For a simple, no-worries, family holiday, Gran Canaria is one of the best choices of all the Canary Islands. The purpose-built resorts offer everything a family could want from a choice of accommodation and eating places to a range of water sports, children’s playgrounds and all manner of theme parks and boat rides. Use our guide to the best family hotels on Gran Canaria and start to plan your holiday.

Flickr user Ernst J. Schwarzme

The island’s rugged coastline is dotted with powder-soft, white beaches with the most popular ones in the south around Puerto Rico, Playa del Inglés (which segues into Playa de las Burras and Playa de Maspalomas) and Arguineguin. Don’t overlook the beach near the island’s capital of Las Palmas; the long sandy stretch of Playa de las Canteras is considered one of the world’s finest city beaches.

Flickr user William Warby

These popular beaches offer plenty of family-style activities such as boat rides and water sports, as well as playgrounds and safe swimming pools. In Puerto Rico there’s a chance to go dolphin-spotting while around Playa del Inglés there’s a host of theme parks and activities such as water parks, zoos, camel rides and Wild West shows.

Flickr user Peter Visser

And if your children are after something a little more sophisticated and cultural, Las Palmas, the island’s capital, has some fun but informative museums such as the science museum and the Museo de Colón. Our choice of the best family hotels on Gran Canaria ensures that parents can enjoy a stress-free holiday.

5 of the Best Family Hotels on Gran Canaria

For a rural stay

• In the heart of the island, surrounded by mountains, the child-friendly Fonda de La Tea offers simple, traditional rooms - including a villa for four - a pool and stunning views.
• There are lots of family activities at Hotel el Mondalon, a traditional finca with rooms featuring exposed-stone walls and wooden floors - most have a private terrace - pool and hot tub.
• Another traditional finca, Finca Los Longueras, is surrounded by rural countryside yet close to the beach on the north-west coast and offers delightfully traditional rooms, a beautiful pool and lush, palm-tree-dotted gardens.

In Las Palmas

• In the island’s capital, Las Palmas, Hotel Santa Catalina offers great value with comfortably classic rooms, many with balconies and sea-views, plus a terrace restaurant and pool.

For a luxury beach resort

• Right on the beach near Maspolomas, Lopesan Villa del Conte Resort makes for a perfect five-star family hotel, offering several pools, children’s club, large suites, spa and magnificently stylish interiors.

Not found your idea of the best family hotels on Gran Canaria?

• You might want to expand your search to include all our Gran Canaria recommendations?
• Or you could check out our pick of the best family hotels in the Canary Islands?
• or our pick of the best beach hotels on the Canary Islands?
• or contact a friendly guru for advice.