Kids lap up the fun in sunny Tenerife…so parents can relax

WE were desperate for some winter sun but with a lively 18-month-old toddler in tow my wife and I felt like our options were limited.

Last year we’d jetted off to the west coast of Florida and Lily slept in a little bassinet, which is like a club-class bed for a baby, for most of the journey.

6

But she was now very much on her feet and a seven-hour flight just seemed too long for a little girl who won’t sit still for long.

6

But she was now very much on her feet and a seven-hour flight just seemed too long for a little girl who won’t sit still for long.
Taking four hours on a plane, Tenerife seemed a much more manageable journey and armed with books, toys, crayons, stickers and downloads of various children’s TV programmes, we all survived the flight.

6

I was pleasantly surprised as soon as we landed in the south of the island. It was a balmy 25C in late January and stayed that way for the week we there.

For us, choosing the right hotel was all-important and we had scoured the internet for a good-quality property that catered for children.

We opted for Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel, a five-star hotel in Playa Paraiso, just a 30-minute transfer from Tenerife South airport.

If you can afford it, I recommend paying an extra few hundred pounds, (depending on the time of year and when you book) to upgrade to a suite.

6

We did this and had a lounge area for Lily to sleep in and a bit of space for my wife Claire and I to relax.

Half-board was also a great option for us as, with Lily, it was easier to have several of our evening meals in the hotel.

The choice of food in the main restaurant was excellent, with themed evenings and entertaining cooking demonstrations.

We could also eat in the Spanish and Italian restaurants without being charged a supplement.

And the hotel had an excellent kids’ club at no extra charge.

We put Lily in for a couple of mornings as we felt it would be good for her to mix with a few other toddlers and give us a bit of time to chill out by the pool.

Nothing’s perfect, though, and the downside of the hotel is its position.

Playa Paraiso classifies itself as up and coming and there is plenty of building work, which suggests it will develop. But at the moment, there is little to keep you occupied and only a small black sand beach.

6

That didn’t spoil our trip, though, as the much prettier Costa Adeje, with its whitewashed buildings, long beach and pedestrianised shopping area, was only a short bus ride away.

The beach was reasonably busy, but not crowded. Lily loved running along the sand.

The south of Tenerife has a huge amount to offer within a radius of just a few miles.

The popular resort of Los Cristianos has a real buzz, a bustling harbour and beautiful beaches.

6

And, just a ten-minute bus ride from Costa Adeje, is Playa de Las Americas, the party capital of Tenerife.

If you’re looking for a hedonistic holiday, it is packed with nightclubs and bars playing live music.

Those wild days are behind us — for now — and we preferred instead to sit on our balcony and enjoy the view out to sea.

As we sipped our drinks, we reflected that Tenerife has something for people of all ages and it particularly suited us as a family with a toddler.

GO: TENERIFE

GETTING THERE: Monarch flies to Tenerife from Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds Bradford. Fares start from £49 one-way. For more information, see .

STAYING THERE: Rooms at the Roca Nivaria Gran Hotel in Playa Paraiso are from 141 euros (£110) per night for two. Suites are from 256 euros (£202) per night. For more information, see .