Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Costa del Sol

This beachfront property is a favorite among families and groups. It features 288 large one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with full kitchens (a supermarket is on-site), washer/dryers, furnished terraces, and solid amenities, including LCD TVs with DVD players, jetted tubs, and free Wi-Fi. There are four pools (one of them a kiddy pool with playground equipment), three restaurants, a playground, soccer field, and beach volley court all on-site. The only downside is that there is little within walking distance, and that units facing the next-door bar can get some noise in the evenings.

The upper-middle-range Globales Playa Estepona is an extremely kid-friendly property located along the coast, about a 20-minute drive from Marbella. The hotel's crowning feature is its splash park with lots of waterslides, plus there are multiple pool areas, a kids' club, playground, tennis, ping-pong, archery, and an entertainment team. All of the 443 rooms were renovated in 2015, but some have a more cheerful and attractive aesthetic than others. Still, they're modern, and equipped with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and air-conditioning. All-inclusive packages are available for the two dining options on-site, but previous guests have been left unimpressed by the food quality.

The Holiday Polynesia is a beautiful, upscale all-inclusive resort located in a big complex near the ocean. Its family all-inclusive package gives access to a waterpark with waterslides, a wave pool, and a giant pirate ship. The hotel has an entertainment staff and a children’s club with organized activities. Other all-inclusive plans have various dining and drinking options including a buffet restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, and a Polynesian restaurant, as well as a piano bar. The hotel is popular with English guests, and its 328 rooms are spacious with separate living rooms and sea-view balconies. There are a handful of annoying extra fees at the hotel such as fees for Wi-Fi, and towel and inner tube rentals at the waterpark.

Despite being a luxury resort, the 198-room Gran Melia Don Pepe has a good number of features for families as well, including a playground, game room, and kids' club with a mini-movie theater and an array of games and activities. Rooms start at a spacious-by-European-standards 323 square feet, and feature air-conditioning, free-Wi-Fi, and 37-inch flat-screen TVs with a good range of international and English channels. The sandy beach offers water sports and a beach club cafe and water sports and multiple pools include indoor, outdoor, and children's options.

Puente Romano Beach Resort Marbella is one of southern Spain's most exclusive properties. The crowd here is a mix of VIPs and well-heeled couples and families, drawn by the relaxing vibe and myriad top-notch amenities. Built to resemble an Andalusian village, the hotel has 266 rooms scattered throughout the huge beachfront property. Standard in-room amenities include iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Adjoining rooms are available. A kids' club is open seasonally and one of the three pools is a kiddy pool and another a heated option by the beach. The hotel features a world-class tennis club with eight clay courts and two plexipave ones, as well as lessons for all ages. Seven restaurants include Japanese and Italian options.

Iberostar Marbella Coral Beach is an upscale family-friendly property located directly on a beach a 15-minute walk from Puerto Banus. The beautiful beach club and the inviting pool are probably the hotel’s main draws, but the hotel also features a solid restaurant, a relaxing spa, and several amenities for families, like a kids’ club, kiddy pool, and playground. Rooms are large enough space for an extra cot or crib, and come with flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and furnished balconies. There are 20 adjoining rooms for families and groups. Though the shingle beach isn’t the prettiest, this is a great pick for families and couples looking to spend some relaxing days in the sun.

There are 148 apartments at this four-pearl property set within Holiday World complex of other resorts and hotels. It’s a family-focused hotel with a huge number of facilities on-site, and the isolated location 20-minutes from the nearest town, means that guests rarely leave during their stay. The modern and spacious apartments have separate living areas and kitchens, and the Dinoworld Suites are designed with kids in mind. Most stay here for the excellent beach club which has water park features and sports facilities. There’s a good spa on-site too.

The Vincci Seleccion Estrella del Mar is a quiet luxury hotel, designed to encourage relaxation for the vacationing families and couples who stay here. It has direct beach access, but the hotel is somewhat isolated, with few restaurants within walking distance. There are three outdoor pools and a kids' pool, plus, for a fee, the two indoor pools, two indoor whirlpools, and outdoor infinity pool at the Beach Club. Its 137 rooms are spacious, with lovely marble bathrooms, minibars, and 24-hour room service. But in-room Wi-Fi comes with a fee, and many rooms lack coffeemakers. Larger Family Rooms and Suites are available, including two-story Duplex Suites with two full bathrooms. The hotel is a good overall value, as its rates are lower than many area hotels in its category, plus it offers free babysitting and supervised kids’ activities.

The family-friendly Gran Hotel Elba Estepona & Thalasso Spa is located along the coast, about a 22-minute drive from the heart of Estepona. The 204 rooms and suites have a classic elegance and are spacious, plus come equipped with free Wi-Fi, minibars, separate bathtubs and showers, and furnished balconies or terraces -- some with lovely sea vistas. The hotel draws equal numbers of families and couples with its three pools (one a kiddy pool), seasonal kids' club, expansive spa, and live entertainment for all ages. A range of dining options includes one buffet and three a la carte eateries, and there are all-inclusive packages. Note that some amenities are only offered in high season. The large presence of kids means the property has a bustling, often loud atmosphere.

