Best family hotels in Spain with water slides or water parks for 2024

We’ve chosen 12 of the most fun, family-friendly aqua adventures to cool down in under Spain's warm sun, whether it's within the hotel or next door at a massive public waterpark.

We first identified a list of hotels recommended by families, and then selected those that offer the best facilities, water slides and activities, and calculated an estimated cost for a week's holiday for a family of four in August 2024.

Bear in mind, some regions of Spain were affected by high temperatures and wildfires in 2023, with extreme weather warnings issued in the south of the country, the Balearics and Canary Islands. While high temperatures are not unusual, it's worth keeping an eye on the weather, and checking out latest government advice or visiting the Spanish Met Office website for up to date information.

For more holiday inspiration, take a look at the best family holidays in Portugal or the best family hotels in Tenerife. Want to see what hidden gems Spain has to offer? See all best undiscovered beaches and places to visit in Spain. If you're in holiday planning mode and like the look of the Balearic Islands, check out our roundup of the best family hotels in Majorca. We've also picked the best family hotels in Gran Canaria, and Lanzarote. Alternatively, for somewhere completely different, take a look at the best family hotels in Crete. And if you're staying in the UK this year, don't miss our pick of the best Devon family hotels and best places to stay in Cornwall for families.

Make sure you have all your travel essentials, such as sunscreen for kids, insect repellent, sun hat, buggy sunshade, a pram fan and sunglasses.

Best family hotels in Spain with water slides and parks recommended by parents

1. Hotel Globalese Los Patos Park, Costa del Sol

Example package: From £2,656 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in a family room for 7 nights in August 2024, including breakfast on Booking.com.

Where is it? In a town named Benalmadena, on the Costa Del Sol, which is in Southern Spain. It’s an 8-minute drive to the area’s largest theme park, Tivoli World.

Nearest airport: Malaga airport (22 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: For younger kids, there’s an on-site splash park in the pool at the hotel, which comes with slides, a pirate ship and a water cannon. There are also faster twisting, tunnel and 4-track slides for slightly older kids.

What families say: The pool and hotel slides score highly, as do the general entertainment options for kids. One mum commented, "We arrived in early May for a week with our 21 month old. It was our first family holiday abroad and I was slightly anxious about how it was going to go. This hotel didn't disappoint. The entertainment at night was the best I've seen in a hotel. It kept our son amused and he even sat one night in his pram for an hour which was bliss."

Another mum agreed, "I stayed for 10 days with a 4 year old and an 8 month old. The hotel really is a heaven for kids. Although I'm not sure I would come here if I travelled without children – as there are kids EVERYWHERE."

What to watch out for: Nearby beach is stony and evening entertainment can be quite noisy.

For pricing and dates: Visit Booking.com, Expedia or On The Beach

2. Sol Katmandu Park & Resort, Majorca

Example package: From £2,485 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive standard room for 7 nights in August 2024 on Booking.com.

Where is it? Magaluf, on the island of Majorca, Spain (If you like the look of Majorca, take a look at our pick of the best family hotels in Majorca).

Nearest airport: Palma Majorca Airport (50 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: The hotel is part of the Katmandu Park, and hotel visitors get Play Passes for the Park for each night of the stay. Katmandu Park features 10 attractions including interactive house with mirror maze and spinning tunnel, 4D cinema experiences, putt-and-play safari crazy golf as well as the Katmandu water splash park. Expect several twisty slides, a water fortress, drench buckets and more than 150 interactive water activities.

What families say: “It's absolutely perfect for children, as there's so much to do within the resort,” commented one dad. “Wristbands for most of the park attractions were included in the booking price and you can also upgrade to a Play Pass Gold for access to everything.”

"The water park was fantastic, well maintained, with loads of slides and lots of fun, as was the pool area. It was clean, a good size with plenty of sunbeds," explained another parent.

What to watch out for: Can be noisy at night. water slides best for under 9s

For pricing and dates: Visit Booking.com, Expedia or On The Beach

3. Medplaya Hotel Calypso, Costa Dorada

– Best for access to large waterpark and theme parks

Example package: From £1,847 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive family room with terrace for 7 nights in August 2024 on Booking.com.

Where is it? Salou, Costa Dorada, in the Catalonia region of Spain.

Nearest airport: Reus Airport (14 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: There are two large swimming pools at the hotel itself, but look for room packages that offer unlimited entry to Aquopolis, Costa Dorada’s giant waterpark.

Aquopolis offers 12 main slides varying in extremes: from the Kamikaze, Boomerang and Hurricane for daredevils and older children, to the simple, straight-forward Treasure Island slide for younger children – and a bunch of fun, themed slides in between.

