Want the convenience of a villa but the amenities of a resort? These fantastic spots are perfect for family holidays
For space and comfort, a villa is hard to beat — but it can often mean sacrificing on facilities like pools, restaurants and kids’ clubs. We’ve tracked down top resorts that offer the best of both, all tried and tested by Mumsnetters.
By Rachel Erdos | Last updated Jun 6, 2025
The holiday holy grail? A resort that offers villa-style accommodation and access to hotel facilities according to Mumsnet users. It’s a topic that’s much discussed on our holidays forum but this sort of setup can be surprisingly hard to find.
While villas provide a spacious base to kick back in, especially if you’re travelling with a large group or teens seeking a little privacy, it can often feel like too much of a home from home, particularly when it comes to shopping, cooking and entertaining the family.
If you want the highlights of a hotel stay (pools, kids’ clubs, activities, bars and restaurants) but the space, privacy and flexibility that villas and apartments provide, we’ve got a selection of Mumsnetter-approved properties that fit the bill, all in sunny spots across Europe.
And they can all be booked via TUI which means you can take advantage of a slew of payment perks including £0 deposits, buy-now-pay-later schemes and app-exclusive discounts. There’s also an option to add TUI Flex for fee-free changes, and TUI’s ABTA and ATOL protection offers financial peace of mind.
Insotel Punta Prima Resort and Spa, Menorca
Punta Prima, Menorca
One- and two-bed apartments
Two large pools and a splashpark
Kids’ clubs for children aged 4-16
Awesome sea views from its hilltop setting
Board basis: All inclusive
Nearest airport: Menorca Airport (9 miles)
Number of pools: Four
What Mumsnet users say
On Menorca's south coast, this grand 5-star resort is set on a hillside with awesome views of the Med. It's an all-inclusive retreat with a comprehensive list of amenities but the accommodation options offer more in the way of space than traditional hotel rooms. The one-bed apartments sleep up to four and two-bed properties sleep up to six; both come with kitchenettes and either a balcony or a terrace. There are two large pools to make use of and kids will love the new splashpark with its pirate ship and mini slides. Tennis courts, archery, bike hire and five-a-side football are all on offer and the kids' clubs cater to children aged 4 to 16.
Bayou Villas by Lara Barut Collection, Antalya, Turkey
Lara Beach, Antalya
Super stylish villas with swim-up pools
Access to the neighbouring Lara Barut Collection
Facilities include pools, kids’ clubs and a sports academy
24-hour room service and 16 bars and restaurants
Board basis: All-inclusive
Nearest airport: Antalya Airport (8 miles)
Number of pools: Two (six more at the neighbouring hotel)
What Mumsnet users say
For next level luxury, check out this villa complex in Turkey’s Blue Flag Lara Beach resort. The super stylish Bayou Villas all come with swim-up pools and kitchens and sleep between three and eight guests. Pool terraces are dotted with loungers so you can kick back in privacy but there’s a huge range of facilities to make use of if you fancy venturing out.
All guests have access to the neighbouring Lara Barut Collection which offers six pools, a waterpark, kids’ clubs and a sports academy. Room service is available 24 hours a day and there’s a choice of 16 bars and restaurants so there’s plenty to sample during your stay.
The villas are set in tranquil gardens so you can benefit from a peaceful setting but with easy access to a wealth of amenities right on your doorstep.
Magic Natura - Animal, Waterpark & Polynesian Lodge Resort, Benidorm
Benidorm, Costa Blanca
Polynesian-themed wooden lodges sleep between three and seven
Free access to the on-site wildlife park and waterpark
Choice of six restaurants for all-inclusive guests
Board basis: All-inclusive
Nearest airport: Alicante Airport (35 miles)
Number of pools: Three
What Mumsnet users say
This sprawling all-inclusive resort on the Costa Blanca is a brilliant choice for families. Set within Benidorm’s Terra Natura Wildlife Park, a stay here includes access to the park itself where you can expect to see elephants, rhinos and tigers as well as unlimited entry to the waterpark complete with huge slides and a wave machine.
The hotel’s lagoon-style pool features fun animal sculptures and the Polynesian-style wooden bungalows sleep between three and seven people and are fully geared up for families with small kitchen areas, terraces and bunkbeds. Evening entertainment includes mini discos and themed nights.
