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Best family hotels in Tenerife: resorts, apartments and all-inclusive stays, reviewed by parents
Year-round sunshine, volcanic sand beaches, giant waterparks and a host of hotels geared up for families, Tenerife is great for kids of all ages. We round up the best family hotels to suit your brood and budget.
By Claire Stapleton | Last updated Mar 11, 2024
When it comes to all-year-round family-friendly holiday destinations, one island immediately springs to mind: Tenerife. Offering tropical temps without having to board a longhaul flight, stunning sandy beaches and activities for all ages, the largest Canary Island is hard to beat.
But where's best to stay with kids in tow? We've tracked down a selection of hotels, apartments and all-inclusive resorts that have the Mumsnet seal of approval. By scouring the Mumsnet holiday forum we've put together recommendations from parents that have been there, done that and bought the souvenir t-shirt. From buzzy beach resorts to secluded spots, here are the best places for families to stay in Tenerife.
Best family hotels in Tenerife at a glance
Best overall: Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria | Book now
Best budget: Royal Sun Resort Apartments | Book now
Best for waterparks: Villa Mandi | Book now
Best all-inclusive: Tagoro Family & Fun Costa Adeje | Book now
Best for luxury: Hotel Baobab Suites | Book now
Best villa: Hotel Suite Villa Maria | Book now
Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria
Awesome on-site waterpark
Lift access to Playa Paraiso beach
Shuttle service to Playa de Fañabé
Not a huge amount to do around the hotel but Playa de las Americas is a 15-minute taxi ride away
If your kids spend most of their holiday time in the pool, a stay at the Adrián Hoteles Roca Nivaria might just blow their mind as they'll have access to a water and adventure park within the grounds. RoniAventura features heated pools, waterslides, a sunken ship, climbing walls and suspension bridges.
But there's more to this hotel than slides. Overlooking Playa Paraiso Beach, it also has its own spa (with a heated infinity pool, a hot tub and a mud bath), plus a tennis court, a giant chess board and archery facilities.
Royal Sun Resort Apartments
Stunning clifftop views
Five-minute drive from a Blue Flag beach
No kids' club or activities
Local roads are steep
If you're on a budget, it's worth considering staying in an apartment so that you can keep costs down by cooking the occasional meal yourself, and the Royal Sun Resort in Los Gigantes is a great shout according to Mumsnetters. Each apartment is kitted out with a fully equipped kitchen and there's plenty of space for families with a lounge area and a private terrace.
The complex has its own pool, bar and restaurants as well as a gym and a squash court so you get the facilities of a hotel combined with the space and privacy of an apartment. There's plenty going on in the evenings too, including live entertainment.
Villa Mandi and Siam Park, Playa de Las Americas
Free unlimited access to Siam Park waterpark
Four pools on site
Free shuttles to the beach and waterpark
Low-rise village-style resort
Kids' clubs run May to October only
Just one restaurant on site
For active kids and water babies, Villa Mandi in Playa de Las Americas is hard to beat. It's within a five-minute drive of Siam Park - offificially rated as one of the world's best waterparks - and by staying at the hotel you get unlimited access throughout your holiday. There's a free (five-minute) shuttle ride down to the beach and you're right next door to a top golf course if you want to practice your swing in the sunshine.
The low-rise terracotta blocks feel more like a Mediterranean village than a resort hotel and palm trees dot the grounds. You'll likely spend A LOT of time at the waterpark but there are also four pools on site, including a baby splash pool, and a kids' club operates between May and October. The main restaurant serves classic buffet dishes and there's a traditional bar and a poolside bar.
Tagoro Family & Fun Costa Adeje All Inclusive
Quiet residential setting
Bright fun rooms for kids (some with playrooms)
Kids' club features a ball pit and a craft area
20-minute walk to the beach is quite steep
Some areas feel a little tired
Travelling with kids can be stressful and expensive, which is why going all-inclusive is so appealing. Knowing that everything has been pre-paid and having the flexibility to dine when it suits your schedule can really put your mind at ease on a family holiday.
Located in a quiet, residential area of Costa Adeje, the all-inclusive Tagoro Family & Fun Costa Adeje has been specially designed for families with brightly coloured rooms (some with built-in playrooms), each with its own private balcony or terrace.
