The three-pearl Heredad Kamezi offers 36 private villas with pools on the outskirts of Playa Blanca, Lanzarote. The spacious and bright villas range from two to five bedrooms, and all have living rooms, comfy beds, and private gardens with barbecue grills and pools. However, they're not all decorated to the same standard, and guests have to pay to heat the pools. Given that there is no restaurant on-site -- nor a gym or spa, for that matter -- the villas’ well-equipped kitchens are a necessity rather than a luxury, and a minimart selling a good range of groceries makes this easier. Travelers looking for a family-friendly resort with a restaurant and more amenities might want to check out the Rubimar Suite ApartHotel, which also has self-catering rooms.

Tucked away in a quiet area a 10-minute drive from central Playa Blanca, Jardines del Sol is a solid option for couples wanting some peace and relaxation. This upper-middle-range property is made up of 48 clean, air-conditioned apartments, each with between two and four bedrooms, a patio with loungers and a dining table, and a kitchen equipped with a washer/dryer, dishwasher, and all the amenities needed to cook a full meal. Two of the three pools are heated in the colder months, and there are a playground and mini-golf area for kids. Though there isn’t a full entertainment program, the restaurant and bar offers live music several times per week, along with tasty food and pool views. However, be aware of extra fees for Wi-Fi, safes, and pool towels. Families wanting a more bustling atmosphere may prefer Lanzasur Club.

Located across the promenade from a sandy beach in Playa Blanca, the 385-room Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort is a beautiful, upscale property designed in Canarian colonial style. Rooms are large and comfortable, featuring sofa beds, furnished terraces, and wet bars with microwaves and mini-fridges. Though full of local character to some, the traditional style of rooms -- and especially of bathrooms -- may be dated to others. Two large family pools are lined with dozens of loungers and palm trees, and there are two children's pools at the kids’ club, which offers a wide array of activities for all ages. Although buffet meals get mixed reviews, all rates include breakfast and a la carte eateries are better received. This family-friendly property has a bustling atmosphere, so those wanting a more peaceful environment may prefer the neighboring H10 Sentido White Suites.

Fresh from 2016 refurbishments, the Labranda Alyssa Suite Hotel is an upper-middle-range property in Playa Blanca's outskirts. Given its remote location, all-inclusive packages here are a pro, and good features include three pools (one for kids), tennis and games areas, and a buffet restaurant. Self-contained bungalows form the 120 Suites, which are smartly outfitted with nautical themes, flat-screen TVs, and AC. Views are charming from both private patios and the restaurant's shaded dining terraces. Peace and quiet here is guaranteed, although high-speed Wi-Fi, less-so. Families looking to be more central should check out H10 Lanzarote Princess, which is nearer beaches, and on the main drag.

Ona Las Brisas is a mid-range, apartment-style property, centrally located in the resort town of Playa Blanca. The beach and seafront promenade are an eight-minute walk away, and a wealth of bars and restaurants line the shores of this former sleepy fishing village. The 77 apartments are dated but homey, equipped with kitchens, living and dining areas, and private patios with barbecue facilities. Well-maintained grounds house a large outdoor pool, a kids' pool and playground, and tennis courts. A well-priced restaurant and bar with nightly entertainment are available for those that don't want to cook themselves. Rates soar in summer, so best to have a poke around with dates. The Rubimar Suite Aparthotel is farther from the beach, but all-inclusive facilities here include a kids' club. 

The 255-room Volcan Lanzarote is a luxury resort known for its striking architectural style and lovely sprawling grounds. Its rooms are large and upscale, with jetted tubs and separate showers (in most), free Wi-Fi, balconies, and small living areas. Though charming for some, decor in blue hues may be a tad dated to others. The hotel offers a slew of amenities for families -- including five pools, a kids’ club, and a full entertainment program -- but there is also a quieter adult-only section complete with a pool, a lounge with free drinks, and a private breakfast restaurant. The spa is relaxing and pleasant, with a hydrotherapy area, treatment cabins, and a hammam. Built on stilts over the main pool, the buffet restaurant has an eye-catching design, but food gets mixed reviews. The location adjacent to a lovely marina lined with restaurants and shops is convenient, but those looking to stay closer to the beach may want to compare rates at Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort.

Seekers of sun and space will find themselves well-placed at the mid-range Iberostar La Bocayna Village. All 48 rooms are two-bedroom bungalows that are large, bright, and homey. Large kitchens are well-equipped with Nespresso machines and juicers, and spacious private patios -- many with sea views. The buffet restaurant, bar, lovely pools, and small spa add a hotel feel to self-catering setups, but the pool is unheated and gym needs an update. Note that bus or car journeys are required to reach the resort center, and the closest beach is a 20-minute walk. Budget-conscious families may want to consider the Rubimar Suite Aparthotel, which is more central.

The 584-room upper-middle-range H10 Rubicon Palace is a sprawling all-inclusive property with all the bells and whistles expected from a big beach resort. It features eight pools, two buffet restaurants, three a la cartes, a full entertainment program, and an excellent kids’ club for children ages 1 to 16. Rooms are spacious and airy, with amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges (minibars in all but standard rooms) and balconies or terraces, some with ocean views. The spa is pleasant and relaxing, with lovely outdoor areas overlooking the ocean, several massage rooms decorated with candles, and a spacious hydrotherapy area. The fitness center, though, is only free three hours in the morning. Food is varied, but some guests have found it somewhat underwhelming in the a la carte restaurants. The hotel can feel a little overrun with kids, so those seeking a more peaceful vacation may want to compare rates at adult-only sister property H10 Timanfaya Palace.

