By Nadine Mellor, i-escape Kids Collection Editor
Plan to head to the Med for some sunshine this year? Here are our favourite family-friendly coastal charmers, brilliant for both kids and parents, in a range of locations and prices. Happy family time!
Portixol, Mallorca, Spain
For Parents: holidays are easy and fun at this serene Scandi-chic hotel. It’s only 15 minutes from the airport, on the outskirts of Palma de Mallorca; there’s a great cocktail bar, small spa, sauna and Jacuzzi, and it’s a few minutes walk into town. You can even spin discs in the lounge…
For Kids: the lovely swimming pool has sofas in the shade, there’s a kids menu in the restaurant (and food available all day), and the sandy beach (with pedalos and windsurfing) is just steps away.
From: £360/night including breakfast during May half-term, in a Big Port View room for a family of 4.
Villas Martinhal Sagres, Algarve, Portugal
For Parents: all the facilities of a family-friendly resort with the convenience of self-catering. You stay in sleek, modern and well-equipped villas with indoor and outdoor dining, and there are 3 restaurants and a mini-market within walking distance. There are also 4 heated pools, tennis courts, spa and a spectacular sandy beach, all just a stroll away.
For Kids: a football academy, bikes and cycling tracks, movie screenings, a nightly Party Zone, an ice cream corner, even baby and kids treatments in the spa! It’s hard to top staying here.
From: £163/night during May half-term, in a 1-bedroom apartment for a family of 4.
Palmizana, Sveti Klement, nr Hvar, Croatia
For Parents: a lush bohemian hideaway of stone villas and bungalows overlooking the Adriatic, popular Palmizana will enrich your soul yet be light on your wallet. There’s a choice of 2 restaurants, you can charter a boat to explore other islands, and Hvar Town is 10 minutes by water taxi. This is a car-free island, so care-free adventures await.
For Kids: although there’s no pool, the island’s many beaches will enchant, the crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkelling, and the extensive gardens are fantastic for hide and seek.
From: £140/night during May half-term, in a split-level Bungalow for a family of 3.
Eagles Palace, Halkidiki, Greece
For Parents: relaxed luxury is the mantra at this top-quality beachside resort, which ticks all manner of boxes with a golden sandy beach, faultless service, 4 on-site restaurants, lessons in everything from cookery to wake-boarding, and the gorgeous Elemis Spa.
For Kids: among the many attributes and amenities offered, the open-air theatre offers movie nights and kids discos, there’s superlative childcare in the all-ages kids clubs, the swimming pool & splash pool are both heated, and the spa has a family menu.
From: £323/night including breakfast during May half-term, in a Family Suite Garden View room for a family of 4.
Azur Hotel, Cirali, Turkey
For Parents: set in idyllic flowering gardens, these unpretentious cabins are a steps away from glorious golden Cirali beach. There’s a delightful on-site restaurant, wonderful staff and the hotel is fantastic value.
For Kids: there’s a large pool with a separate shallow section, huge lawned gardens and a small playground. Activities nearby include climbing Mt Olympos and boat trips.
From: £96/night during May half-term, in a Stone Bungalow for a family of 4.
Almyra, Paphos, Cyprus
For Parents: a great affordable one-stop-shop, this contemporary-chic resort is close to the airport and right on the waterfront, has a choice of restaurants and a good spa, and you can easily stroll into town.
For Kids: they’ll have a super time making friends in the excellent kids pool, which is large and heated (and slopes gently so all ages can enjoy it), there’s superlative childcare in the kids clubs, plus there’s a playground, movie nights, tennis and watersports.
From: £196/night including breakfast during May half-term, in an Inland View room for a family of 3.
Palazzo Radomiri, Kotor Bay, Montenegro
For Parents: begin your day with a yoga class overlooking the sea, hire bicycles to explore the wild beauty of Kotor Bay, then return to this waterside Baroque palace-turned-hotel for a sauna. Later, enjoy by Med-Balkan fusion fare in the restaurant.
For Kids: outdoorsy families will love swimming in the outdoor pool or in the bay, and learning to kayak; there are national parks, lakes and beaches nearby, too.
From: £193/night including breakfast during May half-term, in an Attic Suite for a family of 3.
Borgo Egnazia, Puglia, Italy
For Parents: this flawless retreat is set up like an Italian village, so you stay in townhouses or villas, there are restaurants aplenty (all with delicious food), and there’s a golf course and no-expense spared spa. Shuttle buses run to the nearby beach club.
For Kids: in addition to the dedicated kids pool, heated indoor pool and playground, there are excellent kids clubs for all ages up to 16. On-site activities include tennis, watersports and a fully wired games room. Best of all there are heaps of other kids to play with in the holidays.
From: £525/night during May half-term in a Borgo Splendida room for a family of 3.
See our full collection of European coastal family hotels