A bite sized guide to: The best family friendly hotels in the Canary Islands

Best for Babies & Toddlers (0-4 years)

Best for proper baby & toddler facilities – Princesa Yaiza Suite Hote Resort, Lanzarote

Best for multi-generational families – GF Victoria, Tenerife

Best for space & independence – Kamezi Boutique Villas, Lanzarote

Best price-friendly villas – Hotel Suite Villa Maria, Tenerife 

Best for resort facilities + a local town on your doorstep – Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa, Lanzarote

Best for guaranteed interconnecting rooms – Iberostar Selection Anthelia, Tenerife

Best for families who want heated pools – Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park, Lanzarote

Best for Primary School Children (5-11 years)

Best for foodies who need a splash pad and stay & play Kids Club – The Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife

Best destination all inclusive – Paradisus by Melia, Gran Canaria 

Best for kids who want a hotel that feels like an adventure – Lopsean Baobab, Gran Canaria 

Best all inclusive value for active families – Barceló Tenerife, Tenerife

Best for children who live in the pool – Iberostar Waves Gaviotas Park, Fuerteventura 

Best summer camp style Kids Club – Las Terrazas de Abama Suites, Tenerife

Best for Five-star luxury without the family-friendly compromise – Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia, Gran Canaria

Best for beach in reach – Hotel Fariones, Lanzarote

Best for Tweens & Teens (12+ years)

Best for teens who have outgrown the kids’ club – Hard Rock Hotel, Tenerife

Best for adult appeal – Tivoli La Caleta Resort, Tenerife 

Best budget friendly base – Kora Nivaria Beach, Tenerife

Best for a stylish base with the island to explore – Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity, Gran Canaria

Best design-led villa – Villa Tropico, Fuerteventura 

Best for families who want their own space – Resort Cordial Santa Águeda, Gran Canaria

Best for stylish families who like a bit of peace and quiet – Finca Malvasia, Lanzarote 

Best for families who want more than a resort – La Casa de los Naranjos, Lanzarote

Best for family facilities with a more grown-up feel – Lopesan Villa Del Conde Resort & Thalasso, Gran Canaria 

Your most asked Canary Island family holiday questions, answered

Barcelo Tenerife

More often than not All Inclusive hotels don’t really live up to their name – whether it’s bank-breaking costs, dated decor, or beige buffets, they’re far from pleasing ALL the people. Enter Barcelo Tenerife, a seafront sanctuary sure to convert self-proclaimed ‘non-resort-goers’. Turning all the traditional tropes on their heads, this sprawling stay delivers big ticks across the board. First up, price. We’ve all heard of the big name all inclusive players, and the big purse strings that are needed for summer stays – excuse us while we remortgage our house for a holiday – Barcelo Tenerife on the other hand is refreshingly reasonable. Next, the decor. In our experience all inclusives tend to fall into two camps; the gorgeous, but financially crippling or the affordable, but aesthetically offending. At Barcelo Tenerife, you’ll find not too towering, terracotta toned buildings surrounding paths peppered with palm trees. It’s hard to go wrong with room choice, when all of them boast private balconies or terraces. Moving onto the food. Cast aside any notions of school dinner-esque dining. The 6 bars and restaurants here serve up delish local dishes. Whilst ‘authentic experiences’ and all inclusives don’t often go hand in hand – with resorts having a rep for ‘could be anywhere in the world’ fly & flops –  if you’re looking for more than just a passport stamp as proof of visiting Tenerife, that’s more than available to you. Culturally immersive experiences include, late night treks into the nearby nature reserve, vineyard tours and astrology sessions. If horizontal holidaying is more your vibe that’s totally fine too, there’s plenty of places to slumber in the sun; next to one of the 8 pools, on the beach, or in the spa. The one all inclusive association that Barcelo Tenerife doesn’t’ shy away from is endless activities! Home to a brilliant Kids Club for those 4 and older, plus outdoor climbing wall and mini lake with complimentary kayaks

