High in the rugged folds of the Dolomites sits a child’s utopia. The air is cooler, alpacas roam and the ice cream is self-service. Welcome to AKI Family Resort Plose.
Fast becoming known as one of the most stylish and acclaimed family resorts in Europe, AKI is a place that caters not only to the exacting needs of children, but also to those of their parents. Futuristic in design and created in the calming tones of the surrounding forest, its positioning means that every single one of its 70 suites overlooks the Plose mountain range. The playground, pools, rafting lake, farm, bar and restaurant all face the same majestic vista; mountains dotted with tiny villages that edge into the Isarco Valley. We finish each day reading stories to our three-year-old on the terrace, watching the sun dip beyond the outcrop.
All windows are floor-to-ceiling because at AKI, the team believes everyone should be able to enjoy the view no matter how small. The resort is built entirely with children in mind; nearly every inch of space – with the exception of an adult spa and sauna – is designed for their enjoyment. What makes AKI special is that its family-friendly philosophy touches each element of its layout and approach to hospitality. Everywhere you turn is a new activity or space to explore. The idea is that if the kids are happy, then parents will be too. Everything is carefully considered, from black-out blinds and mini bathroom sinks to a 24-hour formula, a baby purée station and a laundrette. If the Von Trapp family existed today this is where they would go on holiday.
The Vibe
AKI is a luxury, all-inclusive family-first resort that has that rare quality of being both a winter and summer destination. You can’t book unless you have children; that’s not to say grandparents and aunts and uncles can’t join – there are suites with that exact idea in mind – but it does mean you won’t have to worry about keeping the noise down at dinner to avoid glares from the table next door. Everyone is in the same boat. It is tastefully and thoughtfully designed, a modernist Alpine haven where accessibility is tantamount. For every set of stairs, there’s a lift for tiny legs and buggies. There are multiple indoor and outdoor play spaces. There are pools, both inside and outside, huge water slides, an exceptional kids’ club that opens from 9am until 9pm. At reception, guests are met with a wooden tree house, a cargo net, a bobby car race course and a slide that connects to another floor that houses an air hockey machine, an interactive games table and table football. Our three-year-old is delighted, and refuses to leave.
The Rooms and Suites
Suites are stripped back, warm, with an inflection of Scandi style. A standard-sized suite covers a generous 50 square metres, featuring a separate room for the kids – bunk beds and another bed by the window – a bathroom with a built-in baby change, a mini sink, a cosy soft seating area and a terrace. If you want a bath, then you’ll have to upgrade to one of the larger suites. A bar stocks alcohol-free drinks, and a microwave is on hand for anyone who needs to warm up a bottle. Our room (601) is a one-minute walk from the playground and mini splash pool, so our son is able to play safely while we have coffee on our outdoor sofa. The ground-floor rooms all have direct access to the outdoor play areas and pools which is why you’ll find parents meandering across the grassy grounds in dressing gowns and slippers. It’s designed to make life easy.
The Child’s Play
Let’s start with the kids’ club, which spans two floors, and features more chic wooden toys than imaginable. There’s a baby room with sweet hammocks for sleeping, a nap room, and an under-10s space, plus a dedicated dining room for kids. You won’t find any screens here; the team follows the Montessori Method, which means the emphasis is on craft-led, imaginative play. Expect mini wooden houses, shops and even a mechanic (which our son loved). In addition, AKI runs a full schedule of activities to cater for different age groups, although veering towards the under 10s rather than teens. There’s a lot to choose from, including woodwork and painting in a chic ‘atelier’ that looks like a Labour and Wait store, plus trips to the resort farm to feed rabbits, goats and alpacas. Kids can try their hand at mocktail-making, yoga and self-portrait creation, or they can partake in football tournaments or guided treks into the woodlands. The painting class was set up on an idyllic hill where participants used easels to recreate the mountain view in front of them. Particularly popular are the alpaca tours in which each family takes an alpaca for a guided (hilly) walk into the forest behind the resort. Although our son gave up very quickly on the steep inclines and had to be carried on his dad’s shoulders for the 45-minute duration, it was a real highlight of our trip. In the evenings, a theatre offers cinema nights and family-friendly entertainment.
