where children are ‘accepted’ – this is a place for families.”
Practical rooms and small but thoughtful touches
Each suite is organised into separate zones: a parents’ sleeping area, a kids’ room with its own door, a lounge and a bathroom. That layout aims to solve the familiar holiday dilemma of proximity versus privacy for sleeping children.
Bathrooms feature a low sink for toddlers and a pull-down changing mat hidden behind a mirror. Bathtubs are only fitted in the higher-priced suites, but baby baths can be supplied on request.
Childcare, play and a screen-free approach
The resort operates a two-part kids’ club split into babies (0–3 years) and older children. During family-friendly sessions parents can settle in with their child before leaving them in the care of staff.
Activities lean on natural materials and hands-on learning rather than screens. “There’s no technology because we’re following the Montessori ideology, so children can have their own creativity without digital [technology],” Martinelli explains. Offerings range from cooking projects such as making chocolate salami to outdoor play and arts and crafts.
Beyond the club, an on-site farm exposes little ones to alpacas, goats, rabbits, chickens and ducks. Multiple pools, water slides and scheduled family events give parents options for shared time as well as moments of solitude.
Space for adults, too
Parents are not forgotten. Tucked into the forest behind the main building is an adults-only wellness area with a relaxation room and two saunas. The resort also offers massages and other spa services with views out toward the trees.
Mountain adventures made child-friendly
AKI sits close to the Plose massif near Brixen. A short shuttle takes guests to a cable car included in the stay, and from there families can follow the advertised circular route known as the Woody Walk, which normally takes about 90–120 minutes. Paths are suitable for sturdier prams and include play elements such as slides and marble runs.
The Dolomites — a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2009 — are famous for dramatic limestone peaks and winter skiing. In summer and autumn the same landscape opens up for hikes across alpine meadows and gentler routes that are more manageable with children.
Getting there and practical costs
The resort opened in 2024 and, after previously closing for one month each year, will now remain open year-round so families can visit in winter for skiing or in warmer months for outdoor activities. During our visit at the end of September we flew from London Gatwick into Bolzano on a very small commercial aircraft, making the onward transfer just 50 minutes — a convenience when travelling with a toddler. On the drive, staff switched on nursery rhymes to help soothe a restless child.
AKI offers Family Suites on an AKI Full Board basis. Prices start from €788 per room per night in low season and from €1,535 in high season. The full board package covers buffet breakfast and lunch, a five-course à la carte dinner, non-alcoholic drinks and specialty coffees and teas. Family suites accommodate up to two adults and three children.
From July 2026 SkyAlps plans flights between London Gatwick and Bolzano up to four times a week, with fares from €148 each way. Children under two travel free and children up to age 11 receive a 30% discount on fares, according to the airline.
Why it matters
Travelling with small children involves extra planning and compromises. AKI Family Resort Plose demonstrates how a hotel can reduce friction by anticipating needs — from layout and childcare philosophy to on-site activities and local transfers. It doesn’t remove every parenting challenge, but it reframes a family holiday so parents can spend more time enjoying the place rather than managing logistics.
