White sandy beaches, an enviable year-round climate and action-packed water parks – Tenerife has everything you need for a fun-packed family break.
The sweeping coast is ideal for exploring, reclining under a palapa or paddling in the warm shores of the sea. Get to know the gentle coastline, or make a splash at one of the numerous water parks such as Siam, Aqualand and Mekong Rapids.
Lay back in a hammock on the terrace at Hotel Jardines de Nivaria and be lulled by the sound of gently lapping waves. This seafront hotel, set in lush tropical gardens, is just 25 metres from the water. Feel immersed in luxury thanks to the decadent décor and palm tree-lined grounds, and visit the
Aequor Spa facilities to be transported to a state of total relaxation. Kids get a taste of the fun, too, with a dedicated playground and games room.
When it’s time to hit the water park, a six-minute drive will take you to Aqualand, which has play areas for young children, teens and adults. Race the family down the colourful slides and ride the Tsunami for a real adrenaline boost. Afterwards, you can relax in the family chill-out zones or simply sway with the water in the wave pool.
Refuel at one of the hotel’s three restaurants, serving up local and international fare. Restaurant Solandra has a scrumptious selection of pastries and delicious coffee for breakfast. Stop by La Cascada for traditional tapas, and choose a table by the pool’s trickling waterfall or underneath the shaded terrace for a blissful evening. When you’re taking time out from the main hotel, its tastefully decorated rooms are light and bright, thanks to their large windows and natural-toned décor. Some have walk-in closets – handy for stashing the kids’ games and anything else they pick up. Separate baths and showers mean family bathroom time with little ones is made easy, while satellite TV with music channels keeps teens occupied.
Set in 1.2 hectares of gardens with a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean, Jardín Tropical Hotel is a verdant haven on the south coast of the Canary Islands. Dive into one of the multiple outdoor swimming pools or take a five-minute stroll down to Puerto Colón Beach, with its gently sloping shallows and bustling promenade. You’ll find charming ethnic touches in your room, like ceramic features and quirky wooden furniture, to lend a sense of being far from the everyday. LED TVs will amuse the children while some rooms provide luxurious cosmetics and bath salts for the grown-ups.
Enticingly named attractions like The Lost City and The Wave Palace are a four-minute drive away at Siam Park. Activities here are grouped into three categories – relax, family and adrenalin – for choose-your-own-adventure fun. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to one of the hotel’s four restaurants for dinner. Catch the sunset at Oceanfood Las Rocas while sampling freshly caught seafood. The Laguna Food Market serves up healthy options in a relaxed buffet setting.
The hotel has a kids’ club, where little ones can play and socialise while you spend an hour or so unwinding at the spa. With body wraps, scrubs, massages and facials to pick from, you can find your Zen after an energetic day at the waterpark. Try the seaweed bath to rejuvenate your skin, or indulge in an exotic Ayurvedic massage.
There’s something for every member of the family at Vincci la Plantación. Adults can let tensions ebb away at the Nammu Spa, with a thermal circuit styled like a volcanic cave and soothing facials, body wraps, scrubs and massages. The banana facemask smells divine and will leave your skin glowing. Meanwhile, kids can try out watersports at the kids’ club, and there’s an onsite babysitting service for peace of mind while you pamper yourselves.
Treat the family to the five-star experience at this hotel. The elegant white façade stands out on the south coast of the Canary Islands, with the warm sands of the beach just a short walk away. Rooms have every comfort you could want. Pick the pillow for you from the hotel’s menu, slip on the complimentary robe and slippers and refresh yourself under a hydro-massage shower. These spacious, beige-toned rooms with balconies give families space to spread out and the Wi-Fi connection will help keep kids occupied.
Aqualand is just an eight-minute drive away and has pools, slides and attractions for all ages. Lounge in the bubble pool after you’ve taken on the thrills of the Anaconda slide. Back at the hotel, there are three outdoor pools to try out; grab a roofed Bali bed or shaded lounger for a little respite from the sun. When it’s time to feast, dine at El Buffet, which offers a scrumptious children’s menu to keep the kids happy.
Gran Tacande boasts a winning location beside the Blue Flag-awarded Playa del Duque and less than 10 minutes by car to both the Siam and Aqualand water parks. When you’re not shooting down adrenaline-pumping slides, find some time for relaxation in the hotel’s glass-roofed atrium or stretch out on a Bali bed overlooking the ocean. The décor combines tranquil colonial architecture with contemporary touches for a light and airy atmosphere.
