The main advantage of checking into a Spanish hotel where there’s just one upfront price is clear. Knowing that every sunshine-soaked cocktail, meal and activity is covered leaves you free to focus on what really matters — relaxing. While once synonymous with lacklustre buffets and a predictable, one-size-fits-all approach, Spain’s new breed of all-inclusives encompasses everything from chic, adults-only escapes to buzzy beachside enclaves where world-class spa treatments and a multitude of family-friendly activities come as standard.
Travellers have plenty of options when it comes to location, too. Stand-out properties can still be found on the Costa Brava and Costa Blanca — the eastern hotspots that led the way when tourism took off here in the 1970s – but more recently Spain’s Atlantic coast, the Costa de la Luz, has come to the fore, boasting high-spec all-inclusive hotels with premium amenities set amid nature. The southerly Costa del Sol, meanwhile, is undergoing a vibrant transformation, with older hotels being reimagined to meet the demands of today’s savvy travellers, be that through an enriching, creative kids’ club or unforgettable Michelin-starred cuisine. These are the best all-inclusive hotels in Spain.
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1. Melia Villaitana, Costa Blanca
££ | 5 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for attractive design
In the hills above Benidorm, Melia Villaitana resembles a self-contained village with more than two dozen low-rise, Mediterranean-style buildings painted in soft, pastel shades. Rooms have a smart, luxe vibe with natural tones creating a soothing haven. The huge grounds include an artificial beach, a lagoon pool and plenty of activities for children of all ages. Inside there is an attractive spa with another pool (the spa and treatments incur extra charges). If you want to get active, choose between the golf courses on either side of the complex, have a game of padel or tennis, or join one of the many fitness classes.
2. H10 Estepona Palace, Costa del Sol
£ | 2 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for a great location
You sink right into the laid-back Andalusian way of life at the bright white H10 Estepona Palace. The traditional-style property is right on the beach on the edge of the pretty town of Estepona, which is a pleasant 15-minute stroll away along the promenade — you won’t feel hemmed in here. Some rooms have views of one of the pools but it is worth going for one on an upper floor so you can gaze at the Mediterranean from your balcony. The hotel is well-placed for cycling routes along the coast and more challenging rides in the mountains. Bike rental is available and there are on-site storage and workshop facilities.
3. Ikos Andalusia, Costa del Sol
£££ | 9 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for a luxury stay
The all-inclusive concept is taken to a new level of luxury at the five-star Ikos Andalusia, which is on Guadalmansa beach between Estepona and Marbella, less than an hour’s drive from Malaga airport. The rooms and suites (some with private pools), in soft grey and white tones, are arranged around pools and gardens and are flooded with Mediterranean light. The Deluxe Collection is expanding in 2024, with four-bedroom villas and more suites with two or three bedrooms.
You won’t get buffet fatigue here as there are nine options to choose from, including the Chiringuito beach bar. On some packages, you can also dine at restaurants outside the hotel at no extra cost. Other attractive perks include use of a Tesla for a day to explore the white villages in the hills, nip down to Puerto Banus, play a round of golf at one of the nearby courses or have a cultural day in Malaga. Your children, from babies to teenagers, will meanwhile be in the capable hands of the smiling kids’ team and will probably have forgotten you exist.
4. Iberostar Waves Royal Andalus, Costa de la Luz
££ | 5 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for golf and fitness
Right by the splendid La Barrosa beach — one of the best in Spain — the Iberostar Waves Royal Andalus will put a smile on the face of everyone in the family. Kids love the slides in the children’s pool with its dragons and Viking ship, while the adjacent Novo Sancti Petri Golf Club, designed by Seve Ballesteros, keeps the adults happy. A lot of the bright, modern rooms and suites have sea views — book a beachfront one on the ground floor to stroll straight down to the beach. It’s all go here, with clubs for children of different ages, tennis courts, Pilates, Zumba and a spa (there’s an extra charge for spa access). The focus is on the superb local cuisine in the four restaurants, including the cool Sea Soul beach club. If you want to be close — but not that close — to extended family, the adjacent five-star Iberostar Selection Andalucia Playa has more of a grown-up vibe.
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5. Magic Natura Animal Waterpark and Polynesian Lodge Resort, Benidorm
£ | 6 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for aquatic fun
If you dread your children saying they are bored on holiday, just book yourself a lodge in this resort in the hills overlooking Benidorm, which is part of the Terra Natura and Aqua Natura wildlife and water parks — with unlimited entry. Get up close to elephants, tigers and rhinos, then dial up the adrenaline levels on the thrilling water rides and chutes. For any stubbornly non-outdoorsy teens, there are games and consoles to keep them entertained. The lodges have one, two or three bedrooms and basic kitchenettes, so you could book two or more for an extended family gathering. Three à la carte restaurants as well as buffets, lots of sports, three pools and the beach a free bus ride away mean you’ll never worry about coming up with ideas for what to do next.
