Self-catering apartments in Spain for an affordable escape in the sun

Find your personal slice of paradise at the Hotel Regency Country Club in Playa de las Américas. Marble floors and hand-carved statues enhance the feeling of luxury at this Balinese-themed hotel on Tenerife’s south coast. In your room, canopied beds and rustic wooden furniture add to the island atmosphere. With your own fully-equipped kitchen, you can cook up a feast each night (fresh grilled fish is a local favourite), before retiring to your private balcony and unwinding on a comfortable sun lounger with a good book and a cold Dorada – the locally brewed beer. For a special family holiday, upgrade to a spacious suite where you’ll have four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a Jacuzzi all to yourself.

Start each morning with a lap of the infinity pool, which has views of the turquoise sea. Children have their own pool to splash about in, as well as a kids’ club that runs activities throughout the day – take them along for supervised fun, including drawing and puzzles, while you head to the spa. Try the healing powers of a Reiki massage, or opt for a yoga session in the gym.

There are plenty of opportunities for quality family time: get everyone together for a round of mini golf on the hotel’s green, or board the free, 10 minute shuttle for an outing to the golden sands of Los Cristianos beach – just drop by the on-site Mini Market first to pick up sandwiches and cold lemonade for a picnic on the sand.

A short stroll from the tree-lined La Rambla – one of the city’s most well-known, pedestrian boulevards – Happy Apartments’ central position is a convenient base for discovering Barcelona. This one-of-a-kind location opposite Gaudi’s Palau Güell (some rooms even have views of the opulent mansion) means you can start sightseeing as soon as you check in.

A dedicated front desk provides you with the amenities of an upscale hotel. Ask about tours to explore Barcelona and uncover the charming Gothic Quarter, with its medieval streets and trendy boutiques – just a 7 minute walk away. The hotel also offers a bike rental service, so you can whip around the El Born quarter, home to the Palau de la Música Catalana, the world’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site concert hall. Afterwards, head down to the harbour to catch street musicians or dine on fresh seafood.

Once you’ve had your fill of tapas, your private apartment welcomes you with its tranquil décor. Each space is light and airy thanks to large windows and white walls, while rattan rugs and artworks add a homely finish. The apartments have room for up to 10 guests, so they’re ideal if you’re visiting the city as a group. Call all hands on deck to cook up a classic paella dish in your open-plan kitchen. Some accommodations have outdoor terraces with wicker egg chairs and plush loungers, retire there after dinner with a glass of Rioja and watch the sunset.

Take island life at your own pace with a stay at the seaside Playasol Jabeque Soul in Ibiza. At these one and two-bed serviced apartments, the comforts of home come with the amenities of a hotel break. Savour fresh pastries for breakfast at the on-site buffet restaurant or cook up a tortilla española in your own kitchen. Airy living rooms have private balconies with views stretching out over the brilliant Balearic sea, while brightly coloured cushions and canvas prints of the coastline bring a lively touch to the décor.

Make the most of the Mediterranean climate with an afternoon siesta on a daybed by the palm tree-fringed pool and bask in the warm breeze from Playa d’en Bossa, just steps away. If you have energy to spare, you can burn it off with a ping-pong match in the games room. Later, head to the pool bar to cool off with a cocktail – the menu offers classics from margaritas to negronis, as well as lunch options like tasty sandwiches and pizzas.

If you fancy a night off from cooking, the old town’s restaurants are just a 30 minute stroll away – this historic quarter is brimming with romantic candlelit eateries serving up everything from classic Spanish dishes like braised duck to international favourites such as sushi. Your Sunday afternoon is taken care of at the poolside Meat & Meet BBQ Party, where you can sample sizzling grilled beef, fresh salads and fruity sangria.

At Eric Vökel Madrid Suites, all guests can appreciate the expansive views of Madrid’s central district and church spires from the rooftop sun terrace. It’s a tranquil place to take five with a book after visiting the bustling Puerta del Sol – the city’s most recognisable plaza – just a 10 minute walk away.

The striking redbrick façade of these apartments is typical of the city’s Malasaña district. This area is one of Seville’s most hip neighbourhoods, and is packed with buzzy brunch spots, urban art and vintage stores. Inside these one, two and three-bed flats, simplistic design encourages a peaceful stay. Exposed brick mingles with mosaic-patterned headboards, white linen bedding and minimalist furniture, while arty black-and-white shots of Madrid complete the Scandi-chic aesthetic.

