Travelling with kids? Here are the 7 best family-friendly hotel chains

This Hilton chain has about 600 properties around the world, including seven in Australia, in locations such as Melbourne, Perth, Darwin and Cairns. Per-night room rates can be as low as $176, and complimentary welcome treats, such as the brand's now-famous warm cookies at check in, set a family-friendly mood from the get-go.

Based on its location, each DoubleTree By Hilton offers a unique set of features for travellers of different age groups. For instance, at the chain's Cairns outpost, there's a tropical garden with secret paths, ponds and fountains, as well as a Jungle Zone, complete with a table tennis table. hilton.com

This hotel chain - part of IHG Hotels and Resorts - refers to itself as the "pioneers in child-friendly accommodation", with incentives such as free accommodation and meals for kids under the age of 11 at all its properties worldwide, of which there are more than 1200, so you have a lot of choice. The chain also regularly runs special deals and promos to elevate the family-travel experience.

For instance, Holiday Inn Sydney, Potts Point, has a current offer, as part of which a family of four can stay per night for as low as $252 and enjoy incentives such as parking, breakfast and free ice-cream for kids during their stay. The hotel's central location is just the icing. holidayinn.com

The great thing about this chain - also part of IHG Hotels and Resorts - is the diversity of locations where you can find it - from city centres and laidback urban neighbourhoods to beaches and idyllic locations such as NSW's Hawkesbury Valley. The hotel at this location, for instance, welcomes guests with onsite facilities such as tennis courts, an indoor heated pool and eight hectares of manicured gardens.

Spend the day partaking in physical activities and firing up an appetite, then make your way to the property's family-friendly restaurant, Barracks Bar, which has a special Little Ones menu with treats such as Burger Delight, Chicken Tenders, Jaffle Sandwich and Fish & Chips. ihg.com/crowneplaza

Here's another excellent family-friendly chain from the Hilton group, with more than 1000 properties in 62 countries and territories around the world. Per-night room rates can be as low as $153 and onsite facilities can range from the obvious (interconnecting rooms, restaurants with kid-friendly menus, and rollaway and sofa beds) to the more innovative (rooms specially designed for families with open plans, refrigerators and microwaves). hilton.com

Read more on Explore:

Take, for instance, Kimpton Margot Sydney, where guest rooms feature a dash of art deco and eateries range from celebrity chef Luke Mangan's Luke's Kitchen fine-diner to the Harper Rooftop Bar, where adults can enjoy a drink while kids splash out in the pool. kimptonhotels.com

Here's another mid-range hotel chain - part of the Accor group - with about 560 properties around the world, raising the bar when it comes to family-friendly stays. For starters, Novotel hotels are always located in in-demand locations - from Novotel Melbourne on Collins, which is in the heart of the city, to Novotel Melbourne Airport, which is just a few minutes from the terminals. There's an entire page on the hotel's website about the benefits it offers to families, including free stays and breakfast for kids under the age of 16. all.accor.com

Another winner from the Accor group, Mantra is one of the largest hotel brands in Australia with 75 properties. The chain specialises in apartment-style hotels and is perfect for long stays or families who want resort facilities such as 24-hour reception and swimming pools but also home comforts such as fully kitted out kitchens and onsite laundry services. Stellar examples range from Mantra Coolangatta Beach on the Gold Coast to Mantra Lorne on Victoria's Great Ocean Road. mantrahotels.com