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Las Terrazas de Abama Suites

A parent pleasing 30 minute whizz from Tenerife South airport, Las Terrazas de Abama Suites knows exactly what families are looking for (and delivers in spades). Spacious, luxuriously appointed suites mean you have plenty of room to sprawl, while the first class hotel services they benefit from means your ‘holiday’ feels like exactly that. With fully equipped kitchens, separate living spaces, private outdoor areas and up to four bedrooms, it couldn’t be easier to find your perfect family setup whether you’re travelling with tiny tots or teens. So there’s enough space, but what about ‘stuff’? That box is ticked too, with everything from cots and highchairs to bottle sterilisers, bath seats and rental buggies available – almost like they’ve read the endless ‘baby packing list’ straight from our frazzled mind. But we haven’t got to the best bits yet – the food *and* the childcare. We could wax lyrical about both in their own right, but just know this – Martin Berasategui (the chef mastermind behind the hotel’s signature restaurant) holds 12 Michelin stars, while childcare ranges from ‘bookable by the hour’ to one of the most comprehensive Kids Camps we’ve seen

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Kora Nivaria Beach

At Kora Nivaria Beach in Abades super slick oceanview living in the name of the game. With 1 & 2 bedroom apartments available, alongside six 3-bedroom villas, there are sleeping solutions for families little and large.  The design led styling is minimal and architecturally inspired, with all the mod cons you could need, from rain showers to smart TVs.  Most offer terraces with spectacular sea views over the Atlantic, making early morning wake ups in time for the sunrise a treat, not a chore. When you get bored of the beach (if ever) there is a choice pools, including specifically for children, plus a gym, complimentary pilates & yoga classes, a playground & Kids Club (for 4+), providing entertainment for both mamas and minis. Abades itself is a small coastal village in one of the best preserved areas of the island,  surrounded by sandy dunes & rocky shores. The local beach, Los Abriguitos, features striking dark lava sand which is super fine and stone-free

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The Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife

Known as the ‘pink palace’ the sprawling Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife is inspired by traditional Moorish architecture, standing proud above the sparkling Atlantic ocean. The dining here is world-renowned, from Michelin star cuisine to a zero-kilometer eco experience (where locally grown produce is the main event) all warmly welcoming children. A vibrant oasis, the resort offers a picture-perfect backdrop with volcanic vistas and palm fringed botanical gardens to explore. Fill your days lazing by one of the many lagoon pools, or take the private train and funicular down to the exclusive beach area, served by a sea shore cocktail club. Ritz Kids (age 4+) offers a dynamic Kids Club focused on conversation, discovery & play with a fully fledged activity agenda from star gazing to surfing. Check out our first hand review of The Ritz-Carlton Abama, Tenerife 

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GF Victoria

Planning a multi-gen getaway is no easy feat. How do you please an adrenaline-seeking teen, barely toddling toddler and fancy pants parent all at the same time? With a record-breaking roster of facilities and cleverly delineated areas – that’s how. Yes GF Victoria is home to glistening pools, tennis courts and a gym – but in a standout move it also boasts a bodyboard wave pool, water park, climbing walls and motor racing simulators. Whilst a lot of hotels tout their family-friendliness, GF Victoria has been designed in a way to truly help take a load off mum & dad. Next to the restaurant you’ll find a (soundproofed) play area – name us a better luxury than being able to eat with both your hands – the rooms come kitted out with single rather than sofa beds for sprogs and the Kids Club welcomes babes through to those on the brink of becoming adults (4 months – 17 years). While the offspring are ensconced in entertainment, parents can slink off to the slick rooftop infinity pool – where we guarantee they’ll be floating on cloud 9 

