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Best hotels and resorts with kids’ clubs for fun family holidays
Looking for a holiday where everyone gets to relax? A hotel or resort with a kids' club is the answer, and we’ve rounded up the best of the bunch right here, as recommended by real parents.
By Poppy O'Neill | Last updated Jun 3, 2024
Going on holiday loses some of its restorative power once you add kids into the mix. While you’ve got sun, sea and no school run, there’s still the small matter of feeding, supervising and caring for the little rascals, which takes up a lot of time - time that could be spent sipping sangria and doing absolutely nothing.
Enter the kids’ club. A wonderful invention where high energy hotel employees take the kids off your hands for a few hours, entertain them and wear them out. While you’re child-free, you can sample the hotel’s spa menu, take a nap, go for a meal… you’re free!
Understandably, a good kids’ club is worth its weight in gold, and knowing which resorts you can rely on to give your children a brilliant holiday is high on parents’ list of priorities. That’s why we’ve turned to well-travelled Mumsnetters for their recommendations.
Playa Blanca
A classic holiday destination, Lanzarote enjoys year-round sunshine and the Princesa Yaiza hotel is a top choice for a family break. It's located on the south coast of the island, in bustling Playa Blanca, and all suites feature a kitchenette and a balcony or a patio overlooking the sea. With its five swimming pools and eight restaurants, there’s loads to do on-site and the kids’ club Kikoland comes highly recommended by Mumsnetters. It sits within a dedicated 10,000-square-metre children’s park and you can expect shows, birthday parties and a packed schedule of crafts, activities and sports tailored for all ages.
Nearest airport: Lanzarote (14 miles)
Starigrad
Croatia is a brilliant choice for a family holiday, with blue skies, warm seas and bargains to be found compared to other European destinations. Neilson are the experts in family-friendly resorts, and the kids’ club at the Alana Beach Club is a hit among Mumsnetters. Offering wall to wall activities for kids aged 2-17, and a creche for babies and toddlers. Expect happy, worn out kids after days filled with rock climbing, water skiing, kayaking, pool games and messy play. Reviewers say the kids’ club might be a bit full on for more introverted children, but outgoing, high-energy kids will be in their element.
Nearest airport: Zadar (42 miles)
Sagres, Algarve
On the southeast tip of Portugal, Martinhal resort in Sagres is dedicated to creating family-friendly holidays to remember. There are villas and family rooms available on site, plus five swimming pools, three restaurants and four bars. For babies and toddlers aged from 3 to 23 months, there’s a creche and separate kids' clubs for older kids, split by age group up to 17 years. Younger kids can enjoy on-site activities, while over-7s have camp-style outdoorsy adventures.
Nearest airport: Faro (52 miles)
Antalya
You can’t get much closer to the ocean than the TUI Blue Pascha Bay. With a prime beachfront location on the Turkish Riviera, it's steps from soft golden sand. And there’s good access to public transport to explore the nearby resort of Alanya.
In addition to the high quality kids’ clubs for children aged 3-11, there are loads of day-time activities on offer including volleyball, tennis and football. Children will be drawn to the pool and children’s pirate themed waterpark, with a selection of slides, a splash zone and tipping bucket (ideal for drenching unsuspecting parents.)
After a full day of water-filled fun, children will love the varied buffet options at the all-inclusive restaurant, or families can tuck into a variety of Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine at one of the two à la carte restaurants.
Ca'n Picafort
With separate kids clubs for ages 4-7, 8-11 and 12-15, Zafiro’s chain of hotels is a great choice for a chilled-out holiday in the sun. Mumsnetters recommend the Ca'n Picafort hotel in Mallorca for its luxury atmosphere and pleasant climate. There’s a new theme at the kids’ clubs every day - from wizardry to circus arts to singing. The hotel offers local excursions and adventure activities, perfect for enjoying while the kids are in good hands.
Nearest airport: Palma de Mallorca (27 miles)
Gennadi, Rhodes
This charming resort is located on the south coast of Rhodes and is built around the ruins of an Ancient Greek Village. You've got access to a pebble beach with loungers and Bali beds and the accommodation options include swim-up suites and rooms with private pools.
Two pools and a splashpark will keep kids busy during the day, and the TUI kids’ clubs are highly rated with the fun character T-Bots bringing shows, music, dancing and games to life. Evenings feature quality tribute acts, live music and comedians suitable for the whole family.
Foodie families will love exploring the seven bars and six restaurants, featuring Italian, Greek and American cuisine, and the main buffet restaurant features a dedicated kids' section.
Nearest airport: Rhodes Airport (40 miles)
Punta Sam
This resort on the Caribbean coast of Mexico is the height of luxury. Go all out and book a swim-up room like Mumsnet user NotMoreFootball, or book a family spa treatment. The kids’ club is second to none, with a children’s waterpark and a baby pool, plus a huge range of activities, shows and games for kids to choose from. There’s a children’s lounge in each of the restaurants, so you can enjoy your meal kid-free if you choose. If you’re bringing a baby or a toddler, the hotel will supply all the equipment you could possibly need, and over-3s are welcome at the kids’ club from 8am-8pm daily.