There are four outdoor pools (two for adults and two for children) and a brilliant kids' club with a ball pit and a craft area for younger kids and an interactive zone for teens with TVs, games consoles and a projector screen. There's also a mini football pitch and a tennis court.
If you want to leave the hotel and explore, then Fañabé Beach is a 10-minute walk away and the Gran Sur Shopping Centre is right next door.
Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife
Dedicated kids' club for teens
Contemporary rooms with surround sound systems
Private beach club
Better suited to older kids than toddlers and babies
If you're trying to convince your teen that going away with mum and dad is a good idea, then booking a stay at the Hard Rock Hotel should make it easy to entice them. The buzzy beachfront resort is home to no fewer than four pools (including a saltwater lagoon), a choice of restaurants, a spa and a beach bar that plays host to live bands and DJs. Each room is kitted out with surround sound systems and rain showers.
While kids' clubs are usually centred around activities for younger children, the Hard Rock Hotel has a dedicated club for teens that's aptly called Teen Spirit. Here you'll find games consoles, simulators, drum kits and guitars as well as a full sports programme.
Large modern suites - perfect for families (some with pools or hot tubs)
Mountain and sea views
Breakfast can be served in your room at no extra cost
Nearest shops are a steep walk away
If you ask us, nothing says luxury quite like the words 'private swimming pool' and if you stay at Hotel Baobab Suites in Costa Adeje, then it's possible to book a pad with your own pool.
Mumsnetters think that having the option of a private pool makes all the difference if you're travelling with testing toddlers. But if your budget can't quite stretch to it then don't worry, there are two heated outdoor pools for everybody to use.
Each suite has a living area and a fully-equipped kitchen. If you don't fancy making your own breakfast, but you'd like to eat in the privacy of your suite, then you could get one of the hotel's breakfast boxes delivered. There are sports and fitness activities available including spinning, pilates and beach volleyball. There's a sports and leisure centre too, where you can play squash, tennis and boules. This property has its own kids club as well, plus a wellness and beauty centre.
Dreams Jardin Tropical Resort & Spa
Set in lush landscaped gardens
All rooms have a balcony or terrace
Siam Park waterpark is less than a 5-minute drive away
Quite a few steps to manage
Smarter than your average concrete hotel block, the Dreams Jardin Tropical resort is made up of low-rise Moorish-style buildings with lush landscaping and grotto pools. There are cosy nooks slung with hammocks as well as chunky daybeds for lounging by the pool. It's a 10-minute walk from the nearest beach (popular Puerto Colon) and a minutes' walk from the San Eugenio shopping centre for a mid-holiday retail fix. There's a kids' pool and child-friendly entertainment on-site and bike hire and watersports can be arrange for an additional fee. The hugely popular Siam Waterpark is a 20-minute walk away.
Paradise Park Fun Lifestyle Hotel
Mini club for kids aged 4-12
Free bus to the beach
Rooms are pretty basic
Los Cristianos is a popular resort for families and if you've set your heart on this part of Tenerife, then you should consider staying at the Paradise Park Fun Lifestyle Hotel. This place is affordable, it has five swimming pools and it's close to the beach. There's also a waterpark close by and the Golf del Sur golf course is a short drive away.
The hotel has a mini club for kids aged 4-12 and a club for teens as well. The evening shows will entertain the whole family.
Hotel Cleopatra Palace
Great kids' club and soft play area
Right by El Camisón Beach
Loads of evening entertainment options
Some rooms are a little dated
With soft sand and calm waters, El Camisón Beach is ideal for families and Hotel Cleopatra Palace sits right by it in the popular resort of Playa de Las Americas. The grounds may be plush with plenty of marble and a statue-lined pool but it's a laid-back family-friendly retreat home to a kids' club with a soft play area, an indoor adventure playground and a puppet theatre. There's loads for kids of all ages to get involved with including a children's pool, tennis courts, mini golf and an evening entertainment programme featuring magic shows, music and dance. Beyond the resort, the Safari Shopping Centre is less than a 5-minute walk away and the Las Americas Golf Course is a 5-minute drive away.
