My requirements for a very last minute holiday in March 2016:…read more 1. Sunny. Vitamin D+. 2. Kid-friendly. 3. Nice pool. 4. Within Europe, 5 hours flight time max. 5. Nothing to do but relax, no temptation to sight see or be adventurous. Relaxation. As much as this is possible when traveling with a 2 year old. They don't relax well, as it turns out. And the result: Princesa Yaiza, arguably the nicest hotel in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote that allows (and loves!) kids. Done and done, we booked in for the Family Package (my how times have changed!) and were set to go in 10 days. The Family Package included: *3-course dinner at Lobos (fine dining) with 2 hours babysitting included. Score! *2 spa circuits for adults. *3-course lunch at Italian onsite restaurant (Don Giovani) *late checkout at 5pm -- came in handy! *private luxury transfer to and from the airport. Kid-friendly to the extreme! Our toddler loved this place, I'm pretty sure he feels quite disappointed with real life right now. He particularly LOVED the indoor soft play, which is very nicely done. The outdoor Kikoland is also a hit with separate areas for different age groups. Kids over 3 years old can stay with the play attendants but under 3 the parents need to stay with them in both areas. Bring socks for soft play! Both are open pretty long hours in peak season as well. BREAKFAST: A treat. It's about as nice of a buffet breakfast as one could want is is included in the room rate. It's a very nice spread. My recommendation is to wait til 9am when the Hacienda opens and sit open air to enjoy your tea, coffee and breakfast. At the time I went (pre-Easter) it was mainly families with very young children and very old people. For me, this was perfect. Especially since it was a population of older people who genuinely seemed to like the younger kids, as opposed to be constantly annoyed by them. The staff caters to both populations and it seemed that everyone lived together peacefully the week I was there. I was happy to be departing before school holidays/half term where all the school aged children invade! But if you have school aged kids, again -- you probably are cool with that, so to each their own! MEALS: I liked that Princesa Yaiza was NOT all inclusive. It meant we were able to explore along the boardwalk and marina for a few dinners and lunches and not feel tied to the resort. Having said that, one improvement would be to have a little light lunch area to pick things up -- there were a few days where I needed to eat something and so did my toddler, and it didn't need to be a full sit down experience but it was that or the grocery store which didn't seem that fun either. A light lunch bar would've been great, and I would've been happy to pay for it. The buffet dinners are overpriced and underwhelming. I'd skip them. The meal we at at Lobos was LOVELY. It's pricey and more fine dining but was excellent, and great views right along the beach. Highly recommended -- and the free babysitting to go enjoy a real meal with just my husband was lovely! THE POOL -- highlight. Great pools, easy towel service, comfy beach chairs, multiple areas for adults and kids, really covered all the bases. SPA -- enjoyed a wonderful massage! Def book in for the free circuit for some sauna/pool time, and for a few treatments. Very nice. Our room was great, tons of storage. It was a bit cold but that's the season and I'm sure it's great in the summer when the temps are crazy high to have a cool place to retreat to. Our balcony only got sun for 1-2 hours in the afternoon but again, that's the way things are in winter! Proximity to the beach, boardwalk, marina and the lovely staff made this a truly enjoyable week. HIghly recommended!

The Princesa Yaiza Hotel really is lovely. The staff are impeccably trained and all were so very…read morepleasant to deal with. Our suite was excellent. Really really nice, I was delighted with it. We were both delighted with it. So much storage, which pleased me no end. There was also a bottle of cava and a plate of strawberries and chocolate sauce upon our arrival to the room, as were on our honeymoon. How wonderful! The poolside was heaven. I could have sat there all day everyday if my husband would have let me. With a steady supply of clean towels and table service, what more could you want. Very nearby was the beach, Playa Dorada, which you could access via the back gate onto Maritime Avenue. Here the beach is sheltered by two artificial rock walls where the water is teaming with fish and crab and other sea life. We had a ball snorkeling here almost every day. The downside was the evening food. Or rather the food in the Mexican buffet. It was very mediocre for the price, 38 EUR. It's all you can eat, but that's not much use if you didn't want eat the food. That said the breakfast here at the Yaiza was amazing. There was so much choice, you really could have nothing to complain about at breakfast time. I went for the smoked salmon most of the time. There was also a great array of fruit and cheese that I also went for. And the odd glass of cava - why not I say, I'm on my honeymoon :) Recommended.

