Escape those chains. Five fabulous family run hotels...

Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel, Amalfi

This refined heritage property makes the most of its impressive cliff top setting with a breathtaking cascade of terraces and infinity pool. The 20 rooms are furnished with Italian antiques and the spa uses exclusively developed products from the oldest pharmacy in Florence. Bianca Sharma is the owner - she first saw the former monastery by chance in 1999 while boating in the area on a family holiday. It was abandoned, but little altered since the 17th century - Bianca says it looked like ‘stone emerging from stone’. She has a home nearby and splits her year between Amalfi and the USA, and her son is heavily involved in the running of the hotel.    Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel

What's it all about, Amalfi? Seductive step terracing at the Monastero Santa Rosa. Photo Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel

Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

A sinew of suites straddles the dunes overlooking the ocean, with no landfall south till Antarctica. It’s a super lux property that uses a bold fusion of glass, wood and stone in its design, and as with the 21 sea-facing suites, the Great Room lounge bar is a masterpiece of simplicity and style. The hotel is one of three in the Baillie Lodges group that was created by Australian couple James and Hayley Baillie. They were drawn to this site by the unspoilt coastline, prolific wildlife and array of local organic produce. The couple has fond memories of holidaying on Kangaroo Island with their four boys – all under 13 – and visit the lodge regularly. Southern Ocean Lodge

The lodge rooms have superb ocean views. Photo Southern Ocean Lodge

Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa

Facing the shallow waters of dazzling Paje Beach is the Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas. The 11 seclusive villas are decorated in creams and white, with light wood furniture. A meandering wood decked pathway connecting them to the fine dining restaurant and rooftop bar. It’s the dream come true of Polish kite surfing fanatic Andre Niznik, who fell for Paje Beach and set up a pro kite surfing school, and then opened the lodge in 2014. The whole family are involved: Andre runs the business, his partner is the interior designer, while daughter Natalia (19) assists in the running, son Yan (26) looks after the kite school and IT, and when not studying Alex (19) is a kite surfing instructor. White Sand Villas

One of the family two-bedroom villas, as seen from a palm tree. Photo Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & Spa

The Goring, London

Distinguished as London’s only luxury hotel that is still owned and run by the family that built it, the Goring is a charmingly eccentric property. Cute sheep-shaped footstools are in every room, cuddle toy sheep are on the beds, and staff wear ties with a sheep insignia too for starters. Its 69 rooms are decorated in elegant English style, there’s a crochet lawn at the rear, and the restaurant is renowned for beautifully prepared English classics. Jeremy Goring is the current owner - his great-grandfather opened the place in 1910 when he realised his dream of creating the world’s first hotel with a bathroom in every bedroom. The Goring’s recent refurbishment is subtle enough for Jeremy to comment that his ‘Great grandpa would still recognise the place’. The Goring

The very recognisable front entrance of Belgravia's Goring Hotel. Photo The Goring Hotel