Families and groups looking for an all-inclusive beach-front hotel with plenty of dining and entertainment options won't be disappointed with the Sandos Papagayo Beach Resort. With 488 rooms, three pools, five bars, and several restaurants, the most common issue guests have is getting lost on the grounds. Guest rooms vary in size but even the lower-category room types have terraces and some rooms have beautiful water views, along with dated decor (renovated rooms are more modern). Las Coloradas Beach is easily accessible via a direct path from the hotel. The location isn't convenient for easy exploring -- it's a 20-minute walk from the marina and an additional 15 minutes to Playa Blanca. Fees for Wi-Fi are an added expense at this upper-mid-range resort. 

The upscale, 329-room Gran Castillo Tagoro is one of the best family-friendly hotels in Playa Blanca. It has several huge pools, an outstanding kids’ club complete with areas for babies and a sleepover room, a small water park, and a fun mascot that participates in the entertainment program. Rooms are some of the largest in Lanzarote, and even the smallest ones have spacious living areas with sofa beds; some have sea views. Although families are the main market here, adults can also find plenty of things to do: The spa is adult-only save for a couple of hours a day, and there is a pool for guests 18 and over, complete with cabanas and a bar. The main restaurant has a separate adult-only courtyard with a more serene atmosphere. Still, those seeking a quiet, child-free property closer to a sandy beach may want to compare rates at the H10 Timanfaya Palace. 

On the outskirts of Playa Blanca, the value Palmeras Garden offers self-catering accommodation and a good dose of poolside cheer. Its off-the-beaten-track location is far from downtown, but a charming seafront promenade lined with bars and restaurants is a 10-minute walk. The 45 studios and apartments have separate living areas with dining tables and kitchens, furnished balconies, and AC, although deposits and fees are required for some amenities. Terraces with loungers surround outdoor pools, and the hotel collaborates with the next door bar for poolside drinks and snacks, but there'sn o full restaurant. For a similar deal at similar prices, check out Costa Eguise's Aparthotel Oceana, where beaches and bars are closer. 

Situated atop the cliffs overlooking the stunning Papagayo beaches, the 291-room, mid-range Mirador Papagayo Hotel is a solid all-inclusive option a 15-minute walk from the center of Playa Blanca. It features 82 one-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes and patios, and 209 spacious hotel rooms with sofa beds and terraces, some with panoramic ocean views. The hotel is slowly rolling out new, sleeker rooms (labeled Superior), but for the time being most units have dated decor and slightly worn furniture. The main pool offers underwater loungers and massage jets, and there are two smaller pools for toddlers. Food is tasty and varied, and the all-inclusive package covers an excellent array of drinks. Those seeking something closer to the beach may want to compare rates at the H10 Lanzarote Princess. 

The upper-middle-range, 407-room H10 Lanzarote Princess caters to families with a full entertainment program for all ages, large pools -- including one with a pirate ship and a waterslide -- and kids’ and teens’ clubs. The location right on the main drag, within a few minutes' walk of the beach, is excellent. Spacious, light rooms have stylish decor with clean lines and neutral tones, as well as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and balconies. Wi-Fi is available free in the lobby, but is paid elsewhere except for Privilege guests, who also get free access to a private lounge with an open bar, among other perks. The main restaurant offers an excellent buffet spread for all three meals (all-inclusive rates are available), but there have been complaints that dinners can be chaotic and loud during school vacation periods. Those those on a tighter budget may want to compare rates at the THB Tropical Island.

The 465-room Hesperia Playa Dorada is an upper-middle-range hotel whose greatest asset is its location across the promenade from a sandy beach and a short walk from Playa Blanca’s lively marina. The hotel has a full entertainment program for guests of all ages, but there is also a separate area for those seeking some relaxation, complete with a pool, bar, and deck for yoga and Pilates. Rooms are simple yet comfortable, with free Wi-Fi, quality beds, furnished terraces, and flat-screen TVs, however, Standard Rooms lack basics such as mini-fridges and electric kettles. The hotel has a two-tier all-inclusive package, the standard of which is somewhat limited, as it only offers free access to the spa, gym, and indoor pool once per stay. Families seeking something cheaper may want to compare rates at the H10 Lanzarote Princess.

Located a 15-minute walk from central Playa Blanca and the beach, the THB Tropical Island is a popular mid-range pick among families wanting a cheap and cheerful beach vacation. Its 414 one-bedroom apartments are clean and spacious, and feature kitchenettes, sofa beds, air-conditioning, and balconies or patios. Decor in these Premium units is fresh and contemporary. Each block of apartments is set around a small oval pool, and there are two other huge ones, including one for families and an adult-only one. The kids’ club keeps children busy with an array of daily indoor and outdoor activities, while the spa and the myriad sports facilities are nice perks for adults. The hotel offers a variety of meal plans, from self-catering to all-inclusive, but food gets average reviews. Travelers looking to stay closer to the action may want to consider the H10 Lanzarote Lanzarote Princess.