Best family hotels in Greece: top resorts in Rhodes, Crete, Kos and beyond, recommended by parents

Set against a rocky backdrop overlooking the Med, the Atlantica Aegean Blue sits right on Kolymbia beach in Rhodes and is one of the best hotels with water slides in Greece. With calm, shallow waters, it’s the perfect spot for kids and there’s a good choice of water sports available on the beach.

That said, you may have trouble getting the kids to the beach with all the fun the hotel has to offer. Boasting its own water park with slides, chutes and four swimming pools including a heated baby pool and an infinity pool with a swim-up bar, there’s also a mini football pitch, beach volleyball, table tennis and evening and daily entertainment, including kids’ clubs and a chill-out zone for teens.

There’s a good choice of family rooms, some with swim-up options, which feature a partition so you and the kids can enjoy a bit of privacy. There’s an all-inclusive option and a choice of nine bars and restaurants to eat in including a kids’ pool bar, which guests love.

Mumsnet users love the hotel's location as it's within easy reach of some of the island's top sights. A bus service outside the hotel will take you to Rhodes Town, Lindos and Faliraki. Or you can rent a car to explore further afield.

Stella Palace on the north coast of Crete combines luxury and family fun and is one of the most-talked family-friendly Greek hotels on our holidays forum.

The star of the show is the on-site waterpark packed with twisting slides, a splash zone for little ones, and an adults-only area.

There’s a wide choice of family-friendly rooms, including options with direct pool access and private pools for kids that love to spend most of their holiday submerged in water.

The all-inclusive package includes meals at the Poseidon buffet and access to a selection of à la carte restaurants, with availability based on the length of your stay.

Kids can enjoy the daily kids' club and evening entertainment at the Amphitheatre, while grown-ups unwind at the spa or join in with beach volleyball, tennis, yoga and more.

Part of the TUI BLUE For Families collection, this beachfront resort is fully geared up for kids and it's particularly good for holidays with teenagers. The low-rise whitewashed blocks are typically Greek and the resort puts you right on the beach in Halkidiki's Kalives village.

There are four different pools for kids of all ages and a range of eating options including a traditional taverna and snack bars. Sporty teens will appreciate the tennis, basketball and volleyballs courts and there's a dedicated Hangout area for kids aged 12 to 15, with daily activities and evening fun.

Some of the two-bed family rooms come with separate bathrooms - great for older kids wanting a bit of privacy.

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Luxury is very much the name of the game at Daois Cove. The majority of rooms at this five-star resort built into a rocky bay boast their own pool and offer spectacular views of the cove making it one of the best family hotels in Crete. If you ever leave your room, it might be to take a dip in the resort's heated infinity pool or sunbathe on the private beach.

If you want to visit the spa or make inroads into your novel, there’s a creche for the under-fours, a kids’ club and organised activities for teens. On top of that, there’s a playground, children’s menus and a babysitting service. Come nightfall, teens and tweens will love hanging out in the games room with its table tennis, pool table and Wii and PS4s. Mumsnet users rate this resort for the quality of its food and drink. The all-inclusive package includes cocktails by an award-winning mixologist and a wine list that includes over 250 labels, including complimentary Veuve Clicquot Champagne.

This luxury resort also takes the crown for the best all-inclusive resort in Greece for families. It’s available for suite or villa stays and includes 24-hour room service, signature cocktails and unlimited ice creams and drinks for the kids.

The resort is a 15-minute drive from Agios Nikolaos, which has plenty of shops and restaurants. Or head further north to Elounda to dine on fresh fish at the traditional tavernas.

For sporty families or those with restless teenagers, this Neilson Beachclub on the west coast of Greece offers cycling, tennis, paddle boarding and a whole range of water sports including dinghy sailing and windsurfing, plus a gym and a fitness deck.

Cyclists in particular will like this area for its rocky tracks, valleys and coastal trails to navigate. There are routes suitable for all abilities, whether you’re a stop-to-admire-the-views kind of family or love to tackle big climbs.

The kids’ clubs are included in the price for children aged two to 17 (note that the creche for under twos incurs an extra charge), and kids can join sessions that explore everything from kayaking and tennis to rock climbing and pool fun.

Away from the organised activities, there are two pools including a kids’ pool, a sandy beach and a restaurant at Neilson Vounaki Beachclub. It's just a 10-minute walk to the traditional Greek village of Paleros.

Mumsnet users acknowledge that Neilson holidays are on the pricey side but for active families, the package price offers plenty of value if you make use of all sports facilities and kids' clubs.

Right next to its own private beach and surrounded by lush gardens, this great value property ticks lots of boxes making it one of the best hotels in Greece for families.

It’s fully geared up for children, with family rooms sleeping up to four people, a children’s menu, a playground, a kids’ pool and mini golf. There’s no kids’ club, but a well-oiled programme of sports activities operates in the mornings if you’re in need of a little distraction. After that, there's tennis and volleyball on the dedicated courts, plus a programme of family-friendly evening entertainment.

