The sunny Costa del Sol is for many reasons probably the best European destination for a great family holiday. Discover with us the best family hotels on the Costa del Sol.
Table of Contents
Why choose the Costa del Sol for your family holiday?
Firstly, Malaga airport is connected to more than 120 cities around the world and is only about 3 hours from many European cities. Secondly, there is no need to embark on an odyssey in search of sunshine, as here in Malaga we have an excellent climate all year round.
And thirdly, the Costa del Sol is a mature tourist destination. It has a complete infrastructure and leisure offer within a stone’s throw of 160 km of coastline.
Another no less important aspect considering the instability of other more distant destinations is that the Costa del Sol is a safe destination.
Read our related article Travelling with children to the Costa del Sol. There you will find everything you need to know to prepare your trip and travel with maximum peace of mind.
Also of interest to you – Leisure activities
In addition to the programmed activities of the hotels, the Costa del Sol has an almost infinite offer of family leisure activities.
Depending on the municipality where you are going to spend your holidays, you will certainly want to take a look at these options.
Water parks on the Costa del Sol
Discover the great water parks on the Costa del Sol, as well as another equally fun modality, the floating water parks.
Selwo Theme Parks
There are three Selwo parks on the Costa del Sol.
Two of them are located in Benalmádena (the Cable Car and the Delfinarium) and the third one is located in Estepona (Selwo Aventura), discover them!
Adventure sports
Adventure sports, Amazonia Adventure Park Marbella, zip lines, climbing, paragliding, rafting, kayaking, diving, horse riding and much more you will find here.
More ideas for getaways
If you want more ideas for getaways, we recommend you visit our Ultimate Guide to the Costa del Sol with new articles every week.
Surf Schools in Malaga
Did you know that in Malaga there are waves for both beginners and experienced surfers? Discover the best beaches in Malaga for surfing.
And here you find a lot of surfing offers in Malaga, for example basic courses of 2 hours, 5 hours, 2 days, 5 days or 10 days or 1 day per week, to name a few options.
Family Hotels on the Costa del Sol
The hotels listed below have been selected under the criteria of your number one priority: that your children have a good time. And you, the adults, too.
This includes firstly a swimming pool in the hotel and leisure offers and secondly services for families such as for instance mini-club, entertainment, all-inclusive and more.
Family Hotels in Nerja
Hotel Paraíso de Mar**
Charming hotel with a privileged location and stunning views of Burriana beach and the cliffs. It has a swimming pool, bicycle rental, nursery and activities for children.
Parador de Nerja****
Situated on a cliff, 3 minutes from the beach and surrounded by a large garden.
The large swimming pool has a fence around it, the leisure facilities and services for families include outdoor play equipment, indoor play area and board games, as well as a children’s menu.
El Capistrano***
Aparthotel located in an urbanisation 12 minutes’ walk from the beach. Large outdoor swimming pool.
Pets allowed. Leisure and family-friendly facilities include baby safety rails, babysitting, bicycle hire, children’s playground and children’s TV channels.
Marinas de Nerja Beach & Spa****
Aparthotel with 2 outdoor swimming pools and large garden areas with sunbeds and direct access to the beach.
It offers an all-inclusive option and an extensive daytime and evening entertainment programme, mini-club, indoor play area, babysitting and children’s buffet.
Family Hotels in Torremolinos
Hotel Sol Principe****
This hotel is located on the beachfront, with direct access to Playamar beach.
With a modern and elegant design, it has a wide range of entertainment activities for children, a swimming pool and a play area.
Hotel Sol Don Pedro****
Situated on the seafront of the sea promenade in Torremolinos.
The family hotel has a mini club for children from 5 years of age and a multi-sports court where you can play tennis, basketball, handball and football.
It has 2 swimming pools, family rooms, play areas, board games, gym and spa.
Hotel Riu Costa del Sol****
This All-inclusive hotel is located on the seafront.
It has a spa, 5 swimming pools, including a children’s pool, water park, mini-club and an extensive programme of daytime and evening activities.
Hotel Palia Las Palomas****
The hotel located 5 minutes from the beach has a swimming pool, kids club, cardoons, table tennis, billiards and a children’s play area.