6. Barcelo Cabo de Gata Resort, Costa de Almeria
££ | 3 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for beach access
Just ten minutes’ drive from Almeria airport, this beachfront hotel is next to the Cabo de Gata nature reserve, which is an area of mesmerising volcanic landscapes and spectacular beaches with crystalline water — don’t forget to pack your snorkel and flippers. The turquoise and white contemporary decor in the 230 rooms accentuates the laid-back Mediterranean vibe of this particularly attractive part of Spain. You could drive to a different pristine beach (swimsuits optional on some) every day, then relax by one of four outdoor pools — one just for kids and two with children’s sections — or switch off in the spa (for which there’s an extra charge). The restaurants include Arrozante, which has excellent, authentic paella and other rice dishes.
7. Elba Estepona Gran Hotel & Thalasso Spa, Costa del Sol
££ | 3 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for spa treatments
Traditional Andalusian and Far Eastern architecture create a comfortable, luxury vibe at this five-star, beachfront hotel, which has 204 rooms and suites. It’s a ten-minute drive west of Estepona and there are several excellent golf courses in the vicinity. The property has more of an adult vibe than some but your children will be happy here too, splashing around in the designated pool or enjoying the activities in the kids’ club. A babysitting service means parents can relax over dinner and drinks on the terrace. As well as the thalasso circuit, there’s a full range of treatments in the sumptuous spa (for which there’s an extra charge) and a covered pool on the roof terrace. Food is excellent in the two à la carte restaurants and the buffet.
8. Melia Isla Canela, Costa de la Luz
£ | 2 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for abundant activities
Close to the Portuguese border at the western end of the Costa de la Luz, the four-star Melia Isla Canela overlooks the the Carreras river on the edge of Ayamonte, which is a proper little town rather than just a tourist resort. Many of the 358 rooms have sea views and some have a sofa bed. The best are in the Level section, which resembles a five-star experience, with access to a private pool with canopied sunbeds. With plenty of activities for adults and children — including flamenco lessons — and bikes for hire to ride along the coastal path and the trails in the Guadiana wetlands adjacent to the hotel, you can have a lot of fun here. Isla Canela golf course is a ten-minute drive away.
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9. Evenia Zoraida Park, Costa de Almeria
£ | 5 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for flying and flopping
The four-star Evenia Zoraida Park and its sister hotel, the Evenia Zoraida Garden, are part of a huge resort complex right by the beach, about half an hour’s drive west of the city of Almeria and its airport. As well as the lagoon pool, the resort has a waterpark with areas for different ages. You can mix it up and eat at the restaurants in both hotels, which makes things a lot more interesting if you are there for a fortnight. Jars of baby food are prepared daily for the buffets. Rooms sleep up to four and have bold design with purple, orange and yellow hexagons, which makes a change. Roquetas de Mar is great for shopping and La Serena golf club is nearby.
10. Alegria Palacio Mojacar, Costa de Almeria
££ | 1 RESTAURANT | POOL | Best for couples and groups of friends
Although most of the hotel is modern, part of it was originally a palatial residence, built at the beginning of the 20th century. The adults-only property is just outside the pretty hilltop town of Mojacar — about 15 minutes by bus or taxi. The Club Marina golf club is next door and you can walk down to Marina de la Torre beach. Some of the rooms have sea views and those in the club palacio category have large windows, high ceilings and a bit more character. With a lagoon pool in the gardens and a pleasant spa (treatments are extra), this is a good choice if you’re looking for a quieter environment with plenty to explore nearby.
11. Estival ElDorado Resort, Costa Dorada
£ | 3 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for multigenerational family holidays
Immediately south of the large resort of Salou, the town of Cambrils has a more traditional seaside vibe and is popular with Spanish and French holidaymakers. Next to La Llosa beach, the Estival Eldorado is close to the PortAventura World and Ferrari Land theme parks. One of the hotel’s pools is adults-only, with Balinese sunbeds, and there are slides, chutes and waterfalls for the children. Kids’ clubs cater for ages three to 18. You can rent bikes to ride along the promenade or tackle more challenging routes into the hills through the vineyards and villages of the Priorat area. With interconnecting rooms, suites, apartments and villas, the hotel suits groups with different requirements.
12. Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach, Costa del Sol
££ | 2 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for style
Right by the beach, a stroll along the promenade from Puerto Banus and 15 minutes’ drive from Marbella, the Iberostar Selection Marbella Coral Beach exudes Mediterranean glamour. Some of the rooms, with cool aquamarine and olive textiles, have hammocks on the terrace, others have shared pools — this is a hotel where guests loll around in their rooms, rather than just nip in and out. You might want to hang out by one of the pools, though, or with a cocktail at the beach club (not part of all-inclusive deals). This is a good choice if you have a baby or toddler and aren’t quite ready for the full-on family hotel vibe.
13. Riu Costa del Sol, Torremolinos
££ | 3 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for value
Right by the Mediterranean in Torremolinos (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it), the Riu Costa del Sol is a large hotel with contemporary design and everything you need for a no-fuss beach break. There’s a splash park as well as outdoor and indoor swimming pools, sport and fitness sessions, and a kids’ club with lots of fun activities — your holiday just takes care of itself here. As well as being a tourist resort, Torremolinos is actually a great base and, if you fancy a change of scene, you can just head into the hills for a hike or bike ride, or get the train to Malaga for a cultural fix.
14. Barcelo Isla Canela, Costa de la Luz
£ | 2 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for golfers
The Barcelo Isla Canela looks like a traditional Andalusian village, with low-rise white buildings set around pools, gardens and fountains. The 349 rooms include interconnecting and family suite options sleeping up to six. Several golf courses are within easy driving distance, so you could try a few during your stay. This is a good area for walking and cycling routes too. On the western edge of the Costa de la Luz, Isla Canela is a low-key resort on a small island with a long sweep of beach, a shopping centre, marina and plenty of places for a drink by the ocean.
15. Alegria Mar Mediterrania, Costa Brava
££ | 1 RESTAURANT | POOL | Best for adults
In the established resort of Santa Susanna, the adults-only Alegria Mar Mediterrania is a beachfront hotel with soothing, neutral decor and a simple yet stylish seaside vibe. If you just want to breathe the sea air and re-energise in the Mediterranean light — maybe with a glass of rosé at the beach club — you will enjoy this pared-back version of an all-inclusive hotel. Read your book on the deck by the pool, bubble away in the spa (which incurs an extra charge) or stroll along the sand — this is a place where you can just take it easy. If you feel like exploring, take the local train down the coast or have a day out in Barcelona or Girona.
16. Iberostar Waves Malaga Playa, Costa del Sol
£ | 1 RESTAURANT | POOL | Best for exploring the coast and mountains
Right by the beach in the resort of Torrox Costa at the quieter eastern end of the Costa del Sol, this four-star is an attractive complex 20 minutes’ drive from Nerja and a good base for exploring the whitewashed villages of La Axarquia. A splash park and a club with activities for all ages will keep the kids busy while you are doing a Pilates or Zumba class, playing golf or paddleboarding. The on-site bike facilities make the hotel popular with cyclists — you can just trundle along the promenade if you don’t fancy the climb up to the hills.
17. Riu Chiclana, Costa de la Luz
£ | 4 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for facilities
The four-star Riu Chiclana is a massive complex overlooking the Atlantic with tons of activities to try during your stay. Lemon, grey and white shades create a bright contemporary look in the rooms and suites — there are more than 800 — all with a balcony or terrace and a sofa bed. You can walk down to the magnificent La Barrosa beach straight from the hotel — but there a lot of steps to climb back up afterwards. There are five pools, including one with a swim-up bar for those afternoon mojitos. Children have two pools with slides to splash around in. If you want to get more active, the RiuFit programme includes toning classes, cardio exercises, stretching and relaxation, both at the gym and at the pool. The traditional Andalusian town of Chiclana de la Frontera is a 20-minute taxi ride away and this is a spectacular strip of coast to explore by car or bike.
18. Barcelo Punta Umbria Beach Resort, Costa de la Luz
£ | 5 RESTAURANTS | POOL | Best for healthy family holidays
Set in countryside, a few minutes from the fabulous Punta Umbria beach and close to Enebrales nature reserve and Marismas de Odiel marshland on the Costa de la Luz, this four-star complex is a great option for an active holiday. You’ll spend your days swimming, hiking and cycling, as well as trying spinning and t’ai chi classes in the hotel, which has excellent fitness and spa facilities (for which there’s an extra charge). There is plenty to entertain children of all ages, including circus, music and environmental awareness sessions. All rooms have a sofabed and some connect with a sitting room. There’s a variety of restaurants and bars — sunset gin and tonics could become a holiday habit — and every day feels different here.
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