Mons Family Hotels with Spa and Wellness

A wellness area turns a city break in Mons into a more restful family trip. After a morning on the cobbled streets around the Grand-Place or a visit to a museum, a swim or a sauna session back at the hotel helps everyone recharge before dinner. Van der Valk's mix of indoor pool, playground and game room means children stay busy while parents take turns in the spa, which is the real advantage of a wellness hotel when travelling with children.

Van der Valk Hotel Mons Congres & Spa is the most complete choice for families. The four-star hotel near Mons central station combines an indoor swimming pool with a spa and wellness area including a sauna and a hammam, plus a fitness room. For children there is a playground and a game room, and family suites give everyone space to spread out. The hotel also accepts pets and has an à la carte restaurant with a terrace, so a family can spend a rainy afternoon on site without anyone getting bored.

Martin's Dream Hotel offers a different style of stay. It occupies a former chapel in the city centre, with modern rooms, a spa and wellness area, a fitness centre, an à la carte restaurant, a bistro and a bar. Its main strength is location: the Grand-Place, the Belfry and the city's museums are a short walk away, which suits families with older children who prefer to explore on foot. Private parking is available for a surcharge, worth booking ahead if you arrive by car with luggage and children. Its bistro also works well for a relaxed family lunch between visits.

The two hotels fit different family rhythms. With younger children, Van der Valk's indoor pool and play facilities make it easy to fill the late afternoon, and its location near the station is practical for day trips by train. With teenagers or on a short city break, Martin's Dream Hotel lets you walk everywhere and return for a spa session before dinner. Either way, check the rules for children in the sauna and hammam, since wellness areas often set an age limit or adult-only hours. Both hotels can advise on family-friendly restaurants nearby.

Mons has plenty to fill the time between swims. Children enjoy touching the little bronze monkey on the façade of the town hall, said to bring good luck, and exploring the streets around the Belfry for views over the city. The Mundaneum tells the story of an early attempt to catalogue the world's knowledge, and the Sparkoh! science centre in nearby Frameries offers hands-on exhibits. If you visit around Trinity Sunday, the Doudou festival fills the streets with music, crowds and processions. Pack layers, as Belgian weather can change quickly during a single afternoon outdoors.