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Hotel Suite Villa Maria

Serviced villas typically come with an air of exclusivity – due to the deep pockets often required to enjoy them – but the brilliantly priced Hotel Suite Villa Maria bucks the trend with budget-friendly home-from-homes. Personal pads range from one to three beds, some with private pools and all with fully-equipped kitchens. Resort perks include a Kids Club (4+), playground, trio of pools (including a lovely heated hotspot) and onsite restaurant for those nights you want someone else to take care of the cooking and cleaning 

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Tivoli La Caleta Resort

A serene seaside stay with Moorish design and a moreish appeal to foodies, Tivoli La Caleta Resort offers one of Tenerife’s foremost gastronomic getaways. Japanese fusion fare, a modern spin on traditional tapas and an intimate tea house make up the seriously tasty cuisine scene here. Recently upgraded, terracotta-toned buildings house soothing rooms complete with chic contemporary touches. Outside, you’ll find a triple helping of heated pools nestled within tropical grounds. The Thai-inspired Anantara Spa is a real highlight, and a must for visit for bleary eyed parents. There’s no Kids Club, but the trio of local beaches (reached via a pram-friendly promenade) provides ample aquatic entertainment for Tiny Travellers. The small fishing village of La Caleta itself, with its charming seafood restaurants, is an easy 15 minute walk away to boot

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Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife

Before you write this one off as somewhere exclusively for teenagers in band T-shirts, hear us out. Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife is actually a very good family resort – particularly if you want loads going on, plenty of room to spread out and a price tag that doesn’t require selling a kidney. There’s Club Lullaby for little ones aged 6 months-3 years (at an additional charge), Roxity Kids Club for 4-9s and Teen Spirit for 10-16s, so everyone gets their own age-appropriate corner of the resort. Then there are the pools: three outdoor pools, including the family-friendly Splash Pool, plus a dedicated kids’ area. And if your idea of family bliss involves not having to think about where the next snack is coming from, the all-inclusive option covers meals, snacks, ice cream and drinks, with selected à la carte dining included too. It’s energetic and unapologetically a resort – not the place for a boutique escape – but that’s precisely why it works for a lot of families. Come here if your children need things to do, food on tap and a pool within easy reach at all times. You get the big family-resort experience without necessarily paying the prices of Tenerife’s more polished luxury names

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Iberostar Selection Anthelia

There’s a particular kind of family holiday admin we could happily do without: booking two rooms and then playing hotel-room roulette over whether they’ll actually be next door to each other. Some hotels will happily take your money for interconnecting rooms and then, somewhere in the small print, explain that it’s subject to availability. Which is not especially helpful when the alternative is having your children at the other end of the corridor. Nobody booked a family holiday for that level of stress. At Iberostar Selection Anthelia, you can book guaranteed interconnecting rooms, so the room setup is sorted before you arrive. The interconnecting configuration gives families around 60m² of space, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a terrace, with some options also offering sea views. Ground-floor interconnecting rooms come with a semi-private terrace and Balinese beds – very handy for the parents who would quite like somewhere to sit with a coffee while the children are still horizontal. And it’s not just a clever room setup. The hotel is right on the Costa Adeje seafront, with multiple pools, family facilities, restaurants and plenty to keep everyone occupied, so you get the convenience of a proper resort without needing to book an apartment just to secure enough sleeping space

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Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park 

If you’re travelling outside the height of summer, this is one to put very high on your list. Every pool at Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park is heated, including the family pools and slides, which, frankly, is exactly the sort of information parents need before they book a Canary Islands holiday. It’s right on the beachfront in Playa Blanca, with four pools, two children’s pools, Star Camp kids club (4+), a playground and plenty of activities for older children and teens. There’s also an indoor pool, an adults-only pool area and an all-inclusive option, so it manages that increasingly rare trick of being properly family-friendly without feeling like you’ve checked into a giant kids’ play centre. If your children are at the age where ‘the pool is too cold’ can derail an entire holiday, we’d choose this one

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Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort

Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort is big on character – both of the aesthetic and animated kind. One of the largest resorts on the island, this isn’t for the boutique hearted, but there’s no denying it’s a dreamland for kids. The children’s facilities here are second to none; with a (chargeable) creche for 4 months +, a free Kids Club for 3 years +, underground aquarium, fully equipped family rooms and mini discos. We know they bring joy to the hearts of our tiny travellers, but we’d still prefer not to be faced with gaudy splash pads when trying to decompress. What Princesa Yaiza does so well is separation; the utopian Kikoland is dazzling decked out with brightly coloured playgrounds for sensory seeking tots, but it doesn’t tarnish the parent pleasing views of the two main palm-fringed pools. Hidden inside the hotel there’s also a soft play room, which – in music to mum’s ears – comes complete with supervised sessions. Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort is definitely larger than life, and whilst we wouldn’t go so far as to call it design-forward, the colonial decor is far from dated

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Finca Malvasia

Just over 3 miles from Lanzarote airport you’ll find stunning Finca Malvasia, a collection of 1, 2 and 3 bed stylish self-catering apartments set in the heart of Lanzarote’s wine region. Founded by a couple of London based designers, the whitewashed villas and apartments ooze creative flair and mid-century style, with inspirational nods to César Manrique, one of Lanzarote’s most famous artists. A beautiful shared pool offers R&R and a chance to cool down from the year-round sunshine whilst golden beaches are just a ten minute drive away (we highly recommend hiring a car to make exploring a breeze). Saving the best til last, the property is set on an established vineyard offering parent pleasing wine tasting tours & tapas too, although worth noting this is the only dining option available. Children of all ages are welcomed, with travel cots, highchairs and safety gates provided upon request. Owners Richard and Tarnya know the island (and its hidden secrets) inside out, making this property perfect if you’re looking for a stay with a personal touch

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La Casa de los Naranjos

For a family friendly boutique bolthole experience, Hotel Emblemático La Casa de los Naranjos ‘The House of Oranges’  is set in the heart of Haria, a small unspoilt village in the North. Offering a truly authentic experience, this hotel is housed within a 200 year old listed building with 8 boutique rooms lovingly renovated and restored. The natural styling focuses on simple lines, organic tones and natural textures, charming & comforting in equal measure. You can expect top notch service here, with breakfast, lunch and dinner served in a 19th century dining salon, where Chef Pedro Jorge Hernández Felipe whips up delicious dishes curated from local market fare (he’s more than happy to cater for tiny taste buds too). There isn’t a pool but a 15 minute drive will see you sunning yourself on one of the many powder soft beaches nearby, or stay close to home and relax in the hotel’s sun dappled courtyard. When it comes to choosing a room, there are family suites available, sleeping  up to 4 plus a cot, and babysitting can be arranged with the hotel’s concierge

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Kamezi Boutique Villas

A firm favourite with our Tiny Travelship community, The Kamezi Boutique Villas in Lanzarote are popular with discerning families for a reason. A collection of private villas, each with its own private heated pool, makes for the perfect Canaries getaway for any water babe. Set at the far west end of Playa Blanca, the whitewashed villas stand out against the subtropical landscaped gardens, with palm trees & cacti aplenty. The Deluxe Villas are straight from the pages of an interiors magazine, whilst the Rustic Villas offer a more authentic vibe. With fully equipped kitchens, you can choose to self-cater after shopping at the on site pantry deli, order dishes directly to your villa, or dine in the inspiring Kamezi bistro (serving up a brilliant tasting menu). Continental breakfasts are delivered directly to your door each morning, featuring freshly baked croissants, coffee and local jamón. An onsite restaurant isn’t the only hotel bonus of these self catering stays – the spa is pretty dreamy as well 

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Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa

The parent pleasing holy grail – Dreams Lanzarote is only a 5-minute stroll to upmarket, restaurant-blessed Marina Rubicon, and the island’s most iconic beach – Playa Dorada. And bonus point, it’s also only 30 mins from the airport. An affordable all inclusive for those not sold on a week of buffets, there’s 6 restaurants, with plenty of a la carte menus, to taste test. The Kids Club here is heaven-sent for those last-minute mamas. Operating on an open door policy, there’s no need to worry about pre-booking sessions to snag your space. For sprogs not so sure on supervised childcare, there’s also a bath-warm baby pool, waterslides, sandy playground, football pitch, giant chess board, gaming room and the coveted soft play 

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Hotel Fariones 

Set on the sandy saffron shores of Puerto Del Carmen, Hotel Fariones offers an abundance of style *and* substance. After a toddler pleasing ten minute transfer from the airport, you’ll be greeted with complimentary cava whilst you check in (suites sleep 3,  junior suites sleep up to 4 & grand suites have multiple bedrooms & roof terraces). Dining options are plentiful with both a buffet and three a la carte restaurants, offering a variety of cuisines from sushi to Atlantic ocean seafood (freshly caught of course). The infinity pool is the crowning jewel, on a sun deck peppered with palm trees framing a glittering seaside view. For more active types, there’s a full programme of activities to try – from pilates to padel tennis in the next door health club.  A five minute walk away, you’ll find the old harbour of Puerto Del Carmen with a number of authentic tapas restaurants and bars, perfect for an aperitif or evening sunset stroll

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Cordial Santa Águeda

Gran Canaria, despite its bad rep, is an island of wild variety; sensational sandy beaches, epic dunes, volcanic craters and lush mountains. The Cordial Santa Águeda Resort sits in the south, arguably the islands most sunshine-y spot. Here, the self catered villas are clustered around an infinity pool overlooking the sparkling sea. Guests are granted free midweek access to the Perchel Beach Club next door (plus a 50% discount at weekends), offering a children’s splash pool & play area along with games room for teens. An array of on site restaurants & bars mean parents can wine and dine to their hearts content – no taxis or car rides needed – before unwinding in The Callao Spa, with sauna, steam room, ice therapy & treatments available on request

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Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity 

Looking to replace tea time with tee time? Salobre Hotel Resort & Serenity offers a glorious getaway for golfers (and non golfers) alike. A wellness wonderland of epic proportions, the hotel takes serenity very seriously. Alongside the golf courses, there’s a Finnish sauna, Oxygen Therapy cabin, Vitality pool and bubble beds. Parents can tag team their pampering, with turns entertaining tots in the indoor playroom and paddling pool – or make use of the babysitting services for a sweet dream inducing date. Set inland the weather here is warmer than on the coast (allowing for more off-season sun opportunities), but there is also a free shuttle bus to the beach for any ocean enthusiasts

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Paradisus by Melia Gran Canaria

Bringing a slice of culture to the usual fly’n’flop resort scene, Paradisus by Melia is a proud ‘destination-inclusive’, meaning not only are the bursting-with-flavour food and drink all you can eat, local excursions are too. From tasting on a banana plantation and hiking volcanic mountains through visits to a colonial Canarian Museum and rum tasting, there’s plenty of free activities on offer to give you a true taste of Gran Canaria. Aside from the ample opportunities for day trips, you’ve got Zara-Home-hued interiors, interconnecting rooms, a Kids Club (5+) and evening entertainment. A double digit number of restaurants keep any culinary connoisseurs happy, while the year-round-heated pool woos visiting waterbabies 

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Lopesan Villa Del Conde Resort & Thalasso

Designed to look like an authentic Gran Canarian village, guests who check into Lopesan Villa Del Conde Resort are greeted with candy-hued buildings, palm-peppered pathways, Moorish arches and camera-roll-filling facades & fountains. The main reception is cleverly adapted from one of the oldest neoclassical churches on the island; the spacious rooms are laid out like traditional stately homes; and there’s the all important central square, complete with nightly entertainment. Adding convenience to the heavy-hitting cultural credits, you’ll also find an interactive Kids Club open to 4-12 years old, small playground, 7 drinks & dinner destinations and 6 pools. Plus, the sands of Meloneras beach are a shell’s throw away