Read next: The best family-friendly resorts in Greece
Iberostar Las Dalias All-Inclusive
10-minute walk from Playa del Bobo beach
Kids' club for children aged 4 to 17
All rooms have a balcony
Located on quite a steep hill
If you're looking for a great all-inclusive hotel in Costa Adeje, then it's worth considering the Iberostar Las Dalias. It's a 10-minute walk from Playa del Bobo beach and around the corner from the San Eugenio Shopping Centre. There's a children's swimming pool and a kids' playground on-site as well as a kids' club boasting 140+ activities for kids aged four to 17. All rooms come with a balcony and the interconnecting suites are handy if you're staying with teens. Live shows provide evening entertainment and as it's an all-inclusive hotel, you won't have to worry if the kids are asking for yet another packet of crisps, or their fifth Fanta Orange.
Hotel Suite Villa Maria
Villas are well equipped for families
Kids' club for children aged 4 to 12
Some of the decor is a little dated
Looking for the flexibility of an apartment but don't want to do away with the services and amenities that come with a hotel stay? The Hotel Suite Villa Maria on the Costa Adeje is well worth a look. Each villa is kitted out with a kitchen and an outdoor terrace and some come with a hot tub or a private pool. The sea views from here stretch to the neighbouring island of La Gomera.
If you don't want to cook every night, there's a restaurant that serves traditional Canarian dishes and hotel-style facilities include two swimming pools, a spa and the Pispita Kids' Club for children aged 4-12.
Hotel Best Jacaranda
Separate clubs for kids and teens
A 10-minute walk from Fanabe Beach
Loads of pools, activities and entertainment on-site
It's lively and buzzy but may be too big for some (550+ rooms)
Mumsnetters have lots of positive things to say about the Hotel Best Jacaranda, which undoubtedly lives up to its name. Located on Tenerife's southwest coast between Costa Adeje and La Caleta, this massive (550+ rooms) resort offers a huge array of fun stuff for families to do. There's a theatre bar for entertainment and shows, a piano lounge, separate kids' and teens' clubs (with obligatory discos and foam parties), sports facilities including tennis courts, volleyball and boules, and no fewer than six pools, one with its own waterfall. It's a 10-minute walk from Fanabe Beach and for aqua adventures, you're a 10-minute drive from not one but two waterparks (Siam Park and Aqualand).
Read next: The best cabin-approved strollers
What is the best area in Tenerife for families?
The best area will depend on the age of the children you're travelling with and what you're all looking to do on holiday. Playa de Las Américas is the liveliest area with a buzzy strip lined with bars, clubs and restaurants while neighbouring Los Cristianos is a little more upmarket with some lovely laidback beaches. Costa Adeje on the southwest coast is blessed with a string of sandy beaches, including the family-friendly Playa la Pinta, as well as two giant waterparks (Siam Park and Aqualand).
Is Tenerife good for a family holiday?
Lots of the hotels in Tenerife are geared up for families, so it's a great place to visit with the whole gang. You'll find something for everyone on the island including waterparks, golf courses, shopping malls, family-friendly beaches and an active volcano surrounded by a stunning national park.
Where can I get cheap flights to Tenerife?
Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 all fly to Tenerife from the UK. If you're savvy and travel off peak, you should be able to find fights for less that £60 return, per person.
Do I need to hire a car?
If you just want to hang out in the vicinity of your hotel for a week soaking up the sunshine, then you won't need a car. However, as Lonely Planet points out, Tenerife is "an island of extraordinary beauty and diversity with remote mountain-ridge villages, cultured port settlements and charming ancient towns". If you want to explore the island's best bits then it's well worth hiring a car. It may be the largest Canary Island but you can drive round it in around four hours so it's easy to navigate with a family.
About the author
Claire Stapleton is a writer, editor, blogger, and mum of two from Greater Manchester. She is passionate about helping others to make and save money, by making simple tweaks and positive changes. You will find her over at Stapo’s thrifty life hacks. She is experienced in writing about hotels and destinations having previously worked as a Producer at travel deals publisher, Travelzoo.
How we chose our recommendations
We spent several hours sifting through Mumsnet's holiday forum for recommendations from our users on the family hotels in Tenerife they rate most highly. We were also on the lookout for poor reviews of hotels to avoid.
We consulted recommendations from experts, consumer websites and print media and made sure we included hotels that regularly appeared in top 10 lists.
We then looked at reviews for each of our longlisted family hotels to check that previous visitors were satisfied with their stay.
By doing this, we whittled our longlist down and chose a selection of hotels that we think offer something for everybody.
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.