Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Marbella

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.