Rooms continue along this theme with relaxing neutral shades, fine furnishings and traditional Canarian elements bringing an inviting ambience. Open-plan bathrooms with bathtubs and massage jet showers ensure the whole family has space to freshen up.
There are four onsite swimming pools to dip into when you’re ready to return to the water. Children have their own dedicated pool and there’s a peaceful Jacuzzi for adults to unwind in. A kids’ club and nursery offer games and activities in a colourful setting to keep little ones occupied and active throughout the day.
While the children play, soothe your muscles and soul at the hotel’s Vitanova Thalasso spa, which offers a number of aromatic treatments. Test out the thermal pool circuit to take full advantage of its rejuvenating powers. The hotel’s rooftop terrace bar is the ideal place to finish your day – grab a fruity cocktail and listen to live music as you watch the sun sink into the horizon.
Spend a day with the family making waves at Aqualand, just a seven-minute drive away from Iberostar Anthelia. Younger children can play on the colourful, candy-cane-striped slides at Kidzworld, while big kids will get their adrenaline pumping on the Boomerang or Crazy Cones. Afterwards, ease your muscles in the hotel’s thermal circuit, Finnish sauna, hammam or with a massage while the children carry on the fun at the kids’ club.
A five-star escape, Iberostar Anthelia is situated right next to the sea and offers impeccable views. Survey the sprawling dunes and rolling waves from your room, or rest on a shaded lounger by the pool. Children get their own slice of paradise with two dedicated kids’ pools, one of which has slides and a pirate ship made for playing pretend.
When it comes to dining, sample flavours from all around the world within the comfort of your resort. The SeaSoul Beach Club serves up fresh seafood – the lobster is a must-try – alongside live music. If you’re in the mood for authentic pasta, head to the Portofino Italian Restaurant where you can watch chefs prepare your meal in front of you. Back in your room (decorated in relaxing shades of creams and whites), you can enjoy little luxuries like the Nespresso machine and a chromotherapy shower. Simply request a cot or extra bed when you’re holidaying with little ones.
The Gran Hotel Bahía has a dedicated kids’ club and a teen lounge, where young ones can socialise and try their hand at water sports like scuba diving. While the children are having a splash, you’re free to ease any tension in the Bahía Vital Spa. The menu includes massages, facials, wraps and scrubs, along with a romance-inducing ‘his and hers’ treatment package.
Step out of the hotel and directly onto the warm sands of Duque Beach. A moment’s walk from the sea, this family-friendly hotel is a stellar spot for playtime as well as relaxation. With 15 acres of grounds brimming with subtropical plants, you don’t need to go exploring to find a quiet area to sit in the sunshine. In suites suitable for families of four and more, you’ll find Acqua di Parma toiletries, a Nespresso machine and a sheet and pillow menu, so that everyone has a little taste of luxury. Patterned fabrics and terracotta tiles add a homely feel.
Nearby activities range from leisurely to adrenaline-fuelled. Spend an afternoon putting at Golf Costa Adeje, just a five-minute drive away, which has spectacular views of the sea and landscape. Siam water park, meanwhile, with its crowd-pleasing combination of family-friendly rides and high-octane thrills, can be reached by public transport. Up to four of you can ride the Dragon at once, which has a vertical funnel for a zero gravity experience.
For family fun in a relaxed setting, book in at the Gran Oasis Resort. Located in the tourist area of Playa de las Américas, with its variety of international bars and restaurants, there’s plenty for families to see and do. Try out the slides at Aqualand Water Park one day, then splash into Wave Palace at Siam Park the next.
Stay in a guestroom with sea views, or check into an apartment with a spacious living area. Suites with kitchens mean you can make snacks for the kids – those with microwaves make it quick and easy to feed them and send them out to play. A palette of soft colours with touches of fresh blue makes these rooms a haven to come back to after a day out, while the TV and free Wi-Fi are great for family chill-out time.
The resort has two family-friendly pools, including a separate section for young swimmers and babies. Plus, there are free transfers to and from Siam Park, as well as a kids’ club and playground to keep the little ones amused. Adults can slip into the Jacuzzi or book a massage and let tensions float away. As night starts to fall, live shows keep the family entertained. Head to the Taste Bar and recline on a rustic sofa made from reclaimed palettes for an afternoon coffee or an evening cocktail.