Aquopolis is around 10 mins away from the hotel by car, or 30 mins away on foot (realistically longer if you’re trying to get kids to walk in the heat)

What families say: One mum explained, "The hotel location was great and just a 10 minute drive from Portaventura World. The staff were friendly and tried their best to help with any requests. There were a lot of facilities and 2 pools so it never seemed over crowded outside."

Another parent added, "The guy doing the fitness by the pool was very funny and entertaining. Our daughter loved the programmes for children during the day and they have entertainment for the kids before the evening shows. It's close to the beach, shops, restaurants, and 10 minute bus ride from water parks and Portaventura.

What to watch out for: Set times for eating at the restaurant and bus pools.

For pricing and dates: Visit Booking.com, Expedia, On The Beach, or Medplaya’s official website

4. Gran Castillo Tagoro, Lanzarote

Example package: From £2,478 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive superior double room for 7 nights in August 2024 on Booking.com.

Where is it? In the southernmost corner of Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands (take a look at more family hotels in Lanzarote).

Nearest airport: Lanzarote Airport (30 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: There are two very large outdoor swimming pools, plus a baby pool with a splash pad area. Toddlers and older children can explore the ‘Dragon Pool’ with two waterslides, one covered the other open, plus there are toadstool fountains to splash around in and a pirate ship to clamber aboard. Another expansive palm-tree flanked pool is designed for the whole family. It has dreamy Atlantic Ocean views and a snack bar, so you don’t have to leave the waterside all day. Lifeguards operate every day between 10am-6pm to give families that extra piece of mind.

Plus there's an adults-only pool allows parents (or one at least!) to sneak off and relax to the sounds of chill-out music and lounge around in the poolside Balinese beds.

When the sun has gone down, there’s nightly children’s entertainment and a cinema showing 5D movies, which engages all the senses, including smell, in an immersive experience.

What families say: A few parents loved the place so much they'd been back more than once. Overall, the entertainment and the staff get top marks. "The pool and playing areas are excellent and the nightly shows are of good quality. The all-inclusive food was really good," explained one mum.

The key appeal of the Gran Castillo Tagoro is its wide range of family-friendly facilities. "Great facilities," enthused one parent. "We liked the addition of the 5D cinema, the gym, the football & volleyball pitches, play park, as well as the choice of pools. The buffet food was exceptional - all very good quality. Plus there was fun evening entertainment for the whole family."

What to watch out for: There are strict rules that limit use of inflatables in the pools and some of the kids' entertainment happens late in the day.

For pricing and dates: Visit Expedia, Booking.com, or Lastminute

5. Magic Natura Animal Water Park & Polynesian Lodge Resort, Costa Blanca

– Best slides for older children

Example package: From £3,275 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive 2 bedroom bungalow with access to Terra Natura Park for 7 nights in August 2024 on Booking.com.

Where is it? Benidorm, Costa Blanca, East Spain.

Nearest airport: Alicante Airport (40 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: The Aqua Natura waterpark comes with slides, wave pools and even a mini lighthouse. Impressive slides include a twisty slide, a 4-person racer slide and a 'death drop' style slide - all pictured above.

The hotel also gives you unlimited entry to Terra Natura Wildlife Park, where you can enjoy a daytime or night time safari, plus Terra Mítica Theme Park is 5 minutes drive away.

What families say: “The location near the zoo is great. The fact that you can come in and out of the zoo from the hotel is very comfortable and the kids' club is good," said one mum. The water park is about an 8 minute walk from the hotel, but there's a complimentary bus you can hop on if it's too hot to walk. Another mum commented, "We went all inclusive plus so entry to the water park was free for us. The place is massive with so many pools and slides for everyone. We booked my girls to go to the mermaid school which they loved!"

What to watch out for: Some of tamily entertainment can be a bit loud and continues into the evening and you need to hire floats separately for the slides.

For pricing and date info: Visit Booking.com, Expedia and On The Beach

6. Playacarta Aqua Park & Spa Hotel, Andalusia

Example package: From £2,553 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive standard double/twin room for 7 nights in August 2024 on Expedia.

Where is it? In the ancient port city of Huelva in Andalusia, southwestern Spain, with its mysterious architecture and baroque facades. The hotel itself is on the Piedrass River, and a 5-minute drive or 20-minute walk to the beach.

Nearest airport: Faro Airport (1 hour 15 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: The hotel has its own water park with a proper 9.5m high flume that zooms into a wide bowl, and ends in a plughole style vertical drop into a pool. Two other large slide attractions include a spiraling open flume and a three person classic slide for races. There’s also a castle with a slide into a pool and splash pool with smaller slides for younger children.

