10 of the best family hotels in Lanzarote

This volcanic island, with ancient crater fields left from volcanic eruptions over the centuries, has several coastal resorts particularly suited to families.

Playa Blanca, in the south, encompasses a lovely laid-back vibe with beautiful beaches and plenty of restaurants offering an array of cuisine for the fussiest of eaters. Over on the east. coast, Puerto Del Carmen is a livelier location with lots of water sports activities for water babies of all ages.

Most of the hotel pools are outside and vary greatly in their temperature (the majority aren’t heated in the summer months) and, although the idea of a cooling swim sounds blissful in the midday heat, some younger tots would benefit from longer-sleeved swimming suits to give them both extra UV protection and warmth in the pools.

If Lanzarote doesn't take your fancy but you like the look of the Canary Islands then see our pick of the best family hotels in Gran Canaria. Alternatively, for somewhere completely different, take a look at the best family hotels in Crete. Or, if you're staying in the UK this year, we also have a roundup of the best Devon family hotels.

Best family-friendly hotels in Lanzarote at a glance:

• Best budget hotel: Hotel Cordial Marina Blanca, Playa Blanca, from £963 for 4
• Best luxury family break: Princess Yaiza Hotel, Playa Blanca, from £3,583 for 4
• Best for large family groups: Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, Playa Blanca, from £1,783 for 4
• Best for older kids: H10 Suites Lanzarote Gardens, Costa Teguise, from £1,593 for 4
• Best for preschoolers and babies: Flamingo Beach Holiday Village, Playa Blanca, from £1,557 for 4
• Best hotel with a waterpark: THB Tropical Island, Playa Blanca, from £1,293 for 4
• Best for foodies: H10 Rubicón Palace, Playa Blanca, from £1,908 for 4
• Best for kids' activities: Hotel Gran Castillo Tagoro, Playa Blanca, from £2,719 for 4
• Best for beach access: Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa, from £1,590 for 4
• Best eco hotel: Eco Village, Finca de Arrieta, North Lanzarote, from £1,986 for 4

When is the best time of year to visit?

Popular all year round, Lanzarote is particularly ideal for winter sun (and usually quieter at this time of year) because it sits closer to North Africa than Spain.

It's the most northern island of the Canary archipelago and therefore a popular destination for UK holiday-makers all year round. Temperatures rarely drop below 23 degrees in the winter/autumn months and can hit the mid-30s in the height of summer.

What is the flight time from the UK?

Lanzarote is a short 4-hour flight from the UK, perfect for medium-haul winter sunshine.

Which are the biggest attractions in Lanzarote?

As well as the white-sandy beaches and coves, it’s worth paying a visit to Timanfaya National Park to see the ancient crater fields left from volcanic eruptions over the centuries.

Dolphin tours are also popular and there are lots of boat trips offering excursions to spot these beautiful creatures prancing in and out of the crystal clear water.

The main water park on the island is the AquaLava water park which is open all year round and situated in Playa Blanca. It’s fun for all ages and at certain times of the year, you can book transfers from the hotel.

Here are the 10 best family-friendly hotels in Lanzarote...

1. Hotel Cordial Marina Blanca, Playa Blanca

– Best budget hotel

Star rating: 4

Price: Family apartment from £963 for 4 on a B&B basis in August 2023 | Number of bedrooms: 96 | Board: Self-catering or B&B | Number of swimming pools: 1 | Kids club: No | Lanzarote Airport: 31km | Renovated in 2022

With just 1 large swimming pool, this hotel is perfect for families who like a straightforward set-up on holiday, whilst still having lots of things to see and do. The pool can get busy, but it equally never feels overly crowded – and you are never far from water, with the light sandy shores of Playa Dorada beach a short 500m away, Playa Blanca just over 1km away and Papagayo around 3km. The Rubicon Marina, which has plenty of shops and restaurants, is also only a 10-minute stroll away.

There's no kids club on site, but at the hotel you’ll find a children’s playground, perfect for younger kids, as well as sports equipment, like a table tennis area, that older ones will enjoy. And if screentime is in order, you’ll be relieved to hear that Wi-Fi is strong throughout the hotel.