Family Hotels in Benalmádena
If you are looking for a hotel that not only has a children’s pool and mini-club but your children love to play all day in the water, you will find in Benalmádena the best hotels for families that have converted a good part of their facilities into real water parks.
Globales Los Patos Park****
Located 250 metres from the beach, this hotel has its own water park.
The adult pool also has several slides, one of which has 4 lanes. There is a poolside bar.
There is also archery, evening entertainment and animation, a children’s club, table tennis and a games room.
Paladium Hotel****
Located on the beachfront, next to Benalmádena’s seafront promenade and 600 metres from the suburban train station that connects to the airport.
It has an entertainment service, children’s pool, Mini Club, shows, mini-golf, play area and babysitting.
Holiday World Riwo Hotel****
Located a 4-minute walk from the beach, this hotel is specially designed to accommodate families with children.
It has an outdoor playground and playground area, as well as an entertainment area with mini-golf, swings and many games.
In addition, there is a mini-club with slides and a ball pool where different activities are organised by a professional entertainment team.
Holiday World Polynesia****
This oriental-themed hotel with simply spectacular facilities also belongs to the same complex.
The spa has Turkish baths and a dynamic indoor pool and also has a separate children’s area.
There is a fitness centre, tennis courts, mini golf and a cinema.
The Holiday World Beach Club water park is part of this complex, with wave pool, water slides and lots of fun.
Family Hotels in Fuengirola
The offer of good family hotels on the Costa del Sol in Fuengirola is much lower.
So if you are not particularly fond of this town, we refer you to the much more interesting offers in Benalmádena and Torremolinos.
Hotel Globales Gardenia***
The Hotel is situated only a few metres from the beach and the local train line to Malaga airport.
It offers archery, live shows, evening entertainment, entertainment staff, bicycle hire, darts, Karaoke, table tennis, billiards and a children’s play area.
Myramar Fuengirola Aparthotel***
This flat hotel is situated next to the river in Fuengirola and the large Myramar shopping centre, which is also home to one of the best Skate Plazas on the Costa del Sol.
The beach and the old Moorish fortress Sohail are about 10 minutes’ walk away.
It has 3 swimming pools (one of them for children), family rooms, buffet and children’s menu and there is also a children’s club.
Family Hotels in Marbella
Most of the hotels are of a high standard, and although they are not specifically designed for families, they usually have a good service including a mini-club and entertainment for children.
Marbella Playa Hotel****
Resort located 3 minutes’ walk from the beach in the style of an Andalusian village.
It has a water park, entertainment service, Mini Club, Mini Golf, Table Tennis, a children’s play area and babysitting.
Don Carlos Resort & Spa*****
This family hotel on the Costa del Sol is situated a 2-minute´s walk from the beach and the famous Beach Club Nikki Beach.
It has large gardens, baby safety rails, outdoor play equipment, indoor play area, board games, babysitting and kids club.
Marriott’s Marbella Beach Resort****
This individual flat style resort is located on the beachfront.
The resort has a kids’ club, free cots or children’s beds, children’s pool, children’s playground, furthermore a football pitch and beach volleyball court.
Don Pepe Gran Melia*****
Located on the beachfront and set in lush gardens.
This 5-star hotel offers outdoor play equipment, an indoor play area, kids’ club, entertainment, babysitting, table tennis and tennis court.
This hotel is also pet-friendly.
Melia Marbella Banus****
Located a 5-minute walk from Puerto Banus, this 4-star hotel is surrounded by lush gardens.
It features three outdoor swimming pools (a children’s pool, a family pool with three waterfalls, and an adults-only pool).
In addition there is a Mini Club, indoor and outdoor play areas and supervised activities.
Family Hotels in Estepona
H10 Estepona Palace****
Beautiful hotel with Andalusian-style architecture right on the beach.
It has a Kids Club which organises many outdoor activities. Furthermore are available arts and crafts and painting, archery, darts, table tennis, billiards.
There is a children’s playground, a paddling pool and even a mini disco.
The spa at Estepona Palace has a sauna, Turkish bath and fitness centre.
Globales Playa Estepona****
This is the largest water park at family hotels on the Costa del Sol.
It offers a wide range of entertainment: games room, children’s playground, mini-club, in addition to tennis and paddle tennis court, archery, darts, table tennis, karaoke.