The hotel is based in Kalithea, around a 10-minute taxi ride from Rhodes Town in one direction and the bars and beaches of Faliraki in the other. Kalithea itself is home to thermal water springs, and you can visit the art-deco spa and the picturesque bay that surrounds it. One niggle for some guests is the lack of nearby bars and restaurants - a 20 minute walk away - which may be a consideration if you're holidaying with little ones.

Loved by Mumsnet (and Tripadvisor) users, the Blue Lagoon Resort is 10 minutes from Kos Town and makes a great base for families looking to explore its medieval centre.

There's a sandy beach a few minutes' walk from the hotel and the Blue Lagoon’s impressive pools are a huge hit with kids, as is the on-site waterpark with fun slides and a lazy river.

With kids' clubs for children aged 3-12 years, outdoor playgrounds and a lively activity programme, the resort offers plenty to keep children entertained. At night, head to the entertainment tent for theme nights, Vegas-style shows and Abba tributes.

There are five all-inclusive restaurants at this vast resort, giving families plenty of choice on the food front throughout the day.

Bella Mare is a petite retreat with a beachfront setting overlooking Avlaki Bay in the northeast of Corfu. It's home to 31 rooms and is a laid-back spot with a pool and a bar that's open for daytime snacks and light bites. Facilities are fairly limited but guests have access to kayaks and SUP hire, and visiting spa therapists are available for treatments.

The kids' club caters for children aged 5 to 11 but note that it only operates in the peak summer months of July and August.

This hotel is a fantastic option for families looking for a quieter getaway than a traditional all-inclusive resort but with access to a kids' club, and a location that puts you within strolling distance of traditional tavernas.

The Sani Resort is recommended time and time again by Mumsnet users thanks to its amazing child facilities and luxurious vibe. It’s also the first carbon-neutral resort in Greece and runs on 100% renewable energy.

It’s a vast resort set on a private nature reserve, with five hotels in total and seven private Blue Flag beaches where you can swim by day and enjoy a cocktail and beach party at night. A nice touch is the complimentary 30-minute beach ‘Babewatch’ service, allowing you to go off for a swim knowing your little ones are being well looked after.

There’s a dizzying array of activities on offer for kids of all ages, from scuba diving and DJ classes to the Bear Grylls Survival Academy and bird watching in the Sani wetlands.

There’s a creche, a kids’ club for children aged between four and 12, and a teen club as well. Top tip from the Mumsnet users? Reserve your childcare in advance as it does get booked up.

Reviewed by Mumsnet tester, Sarah Murray-Muncila: Read our full review of Mark Warner Kamari Beach Resort

Located by the Blue Flag Lardos beach, just 15 minutes' from the ancient town of Lindos, Mark Warner Kamari Beach Resort is an awesome option for families looking for more than a fly-and-flop escape.

With excellent wind conditions, I found it a great base for sailing, windsurfing and stand-up paddle boarding, while the deep, clear waters provide great visibility for scuba diving. Kamari is also brilliant for exploring on two wheels; the cycling trails range from relaxed routes to more challenging tours and trails.

I loved the purpose-built tennis centre, with floodlit courts and you can also try your hand at Padel, a hybrid of squash and tennis.

Kamari offers childcare for kids aged from four months to 17 years, with age-appropriate activities on offer. My husband and I appreciated the childcare centre with its soft play area, toys and games and while the kids were off having fun, we enjoyed cooling off in the 25m adults-only pool and learning how to windsurf.

Dining is on a half-board basis including breakfast and dinner in the main restaurant, which offers stunning sea views from the terrace. With a varied buffet service, you’ll find something to suit everyone from traditional Greek mezes to soups, salads and freshly caught fish. The kids' dinner (high tea) was a particular family highlight.

A dual-destination break is a great way to combine a beach holiday with a bit of culture and city glamour. And with its incredible views over Athens, the Acropolis and the Saronic Gulf, St George Lycabettus doesn’t disappoint.

Family-friendly activities including a Sunday Family Brunch, free kids’ films in the 30-seat screening room and a chaperoned playroom will keep younger guests entertained, but the jewel in its crown is the rooftop pool where the kids can splash about while you sip a cocktail and admire the panoramic view.

The hotel is situated in the heart of Kolonaki, an upmarket district full of boutique shops, bars and restaurants. Just around the corner, hop on the funicular for a fun way to reach the top of Lycabettus Hill for even more amazing views. The hotel is also within walking distance of kid-friendly attractions such as the National Garden and the changing of the guard at Syntagma Square.

Skiathos is a favourite destination of many Mumsnet users and the Skiathos Princess Resort is the ideal base to enjoy the island. Situated right on the spectacular Agia Paraskevi beach, with its shallow waters, it’s the perfect spot for children to play in. The hotel provides loungers, towels and umbrellas at no extra cost and there’s watersports for older kids too.

It’s an older hotel, and guests note that it feels a little shabby in places, but they love it for its amazing location, gorgeous views and peaceful atmosphere. Hop on a bus right outside the hotel to Skiathos Town for its charming harbour and cobbled streets.

The resort is entirely family friendly and offers a creche and a kids’ club for children up to 12 years old as well as children’s menus, a kids’ pool, entertainment and babysitting.

The Skiathos Princess Resort is the top pick in our guide to the best family hotels in Skiathos.