Being newly renovated, the rooms feel fresh and clean, and several TripAdvisor reviewers who visited with children praised the size and spacious feel of the rooms. The fact they included freezers, handy for storing holiday essentials like ice creams, also got the thumbs up.

There are plenty of sun loungers available which means you don’t have to stress about being early to the poolside, and you can hire beach towels for 10 Euros – which you get back at the end of your stay – helping to save on suitcase space. Also, before you splash out on a fancy blow-up flamingo, it’s worth noting that inflatables aren’t allowed in the pool.

If you’ve opted for self-catering, you can still add breakfast to your stay for EUR8.50 – ideal if you haven’t had time to visit the supermarket nearby or if you simply fancy a change. There are lots of child-friendly options like yoghurts and pancakes, guaranteed to go down a storm.

Pros: Perfect for young families who enjoy a quieter holiday, lots of sun loungers around the pool, newly refurbished hotel, short walk to the beach, option to add breakfast
Cons: Only one pool, pool bar/snack bar closes early, no inflatables allowed in the pool, no kids club, no all-inclusive option

Book at: Hotel Cordial Marina Blanca, Playa Blanca

2. Princess Yaiza Hotel

– Best luxury family break

Star rating: 5

Price: Royal Family room from £3,583 for 4 on a B&B basis in August 2023 | Number of bedrooms: 385 | Board: B&B and Half board| Number of swimming pools: 6 | Kids club: 3-16 years | Arecife Airport: 35km | Large spa and gym

You’ll feel like royalty in this grand hotel complex, which offers plenty in terms of size and facilities. It’s perfect for families who have active children, with the Kikoland play area absolute heaven for children aged 3-16 years.

As well as soft play, ball pits and cargo nets, there are lots of activities on offer, including pedalos, tennis court, beach volleyball, table tennis and boule, plus a football court and a football academy which is an extremely popular and great way for your children to make new friends. Little ones under 3 can still enjoy the dedicated baby and toddler soft play and ball pit area but be aware they will need to be accompanied by an adult.

If you can prise your children away from Kikoland, there are 4 outdoor pools and an indoor children’s pool. The outside pools are all surrounded by well-spaced-out sun loungers and large parasols, offering plenty of shade for the kids. Many TripAdvisor reviewers who visited with family praised the amount of entertainment for small children, as well as the accessibility around the hotel for pushchairs.

For a change of scene, Dorada beach, with its long stretch of white sand and promenade full of shops and restaurants, is just a short stroll away.

With 8 restaurants to choose from you are spoilt for choice in terms of cuisine: the Yaiza buffet restaurant has ‘show cooking’ where you can watch delicious dishes being prepared, plus there is an Italian, Mexican, Japanese and Tapas restaurant. But if the children are tired after all the fun of Kikoland and you’d prefer to chill in your room, there’s a supermarket on-site and a kitchenette area for you to feed your little holidaymakers too.

Pros: Variety of restaurants, accessible, lots of children’s activities, great kids play area, multiple pools
Cons: No all-inclusive option, some of the family rooms are quite far away from the main reception, expensive

Book at: Princess Yaiza Hotel

3. Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, Playa Blanca

– Best for large family groups

Star rating: 4

Price: Family junior suite from £1,783 for 4 on a B&B basis in August 2023 | Number of bedrooms: 91 | Board: All-inclusive and Half board | Number of swimming pools: 4 | Kids club: 4-12 years | Lanzarote Airport: 24km

Finding enough space if you are travelling as a larger family or group can be tricker in some resorts, however you won’t feel short changed when it comes to the accommodation at this whitewashed village-style hotel. Even the largest families are catered for, with interconnecting suites sleeping up to 8 and all rooms feeling bright and airy.

While some all-inclusive hotels can be a nightmare for fussy-eating families, due to the lack of variety, it’s certainly not the case here. MFM parent reviewer Hannah, was very impressed with the catering options for her picky toddlers (aged 2 and 3) and, being vegetarian herself, was pleased to see such an extensive meat-free menu. The main buffet-style restaurant, Yaiza, has different themed nights serving delicious international dishes, but there's also an Italian and a Brasserie restaurant. The pizza at the Italian especially comes highly recommended by both Hannah and her children.