Nearest airport: Cancun, 18 miles
Turkey is a popular destination for parents looking for guaranteed sun, warm turquoise waters and family-friendly resorts. The TUI Blue Sensatori resort in Fethiye, southwest Turkey describes itself as “ultra all-inclusive” and they’ve got everything covered. The kids’ club takes children aged 3-12 and provides all-day entertainment including a cinema, a playground, a splash park and a dedicated Play House to hang out in. There’s a creche for under-3s and the hotel will provide all kinds of baby equipment to save you lugging too much baby paraphernalia on the plane. Unlike others on this list, the resort doesn’t have anything specifically for over-12s.
Nearest airport: Dalaman (16 miles)
Kassandra Peninsula
The Sani Resort in Halkidiki takes all-inclusive family holidays up a notch. The resort is made up of a collection of luxury hotels on mainland Greece's Kassandra Peninsula and Sani Beach is the largest property set on a secluded beach.
Two minutes’ walk from the sand, Sani Beach resort is a perfect spot to enjoy some rest and relaxation in stylish surroundings. Family rooms come with views of the Aegean Sea or the pretty hotel gardens, and the kids’ club is included in all-inclusive bookings for kids aged 4-12. There’s also a hang out zone for teens, evening babysitting and private nannies available for an extra charge.
Kids menus here have been designed by Annabel Karmel, there's a football school in association with Chelsea FC and children can learn survival skills at the Bear Grylls academy.
Nearest airport: Thessaloniki (34 miles)
Just because you’re staying in a tent, chalet or caravan, doesn’t mean you need to miss out on the wonders of a kids’ club. The aptly named Village Fabulous outside Rome offers plenty of choice for accommodation - from woodland glamping to spacious wooden chalets. The kids’ club offers tailored entertainment for all ages, including discos, dance shows, sports activities and cooking. Mumsnetters were particularly impressed with the beds and air conditioning - proving you don’t necessarily need to compromise on comfort when you’re camping.
Nearest airport: Fiumicino Airport 7.5 miles
Izmir area
On a private beach in Turkey’s Izmir region, Mark Warner's Phokaia beach resort is ideal for active families. There are watersports on tap (sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding) and it's fully geared up for fun family holidays with kids' clubs available for kids aged between 1 and 17.
There are separate clubs to suit kids of different ages with activities designed for each age category. Evening childcare can also be arranged for an additional fee (great for a bit of whinge-free wining and dining).
Set in beautiful gardens, there’s a wide choice of accommodation including options to suit larger families and groups, each with a twist on traditional Turkish design.
The charming fishing village of Foca is a 30-minute stroll away. If you want to see more of Izmir’s breathtaking coastline, cycling tours are a great way to explore and there are trails for all skill levels, including beginners.
A Mark Warner package includes flights, transfer, accommodation, food, childcare and activities.
Crieff, Perthshire
Kids’ clubs aren’t just for overseas trips - UK holidays have a lot to offer too. The Crieff Hydro in central Scotland offers excellent, family-oriented accommodation in a stunning rural setting. Nestled in a 900-acre estate, the hotel has a Victorian spa, a golf course and over 60 indoor and outdoor activities on offer. Their Big Country childcare is free to guests with bookings of two nights or more and is for kids aged 2-12 (extra sessions can be booked at £15 for two hours). It’s best to book in advance, and the same goes for other activities as reviewers say these book up fast.
Nearest train station: Stirling (22 miles)
Are kids’ clubs included in the price of a holiday?
This varies from hotel to hotel, so it’s best to check in advance. Often the kids’ club is included in an all inclusive price.
What sort of activities are on offer at kids’ clubs?
You’re likely to find a big range of activities on offer. Games in the pool, crafts, chilling out with a film and learning skills like dancing or playing team sports like football are common. Some hotels have quirky additions like the Almhof Family und Wellness resort’s farm animals, and Finest Playa Mujeres’ kids spa. Check hotels’ websites as you may find a sample timetable available for download before you book.
At what age can children use kids’ clubs?
Some hotels will care for children as young as two months old, but potty trained and aged 3 or above is the most common. Often, kids’ clubs will be split into younger kids, older kids and teens so there’s something age-appropriate for everybody, and the upper age limit is usually 15.
What’s the best resort with a kids’ club?
The Princesa Yaiza in Lanzarote is the best hotel with a kids’ club. It ticks all the boxes for adult relaxation, children’s entertainment and family fun. The location’s great and Lanzarote’s climate means it’s a beach holiday option for most of the year.
How we chose our recommendations
To help us create this list of tried and tested family-friendly hotels with kids’ clubs, we first searched our Mumsnet forums for trusted ideas from parents themselves. We listened to the experts on what families want to provide a successful trip for everyone to enjoy, and weighed up a variety of considerations such as location, accessibility and budgets.
Our research allowed us to round up the best worldwide resorts with kids’ clubs that Mumsnetters rate to help you plan your next holiday.
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