La Zambra

Several pools across the resort, mostly unfenced and immediately accessible from the main paths. Mature gardens with cypress and stone steps that get slick after the sprinklers. There's a kids' corner that is, charitably, a room with crayons. Kids 5+ who can swim and follow rules will be fine; toddlers will need an adult on watch from 7am until bedtime.

When the kids are settled, it's exquisite - a proper Andalusian estate feel, two strong restaurants, a spa worth the price, and golf for the inclined. The vibe is unmistakably adult-leaning: long lunches, quiet pools, couples in linen. Lovely with a sitter (which the hotel will arrange in 24 hours), tense without one.

Junior suite has a sofa bed in the living area separated from the bedroom by a frosted glass partition that does very little for sound. Connecting rooms are available and worth the upgrade - we wished we'd booked them. Cot on request, no high chair in the room (the restaurant has them).

Car needed for everything - Mijas Pueblo is 10 min uphill, Málaga airport 30 min. The resort grounds are sprawling: stroller works on the main paths but you'll be carrying it up steps to half the rooms. Beach is a 15-min drive, and parking there is its own adventure.

Two on-site restaurants - both strong but adult-leaning, with kids' menus that read as an afterthought. Breakfast spread is genuinely vast and included. For everyday family dinners drive 10 min to Mijas Pueblo, which has half a dozen kid-easy spots. Pool snacks until 6pm are surprisingly decent.

• LunchEl Mirlo BlancoMountain-view terrace with paella that actually deserves the name.
• ActivityCala de Mijas beachCalm, lifeguarded swimming with proper sand and shade rentals.