The Pepeland kids club caters for children from 4 to 12 years and hosts a number of activities, as well as a nightly disco that even the most timid little mover and shaker will be joining in with by the end of the holiday. There is also a playground, soft play area, tennis and football court, plus a beach volleyball court. If you have older siblings in your group, there’s a ‘cooler’ video game area for teens wanting a break from the younger activities.

Four swimming pools means there’s plenty of splashing around space, but the water-slide pool is especially popular so you might want to set up camp nearby if you have little adventurers who never tire of the rides! If you venture out from the hotel, the beach is a slightly further toddle than others in the area (it’s not right on the doorstep, more like a 15-minute walk) so you it could be worth planning beach days as separate excursions. MFM parent tester Julie said a pull-along trolley was an absolute lifesaver for wheeling her 2 tired children, aged 4 and 6 years, back to the hotel after a day playing in the sand.

Pros: Good mix of restaurants, adjoining rooms for bigger families, video games area for older children, multiple pools, plenty of activities for children, all-inclusive option
Cons: No kids club for under 4s, 15-minute walk to the beach

Book at: Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, Playa Blanca

4. H10 Suites Lanzarote Gardens, Costa Teguise

– Best for older kids

Star rating: 4

Price: Family suite from £1,593 for 4 on a B&B basis in August 2023 | Number of bedrooms: 584 | Board: All-inclusive, Half board and B&B | Number of swimming pools: 3 | Kids clubs: 6 months to 17 years| Lanzarote airport: 12km | Water sports available

Get ready to party as you cool off in the water as this hotel offers an inflatable pool day – and it’s almost as popular as the foam party, which many TripAdvisor reviewers who visited with older children, mentioned was a particular highlight. Activities like this, as well as Zumba and aqua aerobics, are usually quite busy and as there are only 3 pools means you might have to wait a bit if you only want a dip in the pool. Although watching is just as entertaining! Once a week there is also an extended disco with dance area by the pool – this can sometimes go on quite late, so more suitable for older children or those who can cope with later bedtimes.

The sports available include football, water polo, shuffleboard, rifle shooting, darts, pistol shooting, aerobics and a treasure hunt. There is also a selection of water sports run by the hotel (you have to be 9 years and up to take part), including scuba diving and snorkelling. If your youngster enjoys snorkelling, Playa del Jablilo beach is perfect for this while Playa Cuchara, the go-to beach for windsurfers, is only 200m walk from the hotel if you wanted to carry on a water sports adventure theme.

If you have opted for half board, the hotel has been known to swap your evening meal to lunch on request (worth asking), which gives you more options to explore the nearby restaurants in the evening if you don’t want to stick with the Famara restaurant on-site. This buffet eatery offers ‘show cooking’ and there is a separate kids’ buffet – but it can get quite busy.

There’s a range of kids clubs catering for babies up to teens. The Junior Club Daisy, aimed at 9-14 year olds, offers use of game consoles as well as team games and music and drama activities, while the slightly older ones in the Teen Club Daisy (13-17 year olds) offer that plus more water-based sports. There’s also the Mini Club Daisy and Children’s Club that offer a host of craft and art activities too (from 3-8 years) and a creche for babies.

Pros: Great range of kids clubs, lots of water sports available, something for every age, close to the beach, all-inclusive option
Cons: Restaurants can get very busy, pools get busy at certain times of the day

Book at: H10 Suites Lanzarote Gardens, Costa Teguise

5. Flamingo Beach Holiday Village, Playa Blanca

– Best for preschoolers and babies

Star rating: 3

Price: 2-bed family rooms from £1,557 for 4 on an all-inclusive basis in August 2023 | Number of bedrooms: 303 | Board: All-inclusive and Self-catering | Number of swimming pools: 6 | Kids club :3-12 years | Lanzarote airport: 25km | Spa facilities

Flamingo Beach Holiday Village, just a short stroll from the beach, boasts 5 outdoor pools and 1 indoor pool, offering plenty of choice for water babies and splash-mad kids. The family rooms are spacious and clean, and the vibe is reflected outside through the well-tended and brightly coloured gardens.

