Best family hotels in Kos for your next Greek getaway with the kids

Highly rated by Mumsnet (and Tripadvisor) users, the Blue Lagoon Resort is just 10 minutes from Kos Town’s medieval centre. It makes a great base for families wishing to explore everything the capital has to offer, from sampling local cuisine to visiting the bustling harbour.

In addition to the parasol-lined sandy beach, just a few minutes' walk from the hotel, the Blue Lagoon’s impressive pools are sure to be a huge hit with kids, in particular the on-site mini waterpark with fun slides and a meandering lazy river.

With kids' clubs for children aged 3-12 years, two outdoor playgrounds and a jam-packed activity programme including mini golf, tennis and volleyball, the resort offers plenty to keep children entertained during the day. By night, simply head to the entertainment tent to enjoy theme nights, Vegas-style shows and Abba tributes that the whole family can enjoy.

Guests love the varied cuisine on offer as part of this hotel's all-inclusive package. Whether you opt for the Nisos buffet theme nights and show cooking stations or tuck into authentic Italian, Chinese and Greek dishes at the speciality restaurants, you’ll find options to suit all appetites. 

Nearest airport: Kos airport (14 miles)

Nearest beach: Lambi Beach (75 metres)

In a peaceful and picturesque location on a stretch of a private sandy beach in Kardemena, the Sovereign Beach Hotel offers impressive views of the Aegean Sea, making it a comfortable base for families wishing to relax and soak up their surroundings.

There are a choice of family rooms and two-bedroom bungalows at surprisingly affordable prices. You might even consider paying a little extra for a swim-up room.

Take advantage of the generous buffet-style breakfast and a central restaurant serving traditional Greek, Mediterranean, and International dishes. You can also visit the poolside bar for cocktails, snacks and refreshments during the day.

While some guests feel that parts of the hotel are a little dated, they can't speak more highly of the facilities, staff and service. As well as the kids' clubs for children aged 4-12, families will love joining in with water polo in the spacious lagoon pool, battling it out at the tennis courts and enjoying musicals at the hotel's open-air theatre

Nearest airport: Kos airport (3 miles)

Nearest beach: Sovereign Beach (600 metres) 

If your children love nothing more than splashing around in the pool, the Labranda Marine Aquapark should definitely be the at the top of your wish list. There are four pools suitable for guests of all ages as well as one reserved just for grown-ups. You’ll also find a fun wave pool and waterslides, including smaller slides suitable for younger guests. Babies and toddlers will love the shallow splash park with its mushroom-shaped shower sprays - ideal for some gentle paddling.

With a central location just a 10-minute drive from the history-rich capital of Kos Town, this resort also benefits from a wide expanse of golden sand just 300 metres away. 

The all-inclusive dining centres around the Nafsika buffet, but with other choices including Greek meze dishes at Dionysos, a roof terrace pizzeria, and Italian speciality restaurants, you certainly won’t go hungry. 

Guests rate the Meepo mini club for children aged 4 to 12, which provides a great way for children to make new friends and take part in age-appropriate activities such as face-painting, mini-bowling and sandcastle-building. 

Thanks to the on-site animation team, families also have access to a daytime activity programme including team sports and water-based games, while in the evenings you'll find live shows and a weekly Greek night. Whether you’re catching a performance at the open-air theatre or watching as the kids bust some dance moves at the mini disco, you’ll have an enjoyable end to a fun-filled day in the sun. 

Nearest airport: Kos Airport (10 miles)

Nearest beach: 300 metres 

If you’re travelling with young children but still want that elusive five-star experience, the luxurious Astir Odysseus Kos Resort and Spa is certainly worth considering. Located just three miles from Kos Town, the resort is also near to a Blue Flag beach with a private area reserved exclusively for guests (with shallow waters, ideal for a first paddle in the sea). 

While it can prove costly during peak season, this resort offers contemporary family rooms with impressive views, as well as deluxe suites with their own private or shared pools.

While you make the most of the kids' clubs, you can enjoy a caviar facial or vanilla body wrap at the lavish on-site spa, or simply relax at the beach bar with your favourite cocktail in hand. Older children will love fun facilities like the multi-sport courts, mini golf course and outdoor adventure playground.

The main Achilles restaurant serves up international buffets and theme nights that the whole family can enjoy, with a kid's dining section tailored specifically to younger guests. For something a little special, guests recommend the stunning waterfront taverna, where you can tuck into local Greek cuisine while watching the sun go down. 

Nearest airport: Kos Airport (10 miles)

Nearest beach: Tigaki Beach (0.7 miles)

They certainly don’t come cheap, but when it comes to luxurious all-inclusive holidays, Mumsnet users couldn’t speak more highly of Ikos Resorts. 