Meanwhile, an indoor cave-style pool is heated and there are two Jacuzzis for bubble fun. The large outdoor pool, surrounded by palm trees, is the place for the whole family. Mini, junior and teen clubs offer age appropriate activities, from circus or pirate shows, to movie nights and archery and mini golf.

What families say: “The facilities are very good, the staff are always very nice and helpful, and the swimming pools are wonderful. The kids had a great time on the slides,” said one mum.

“During high-season it is truly a family spot. It has an aquapark for small kids and older ones and is busy will kids running back and forth. During the day, the activities team organises different activities for adults and kids,” said another parent.

What to watch out for: It's very popular with Spanish families and limited English is spoken with the entertainment and kids club, and quiet location.

For pricing and date info: Visit Senator Hotels, On The Beach and Expedia

7. Albir Garden Resort, Costa Blanca

Example package: From £2,858 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive 1 bedroom apartment for 7 nights in August 2024 on Booking.com.

Where is it? Albir, Costa Blanca in the province of Alicante, Spain.

Nearest airport: Alicante Airport (45 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: Albir Garden Aqua Park is in the same complex as the hotel, so you won't have far to go for water fun. The park has 16 slides, colourful water playgrounds, 2 spacious outdoor pools, a kids' splash pool and a heated pool (available in winter months). There's also a regular playground and a mini kids club.

What families say: "A wonderful week's holiday. Overall the hotel was perfect, we were located directly opposite the aqua park, the room was spotless and had everything we needed," enthused one parent.

Another praised the facilities, saying, "So much to do for children. 2 pools, aqua park with great slides, mini disco and children's games all day.The food was good and there was lots for kids to eat."

What to watch out for: The opening hours of the waterpark are reduced if you go outside of the school holidays, and the entertainment can be noisy in the evenings.

For pricing and availability: Visit Booking.com, Expedia or On The Beach

8. PortAventura Hotel El Paso, Costa Dorado

– Best for a theme park holiday

Example package: From £2,213 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive standard room for 7 nights in August 2024, including access to amusement park and 1 access to Ferrari Land for 4 adults on Booking.com.

Where is it? Salou, on the Costa Dorada in Spain.

Nearest airport: Barcelona Airport (1 hour 10 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: This Mexican-themed hotel offers unlimited entry to the PortAventura Park, which has plenty of water rides, flumes and rollercoasters to choose from, and 1-day access to nearby Ferrari Land.

If you're after a full-on waterpark, your main draw will be the PortAventura Caribe Aquatic Park, which features indoor and outdoor pools, a floating river, a challenging wave pool, free-fall slides, twisters and racers that older kids will love and junior activities for younger ones.

What families had to say about it: "It's the perfect location for visiting PortAventura theme park and the Caribe aquatic park – you just come out of the hotel reception, turn left and wait for the shuttle bus that runs regularly. Alternatively, you can walk 5-10 mins up a straight road," explained one mum.

Another parent commented, "The swimming pool in Hotel El Paso is great. It's really big, so lots of room for everyone." The hotel pool is supervised by lifeguards – some families found them quite strict, others found them helpful and friendly.

What to watch out for: No kids' clubs or entertainment, bad weather can close the waterpark.

For pricing and availability: Visit Booking.com, Expedia or On The Beach

9. Hotel Livvo Lago Taurito & Aquapark, Gran Canaria

Example package: From £1,290 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive superior double room with sea view for 7 nights in August 2024, including access to aquapark on Booking.com.

Where is it? Playa Taurito, near Las Palmas. Las Palmas is the capital of Gran Canaria, which is one of Spain's Canary Islands (see more places to stay here in our round up of the best family hotels in Gran Canaria).

Nearest airport: Gran Canaria Airport (35 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: The hotel itself has outdoor pools, as you'd expect – but the on-site Lago waterpark is the key attraction.

There are 5 big slides including a Space Bowl, a Kamikaze death drop-style slide, a 4-person racer slide, twister slides and the Roller Coaster, which is almost like a shuggy boat!

What families say: Generally, it seems like activities and entertainment for little ones are really brilliant. The waterpark has largely been reviewed as "excellent"!

"The water park always has sunbeds available and even at weekends there was very little queuing for the slides," commented one parent. "Our kids love the waterpark and we have spent some time in there every day. Do wear flip-flops or sliders to the water's edge – the ground gets super hot!"

Another parent said, "We had a 6 year old with us who had a ball. There are plenty of activities on offer during the day if the kids don't want at to stay in the pool all day and a mini disco in the evening. There is also aqua dance for the whole family in the pool a few times a week which is great fun!"

