Best family hotels in the Algarve: resorts the whole family will love

There's plenty to delight everyone at the Monte Santo Spa Resort including a fun kids' club for little ones to enjoy while parents relax in the sumptuous spa, gym and wellness centre. And the food is fantastic too.

Accommodation ranges from luxury suites with stunning panoramic views to family townhouses with private balconies. Each decorated and cared for to an excellent standard.

There are no fewer than six outdoor swimming pools and one indoor pool which means the resort never feels too busy, even in high season. Beautiful Carvoeiro Beach is a 12-minute walk away, and there’s a range of lovely craft shops, cheap supermarkets, buzzing bars and authentic restaurants close by.

Falesia Garden and Pool Resort is set above a pretty private beach and has a well-maintained pool and sun terrace with stunning ocean views. It’s in a quiet location, but the bright lights of Albufeira and the busier beaches are within easy reach.

The apartments are lovely, with a well-equipped kitchenette and flat-screen TVs that you won’t need as there's so much for everyone to do, including a kids' club that provides a variety of activities throughout the day. There's a fantastic play park too.

The food is excellent, with breakfast, lunch and dinner options for even the fussiest of eaters. The bar is fabulous, too; it serves all the usual soft drinks for the kids, local wines and beer and fab cocktails.

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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 as well as five swimming pools, three restaurants and four bars. Phew. For babies and toddlers (3 to 23 months), there’s a creche and there's a separate kids' clubs for older children, split by age group up to 17 years. Younger kids can enjoy on-site activities, while over-7s have camp-style outdoorsy adventures.

The Ukino Palmeiras Family Village is a short walk from a clean and pretty beach and Porches village centre, with its welcoming bars and eateries, is close by too. There are three swimming pools to pick from, one of which features a cute pirate ship for the little ones to play on.

Children will love the friendly kids' club, which means parents can relax in the fitness centre or enjoy a cold beer by the pool. There are three delightful on-site restaurants serving Mediterranean, Japanese and Brazilian cuisine so the whole family should be able to find something tasty to eat.

Some rooms have beautiful sea views to enjoy while you're drinking a cold drink on the private balcony. Staff are friendly and keen to help with all guest requests and queries and provide drinks and entertainment until late.

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The Pestana Dom João Beach and Golf Resort is the perfect option if you want a hotel close to a gorgeous beach. When you leave the resort, your family will have their toes in clean white sand in two minutes. Just 10 minutes away, you'll find the pretty harbour village of Alvor, where there are plenty of things to see and do on your balmy holiday evenings.

There are three swimming pools to enjoy, and all are set in relaxing, green gardens, so sunbathing is a pleasure. We're also impressed with the range of fun activities available for kids of various ages, including games afternoons, mini-golf and bowling. In addition, parents can use the luxurious spa facilities and have plenty of golf games while their children are busy.

There's an extensive range of villas and suites at the Pestana; all have either garden or sea views and have recently been renovated and are spacious and tastefully decorated. When your family is hungry, head to the buffet restaurant, one of the three bars serving snacks or the more formal a la carte restaurant.

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Albufeira is one of the most popular resorts in the Algarve, home to golden beaches and pristine golf courses. The beautiful Eden Resort is close enough to enjoy the holiday atmosphere while still feeling peaceful. The hotel is a short walk from a staffed beach club, where you get complimentary towels; however, there’s also a regular shuttle bus from reception.

The well-maintained modern villas come with everything families could need, including a well-stocked kitchenette and sturdy baby gates on request. There’s free WiFi too, which will please teens. The private balconies have lovely views of one of the five swimming pools or the manicured gardens.

The Pecado Restaurant has stunning panoramic views from the sun terrace. It's large but can be busy in high season. The local and international food mix is excellent, with dishes made from local ingredients. After your meal, take in the impressive entertainments programme.

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The Alfagar Village is a beautiful hotel set in tropical gardens, located close to quiet and pretty St Eulalia Beach. The centre of bustling Albufeira can be reached via a stunning clifftop walk, a shuttle bus, local buses or a readily available taxi.

The clean, comfortable and elegant apartments all have large balconies with sea or garden views, a well-stocked kitchen and a cosy dining area. The staff at the Alfagar Village are welcoming, friendly and are great with children.

If you don’t fancy the beach, there are three large swimming pools to splash in, an impressive gym and a fantastic adventure playground that the kids will adore. Then, at the end of a sun-drenched day, tuck into your own food sourced from the on-site mini-market or the large supermarket a short drive away. Alternatively, there's a restaurant serving international dishes.

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Set in an unspoiled seaside town, the Praia Verde Boutique Hotel is ideal for families that like a quirky and relaxed vibe. This gorgeous resort is in a beautiful, quiet location with access to an outstanding beach just a 10-minute walk away, through an atmospheric forest.

Children are very welcome at this friendly hotel; there’s a play area in reception and a fun activity room where they can make biscuits or munch on popcorn at an early evening film screening.

After a day splashing in the sea or lounging by the swimming pool surrounded by fragrant pine trees, it’s time to dine. Many of the dishes are made from local ingredients, with fresh salads and crispy wood-fired pizzas served in the chilled-out restaurant.

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The Marina Club Resort is a modern hotel that lies very close to the elegant marina and Lagos's bright lights and historic centre. It's a handy 10-minute walk to the family-friendly beach, Meia Praia.

Choose from elegantly decorated apartments or studios; both are luxurious and have large private balconies with marina or pool views to enjoy in peace once the kids are in bed. A simple but tasty breakfast can be added to your booking.

There’s a spa and a gym to enjoy, and the large swimming pool is great for kids. There are plenty of comfortable loungers available and a spacious sun terrace. It can feel busy in the summer, but there is so much to do for families nearby that it shouldn’t be an issue.

The Vila Vita Parc and Luxury Spa is a beautiful Moorish-style resort that offers families exceptional service, delicious food with lots of variety, and an impressive range of facilities and restaurants. The hotel has panoramic views of the Atlantic thanks to its spectacular clifftop location, though it's only a minutes' stroll from the beach.

Rooms with sea or village views are large, impeccably clean and feel fresh and modern. Family suites have a comfy seating area to relax in once the kids are in bed. Choose from studios, two-bed apartments or family rooms depending on your budget; all are impressive.

At Vila Vita Park, there are several excellent swimming pools to lounge around with a fruity cocktail. In addition, there’s a cute mini-golf course, a play park and a tennis court, which is great for active families. If you love a spa experience, this is the ideal hotel for you as it offers a yoga garden and world-class therapies.

When you’re taking babies and toddlers on holiday abroad, the flexibility of self-catering can be a more comfortable, stress-free option than a buffet restaurant in a busy resort. And the pretty Salema Beach Village is a great choice for families. Each two-storey townhouse has a well-appointed kitchenette, including a dishwasher and a coffee machine and a private garden or a terrace to enjoy your meals on.

The hotel is in the traditional Portuguese seaside village of Salema and there are plenty of lovely restaurants nearby. The beautiful beach is a leisurely 12-minute stroll away. If you’re feeling adventurous, hire bikes from reception and explore the stunning landscape of the National Park or take a taxi to Lagos.

Everyone will love the small, super clean swimming pools; there’s one exclusively for the little ones. And the adventure playground is fab. During the day, the friendly staff at the pool bar serve drinks, light snacks and meals.