WHEN it comes to family holidays parents want plenty of entertainment, splash parks and great food – and you’d expect all this to come at a cost.
However, not all hotels have to break the bank, and a woman who knows how to be savvy with holidays is Jenna Carr aka ‘Travel Mum’ who is constantly finding the best deals and shares how others can do the same.
Jenna has travelled all over the world with her young family finding super cheap deals and the best locations for kids along the way.
She’s documented all her top tips on The Travel Mum – and there will be even more in her book ‘Yes You Can Travel With Kids‘ which will be released on February 12, 2026.
Jenna has two children ages six and one, so there are a few necessities when it comes to book hotels from splash pools, kids’ clubs and of course, being affordable.
Talking to Sun Travel, Jenna revealed some of her top hotels – some of which still have spaces this half-term.
Jenna said: “The best all-inclusive, cheap, hotel I’ve been to was AluaSun Costa Park in Torremolinos.
“The Costa del Sol is always great for cheap hotels and this one was all-inclusive. We didn’t go during the school holidays, so it wasn’t busy either.
“It was a really easy pick because it was so close to the airport with a short transfer time, and a free shuttle that went down to the beach.
“There was a little splash park for the kids too and the food was good.”
The AluaSun Costa Park hotel sits on the Costa Del Sol, in Torremolinos.
It has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool surrounded by a sun terrace filled with loungers – and for kids, there’s a big splash park.
It’s within walking distance of two beaches; Playa de los Álamos and Playa de la Carihuela.
With HolidayGems you can still book a full-board five-night holiday for a family of four for £401.65pp.
Flights depart on February 17 returning on February 22, 2026.
If you don’t want all meals included, you can book a three-night stay at the AluaSun Costa Park from February 18 with loveholidays from £189pp (with breakfast included).
Hold off until Easter holidays and you can get an all-inclusive break at the AluaSun Costa Park from £305pp for a family of four.
Flights leave on March 31 from London Luton returning on April 4, 2025 – you can book this deal through On the Beach.
One of Jenna’s top all-inclusive stays was in Agadir where she paid just £600 for her family of three at the time.
She said: “Allegro Agadir was amazing, it was very cheap and cheerful and right on the beach.
“It was just the three of us at the time and we paid £600 for a five-night all-inclusive.
“That didn’t include flights though, we did it DIY.”
The hotel is a short walk from the beach where there are complimentary sunbeds for hotel guests.
There are also two outdoor pools including one for children along with a buffet restaurant and three bars.
On Booking.com a family of four can stay at the Allegra Agadir for three-nights at £601 with an all-inclusive deal (flights not included) from February 16, 2026.
This works out at just £50pppn.
If you book in advance now for October half-term a family of four can stay at the Allegra Agadir from £972 with an all-inclusive deal (flights not included) – which works out at £48pppn.
Or, a five-night all-inclusive package with loveholidays starts from £589pp with flights departing on October 26, 2026.
Another top pick when it comes to hotels for Jenna was the GF Victoria in Tenerife.
She told us: “It was fantastic and so good for families, especially the restaurant.
“There was a play area right next door with a glass wall. So when the kids start whining they’re finished and want to get up and go – you can finish your meal and let them play.
“There was a huge kids’ buffet with all the beige stuff they love. And there was a baby club along with a kids’ club.
“It was a holiday for us rather than a promotion, but I ended up promoting it anyway because it was such a great place – I had to tell everyone about it.”
Guests can enjoy the great weather in Tenerife at one of the four swimming pools, splash park and aqua park.
Inside is a baby club, mini club with a racing track, teen club with games like table football and air hockey.
There are also six bars and three restaurants across the resort all with children’s menus.
For more of the best best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week, head to thetravelmum.com
Jen Carr, family travel expert and founder of The Travel Mum, shares the best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week. https://thetravelmum.com
Jen’s new book ‘Yes You Can Travel With Kids’ is available launches February 12, 2026 and is available to preorder on Amazon.
For more on great family stays – check out the top-rated hotel named the best for families with colouring stations for kids and baby concierge.
And is this the best family hotel in Europe? The ‘insane’ resort has six floors of play zones, mini Land Rovers & a water park.