Family Hotels with Swimming Pools in Antequera

Antequera is not a beach town, so the hotel pool is the water on offer, and it matters more than in a coastal resort. Children who have walked the old town and its monuments need somewhere to cool off, and parents need a place to sit. I recommend choosing by what the hotel gives children: the Parador de Antequera has a playground, the Silken Antequera Hills has family suites and outdoor pools, and the Hotel Infante has a garden and family suites at a three-star level. Check the pool's opening dates, which the listings do not give.

The Parador de Antequera is the family-friendliest of the three. This strikingly modern four-star hotel overlooks the landscapes of Andalusia and offers spacious rooms with contemporary design, an outdoor swimming pool, a playground, a spa and wellness centre, a trendy terrace and an elegant restaurant. A playground next to the pool means children can switch between water and swings without leaving the property. Its 8.6 score comes from about twelve hundred reviews, so it is well tested by earlier guests. I would choose it for a stay with young children, and confirm the pool dates first.

The Silken Antequera Hills is the bigger, resort-style choice. This four-star hotel is a ten-minute walk from Antequera's historic town and features well-appointed rooms, outdoor swimming pools and an 18-hole golf course. It also lists family suites, a spa and wellness centre and an on-site restaurant specialising in pizza and pasta, which is easy for children, plus a seasonal disco. Its 8.2 score is the lowest of the three, but it rests on nearly two thousand reviews, so it gives a realistic picture. The walk to the old town is a real advantage for families without a car.

The Hotel Infante Antequera is the simple, good-value choice, a three-star hotel with a garden, an outdoor swimming pool and a 24-hour front desk. It lists family suites and bike rental, and all rooms have a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a private bathroom. Its 8.7 score is the highest of the three and comes from about fifteen hundred reviews, which is a strong signal for a hotel at this level. It has fewer facilities than the other two, so I would choose it for families who mainly want a pool and a garden.

Across the three hotels, the practical questions are about the pools. Outdoor pools in inland Andalusia are generally a summer facility, so ask when each one opens and closes and whether it is heated, because the listings do not say. Ask whether there is a shallow area for small children and what the supervision rules are. If you plan to see the dolmens or El Torcal, check parking and whether a rental car or taxi is practical, because public transport can be limited. A rental car also makes it easy to reach the coast, about an hour away, if you want a beach day.