Well-equipped kitchens come with hobs and ovens, so you can conjure up a full feast for the family every day after picking up local delicacies like jamón and squid. You’ll also find a juicer – what better way to start the day than by sampling fresh Spanish oranges? If you haven’t made it out to buy supplies, the front desk can arrange a breakfast basket including bread, butter, milk and jam to be delivered to your door. Top floor apartments have private sun terraces that provide a romantic spot for a home-made dinner for two, or why not find a traditional tapas bar on the Gran Via, just steps away?

Located in the heart of historic Seville, Suites Murillo offers a restful base to explore the city’s palaces, cathedral and flamenco bars. These self-catered, designer apartments have space for up to three guests. Polished chrome and brass coffee tables sit beside plush sofas and period-style armchairs, bringing modern and antique tastes together. Homely touches like feature walls, lamps and knick-knacks add warmth – ideal when you’re spending a romantic evening in with your other half. Slip on your complimentary bathrobe and slippers and stretch out in your private living room after a day at the Moorish Alcázar palace – a five-minute stroll away – or freshen up in the sleek bathroom’s rainfall shower.

You don’t have to leave the hotel to bask in the sizzling Seville sun, however: why not plan your next day’s sightseeing activities while relaxing in a lounge chair in the communal courtyard? Or you can take in the views of the nearby Cathedral of Saint Mary (the world’s largest Gothic cathedral) from the shaded roof terrace.

From your convenient old town location, you can step out of your door and dip straight into a traditional bar or wander around the colourful streets, marvelling at the Medieval architecture. After a busy day exploring, head back to your home-from-home and brew a tea infusion in your private kitchen. If you’d prefer something cold, you can help yourself to a fresh juice from the free minibar.

Grupotel Alcudia has a sought-after location just steps away from Playa de Muro, one of Majorca’s finest Blue Flag beaches. Stretch out on a lounger under a palapa by the shore and admire the dazzling white sands of this 6km beach. If you feel like being more active, rent bikes at the front desk and explore the coast as a family or try your hand at jet skiing or paddleboarding in the bay. For an easy day trip, spend a day birdwatching at the S’Albufera Nature Reserve, which is just next door. Come evening, or in your downtime, take a refreshing dip in the hotel’s large, round pool or settle back on a sun lounger poolside under a rustic parasol.

You can be as self-sufficient as you choose (or not) thanks to the buffet restaurant, which serves up meals all day long – expect fresh fruit and pastries for breakfast and pasta and salads for lunch. Afterwards, head to the Lounge for live music – local musicians entertain the crowd four nights each week.

With large windows and private balconies, these modern, self-catering apartments are flooded with natural light. Pull-out sofas in every living room mean there’s plenty of space for the entire family. In the morning, simply pop the sofa-bed away and open the sliding doors to let the sea air flow in, while you eat together around the dining table – why not try a typical Majorcan breakfast treat like an ensaimada, a delicious spiral bun dusted with icing sugar. Daily housekeeping ensures that the apartments stay sparkling clean.

Sub-tropical gardens, warm sands and hot tubs: Apartamentos Fariones has everything you need for a rejuvenating holiday in Lanzarote. Just a three-minute walk from Playa Grande and 10 minutes from the old town’s harbour, you’ll have shops, bars and the shore all within arms’ reach. You might simply be tempted to stay where you are, however: the complex features a rooftop terrace with a hot tub, two outdoor swimming pools and a fresh-water paddling pool. By night, you can settle in with the family for an evening of live music or bingo.

Mosaic tiling brings a touch of the Med into your home-from-home. Each apartment has a kitchen equipped with a hob and microwave, so you can concoct a home-cooked meal to enjoy in the spacious dining area – if you’re feeling adventurous, why not experiment and make Lanzarote favourite Sancocho, a tasty fish stew. For a romantic evening, open a bottle of Tempranillo, a full-bodied Spanish red wine, and sit out at the wrought-iron table on your balcony to catch the sunset, or relax in the adult-only hot tub.

Breakfast is included in the price of your stay and is served in the buffet restaurant. Prepare yourself for a day of lounging or sightseeing with fresh fruit or scrambled eggs, then head out to explore the nearby attractions, such as the fascinating Cueva de Los Verdes, home to one of the longest volcanic tunnels in the world.