For those wanting to keep flight time and jet lag to a minimum, the Canaries offer an excellent option. In winter, the average daytime temperature sits at around 20°C, meaning the kids can stay out on the beach all day long. Today there are some superb family resorts which compete with some of the best in the world. If you make time to venture away from the conurbations, the islands are a fascinating mix of volcanoes, deserts, forests and savanna’s.
If that’s not your thing, the islands of Tenerife and Lanzarote have many fun family attractions like water parks, zoos and theme parks.
Here is a quick run down on our recommendations. Please drop us a line if you would like to discuss which resort is best for you.
GRAN HOTEL BAHIA DEL DUQUE RESORT
This beautiful resort offers the best of both worlds for families. It’s large enough to have all the facilities to keep the kids thoroughly entertained, yet the clever way the rooms and suites are divided between nineteen houses gives the air of a smaller hotel. We can help finding the right rooming options for you.
In addition to the superb facilities, (which include five swimming pools, eight restaurants, sports facilities and excellent kids club from three years upwards), the hotel really gets it right in the little things that matter for families. For those with babies and younger ones there are nappy changing facilities in the rooms, and the super friendly team will bend over backwards to help, whether it be heating up baby food or keeping the little ones entertained whilst you have five minutes respite. For older families the kids club is welcoming and there are always fun activities to join in on.
PRINCESS YAIZA
Excellent 5 star family hotel in Playa Blanca on the South Coast of Lanzarote. It does have that large resort feel to it, but the pools, beach, rooms and children’s facilities are all spot on. There is excellent family suite accommodation in a separate family annex which provides great value for money. As an added bonus the shops and cafés of the Playa Blanca are within easy walking distance, making it easy to get out and about without having to rely on taxis.
RITZ-CARLTON ABAMA
One of the best known resorts on the island of Tenerife, the Abama is an excellent option for families looking for an all-out, all-singing, all-dancing luxury resort experience. The kids club runs daily for 4 – 12 year olds, it’s free of charge from 10 – 6, but from six to midnight there is a small charge. There are good rooming options for families including interconnecting rooms and private villas. The dining is superb with a total of 10 restaurants including two with Michelin stars. There is a superb 72 hole golf course, an excellent spa, no less than seven swimming pools and an excellent man made beach.