Gran Canaria Canary Island is popular and home to loads of fabulous hotels and resorts, from rural getaways to super luxurious resorts with an outrageous array of delights.
When to go to Gran Canaria
You can get sun in Gran Canaria pretty much all year round. But if you want high temperatures, when it’s hottest in Gran Canaria is July through September. August is the hottest, February is the coolest.
The best family hotels in Gran Canaria
Discover the best places to stay in Gran Canaria with children, from all-inclusive resorts to luxury hotels to wonderful villas. Each of these have something to recommend them!
Table of contents
Gran Canaria hotels with waterslides
Hotel THe Lago Taurito
Situated on a hillside, this all-inclusive hotel has a Mini club and Maxi club for kids, golf, wellness, bowling, a wellness centre…and a network of waterslides that will have the kids racing to put on their swimming costumes. The saltwater water park is free when staying at the hotel and is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00. There are 5 slides including a death drop-style slide and a 4-person racer. Wheee!
Abora Buenavista by Lopesan
This 4-star hotel situated at the Playa del Inglés is in the middle of things, with plenty to do at the hotel itself. They have children’s shows and a bright and cheerful splash pool perfect for younger kids.
Parque Christobal Gran Canaria
Not only does this Las Palmas resort have family bungalows, a botanical garden, 2 swimming pools and a cool splash area and an “animation” (aka show) in the pool with acrobats, contortionists and dancers performing dressed as sea creatures, music shows, a zipline and more. Come for a full-on family party. They call these “Family & Joy” hotels and we’re inclined to agree!
Taurito Princess
Enjoy a 4-star all-inclusive experience features a playground, a kids’ club and 2 children’s pools. One features a dragon slide — younger kids slip down the red dragon’s tongue into the pool!
Hotel Riu Gran Canaria, Maspalomas
Oh si! This 600-room all-inclusive Meloneras hotel has four stars, a minimalist look and access to Gran Canaria’s fanciest seafront. It’s bright, light and a little bit playful. Scheduled activities include Pilates and water aerobics in the main pool, and there’s an adults-only infinity pool overlooking the ocean. The RiuLand children’s club runs a full programme for kiddies, the kids pool features slides, sprinklers and a waterfall and the hotel has won a range of guest awards.
Hotel Rui Vistamar
Enjoy a cliffside views at this 450-room all-inclusive hotel. There’s a baby pool and 2 further pools, including a playful splash and play area for little ones, including a slide, giant fish and sprinkler waterfalls. There are also live shows and a kids’ club.
H10 Playa Meloneras Palace
The perfect palace for your little prince and princess. The 5-star H10 Playa Meloneras Palace sits on the southern tip of Gran Canaria, near Aqualand water park. We love the multi-level pool area, with a waterfall, lazy river, infinity pool, kids’ pool and shaded play area. H10 Playa Meloneras Palace also offers a children’s entertainment program, and can arrange babysitting alongside spa offerings and proximity to golf courses. Choose an all-inclusive option for not only food but also access to the spa facilities and tennis court.
The Lopesan Baobob Resort
Enjoy an African influence with this 5-star that’s apparent in the public spaces, restaurants and rooms…alongside its ample amenities for kids and adults. The 7 pools include both a small and a large children’s pool (!) and a lazy river. There’s a range of sports and facilities, and the design of the spaces is gorgeous and distinctive. Picture yourself lounging by Mungo Park pool with its tropical pool bar, eat African-inspired menus in one of the restaurants. Check into one of the double family pool rooms – overlooking the pools and accommodating 5 people.
Seaside Palm Beach, Maspalomas
At this design hotel nestled in a nature reserve, expect Mies Van Der Rohe style Barcelona benches, bright colours and with interiors that the hotel likens to “a scene from a classic Scorcese movie”. Pepe’s Club keeps kids aged 4 to 12 entertained with games and activities. Or splash around in the two kids pools: a baby pool and a kids pool with water slide, Jacuzzi and water polo. Children under 3 stay free, as does a child aged 3 to 12 staying with two adults in their room and a discount when travelling with more children.