The proximity to Playa Blanca, which is accessible along a flat buggy-friendly coastal path, is a big draw. MFM parent tester, Rosie, who visited with her 5- and 3-year-olds, said: “We hired bikes from the resort and cycled along the bay of Playa Blanca, which is flat and pedestrianised for walkers and cyclists.” With plenty of stop-off points for paddling along the route and a variety of restaurants and souvenir shops in Playa Blanca, it’s ideal for family-friendly day trips.

The swimming pool areas provide lots of fun, as the characters from the kids club are brought out to meet the children each morning. Parents will be happy to hear there’s lots of seating around the pools to watch what’s going on and keep an eye on the kids, but limited parasols can be a problem if it’s busy and you need to keep younger ones in the shade. You may find a beach tent useful.

For families travelling with older children as well as younger ones, there is also The Hangout – a spot where teens aged from 12 to 15 can chill out and relax in their own space, away from their parents. And the littlest members of the family are in for a treat too, with parent and baby wellbeing sessions for under 3s at the on-site spa, as well as family sessions for all ages that focus on mindfulness, using yoga and play. The handy downloadable kids club app gives loads of information about what’s going on each day.

The food options and buffets are plentiful with many TripAdvisor reviewers who visited as families with children who were ‘fussy eaters’ praising the variety of meal choices.

Pros: On the beach, short walk to Playa Blanca, downloadable kids club app, on-site spa, good value for all-inclusive, something for all ages, multiple pools
Cons: Limited parasols around some parts of the swimming pool, no sunbed hire on the beach

Read the full MFM Flamingo Beach Holiday Village, Lanzarote, review

Book at: Flamingo Beach Holiday Village, Playa Blanca

6. THB Tropical Island, Playa Blanca

– Best hotel with a waterpark

Star rating: 4

Price: Family premium apartment £1,293 for 4 on a B&B basis in August 2023 | Number of bedrooms: 414 | Board: All-inclusive, B&B and Half board | Number of swimming pools: 11 | Kids club: 4-12 years | Lanzarote Airport: 14km | Waterpark on-site

It’s fair to say that a hotel that features 5 children’s pools as well as 2 splash parks is going to be a big hit with children that like to spend the majority of their holiday in the water. There are also 2 giant swimming pools, complete with water slides you’ll be hard pushed to drag the kids away from. Some of the bigger pools are the most popular (there is always plenty of seating around so this isn’t really a problem) but the smaller pools are often the quietest and can mean you feel like you have you own private splash zone. Talking of splashing, the splash parks are great fun for little dippers, with sprinklers, water fountains, dumping buckets and slides providing hours of fun. Several TripAdvisor reviewers, who visited the water parks with little ones, suggested that water shoes were a good idea in this area as some parts can be quite slippery.

If you’re spending most of your days by the pools, it’s handy to know that the snack/bar areas offer lots of kid-friendly fast-food options like pizza and chicken nuggets, to allow a quick re-fuelling for hungry tummies. These are quite popular, and the queues can sometimes be quite long, but the staff are good at keeping things moving along as quickly as possible.

If you can convince the kids to venture away from the poolside for food there are 3 à la carte restaurants, plus all hotel apartments have a kitchenette and living area if you want to whip up something yourself. There is also a fitness centre and spa if you manage to get some time out yourself, plus tennis courts, football courts and a very popular football academy scheme run for children between 5 and 15 years old. The hotel runs a free shuttle bus to the closest beach as well.

Pros: Excellent choice of pools/splash parks, pool snack bars good for fussy eaters, kitchenette in all apartments, all-inclusive option available
Cons: Queues can be long at pool snack bars, beach isn’t walking distance

Book at: THB Tropical Island, Playa Blanca

7. H10 Rubicón Palace, Playa Blanca

– Best for foodies

Star rating: 5

Price: Double room from £1,908 for 4 on a B&B basis in August 2023 | Number of bedrooms: 584 | Board: All-inclusive, B&B and Half board | Number of swimming pools: 8 | Kids club: 4-12 years | Lanzarote Airport: 35km | Dogs allowed

