Where to stay in Blackpool: the best family-friendly hotels and B&Bs

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more traditional British summer holiday destination than Blackpool. With its wide sandy beaches, fun attractions and iconic tower, it’s been a favourite holiday spot for families since the Victorian era.

Located on the Lancashire coast, Blackpool’s famous Pleasure Beach is home to The Big One - once the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world. Aside from adrenaline-inducing rides, there’s a Sea Life Centre, Zoo and illuminations in the autumn and winter to take in.

Mumsnetters are fond of this unpretentious, fun-packed seaside town, and they’re on hand to recommend the best places to stay for your next family visit.

What are the best family hotels and B&Bs in Blackpool?

• Best seafront hotel: Boulevard Hotel 

• Best B&B: Rossall House

• Best for a budget break: Premier Inn Blackpool Beach

• Best for babies and toddlers: Ribby Hall Village

• Best for entertainment: Doric Hotel

1. Best overall hotel: Big Blue Hotel

Big Blue Hotel | Check availability

"We’ve stayed at the Big Blue Hotel a couple of times. Really enjoyed it both times, kids liked the novelty of seeing the rollercoasters out of the bedroom window!" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, Retrievemysanity

"We stayed in the Big Blue Hotel and loved it. Rooms had giant snakes and ladders on the wall for the kids and TVs at the end of their bunks so nice as a treat" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Meltedicicle

Blackpool’s Big Blue Hotel is Mumsnetters’ favourite for a family trip to the seaside resort. Standing right next door to the Pleasure Beach theme park, its family rooms come with PS3 consoles, fun decor and room for two adults and up to three children. Accessible family rooms are available, and there’s an on-site gym and a private entrance to the theme park. It’s just across the road from the beach and waterpark, and Blackpool tower is two miles down the road.

Nearest train station: Blackpool Pleasure Beach (0.1 mile)

2. Best budget hotel: Premier Inn, Blackpool Beach

Premier Inn Blackpool Beach | Check availability

"The Premier Inn is cheaper and has a soft play in the pub attached" - recommended by Mumsnet user, itcamefrombeckyvardysaccount

Mumsnetters like a Premier Inn because you know you can expect a comfortable, clean room wherever you are in the UK. Blackpool’s Premier Inn is a few streets back from the seafront, just a short walk from all the attractions. The on-site pub has a play area, and accessible rooms are available. WiFi is included in the room price and family rooms start at £39 if you book well in advance.

Nearest train station: Blackpool South (0.5 miles)

3. Best seafront hotel: Boulevard Hotel

Boulevard Hotel | Check availability

For a little luxury, the Boulevard Hotel is right next to the Pleasure Beach and looks out over the Irish Sea. Family rooms are available with a sea view or a view of the theme park, and bunk beds are kitted out with a TV each. Rooms come with tea and coffee making facilities and a fridge - but be careful not to get stung by the minibar prices.

Nearest train station: Blackpool Pleasure Beach (0.3 miles)

4. Best family-friendly B&B: Rossall House

Rossall House | Check availability

"We stayed at a nice B&B 5 years ago called Rossall House & just checking on TripAdvisor now they've still got excellent reviews" - recommended by Mumsnet user, MissCalamity

Rossall House B&B is two-minute walk from the beach and offers a homely atmosphere close to all of Blackpool’s most famous attractions. The deluxe family option sleeps five in interconnected rooms, with an en suite bathroom, a fridge and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Breakfast is a proper fry up, and there are plenty of restaurants nearby, including one of the largest Wetherspoons in the country, the Velvet Coaster.

Nearest train station: Blackpool Pleasure Beach (0.9 miles)

5. Best hotel with a spa: Village Hotel Blackpool

Village Hotel Blackpool | Check availability

"We stayed at the Village Hotel in Blackpool last weekend and it was really good. It’s about 2km from the beach but the facilities at the hotel were brilliant (the pool especially), we went at half term so it was busy but still relaxed and friendly. The area the hotel is in was really lovely - I’d def recommend it!" - recommended by Mumsnet user, Beerincomechampagnetastes

Right next to Blackpool Zoo, Village Hotel has it all. Set in 230 acres of parkland and lakes, there’s a golf course, a gym and indoor and outdoor pools. The beach is a quick 10-minute drive away, and the Village Hotel is a great choice to see another side of Blackpool without missing out on the classic attractions and seaside. Family rooms are available, sleeping up to four, and the hotel can provide a travel cot on request.