This hotel is great. We spent two weeks at this hotel mid-March 2009. Check in was good, very…read moreapproachable front of house staff. Rooms were ideal over looking the pool and ocean. Rooms were allocated next door to each other as requested. The Housekeeping staff did a great job keeping our rooms clean. The property cleaners are also visable making sure all public areas are spotless, they always said hello and smiled. The food we enjoyed, the variety and selection great. The Restaurant staff were exeptional, very happy to serve you. The variety of fresh fish, meats and salads at dinner are outstanding and fresh fruit smoothies at breakfast are aa +. We loved this hotel, a big Thank you to the hotel for sending wine to wish my mother in law a Happy Birthday, also Cava for myself and wife celebrating our Anniversary.

Very nice beachfront strip with a few bars, shops and restaurants. Playa Blanca seems to go up and…read moredown in quality and popularity and there are better places to spend time eating than here, however its pretty pleasant for a quick drink or bite.

A 4 star hotel near Playa Blanca town and within walking distance of Playa Dorada beach. This hotel…read moreis all singing and all dancing - and I mean that literally!! If you want to be entertained morning noon and night then this is the place for you. the staff are uber friendly and they lay on activities and shows 24/7. If you want a lazy holiday just chilling - it could be difficult as they do tend to bully you a little into joining in - its just their way!!! The other thing I found about the staff and the locals is that they absolutely adore kids . well if they don't and its all an act just for tourism then they ought to be on the big screen by rights. My son had a whale of a time, with a disco every night, they did conga style dances with the little ones all through the hotel, games and just generally madcap antics. Although the hotel was very international - lots of french, german, spanish as well as english- that just added to the appeal for me ( I also always think its a good sign if locals stay there.). Now then -food. It was the normal help yourself buffet style arrangement in a large room - but much more elegant and refined than the normal. The waiters did come to the table to check all was ok and would advise on wines and meal choices too - so it was kind of self -service - but with service (if that makes sense?). A really good choice of options including some good veggie ones too - and I was in heaven as there was loads of seafood to tempt. Location wise you could not beat it as there was a park, beach, harbour, shops and cafes all within easy walking distance. The rooms were real big and airy, with the decor clean and simple, with lots of locally made wooden furniture. 3 bars to choose from. Tennis courts and a gorgeous pool. Really good amenities in general. If you want to read and relax and enjoy your own company - not the hotel for you. If you want to have a busy time, be amused, be entertained and laugh alot with family then use this hotel.

Elba is a great hotel highly recommend but food is okay good Italian restaurant wifi is mid but…read moregreat staff except from one life guard who grabbed a kid round throat and shoulder to get away from slide and banned kids under 5 for getting stuck on slides really poor decisions beside that highly recommend rooms where also nice good entertainment for kids aswell.

Beautiful Villa Beautiful place, immaculate and loads of fun things to do here I was only here for…read morea week and I wish I was hear longer then a week it was amazing... I travel a lot due to work and right now im in a place In Dubai called the Sapphire Villa and this place is beautiful right on the beech front on the palms magnificent check them out you wont be sorry!

Had the most fabulous holiday at Casa Calma! The villa is so clean, spacious perfect! Its just a…read more15 minute walk to Playa Blanca which was an excellent resort for my husband and I. The weather of course was wonderful and we spent our time between lazy days in the villa and seeing the rest of the Island. My hubby really enjoyed the villa's pool so private! The owners are lovely people and are very helpful. Ican't recommend Casa Calma enough.

great location overlooking the ocean with views of fuertaventura, this Iberostar hotel, although…read morebased on a fairly formulaic Iberostar hotel concept works really well and delivers all you need for a great holiday in the sun for families, couples and probably singles alike. With 4 pools on site, a big on site restaurant offering full board or simply breakfast or lunch, the hotel has a great kids club so parents can get a break if they want it. nightly cabaret means that just about all you need is on site, but the beaches and town are just a short stroll away so you can get the best of both worlds. the rooms are pretty much the same twin beds with sofas that can sleep another two, a small kitchenette, and a south facing balcony. with all year sun you are pretty much assured of good weather whenever you go, but my tip is to try and avoid the key holiday periods - half terms, christmas, summer and easter and try a visit in february, march, may, june, september, october or november - flights at their cheapest and hotel rates are lower.