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Lopesan Baobab

If you’re in-the-know, you know: Lopesan Baobab Resort is one of Gran Canaria’s best-kept family secrets. From jungle-like pathways lined with life-sized animals to a vast network of pools (lazy river included), it’s a hotel that turns even the simplest moments – like walking to breakfast – into an adventure. There’s a Kids Club for ages 4-12 offering creative games and activities during the day, plus a lively mini disco each evening. For parents, it’s the holy grail: somewhere that genuinely wows the kids, while still feeling stylish, spacious, and a world away from your average family resort

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Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia

This is for the family who wants proper luxury, but doesn’t want to sacrifice the children to get it. Tucked into the palm-filled oasis beside the Maspalomas dunes, Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia feels much more like an elegant private estate than a traditional family resort. Think Spanish-colonial architecture, landscaped gardens, beautifully finished rooms, private terraces and balconies, two heated outdoor pools and an intimate, wonderfully grown-up atmosphere. It’s a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, so the service and surroundings are very much the real deal. It’s worth knowing that this isn’t a kids-club resort in the traditional sense. There’s no childcare at the Grand Residencia itself, but guests have complimentary access to the facilities at its sister hotel, Seaside Palm Beach, around a two-minute walk away. That’s where you’ll find Pepe’s Club for children aged 4+, a playground and a programme of games and activities, as well as children’s pools and other family facilities. So parents get the peaceful, grown-up hotel; children still get somewhere to go and make new friends. Everyone wins. And then there’s the food, which is a pretty serious part of the appeal. The hotel’s restaurant serves Canarian and international cuisine, with an extensive breakfast buffet, à la carte dinners and twice-weekly barbecue buffets. Guests can also use the cross-dining option at Seaside Palm Beach, including its Italian restaurant Il Giardino and gourmet tapas restaurant La Bodega. There’s plenty to do beyond the hotel, too. The Maspalomas dunes and beach are on your doorstep, while the wider island is brilliant for families who like a bit of exploring: think boat trips, hiking, cycling, water sports and day trips around Gran Canaria

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Iberostar Waves Gaviotas Park,

Perhaps the most family-first hotel on Fuerteventura, Iberostar Waves Gaviotas Park promotes sustainability alongside hassle-free holiday-ing. A triple threat for price, location and facilities, this beachfront all inclusive boasts a generously affordable price tag. Split into two groups from 4-7 years old and 8-12 years old, the Kids Club here guarantees attention-grabbing activities – and the grand entrance via a slide descending down from reception is sure to set little hearts aflutter. Outside of the supervised scene, there’s a children’s pool with a giant bubble sprinkler and handful of gentle waterslides. Family rooms come complete with gorgeous sea-themed single beds and direct pool access, to minimize time spent moving from snoozing to swimming 

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Villa Tropico

While we wouldn’t usually include a standalone villa in our hotel hotlists, we know many of you have Fuerteventura on your holiday bucket list, and we’re nothing if not perennial people pleasers. A hidden gem uncovered by a savvy Instagram follower, this impeccably designed home features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, alongside a sun-soaked saltwater pool, private terrace and lush garden. Decor is inspired by the surrounding desert landscape, with warm & welcoming interiors. Nestled in the former fishing village of Corralejo in the north east of the island, the location gets a big thumbs up from up. Only 20 minutes from the airport, there are plenty of lovely local restaurants and bars along the main harbour. A great postcode for sport-mad tweens, there’s a big focus on water sports here, with surfing, kayaking and paddle boarding all on offer

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Themes: The Family Friendly European Edit, The Family Friendly Winter Sun Edit, Hotel Hotlists 

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