And Ikos Aria, is no exception, with a generous all-inclusive package that includes everything from menus created by Michelin Star chefs to poolside snacks, branded spirits, signature cocktails and 300+ local and international wines. There’s even 24-hour room service - ideal if you fancy a dessert on the balcony once the kids are tucked up in bed. 

Located right on the beach with a complimentary 30-minute beach childcare service, Ikos Aria offers action-packed kids' clubs for children aged 4 to 17. 

Families can also enjoy high-energy football academies, outdoor tennis courts and picturesque bike trails to explore the local surroundings or make the most of the complimentary museum pass to explore Kos’s ancient ruins and landmarks. 

With a kids' menu at every a la carte restaurant, you can tuck into high-quality cuisine from all across the globe, including Greek, Asian, Italian, French and Spanish dishes, before enjoying cocktails served by a mixologist at one of the resort's nine bars.

Nearest airport: Kos airport (8 miles)

Nearest beach: Paralia Kefalos Beach (600 metres)

Part of the Mitsis Premium Collection, the five-star Mitsis Selection Blue Domes hotel is a popular all-inclusive resort for families. 

Close to the resort of Kardamena, this hotel sits right on a Blue Flag beach with panoramic views of rugged mountains and crystal clear waters. It has an impressive vantage point but it’s worth mentioning that there are a fair few steps at this resort - making it a little less suited to those with restricted mobility.

While the beachfront is beautiful, there's plenty going on at the resort. With a 10 pools to choose from including shallow pools for younger guests, kids will love picking their paddling spot each day and there are spacious sun terraces with loungers and parasols providing shade from the midday sun.

Popular with active families, guests can enjoy shared experiences at the mini football pitch, the outdoor tennis courts and volleyball pitch, or take part in windsurfing or pedalo trips without straying far from your side. The Mitsis Wonderland kids' clubs offer fun experiences for children aged 4 to 11, with a jam-packed activities programme, a bouncy castle, waterslides and a well-stocked craft room. Teens will love the games room and internet corner, allowing them to share sun-soaked selfies with friends back home. 

From authentic Greek buffets to Pan Asian, Italian and Mexican dishes, your tastebuds can enjoy a trip around the world thanks to a variety of on-site restaurants to choose from.

Nearest airport: Kos Airport (5 miles)

Nearest beach: On the beach 

With a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere, this five-star all-inclusive hotel has a stunning beachfront location. As well as a short 15-minute transfer time, this hotel is less than 100 steps from the sand, where kids' clubs run for children aged 4 to 12.

Dotted between parasol-lined sun terraces you’ll find 15 saltwater pools to explore, including a splash pool with mini slides for toddlers and younger children. As if that wasn’t enough, the Aquatica Waterpark is literally across the road - allowing the adrenaline junkies to experience thrilling free-fall slides and kamikaze waterfalls.

There are five all-inclusive restaurants to choose from at Porto Bello Royal. In addition to the vast international selection at the main Ambrosia buffet, you can enjoy everything from freshly grilled burgers to stone-baked pizzas and local Greek cuisine. 

Whether you opt for a room with a sea or garden view, or a room with a swim-up pool, family accommodation includes a sliding door for privacy, allowing you to continue your evening on the balcony once the kids are tucked up in bed. 

Nearest airport: Kos International Airport (2 miles)

Nearest beach: Lakitira Beach (200 metres)

Travelling with young children can be challenging, so the short transfer time to Marmari Beach can certainly take the stress out of getting there. A peaceful beachside resort on the Northwest coast, it's less than nine miles from the airport and a 15-minute drive to Kos Town, making it a convenient base for those wishing to explore outside the resort during their trip. 

Kids will love the thrilling water slides and flumes that race down to the main pool, and there's a shaded baby pool where the youngest guests can enjoy a paddle while protected from the midday sun. Thanks to the boardwalk down to the beach, it’s even easier to stroll down with your toddler for their first dip in the sea. 

With age-appropriate activities from cooking classes to discos, the TUI kids’ clubs run six days a week for children from 3-11. The Captain T mascot is sure to be a hit with toddlers and preschoolers, while families have access to a wealth of fun amenities and sports activities including volleyball, ping pong and tennis. 

As you’d expect from a family-friendly resort, there’s a wide range of food on offer, even for the pickiest of eaters. The main buffet includes live cooking stations and theme nights serving local cuisine and family favourites, but you can also opt for dinner at the American diner or the Mediterranean or Greek a la carte restaurants, with one visit included during your stay. 

Nearest airport: Kos airport (7 miles)

Nearest beach: Golden Beach (1 mile)