Sun, sea and zero cooking: the all-inclusive Canary Islands resorts that Mumsnetters love

Atop a cliff on Tenerife’s southwest coast, Bahia Principe Sunlight Costa Adeje pairs sprawling Atlantic views with fun-filled family facilities. The colourful, village-like resort is dotted with cobbled courtyards and palm trees and there are three pools to dip into, including a kids’ pool and a peaceful infinity pool overlooking the sea. The packed daytime activity schedule features everything from aqua aerobics to archery.

Children are well catered for with a lively kids’ club, a mini disco, and live performances into the evening. And there’s a mix of buffet options and à la carte restaurants serving Spanish, Italian and Brazilian cuisine (popular poolside toasties and ice cream are on offer throughout the day). There’s a gym and a spa on hand for grown-up downtime, and a shuttle to Playa de las Americas for sandy beach days and a change of pace.

Designed like a traditional Canarian village with cobbled paths, colourful buildings and a central square for evening drinks under the stars, the GF Isabel in Costa Adeje is a relaxed resort that feels warm and welcoming from the get-go.

There’s loads here to keep kids happy including a splash park with sprays and slides, a playground, and a hotel-run kids’ club with games, movie nights and mini discos. The main pool is the hub of the action, with poolside snacks available throughout the day, and there’s a quieter pool to unwind in too. Don’t miss a drink at the adults-only rooftop terrace for a bit of sun-soaked serenity while your children are at the kids’ club. 

The spacious apartments and bungalows are perfect for families as they’re kitted out with kitchens, dining areas and outdoor terraces. The two-bedroom villa is particularly good if you’re travelling with older kids and need more space. Add in a buffet restaurant, a juice bar, mini golf and a full schedule of daytime activities, and you’ve got everything you need for a sunny, stress-free break.

In Playa Blanca on Lanzarote’s sun-splashed south coast, TUI BLUE Flamingo Beach is a low-rise resort set on Playa Flamingo's sandy bay - a short stroll from the yacht-studded Marina Rubicon with its seafront promenade. 

Children can slide and splash their way round the on-site splash park, and there’s a playground and soft play zones on dry land. Teens have their own activity programme packed with pool games and beach challenges, and babies and toddlers are well looked after too, with dedicated clubs, sensory play and storytime with puppets. And when it’s time to refuel, you’ll find a buffet with a children’s section, plus à la carte options and snacks galore.

Take a dip in one of four pools (including an adults-only spot and a kids’ pool), or sign up for one of the many family-friendly activities from swimming lessons to family yoga and archery. Evening entertainment is big here, with mini discos, interactive shows, and even robot characters popping up to say hello. 

Spacious one- to three-bedroom apartments with kitchens and outdoor space make it easy to accommodate families of different sizes and ages.

Set between the sea and the striking Los Ajaches mountains, Sandos Papagayo has one of the most dramatic backdrops on the island, and it’s just a 10-minute stroll from a peaceful beach. This family-friendly all-inclusive hotel has something for everyone, with four pools (including one just for kids), three buffet restaurants, and a lively programme of activities day and night.

Little ones can join the hotel-run kids’ club for games and crafts, or strut their stuff at the mini disco. Meanwhile, parents can take a dip in the adults-only pool, book a treatment at the spa or soak up sea views with a drink in hand.

Family rooms come with a balcony or terrace, and if you fancy an upgrade, Royal Elite rooms offer extra perks and access to stylish lounges. When it’s time to eat, you’ll find everything from pizza to crêpes to international buffet dishes, plus plenty of family favourites. With bike hire, mini golf, archery, and evening shows on the line-up, it’s a brilliant base for a sunny family escape.

This beachside gem in Bahia Feliz on Gran Canaria’s south coast is tailor-made for families. With three pools, a colourful splash park and shaded baby pool, there’s water play for every age, plus an adults-only spa pool for peaceful dips. Kids’ clubs run daily for children aged 3 to 12, and there’s a dedicated Baby & Tots Club for babies and toddlers (extra charges apply). Teens can enjoy pool games and chill-out sessions in summer.

At mealtimes there’s a choice of three restaurants including a buffet with a kids’ section and a tapas-style à la carte spot. Spacious family rooms come with balconies and some have a split-level layout for a sense of extra space 

Evenings bring mini discos, live shows, and family-friendly entertainment. Fitness fans can join BLUEf!t® sessions, while the Swim School helps little ones build water confidence (extra charges apply).

In Playa del Inglés on Gran Canaria’s south coast, HD Parque Cristóbal is a fun-packed family escape with all the essentials (and plenty of extras). The beach is a 20-minute stroll away (or hop on the free shuttle bus) and, while on-site, there are two family-sized pools, two kids’ pools and a splash park with mini water slides and climbing frames. Oh, and a zip line and a dedicated sports area with courts for football, tennis, basketball and more. 

The stone-clad bungalows are dotted between palm trees and are perfect for families with spacious lounge areas, kitchenettes and terraces. The two-bedroom bungalows are popular with older kids seeking space and privacy - some feature separate teen dens kitted out with PlayStations. 

There’s a buffet restaurant with a kids’ section, an Italian à la carte option and loads of snacks and drinks on hand throughout the day.

Entertainment ticks all the boxes - think kids’ clubs, mini discos, live music, and sporty fun for teens. Grown-ups can unwind with yoga and spa treatments or simply kick back poolside.

With access to activities, kids clubs, all-inclusive dining and seafront locations, TUI Magic Life hotels are perfect for families that want an action-packed escape paired with plenty of downtime. 

And this lively resort in Fuerteventura makes the most of its seafront location on the island’s south coast, where guests are steps away from a white sand beach. 

The six pools (including a family pool and a sports pool) and full schedule of games, shows, and evening fun – including silent discos and family cinema nights – keep things busy and fun for kids. Teens can join sports tournaments and mountain bike trips, while little ones enjoy picnics, pool games and playground adventures.

When it’s time to refuel, there’s a generous buffet, 24-hour drinks at the Wunderbar, and four speciality restaurants, all with kid-friendly options and dedicated vegan menus. Family rooms sleep up to six, and the adults-only Private Lodge rooms offer extra space and privacy.

With plenty of fun for the kids and peaceful, adults-only zones for grown-ups, Hotel Club Jandia Princess offers a best-of-both-worlds setup for family holidays. Among tropical gardens with direct beach access, it’s got four pools and offers clubs for kids and teens, evening shows, and daily activities from water polo to archery.

The buffet restaurant has something for everyone, from show-cooking to a kids’ section, while two à la carte spots serve Spanish and Mediterranean fare. Adults can escape to the wellness area with a sauna, Turkish bath and gym. Rooms come with balconies or terraces, and family suites have private gardens. 

With beach volleyball, mini discos, live music and a beautiful setting on Fuerteventura’s Jandia coast, this hotel offers a little something for everyone to enjoy. 

Note that it’s located on a steep hill so may be a problem for those with mobility issues.