This beachfront hotel tries to appeal to both vacationing families and couples who prefer more peace and quiet away from frolicking children. It has three outdoor pools -- a kiddie pool, a family pool with three waterfalls, and an adult-only pool. The hotel offers a free “Mini Club” in the summer for kids age 5 to 12, with indoor and outdoor play areas and supervised activities. Its 200 rooms are spacious, and come with 32-inch flat-screen TVs, minibars, shower/tub combos, and free Wi-Fi. Rates are reasonable for its category and location.

The 799-room Hotel Sol Principe is a chain hotel with an all-inclusive option on Playamar Beach. It has two huge pools and a wide variety of activities for guests of all ages. There are several bars and restaurants, and Broadway-style entertainment every night. The hotel offers many fun options: The Flinstones-themed playground has slides, swings, and trampolines. There are art and cooking classes for kids, and performances based on "Grease," "Mamma Mia," "The Lion King," and other Broadway shows.

With an array of superb facilities, the luxurious Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa attracts both families and couples seeking a sunny beach vacation. The resort features a beach club, two outdoor pools and a children's pool, a full-service spa, tennis club, and several restaurants and bars. Its 243 modern rooms come with plush beds, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi -- though some can be small and the decor in a few is a bit dated. Families are catered to with a kids' club (ages 4-12) that organizes various activities.

There are 360 suites at this four-pearl property set within a large holiday complex. It’s a stylish, family-focused hotel with lots of facilities on-site, including a massive pool with a kids' area, playground, game room, cinema, and four restaurants. The suites are huge, with two bedrooms and a living area, plus a large bathroom and balcony. Many guests stay here for the excellent beach club, which has a water park and sports courts, and is just a five-minute walk from the hotel. It’s not ideally situated for access to sights and nightlife, though, as it’s a 20-minute drive from Benalmadena and Fuengirola.

This upper-middle-range resort is conveniently located across the street from Bajondillo Beach and the beachfront promenade. It shares its features with two neighboring Melia Hotels (Sol Don Pedro, Sol Don Pablo), all of which make up The Don Hotels Complex, so guests get access to the amenities of three hotels for the price of one. There are eight different pools available with ample lounge areas (including two for children), two buffets with show cooking, and multiple bars. Other features of note include a small mirrored fitness center and a full-service spa with Roman bath, sauna, and whirlpool. In the summer, a kids' club offers arts and crafts and organized kid shows. Sol Don Marco is the quieter, more tranquil out of the three hotels that make up the Don Hotels Complex, with terraces in each room and partial sea views.

The 210-room, upper-middle-range Hotel Fuerte Estepona has a beachfront location in a quiet part of Estepona, about a 10-minute drive from the town center. Contemporary, attractive rooms are equipped with minibars, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and lovely jetted bathtubs. All have balconies, but only some are furnished and overlooking the sea. A quality list of on-site amenities includes multiple pools, including adult-only and kiddy pools, kids' club, well-appointed spa, and sports facilities.

There are 182 rooms at this three-and-a-half-pearl property set just a few minutes’ walk from the sandy beach. It’s a popular spot for tourists as there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and the beach within walking distance. The bright apartments have kitchenettes plus small dining and seating areas. Some have balconies and most have good mountain or sea views. On-site, there are plenty of amenities to keep guests busy, like a game room, kids' club, and cinema, plus a full entertainment program, a buffet restaurant, snack bar, and all-inclusive options. Babysitting is available.

The upper-middle-range Marbella Playa Hotel is a family-friendly, all-inclusive resort with a beautiful stretch of beach located 20 minutes east of Marbella's Old Town. It’s quiet and somewhat isolated, with little in reasonable walking distance, which may not suit all travelers. Buffet and a la carte dining are available at two on-site restaurants, and there are two bars as well. The 331 rooms are clean and comfortable, with air-conditioning and optional minibars, but no Wi-Fi. Lush tropical landscaping surrounds the large pool complex that includes two pools and a bar. Among the recreational facilities are beach volleyball and mini-golf, plus supervised children’s activities.

The upscale Hotel Fuerte Marbella is a stately beachfront resort that’s surrounded by shops and restaurants along the Marbella Promenade and only a five-minute walk from Old Town. It features two pools, lush tropical landscaping, and lots of outdoor seating at its restaurant, bar, and grill that’s right on the lovely beach. Its 283 rooms are clean and spacious, with upscale marble bathrooms with shower/tub combos, beautiful hardwood floors, and private balconies, many of which with ocean views. Rates are competitive for its location and category.

The 260-room Marconfort Beach Club Hotel is an all-inclusive resort property located on Playamar beach in Torremolinos, with pools galore, plenty of activities for the kids, and nightly entertainment. Families with children make up much of this hotel's clientele, and there are playgrounds, mini-golfing, a mini-disco, and a kids’ club. Rooms are simple, clean, and bright, though somewhat outdated, giving off a beach motel vibe.

This lovely boutique hotel is right on Benalmadena's beach and promenade. All 35 rooms have free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, electric kettles, flat-screen TVs, and bathrooms with separate tubs, while some have large balconies or direct pool access. There are two sylish outdoor pools (one saltwater) and a kids' club with games and toys. The hotel's Mediterranean restaurant draws praise, and there are many restaurants within a short walk. The hotel has plenty of lounge chairs set up on the beach and they are spaced to maximize privacy between pairs, which is a welcome change compared to some of the seaside resorts nearby. Free bikes and courtesy cars are also available.