Domes of Elounda, Crete
Elounda, Heraklion, Crete
Suites sleep up to six
Kids’ clubs (4-11) and a creche (4+ months)
Football academy, yoga, tennis courts
Stunning views across Mirabello Bay
Board basis: Half board/full board
Nearest airport: Heraklion Airport (45 miles)
Number of pools: Three
What Mumsnet users say
Overlooking Crete’s spectacular Mirabello Bay and the island of Spinalonga, Domes of Elounda is a luxury retreat in a stunning setting. There’s direct access to a private sandy beach with shallow waters (perfect for little ones) and a dedicated kids’ pool on-site. Kids’ clubs are on offer for children aged four to 11 and there’s a creche suitable from four months so it’s particularly good if you’re travelling with a baby.
Larger-than-average family suites sleep up to four or you can book a suite with a private pool that sleeps up to six and comes with a kitchenette and a terrace. There’s a great array of amenities on offer including a football academy, tennis courts and a spa. Expect panoramic views from the main restaurant; there’s also a seafood spot by the beach.
Hotel Suite Villa Maria, Tenerife
Costa Adeje, Tenerife
One-bedroom to three-bedroom villas
Some villas feature private pools
On-site lagoon pools and a kids’ pool
Huge sports centre just next door
Board basis: B&B/half board/full board
Nearest airport: Tenerife Airport (15 miles)
Number of pools: Three
What Mumsnet users say
On the Costa Adeje in Tenerife, Hotel Suite Villa Maria nails the brief when it comes to villa accommodation with resort-style amenities. There’s a range of properties on offer from one-bedroom duplex villas arranged over two floors to three-bedroom villas with private pools. All come with kitchen facilities and outdoor space and guests can make use of two lagoon pools and a kids’ pool as well as a buffet restaurant and pool bar. There’s a playground and pool tables on site but for more active pursuits, head across the road to check out the huge sports centre for tennis, football and fitness classes. The fishing village-turned coastal resort of La Caleta is a 15-minute stroll away
Pine Cliffs Hotel & Resort, a Luxury Collection Resort, Algarve
Albufeira, the Algarve
Apartments sleep between four and 10
Brilliant kids’ club with a pirate-themed playground
On-site football and tennis academies
Board basis: Self-catering/B&B/half board
Nearest airport: Faro Airport (22 miles)
Number of pools: Seven
What Mumsnet users say
True to its name, this gorgeous resort sits atop a cliff offering spectacular views of the Atlantic. But that doesn’t mean that the beach is out of bounds: there’s direct access to a private stretch of sand via a great glass elevator.
Alongside traditional hotel rooms there are spacious apartments that sleep between four and 10 guests, all are kitted out with kitchenettes and balconies.
Guests have access to the resort’s full roster of facilities. Active families will love the on-site football academy, the Annabel Croft tennis academy and nine-hole golf course and there are six pools to choose from. There’s a champagne bar for cocktails and sunset views, a seafood restaurant with a stunning outdoor terrace, a high-end steakhouse, and a cafe for kid-friendly pizza, pasta and burgers.
Kids (from six months to 8 years) are well catered for at the Porto Pirata children’s village home to a pirate-themed playground, a basketball court, a mini golf course and a pool.
Ikos Olivia, Halkidiki, Greece
Gerakini, Halkidiki, Greece
Bungalows sleep up to five
Set on a Blue Flag beach
Creche, kids’ club and babysitting services
Top-notch all-inclusive dining options
Board basis: All-inclusive
Nearest airport: Thessaloniki Airport (41 miles)
Number of pools: Four
What Mumsnet users say
For indulgent all-inclusive escapes, Ikos resorts are hard to beat. The concept brings together contemporary accommodation, topnotch facilities, beautiful beachfront locations and gourmet food. And Ikos Olivia in Halkidiki is especially good for young kids with its children’s pool, splashpad, kids’ club, creche and babysitting facilities.
The bungalows are perfect for families seeking a spacious base and some can sleep up to five people with a lounge area and private garden.
There’s a Blue Flag beach just metres away and the resort is surrounded by ancient olive trees for an authentic Greek backdrop.
Food options showcase Asian, Italian, Greek and French cuisine. And you can sip your way through a wine list that features 300+ premium wines. Cheers to that.
About TUI
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About the author
Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on family travel.
She has written hotel reviews, features and destination guides for top publications including the Guardian, Four Seasons Magazine, Travelzoo, Visit Britain and Visit London. She loves nothing more than researching and writing about fun things for families to do in destinations near and far, as well as trawling the Mumsnet holiday forum for inspiration for her next trip away with her husband and two kids.