Family friendly Spain is favourite for bargains

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel community, has announced its top 10 family-friendly bargain accommodations in Europe, according to traveller ratings for family-friendliness. Eight of the properties featured are in mainland Spain, the Balearics or Canary Islands. Prices average £70 per night.

TripAdvisor also conducted a family travel survey of more than 2,400 respondents worldwide. Not surprisingly more than half of travellers surveyed (51 percent) said money is the biggest barrier when it comes to taking family holidays and the most difficult part is staying on budget, according to nearly one-third (30 percent) of respondents who take trips with their children.

Forty percent of travellers said they sometimes include the grandparents on a family vacation and 10 percent of those travellers said it's so they can pay part or all of the tab (beyond their own expenses). Twelve percent of British travellers said that they felt guilty if they didn’t take the grandparents.

More than half of all British respondents (55 percent) admitted that they sometimes leave the children behind when it comes to leisure trips.

Twenty-three percent of British travellers plan to take more family holidays in the next 12 months than in the last 12 months, while 61 percent plan to take the same amount. Thirty three percent said they will spend more on their family travel this year than last.

Top 10 Bargain Family Hotels in Europe

1. Club del Sol Aparthotel, Pollenca, Majorca, Spain
Average Nightly Rate: £59
Overlooking the sea and surrounded by the Majorcan mountains, Club del Sol Aparthotel is a great place for a family holiday, and features two pools and entertainment coordinators, who ensure a fun-filled stay. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “Club del Sol is what you want if you have kids, and we'll stay there again. We found the staff at Club del Sol very friendly and they were fantastic with our two-year-old daughter.”

2. H10 Lanzarote Gardens, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
Average Nightly Rate: £64
Only 200 meters from the beach, H10 Lanzarote Gardens boasts two freshwater pools, tennis courts and a family program, within a complex of all-inclusive one-bedroom apartments. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “We found it really good value for money, and our children loved it. The hotel staff was brilliant, they have an entertainment team working all day and night making sure everyone is having a good time.”

3. Protur Bonaire Aparthotel, Cala Bona, Majorca, Spain
Average Nightly Rate: £54
Featuring beautiful gardens and close to the port and beach, Protur Bonaire Aparthotel is a great choice for families, offering a playground and kids’ club. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “As others have said, this truly is a fantastic hotel. We have just returned from a one-week stay with our two boys and we have all had a great holiday. The facilities are brilliant and the staff look after you so well.”

4. Blanc Palace Aparthotel, Ciudadela, Minorca, Spain
Average Nightly Rate: £71
Offering separate mealtimes and menus for children, parents can enjoy some peace and quiet or, alternatively, choose to include the whole family for the nightly entertainment. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The kids club was great but our five-year-old only went once, as we couldn't get him out of either the pool or sea! We never made it to the eveningentertainment due to our kids being so tired from the day’s events! Do not think we could have found a better place!”

5. Olympic Lagoon Resort, Ayia Napa, Cyprus
Average Nightly Rate: £77
Relax in the free-form lagoon pool, one of three pools at the Olympic Lagoon Resort, featuring its own beach and waterfall, or enjoy an activity such as archery, great for the whole clan. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The choice of pools was great, there was something for everybody. The man-made beach wasn't sand, but a gently sloping surface into the main pool, which was excellent for young children or non-swimmers.”

6. Hotel Club Sur Menorca, Punta Prima, Minorca, Spain
Average Nightly Rate: £75
Kids will love the kids’ club or kids’ pool, while adults can enjoy one of the poolside terraces at Hotel Club Sur Menorca, a great destination for families. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “Club Sur Menorca offers great activities for children and adults as there is so much going on at this complex. Parents and kids get addicted to the entertainment program’s sunshine song.”

7. Sol Cala D’Or Apartments, Cala d’Or, Majorca, Spain
Average Nightly Rate: £64
Only 250 meters from the Cala Gran, boasting soft sand and crystal blue water, Sol Cala D'Or Apartments offer spacious accommodations, an outdoor pool, a playground and easy access to the renown Cuevas del Drach caves. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The town is lively without being boisterous. The apartments are clean and have everything you would need.”

8. Costa Encantada Aparthotel, Lloret de Mar, Costa Brava, Catalonia, Spain
Average Nightly Rate: £96
Great for families with children of all ages, Costa Encantada offers day trips and great on-site facilities, including a kid-only pool, basketball court, volleyball court and game room. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “This is a great family hotel. I just had to do a review and let families know how much we enjoyed it.”

9. Golden Bahia de Tossa, Tossa de Mar, Girona, Spain
Average Nightly Rate: £58
A great family destination, Golden Bahia de Tossa offers four freshwater pools, two whirlpools and for those wanting an aquatic-break, miniature golf. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The kids are welcome and there are plenty of activities for them: pool animation, games, a mini-disco and all kinds of amusement managed by the hotel animation team.”

10. Club Voyage Belek Select, Belek, Turkey
Average Nightly Rate £82
Up for a dip? Visit the aqua park featuring five slides at the Club Voyage Belek Select, or on rainy days, head to the game center with billiards and bowling. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, “The staff was absolutely outstanding, very helpful and friendly, excellent with the children. The food was beautiful, especially the Chinese restaurant.”