On top of its postcard-worthy scenery, Portugal is known for its simple but delicious cuisine, welcoming locals and family-friendly golden beaches. This makes it a winning destination for adults and children alike.
Choosing a hotel with a water park in Portugal will make the trip even more memorable for youngsters eager for a fun-filled stay. Here are our top picks of slippery slides and fun-filled flumes for family holidays.
Located in the coastal Algarve town of Quarteira, known for its fresh seafood and long sandy beach, the Aquashow Park Hotel offers the winning combination of sun, sea and slides – it’s home to one of the biggest water park hotels in Portugal. Family rooms come with private balconies from which you can look down on the fun of the park or the hotel pool.
In the sprawling outdoor area you’ll find two swimming pools and a range of water attractions, from the Wild Snake – a 16 metre tall slide shaped like an enormous, spiralling snake which you ride in the dark – to the adrenaline-filled Free Fall. At nearly 129 metres, it’s among the tallest free-fall slides in Europe .
At the Aquafeeling SPA, treat yourself to a revitalising facial treatment, massage, or beauty treatment. For a memorable pedicure, dip your feet into a tank of doctor fish, whose gently exfoliating nibbles will leave your skin smooth and silky. There’s also a more traditional Jacuzzi to soak in, after a day basking in the sun.
At the Lake Spa Resort, you’ll find carefully manicured gardens featuring rare plants from around the globe. The pastel-toned rooms offer views of Falésia Beach with its scenic craggy cliffs, just a stroll away. Treat your family to a stay in one of the suites, with a private balcony and a separate lounge area – ideal if you’re planning a cosy night in.
Make your first stop the outdoor area with its three swimming pools. Dig your toes into the sand-bottomed pool – the first of its kind in Europe – as you gaze out at the blazing colours of the sunset. Dinner’s a unique and memorable experience at the Mare Nostrum restaurant, which is anchored on an esplanade upon the hotel’s private lake.
The Blue and Green Spa provides a range of hydrotherapy treatments, from Vichy showers which envelop you in water from multiple heads to Nuvola treatments which wrap you in seaweed. Indulge in a massage, eastern therapy, waxing, exfoliation, manicure, pedicure, facial or hair treatment. Lie back in the Jacuzzi and feel the warm bubbling water relax your muscles, or dip into the treatment pool or sauna. Focus your mind on pure relaxation as you float in the ‘dead sea’ pool, and before you head for lunch, try out the Turkish and Roman baths.
Perhaps it’s the manicured gardens with colourful exotic plants, or maybe the authentic tapas with sea views at the AL.MAR restaurant – but the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa has an undeniable sense of prestige. You’ll feel it after a few rounds of golf at one of the two exhilarating courses, resplendent with native trees and views of the countryside.
Begin the day by taking a dip in any one of the six swimming pools. Stand beneath cascading waterfalls and feel the cooling spray, relax amongst bubbles in the Jacuzzi or play a game of volleyball with the family in the enormous main pool – perfect if you’ve holidaying with children who are old enough to join in.
For a touch of pampering, head to the spa while the kids splash around in the pool. The 7 Seven Spa is inspired by the water, featuring an indoor thermal pool, jet pools, Turkish baths and hot stone room a relaxation garden area complete with the sound of water falling down the glass. There’s also a 24/7 fitness centre and indoor pool, all with vibrant garden views. Relax with a Vichy shower, facial, massage, scrub or body wrap.
At the Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel, you’ll be perched on the golden-hued cliffs of Vale Covo, overlooking the twinkling ocean waters. The spacious, light-filled rooms are finished in a soothing palette of cool blues, echoing the hues of the shimmering sea outside. You’ll find fresh fish caught right outside the hotel at the Mare Bistro and internationally-influenced buffets at the Med Food and Wine restaurant, plus family favourites and light bites for little ones.
For the kids (and young at heart) this family-friendly hotel is just 20 minutes from Slide & Splash Park. There’s something for children of all ages, with rides tailored especially for tiny tots. Watch little ones gasp as macaws swoop overhead in the bird show or introduce them to spectacular snakes at the reptile encounter.
Finish the day with a visit to the Tivoli Spa. Extravagant treatments use Voya products, with ingredients picked from the Atlantic Ocean. Take some time out in the steam room or sauna, or unwind with a massage, facial, scrub, wrap, eye treatment or aromatherapy session. The spa is also the place to try a yin yoga session, aimed at harmonising your body and mind.
Deep in the olive-green Portuguese countryside, nestled between Carvoeiro and Ferragudo, lies the Vale d’Oliveiras Quinta Resort & Spa. Relax and unwind amongst traditional Moorish features, such as an interior courtyard with carved archways and intricate, locally designed tiles. The elegant rooms are decorated in restful whites and florals, with rustic wooden furnishings for a cosy atmosphere.
What’s more, you’ll only be 15 minutes from the Slide & Splash water park. Children will love the Tropical Paradise area with its water slides and interactive games, as teenagers chase each other down the heart-pumping Drops and Banzai rides. Meanwhile, you can relax in the Olympic-sized laguna underneath the dazzling Mediterranean sun. If the excitement makes the kids peckish, treat a sweet-tooth to a decadent cone of sorbet at the nearby Gelateria before wandering back to the resort.
At the Lisvaya Spa you’ll find a steam bath, sauna, two swimming pools, gym and relaxation area. There are also five treatment rooms where you’ll discover a range of massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, hair removal and detoxifying body treatments.
With its location on rugged clifftops overlooking the ocean, the views alone at Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa makes this hotel the ideal base from which to explore sunny southern Portugal. Every room celebrates Portuguese style: choose from authentic white-washed villas with intricate tiles or airy ocean view suites, all surrounded by lush, sub-tropical gardens. Pair the view with an indulgent six-course tasting menu at the twice Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant, sampling local seafood and fruits.
The resort is only 10 minutes’ drive from the Aqualand water park. Lie back on an inflatable and float down the Congo River encircling the park or dare your kids to try the rapid Crazy Race slide. Adventure-hungry teens and older children may want to test out their courage on adrenaline-boosting rides like the Kamikaze and the white water Rapids.
You’ll find sanctuary in the resort’s candlelit spa facilities, with their tepidarium, Jacuzzi and relaxation room. Choose from decadent facials, body wraps and scrubs, manicures, pedicures and massages. Go for a souvenir haircut at the on-site salon, which uses ethical and natural products created by French cosmetics brand La Bioestethique.