There’s a family spa where little ones can experience their first sauna or massage. From December 13-16th, the resort is hosting a wellness holiday, ‘Family Retreat: Wellbeing and Psychomotricity‘, which offers families a chance to connect with their children on a deeper level. Then of course there are the heated pools: two indoor, a shallow area for toddlers, as well as a deeper one for older children whereby doors open to an outdoor infinity pool. Another parent, who had visited before in winter (tellingly, AKI receives a lot of repeat guests), told us that it’s magical during the colder months watching the snow fall, while cocooned in the heated waters. A mini baby splash area is open for the summer months. The playground has a large sandpit filled with toys, water features, swings, slides, a climbing frame and a zip line. We particularly loved the rafting pool – perfect for imaginary pirating adventures. Bikes, trikes and scooters are also freely available, but be warned, once whizzing around the grounds, your child will not want to get off. Guests can also hire buggies of varying sizes as well as bikes (with accompanying child seats), for adventures beyond the resort. In the winter months, a ‘magic carpet’ snow slope gives little ones a chance to learn ski basics, aided by seasoned experts. AKI also provides a complimentary shuttle service for the seven-minute journey to the full-size slopes.
The Food + Drink
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at specific times at the in-house restaurant throughout the day and guests sit at the same table throughout their stay to ensure that they always arrive to the correct sized chair. This is Italy, so of course the food is supreme – either order from the elevated à la carte menu and/or an abundant buffet serving an ever-changing roster of salad, sides and dessert. A small play area is attached to the restaurant (cleverly just out of eyesight), to cater for children like mine who don’t want to sit at a table for hours. Jugs of homemade juice and ice cream are available all day via a self-serve table near the bar. This was very popular among all ages of our family.
The Little Extras
A special mention must go to the 24/7 baby bar, made for fourth-trimester parents, offering sterilisers, microwaves, formula, biscuits, yoghurts and baby purées. Set away from the accommodation, it’s a place to come to in the dead of the night when the baby wakes for the umpteenth time – without disturbing anyone else.
The To-Do List
A trip to AKI is just as much a break for parents as it is for kids. The adult-only spa is a serene oasis tucked up into the tree-covered hills; treatment rooms, a yoga and Pilates space, and a relaxation deck overlook the towering pine trees and are soundtracked by the sounds of birds. The yoga room is designed with more of those floor-to-ceiling windows which roll open to make you feel as if you’re doing your downward dog in the middle of the woodland. We didn’t try the cold plunge or sauna, but it looked equally idyllic. The bar down below was the perfect spot for sundowners, and we also appreciated the drinks kiosk by the pool serving up beers and spritzes.
We flew into Bolzano which is 50 minutes away by transfer (AKI can organise this for you). The nearest town is picturesque and historic Brixen, only 15 minutes by taxi, known for its cobbled streets, riverside walks and colourful buildings. Despite not possessing much of the sporty gene, we loved hiring electric bikes (included in the AKI package), and snaking through the quiet tree-lined roads to cable cars which took us up to one of the highest points of Plose. There we found restaurants and yet another playground. Our son played while we enjoyed the spoils of après ski, without any of the exertion usually involved.
FAQS:
How do you get to AKI Family Resort PLOSE?
Either fly to Innsbruck, a 90-minute drive from the resort, or Bolzano, which is 50 minutes but has less connections. Starting from July 2026, SkyAlps increased their flight frequency up to four flights a week – flying from London Gatwick to Bolzano on Fridays for the first time. Major airlines such as easyJet and British Airways maintain consistent year-round connections to northern Italy, making the region more accessible outside peak ski months. Flying isn’t the only option; many of the parents we met had taken trains from neighbouring Switzerland or Germany.
Where is AKI Family Resort PLOSE?
South Tyrol in Italy on the borders of Austria. It’s an Alpine dream with Italian food, a winning combination.
When should we visit?
Whether winter or summer, AKI has a lot to offer. We went in July when the temperatures reached 27 degrees, but the mountain air ensured no one got hot under the collar or sticky. The pools made it a perfect warm-weather destination, and as we said above, SkyAlps has increased its flight frequency to flights a week from London Gatwick making it easier to travel there in the sunshine months. In winter, it becomes a snowy wonderland until March, but book soon – we’re told there’s limited availability until January already.
Which age children does AKI cater to?
AKI Family Resort Plose does have activities for all ages, with treks, dramatic water slides and sports tournaments for teens, but there’s definitely more on offer for those aged eight or under.
How much is it?
It isn’t cheap, but you do get a lot for your money. Rates start from €788 (£680) per night per room in low season, and €1535 (£1324) in high season on AKI Full Board basis which includes buffet breakfast, lunch, a five-course à la carte dinner, non-alcoholic beverages and coffee and tea. The price also includes use of the kids’ club, open from 9am-9pm, and countless family-related activities. Remember that each room sleeps up to five – two adults and three children – so although AKI won’t replace more accessibly-priced Centre Parcs, it does deliver value for what it offers.
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