Hotels & resorts with interesting design
Seaside Sandy Beach, Playa del Inglés
Beach loving families take note: Playa del Inglés is one of Gran Canaria’s sandiest beaches and is 200 metres from this 4-star, all-inclusive, family-friendly hotel. Because of the Moorish influence, you’ll feel like you’ve landed in Aladdin’s cave. You can organise picnic baskets for outings, get competitive in the games rooms, plus enjoy discounts — children under 3 stay free and there are discounts for some older children as well. We love the outside hot tubs and family rooms organised around a large swimming pool with waterfall. Older kids will love the sports, including tennis, diving lessons, riflery, golf and more.
TUI BLUE Orquídea in Bahia Feliz
This hotel has fab for children – it used to be called TUI Family Life Bahia Feliz Orquídea. It has a top kids’ club, character parades, a splash pool for little ones and child-friendly shows. There are also cool things parents will appreciate, such as the Healthy Eating Challenge which encourages kids to try new foods (can family holidays not be two weeks of chicken nuggets? Yes!). You can also use the facilities at other TUI BLUE for Families hotels on either side of this one! Bahia Feliz means Happy Bay (if that gives you a sense of the hotel’s location) and is great for windsurfing.
TUI Playa Feliz
You’ll find this peaceful seafront resort with a mushroom-shaped pool, near the town of San Agustin. You’ll find 1- and 2-bedroom apartments with balcony or terraces and kitchenettes and a shaded children’s pool. Early evening games and shows are dedicated to the little ones. Later on, professional acts take to the stage for all the family to enjoy. Check out the games room, billiards, watersports on the beach including windsurfing and kayaking. Also helpful here – a self-service laundry.
Dunas Suites & Villas Resort
If you’ve got children of different ages, this property could fit the bill: it has different kids clubs for children of different ages, with activities that include music and dance, gymkanas, games and logic. There’s a Splash area and it’s won a cycling award. We love the chilled-out family suite featuring bean bag chairs, a children’s tepee, terrace space and welcome gift for the kiddos. Guests can use the facilities at the adjoining four-star Dunas Maspalomas Resorts. The buffet restaurant serves free breakfast and offers theme nights.
Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort & Thalasso
Near the Maspalomas Lighthouse and only a mile from the Maspalomas Nature Reserve, this resort is grand and gorgeous and perfect for well-heeled families. Take advantage of the lagoon pool, kids club, family suites, sit-out terrace, bicycle hire, playground, spa for parents and its right-on-the-beach location. One of the 6 bars puts on live concerts. The 561-room resort’s layout copies that of a traditional Canarian village, complete with streets, several buildings, squares, fountains and even a church. Five pools, including an infinity-edge one with ocean views, three restaurants, five bars, a full entertainment program, daily activities for kids, and a playground means that there is no shortage of things to do, but the resort is also walking distance to restaurants, shops, and the beach.
Hotel El Mondalon
Nestled on the side of a mountain at the foot of a volcano, this rural hotel offers luxury in the Protected Natural Area of La Caldera de Bandama. The restaurant, housed in the old stable, overlooks olive trees, vineyards and native Canarian plants, and features a children’s menu. (We imagine sitting on the terrace, watching the children play on the grass…). There’s a play area and heated outdoor pool. Adjacent to the hotel is a winery that’s part of the Las Palmas wine route, and there’s golfing, riding and tennis nearby.
Gloria Palace Amadores Thalasso & Hotel, Mogán
Families enjoy this hotel—it’s got a dramatic clifftop location, 2 pools (one is an infinity pool) plus children’s pool and kids club. It’s a short walk to the sandy beaches of Puerto Rico and Amadores. Take in the nightly entertainment, play sports including darts, petanque, shuffleboard and archery, or hit the Thalassotherapy spa. We’re also a little bit in love with the fact they have a piano in the lobby, where you can sit down and tickle the ivories.
More ideas for family holidays
About Jennifer Howze
Jennifer Howze is the Creative Director and co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about family travel at Jenography.net, tweets at @JHowze and Instagrams at @JHowze. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.