What to watch out for: The Lago waterpark is the only park in Gran Canaria to use seawater, so prepare to bring your goggles. Also the hotel pool itself gets quite crowded.

For pricing and availability: Visit Taurito Resorts, Expedia or On The Beach

10. Evenia Zoraida Park Hotel, Costa del Almeria

Example package: From £3,232 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive twin room with balcony for 7 nights in August 2024, on Booking.com.

Where is it? Roquetas de Mar, Costa Del Almeria, in south east Spain.

Nearest airport: Almeria Airport (40 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: There are 5 swimming pools including a separate pool for kids that features a pirate ship and some water slides. There's also a Chinese Dragon feature, a water umbrella, as well as a bigger racer slide and a few flumes that older children will enjoy.

What families say: "The pools are lovely and clean. There are plenty of lifeguards around pools," said one parent.

"You have full access to 3 pools, all very different and all equally amazing," commented another mum. "The large hotel pool has water aerobics and other kids games during the day. The kids' splash pool is great with multiple slides and fairly big for the younger kids. My 6 year old loved it. The larger slides were fantastic, even for adults, and you can literally spend hours just doing the pools."

What to watch out for: Busy restaurant with queues, kids club Spanish speaking

For pricing and availability: Visit Booking.com, On The Beach or Expedia

11. Marinda Garden Aparthotel, Menorca

Example package: From £1,744 for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) in an all-inclusive 1-bedroom apartment for 7 nights in August 2024 from Garden Hotels.

Where is it? Cala'n Bosch, on the island of Menorca, Spain.

Nearest airport: Menorca Airport (50 mins drive)

What water activities it offers: There's a pool at the hotel, but the key attraction is that all guests get free entry to the next door Aquarock Menorca woter park. Aquarock is just a few minutes' walk from the hotel, and has a variety of slides and fun water activities for children.

What families say: "The water park next door to the hotel is fab," said one mum – a view shared by many families who stay here.

"The free access to the water park is an amazing addition to the hotel's facilities and just a 2-minute walk away," one mum added. "Huge pool, wave pool and brilliant slides. Our kids loved it. You do have to pay for sun loungers (3.5 Euros) but with it being so close we very rarely took anything with us and weren’t there to sit down and sunbathe. There are patches of grass you can always put your towels down on if you need to. There are also lots of lifeguards keeping on eye out."

"Definitely go all inclusive, if your budget allows," advises one parent, who felt they had good value for money with all the amenities on offer. "The entertainment team were really friendly, there's a kids club for younger ones but also daily activities for teenagers and adults, if they wish to join in - such as archery, darts, pool volleyball and air pistol shooting and many more (all free)."

What to watch out for: Lots of inflatables used in the hotel pool, which can get full and noisy

For pricing and availability: visit On The Beach, Expedia and Garden Hotels

12. Club Med Magna Marbella, Marbella

Example package: From £6093 for a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) in all-inclusive Interconnecting Super Rooms for 7 nights in August 2024 from Club Med.

Where is it? The foot of the Sierra Blanca mountains in Marbella.

Nearest airport: Magna Costa del Sol Airport (40 minute drive)

What water activities it offers: There are 5 swimming pools including the large Lagoon swimming pool, a children's pool and a children's water games area.

The fun-filled water games area will provide hours of entertainment with its two water slides, aquatic games, water jets, spray systems and much more. The shallow children's pool is also great for kids to cool off in the water or play games with the kids club. The resort also offers pool parties, foam parties, water fights and much more.

There are also plenty of other activities and classes families can enjoy, including flying trapeze group lessons (from age 4), archery group lessons (from age 6), mini golf and table tennis.

What families say: The kids clubs in particular at the Magna Marbella score very highly, with one parent saying "our children adored the Petit and Mini Club. The staff to child ratio was very high and the activities were very well thought-out." Another said, "the atmosphere in the kids clubs is amazing. Mascots, superheroes and fairy tale characters running around all day. It made drop-off so easy. The baby club was such a friendly and calming place for our littlest one. There were shows for the kids in the evenings too."

Parents also appreciated the amount of child-friendly activities around the resort too, one parent said "there is a nice area for kids to play outside of Mini Club, with a splashpool which is a lot of fun, zip line, some climbing nets and with some shade."

What to watch out for: Activation of the water features and access to some of the swimming pools changes depending on the time of year. Water jets and spray systems in the kids splash park are only activated from early April to late September, the children's pool is open from the beginning of April to beginning of November and the indoor pool is reserved for adults from May to November.

For pricing and availability: Visit Club Med

Read more:

• 10 best family hotels in Portugal
• Best family hotels in Ibiza
• Best family hotels in Menorca
• Advertorial – 10 of the best all-inclusive holidays from TUI