If you like to feel like you are getting your mouth-watering money’s worth when you’re on holiday, having the option to choose to dine in 6 restaurants is certainly going to whet your appetite. Two buffet restaurants offer ‘show cooking’ and themed dinners with al fresco dining. The Janubio buffet is especially popular with families, thanks to its pasta and grill rotisserie and kids’ serving corner. À la carte options include The Steakhouse, which offers American cuisine, the Dolce Vita featuring traditional Italian dishes and Sakura, which serves fusion-oriental cuisine. For light bites, La Choza restaurant serves fast food from the bar area (plus sweet treats like mini donuts and yogurts), while the Sports Bar Beefeater offers a few bar snacks to enjoy while catching up on the latest sporting news. A few TripAdvisor reviewers who visited with young children found the buffet queues long and slow moving due to their popularity, meaning it’s worth joining the queues as early as possible to prevent any hangry toddler outbursts. It’s also useful to download the hotel app to allow you to book tables and check out the activity listings and entertainment schedule.

As well as top notch food offerings, the on-site kids clubs are a real stand out feature of this Lanzarote hotel. For toddlers there’s a crèche service, while the Daisy Mini Club is aimed at 4–8-year-olds and has an activity playhouse for crafts, arts and games, plus a playground and mini disco entertainment in the evenings too. Older kids (9–12-year-olds) can join in the Junior Club which regularly hosts sports competitions and scavenger hunts – there are even PlayStation and Wii consoles to keep the gamers happy. There are 3 kids’ pools to enjoy ( plus 5 adult ones) and lots of sun loungers situated around the swimming pool areas.

Pros: Handy app to book tables and view entertainment programmes, great choice of kids clubs, lots of restaurants to choose from, multiple pools, close to beach, all-inclusive option
Cons: Buffet queues can be long, expensive

Book at: H10 Rubicón Palace, Playa Blanca

8. Hotel Gran Castillo Tagoro, Playa Blanca

– Best for kids' activities

Star rating: 5

Price: Superior Double Family room from £2,719 for 4 on an all-inclusive basis in August 2023 | Number of bedrooms: 327 | Board: All-inclusive | Number of swimming pools: 6 | Kids club: 4-12 years | Lanzarote Airport: 21km

Fairytale themed rooms? Yes, really! Here at Hotel Gran Castillo Tagoro you can chose to book into the supremely family-friendly Merlin room, which has sliding connecting doors between the calm adult sleeping area and the fairytale kids’ room complete with play tent, toys, their own TV and chalk board. Alternatively opt for one of the chic and stylish suites or family rooms that can sleep up to 4.

There’s a fantastic choice of 5 pools for the kids to make the most of – there’s also an adults-only pool. There are 2 large, beach-water style pools (you paddle out and the water gets deeper) as well as a splash park pool, complete with a rather impressive dragon-tail slide. Just be aware that this pool doesn’t have sunbeds around it and only a small number of chairs which get taken quite quickly and early on. The bigger pools allowed inflatables between 12.30-2pm (you’ll find this was strictly adhered to), however little tots are allowed small rubber rings throughout the day.

The castle-themed kids club (for 4- to 12-year-olds) runs a packed schedule of activities, and the hotel also boasts a creche for babies 6 months and over, a children’s playground, mini-disco, sports courts and 5D cinema. The Kids Club, which is open 11am-1pm and 3-5pm, is bookable on the day but it’s best to book in advance during the summer months as it’s extremely popular.

We love the kid-friendly touches, like the Rincesa Dacil snack bar, which is a self-service snack buffet designed especially for children in its décor and ease of use. Plus, the food on offer will satisfy even the fussiest of eaters thanks to its menu of snack items like fruit, sandwiches and ice creams, and self-service soft drinks throughout the day.