Nearest train station: Blackpool north (1.7 miles)

6. Best hotel for entertainment: Doric Hotel

Doric Hotel | Check availability

"Get a hotel with a pool. I've always stayed at The Doric which has indoor & outdoor pools & has entertainment each night which includes things for children during the earlier evening" - tried and tested by Mumsnet user, Nat6999

Situated on Queen’s Promenade with gorgeous views of the Irish Sea, the Doric is a traditional hotel with a games room, an arcade and evening entertainment every night. There’s a heated outdoor pool, plus an indoor pool with a sauna and steam room. Family rooms sleep four or five, with bunk beds and a double in one large, en suite room. The hotel is across the road from Bispham beach, out of the way of the crowds, and about three miles from the Pleasure Beach.

Nearest train station: Blackpool North (1.1 miles)

7. Best hotel with large rooms: The Lawton

The Lawton | Check availability

"We have stayed in the Lawton hotel in Charnley road a couple of times. They have family rooms with a double, a single and bunk beds with a double at the bottom. The hotel is quite central and the breakfast is lovely, they were very welcoming with the children as well" - recommended by Mumsnet user, biscies

This bright green hotel is hard to miss. Located in the centre of Blackpool, it’s a seven-minute walk to the beach, with family rooms available to sleep three, four or five in double, bunk and single beds. The Sea Life Centre is a short walk away, as is Blackpool Tower. The hotel has a cosy restaurant serving full English breakfasts every morning, and a large car park - though you do have to pay extra for parking.

Nearest train station: Blackpool North (0.8 miles)

8. Best hotel for babies and toddlers: Ribby Hall Village

Ribby Hall Village | Check availability

"Try Ribby Hall for a more family based location, it's a holiday village about 10/15 minutes from Blackpool. You can explore other bits of the area, the nearby village is lovely, Lytham and St Anne's too" - recommended by Mumsnet user, GuyFawkesDay

Just outside of Blackpool you’ll find Ribby Hall Village - a collection of self-catering cottages, lodges and a motel, with lots to do on-site. Brilliant for little ones, there are swimming pools, a playground, a woodland trail and a soft play centre, and be sure not to miss Wild Discovery, the on-site zoo. Larger accommodation is available, with model and period buildings sleeping up to 14. If you’re heading to Lancashire and want to see Blackpool as well as some of the quieter parts of the county, Ribby Hall is a great choice.

Nearest train station: Kirkham & Wesham (1.3 miles)

Which is the best part of Blackpool to stay?

Blackpool isn’t huge, so you’ll be able to visit all the attractions, wherever you set up camp. Opt for the seafront to be where the action is, or stay near the zoo for a quieter trip. Mumsnetters recommend Lytham St. Annes as a bolthole to explore the area, with Blackpool as a must-see day trip.

What are the best family attractions in Blackpool?

The sandy beach is a big draw for families, as are the rides at the Pleasure Beach theme park. For a bit of history, head up Blackpool Tower and look out over the Irish Sea through the 5cm thick glass viewing platform. Further afield, Mumsnetters love the zoo and model village.

When’s the best time to visit Blackpool?

Weekends can get busy and rowdy, with lots of hen and stag parties descending for Friday night revelling. The beach is best enjoyed in the sun, so a midweek break in the summer is the perfect time to visit Blackpool.

What’s the best family-friendly hotel in Blackpool?

The best family-friendly hotel in Blackpool is the Big Blue Hotel. Situated right next to the Pleasure Beach, it’s family-oriented and simple, with fun top of the agenda.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there's nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what family hotels in Blackpool were being recommended.

We then did some research, looking at what family hotels in Blackpool had won accolades or been featured in 'best choice' lists across travel publications and what user reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best family hotels in Blackpool.

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.