3 great family hotels in Lanzarote

I’ve written before about Lanzarote and how much I like it as a destination for families. I visited on a trip sponsored by the Spain Tourist Board and was blown away by the array of things to do (beaches! Camel-riding! Volcanos! Cesar Manrique!). (See my top 10 things to do with children on the island.)

We also got to explore 3 fab hotels perfectly suited for families. While each of these would be great with kids of every age, in my mind they fit neatly into the categories below according to how old your children are. Check them out and see which suits your family best!

 

Grand Teguise Playa Hotel

Best for: Under 12s who enjoy a kids club, teens who can hang out at the disco

 

 

This hotel with an all-inclusive option sits right on the beach, with a freshwater kids pool, 2 adult seawater pools and a kids club for 4- to 12-year-olds during the high season. There are tennis courts, ping pong tables, a pool table and a long list of daytime entertainment (minigolf, volleyball, basketball) and nighttime fun (bingo, performances). Walking into the hotel has real ‘wow’ factor — just past the entrance it opens up into a huge atrium with plants growing and a ground-floor bar that turns into an evening discotheque with DJ. Every room has a balcony with a view and the buffets serve food that even the fussiest of young eaters will enjoy. The hotel is in the process of renovating so ask for a room on an upper floor to enjoy the fresh blue and white new look and request something a bit further from the dance floor if you’re not interested in boogie’ing the night away as the music can get a bit loud.

www.teguiseplayahotel.com
Avda. del Jabillo S/N 35508, Costa Teguise Lanzarote, Islas Canarias Spain
+34 928 59 06 54

 

Sentido Aequora Lanzarote

Best for: Babies, tweens and young teens

 

 

 

The entrance to this sprawling complex feels more like an office lobby than a resort reception, but just wait till you walk through to the luxurious accommodations and facilities that spread out over the site. Whitewashed apartment-style complexes landscaped with palm trees are organised into family-friendly and adults-only sections, so you know you’ll be surrounded by like-minded parents. I was glad to see they also have a bank of ground-floor mobility-impaired accommodations. You can opt for an all-inclusive package — the buffet restaurants were cheerful and lively, with themed food nights and a special tiny kids’ buffet. Or try the a la carte options. We had Spanish food and wine at Don Paco, which was not only delicious but had views out the sliding glass doors to the evening talent show, presented by staff, some of whom had real star quality!

 

 

 

As for activities, choose from one of the pools (again, there’s adults-only as well as a colourful, cheerful one with slides, dunk buckets, sprayers and mini-pirate ship for kids), sport courts, mini-disco and archery. The 6km beach is a short walk away. The rooms are bold and colourful and the entire complex is chic. Pack your kaftan and waft round with the kids.

www.sentidohotels.com/en
C/ Urano, s/n 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Lanzarote, Spain
+34 928 51 43 00

 

Arrecife Gran Hotel & Spa

Best for: Tweens, teens and older

 

 

The Arrecife Gran Hotel stands head and shoulders above other accommodation on Lanzarote —  literally. It’s the only high rise on El Reducto Beach, which means views galore from the rooftop pool, bar and lounge, the restaurants, and the rooms. The disco nights are said to be hopping; I’d love to come hang out by the pool and order from the special smoothie menu with our 14- and 18-year-old. Every restaurant features breathtaking views over the beach or the city. We ate at Star City Coffee & Gastro Bar, which had the perfect casual menu, great for sharing, with fish and chips, croquettes, small lamb burgers and other tasty dishes.

 

 

 

 

The Aquaplus spa showers and pools along with the treatment rooms called to me (we only got to peek at them; no full-body rubdown this time, sadly); surely any stay here calls for a volcanic stone massage?

You’ll be well-positioned to head out each day to the frolic on the white-sand shores, walk the boardwalk or venture further afield via car or taxi to Rancho Texas wildlife park or the mall which has the Starlight Rooftop  open air cinema and 6D cinema simulator. (The short films with seats that shimmy and lurch, water and “snow” effects, and hair-raising visuals had me yelping and grabbing my friend in excitement.)

www.aghotelspa.com
Parque Islas Canarias, s/n, 35500 Arrecife, Las Palmas, Spain
+34 928 80 00 00

 

Have you stayed at any of these hotels? Got other recommendations in Lanzarote? I’d love to hear them! Leave them in the comments below.

Jenography was a guest of the hotels mentioned. All opinions are my own.