Best family-friendly hotels in Mallorca 2023: Where to stay for kids’ activities and swimming pools

Family-friendly resorts that you should visit if you find yourself on the Spanish island

Enjoy some of Spain’s most picturesque beaches (iStock)

Mallorca is the ideal holiday destination for taking the kids abroad, whatever their age. Restaurants where friendly staff will smile and coo at your little ones? Check. Balmy rather than bonkers-hot summer climate? Check. Sandy beaches with clean waters safe for swimming? Check, check, check.

Because this Mediterranean island is so accommodating for little ones, it’s also home to dozens of family-friendly hotels. You’ll find it all here, from large five-stars that treat the kids like royalty, to beachfront all-inclusives running clubs for all ages tot to teen. And there’s no need to compromise either – some of Mallorca’s very best family hotels are in fact its best hotels full stop.

Should you be searching for sprawling resorts with multiple swimming pools or destinations boasting restaurants ideal for drinking sundowners and enjoying the warm evening air, Mallorca has all you need for a glorious holiday in Spain. Not forgetting, the cultural sights to see if you do fancy exploring further afield, with palaces, castles and cathedrals all worth visiting.

Keep scrolling to see our favourite family-friendly hotels in Mallorca, suiting children of all ages.

The best family hotels in Mallorca for 2023 are:

• Best for relaxation: Zafiro Palace Alcúdia
• Best for unusual kids’ activities: Belmond La Residencia
• Best for city culture: Hotel Portixol
• Best for exploration: Jumeirah Port Sóller Hotel & Spa
• Best for sports: Robinson Club Cala Serena
• Best for for theme park fun: Meliá South Beach
• Best for luxury: Son Brull Hotel & Spa
• Best for entertainment: Tui Family Life Mallorca Mar

Best for relaxation: Zafiro Palace Alcúdia

Neighbourhood: Puerto de Alcúdia

Opportunities for splashing around are plentiful at Zafiro Palace Alcúdia (Zafiro Palace Alcúdia)

A luxury hotel with an activities programme designed especially for the kids, this five-star in northern Mallorca makes it easy for parents to relax. Family swim-up suites can sleep up to six and have direct access to the water, while the kid’s pool has its own pirate ship, slides and playground. When the kids head to their dedicated kids clubs (for ages 4-16), parents can take a well-deserved break, hitting the spa or relaxing by the adults-only pool.

Best for unusual kids’ activities: Belmond La Residencia

Neighbourhood: Deia

Kids can cook up a storm at La Residencia (La Residencia)

There’s tons for the kids to do at La Residencia, from walking the donkeys through the organic gardens for a picnic, to pottery and cookery workshops and tennis lessons with professional coaches. The kids club is open to children from four years upwards, while babysitting services or even a private nanny can be organised on request. Rooms are large enough to accommodate families of all sizes; some of the suites even have their own private plunge pools.

Best for city culture: Hotel Portixol

Neighbourhood: Es Portixol

Soak up the city vibes at Hotel Portixol (Hotel Portixol)

Palma is a laid-back city that welcomes all ages in its cafes and restaurants, and this boutique hotel is within easy walking distance of many of its best seafood joints which are handily clustered around the harbour right outside. The sands of sweeping Playa de Palma are a few minutes away, too, and the city centre is within walking distance. There’s free bike hire available at reception as well, if you do fancy exploring the area.The chic pool area may tempt you to stay in and rooms are bright and breezy, many of them with private terraces.

Best for exploration: Jumeirah Port Sóller Hotel & Spa

Neighbourhood: Port de Sóller

Jumeirah Port Sóller Hotel & Spa is ideally located for exploring the neighbouring Tramuntana mountain range (Jumeirah Port Sóller Hotel & Spa)

Perched on a clifftop overlooking the beachy resort town of Port de Sóller, this luxurious hotel is a great base for both the beach and for exploring the Tramuntana mountains that rear up behind it – don’t miss taking the tram up to the picturesque town of Sóller. Plus, the town of Valldemossa is under half an hour away by car, for those looking to see the local sights. Back at the hotel, Barbaroja’s kids club has games and crafts for little ones (ages 3-12) and is free for guests up to two hours each day.

Best for sports: Robinson Club Cala Serena

Neighbourhood: Cala d’Or

Get a fitness fix at ROBINSON Club Cala Serena (ROBINSON Club Cala Serena)

Kids need to blow off some steam? Book a break at this sports-focused hotel and you can get them playing tennis and football, mountain biking along the coast or even learning to ride a horse or scuba dive. There are also kids clubs for children aged three and above and babysitting can be arranged on request. Rooms are simple but spacious; all have balconies or terraces.

Best for theme park fun: Meliá South Beach

Neighbourhood: Calvià Beach

(Booking.com)

There’s buckets to do at this family-friendly resort hotel. Book one of the contemporary rooms in The Level and you’ll get an all-inclusive open bar and a private sundeck with outdoor pool (one of six the hotel has in total). Your smart bracelet, issued at check in, also gives you access to the resort’s Katmandu theme park and Katlantis Splash Park, plus Spain’s largest soft play area (ages 2-12). There’s also a spa offering beauty treatments for parents in need of some extra TLC.

Best for luxury: Son Brull Hotel & Spa

Neighbourhood: Pollença

Family holidays don't have to mean dialling down the lux factor (Son Brull)

Son Brull’s new Villa Suites are just the ticket for a superluxe family holiday – they each come with their own private pool and garden and have two bedrooms and two bathrooms. The hotel also has a large communal pool, plus a gourmet restaurant and spa. Kids over six can join the “multi-adventure camp” activities, which include kayaking, canyoning and zip wiring, while cots, baby baths and listeners are provided for babies, as well as a babysitting service. It’s worth noting, the hotel is closed in January.

Best for entertainment: Tui Family Life Mallorca Mar

Neighbourhood: Cala Bona

(TUI)

Bringing the baby? Tui’s Family Life Mallorca Mar has facilities and activities for even the smallest guests, including music and storytelling sessions and a crèche. Clubs for older kids (ages 3-15) run both day and night, and there’s a family show every evening to bring everyone together. Rooms are designed for families, with separate lounges and kitchenettes and the buffet restaurant has plenty of child-friendly options.

Price: Seven nights from €639pp (£534) all inclusive

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