Best Tenerife Hotels for Families
With their wall-to-wall sunshine, copious beaches and family attractions that range from watersports to theme parks, the Canary Islands are the perfect family escape. But which hotel is right for you? We've come to the rescue with our guide to the best family-friendly hotels in the Canaries, whether you're looking for a resort with great kids' facilities or an eco-retreat where you enjoy some quality family time.
There’s plenty of space for the family to run around here, with pleasant subtropical gardens surrounding three swimming pools (one with seawater) and the beach just beyond. For something more structured the Guanchito Club has a playground, mini soccer and minigolf for 3- to 12-year-olds while teen-focused M@GMA hosts movie evenings and has a DJ booth. That’ll give the adults a chance to check out the spa or fit in a game of tennis. What's nearby? Although this is one of Tenerife's top resorts for families, there are some lively nightclubs and bars just a few kilometres away (but don't worry, they're still safely out of earshot!). There's a range of shops, including a pharmacy and a supermarket, just a few metres from the resort and you'll find some of within walking distance, too.
The kids' clubs start at age 10 months at this five-star. There’s Roni the pilot whale to provide daily entertainment for all children up to 12 too, so with the kids looked after parents can simply relax – perhaps in the open air Jacuzzi or at the infinity pool reclining on Balinese beds. Families seeking more action can get stuck in to beach volleyball, archery and tennis, and it’s all within easy reach of the island’s best theme and water parks, including Siam Park. What's nearby? With a fantastic water park and leisure facilities all within the resort, there's little reason to leave the luxurious Roca Nivaria. But its location, in the heart of the Playa Paraíso area, is ideal for adventure seekers.
Head to the harbour at Puerto Colon to sign up for whale and dolphin-spotting tours, or catamaran excursions along the western coastline. Should you fancy some, Canaries-style, this is also the departure point for many of the inter-island ferries.
Staying in a resort doesn’t have to mean buffets and mediocre meals, at the super-luxe Ritz Carlton you’ll find two Michelin-starred restaurants serving up creative Basque and Japanese cuisine. The kids club is a cut above too, including wildlife sessions and theatrical workshops, and there’s a sumptuous spa, a tennis academy and an 18-hole golf course. Don’t forget to leave occasionally – there’s an idyllic beach looking over to the neighbouring island of La Gomera nearby. What's nearby? Nearby Playa San Juan is where you'll a chic, boutique-filled harbour, and Alcala, a quaint fishing village, is just a short walk away. This is one of the island's quieter parts, but there are still plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance.
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Kids hard to keep to a timetable? This all-inclusive operates a 24-hour policy, meaning there is food and drink available at literally all hours. There’s also the RuiLand kids club, two children’s swimming pools (one with water slides) and a children’s playground. You’re also just 900 metres from Maspalomas’ famous sand dunes and there are whirlpool baths, steam baths and an infinity pool for the adults. What's nearby? Las Melonaras, the area in which this hotel's located, is designed for families. The Taurito water park is within walking distance, and the rural location means that it's a great destination if you're planning on exploring the island on a horseback tour. Budding Rory McIlroys can tee off on the nearby 18-hole Melonaras golf course.
Got a golfer in the family? If so this five-star resort has to be top choice, with not one but two 18-hole courses on-site, both with gorgeous mountain and sea views. The kids club will take care of the kids, with daily games and activities, and the whole family can reunite over dinner, perhaps over the show cooking at Gofio. Rooms all have private terraces for some private family time too. What's nearby? This resort's main selling point is its isolation and rural location, so there's not a whole lot on offer beyond the resort, which has shops, restaurants and bars. Maspalomas, the nearest town, has several supermarkets, bars and restaurants, but you'll need a car as it's a 20-minute drive away.
Travelling with children needn’t mean giving up on luxury. The five-star Lopesan Baobab in the well-heeled resort of Meloneras has an African theme, which stretches to zebra steaks in the restaurant and safari animals hidden around the tropical grounds. There are even African drumming lessons and dance classes. Add seven swimming pools, ping pong, waterpolo, tennis and a diving school and you’ll keep the kids occupied here for at least a week. What's nearby? The beach is just a ten-minute walk from this fantastic hotel, but the Maspalomas lighthouse, next to the bustling promenade, is even closer. If you're feeling daring, sign up for a camel ride across the Maspalomas sand dunes. Couples should head to the impossibly romantic Moonlight, Europe's only permanent open air cinema.
You’ll find some of the most spacious rooms in the isles here, where every room is a suite – and that doesn’t just mean it has an extra pair of chairs shoved into a corner. Rooms feature separate sitting rooms and vast balconies, while downstairs you’ll find an array of different a la carte and buffet restaurants, and an excellent spa. The beach is just outside too and there’s a huge children’s play area called Kikoland, which features everything from a family pool to basketball courts and a climbing wall. What's nearby? It's probably easier to list what's not within walking distance of this Canarian resort. Some of the island's best beaches are just a few metres away (we're particularly keen on the family-friendly Playa Dorada) while nearby Playa Blanca is where you'll find the island's best clubs and bars, as well as several diving schools. The Centre Commercial Papagayo shopping centre is where to head when it's time to stock up on supplies.
@Kristie: Arhhh my tax return pays for the apartment in Tenerife 😍😍😍
@GoW: Yes, I'm on holiday in Tenerife and watching #bbcqt in my apartment. Drinking 2.50€ wine and 2.45€ cigs. Not as sad as it sounds