Pros: Specially designed family rooms, great choice of kids clubs, lots of activities for children, fun water slides, interconnecting rooms, all-inclusive option, next to beach
Cons: Expensive, limited seating by water slide pool, pool inflatables only allowed at certain times

Book at: Hotel Gran Castillo Tagoro, Playa Blanca

9. Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa, Playa Blanca

– Best beach access

Star rating: 5

Price: Double room from £1,590 for 4 on a B&B basis in August 2023 | Number of bedrooms: 465 | Board: All-inclusive, Half board and B&B | Number of swimming pools: 7 | Kids club: 4-12 years | Lanzarote Airport: 22.5km

A pedestrian-only promenade links this luxurious hotel to the sea front, marina and shops, making access for those with young children or mobility issues far easier. MFM parent tester Belinda said “We stayed here when my youngest was 18 months and we were able to push the pram right down to the sea. My older son, aged 4, was also able to enjoy a steadier walk under foot, too.”

The hotel has had a recent upgrade, which means that it’s now a popular choice for families. With its unbeatable spot on the beach, 7 pools – including an Olympic-sized splash zone and one with slides for adventure paddlers (and which are all heated in the cooler months) – and 5 restaurants, as well as an excellent choice of accessible rooms, it’s not hard to see why. Everything at this hotel seems large (every room has a 65” TV screen, extra-large toiletries and sun cream included), giving you a sense of space even in the super busy summer months. The kids club has outdoor play equipment as well as indoor facilities and board games and puzzles, but it’s not quite as well equipped as others in our round-up. However, if your children like to be entertained in the evening, there is a nightly disco at 5pm which can help tire them out before bed.

There are 5 restaurants to choose from, including the World Café which is the main buffet eatery serving. As the name suggests, it offers a good range of international cuisines and puts on ‘show cooking’ nightly. There is also an Asian eatery and Sabor, which provides more traditional and local dishes, as well as a pool side bar for snacks. TripAdvisor reviewers who were staying here with young children found that queues for the restaurants and bars were particularly “slow” because staff had to check room numbers and board basis for each guest, but it’s worth it for the delicious fare on offer.

Pros: Accessible rooms, lots of room around the hotel, multiple pools, good choice of restaurants, great access to the beach, all-inclusive option, toiletries included
Cons: Long queues in restaurants, kids club doesn’t offer as many activities as others

Book at: Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa, Playa Blanca

10. Eco Village, Finca de Arrieta, North Lanzarote

– Best eco hotel

Star rating: Doesn’t have a star rating

Price: Family yurt with sea view £1,986 for 4 on a self-catering basis in August 2023 | Number of rooms: 17 | Board: Self-catering | Number of swimming pools: 2 | Kids club: No | Arrecife Airport: 20km | Eco-friendly

If you’re after a completely different style of summer holiday – no kids clubs, no buffet restaurants, no noisy evening entertainment, just back to nature – then the Eco Village in Finca de Arrieta is going to tick all those boxes. TripAdvisor reviewers who visited with family praised the “chilled and relaxed vibe” of the village being the perfect antidote to the noisy, more lively nature of some hotels on the island. All styles of accommodation (there are 17 types to choose from including beach yurts, Mongolian yurts, traditional villas and family cottages) are off-grid and all electricity is provided by wind turbines and solar panels making it the largest green energy hotel on the island.

Youngsters will quickly get into the laid-back vibe of the location, where you are encouraged to recycle everything and give all scraps of food to the chickens – collecting fresh eggs from the hen house is a particularly fun and alternative form of children’s entertainment! There is a large trampoline and solar-powered swimming pools to keep youngsters happy, plus a play park and communal ‘chill area’ where you can mix with fellow guests while the children splash about. There are also donkeys to feed, and yoga and stretch classes to attend, plus lots of beach toys including body boards, buckets and spades to use free of charge.

Situated just 350 yards from the sandy shores of Tabayesco, you’ll feel like you’re living on your own peaceful island. There are BBQs to use if you wish and a large outside living room with a Balinese style seating hut if you want to sit outside your accommodation and watch the sun set with your children, enjoying the simple pleasures of Mother Nature. If you do venture further afield, a 15-minute walk away will take you to a pretty quiet but well-serviced beach in Arrieta with beach bar and restaurant. It’s the ultimate ‘get away from it all’ family holiday.

Pros: Close to the beach, good range of accommodation, back to nature vibe, plenty to keep the kids occupied, great eco-friendly choice, no all-inclusive option
Cons: No kids club, no evening entertainment on-site, expensive, self-catering only

Book at: Eco Village, Finca de Arrieta, North Lanzarote