The best family-friendly hotels in and around Dubrovnik, from sports academies to private coves

Dubrovnik hotels don't generally encourage families with children, preferring instead to cater for the romantic couple's market. But if you look beyond the Old Town, along the coast, you'll find several big modern waterside hotels with extensive facilities, such as beaches, pools and sports amenities. Of the hotels listed, all have kids' clubs and offer services such as babysitting. Two are outside Dubrovnik (Sun Gardens in Ora?ac and Hotel Croatia in Cavtat), but both are well connected to the town.

Sun Gardens Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Croatia

8Telegraph expert rating

If you're after a chill-out seaside holiday with swimming and sports activities, this location is idyllic: the hotel is set in landscaped grounds overlooking the Adriatic. There's a Sports Academy training football, tennis, water polo and basketball (for seven to 15 year-olds) with occasional celebrity sportspeople and a medal and certificate to take home. Families looking to wind down from an active day can head to the lovely beach (with sublime views over the Elaphiti islands) or one of the two family-friendly pools. The Marco Polo kids' club offers games, activities and trips, so parents can have some time alone. Aside from spacious rooms with balconies or terraces, there are self-catering apartments with modern décor and one, two or three bedrooms. Read expert review From ￡219 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

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Valamar Dubrovnik President Hotel

Dubrovnik, Croatia

8Telegraph expert rating

This five-star seaside hotel – open all year round – is a good choice for families wanting to combine sightseeing and relaxing on the beach. It’s a short bus ride to Dubrovnik's Old Town, while the sheltered location provides the hotel with generous sea views and lots of natural light; the sunsets here are breathtaking. A highlight of the facilities is the hotel beach, a pebble cove with sunbeds, parasols, baldachins and palm trees. There’s also a dive centre offering jet skis, water skis, wakeboards, stand-up paddleboards and banana boats. Children will love the indoor pool, whirlpool and outdoor pool. The concierge arranges sightseeing and local excursions, too. Interconnected rooms are available for families – a double and a twin room combination, each with a sofa bed, can sleep a total of six. Read expert review From ￡251 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

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Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel

Dubrovnik, Croatia

8Telegraph expert rating

The Valamar Lacroma enjoys fabulous sea views from a position amidst lawns, palms and olive trees which – combined with a welcoming staff – create an atmosphere that is open and relaxed, making it ideal for families, old and young. Children will love the large outdoor pools, complete with sunbeds and parasols, and guests have use of facilities at the sister-hotel Valamar Dubrovnik President. Families with children might book two interconnected superior rooms, or a suite with sofa bed in the lounge. The vast buffet restaurant has free-standing island counters displaying various courses, so there's no canteen-style queuing. The Langusto Restaurant does à la carte Mediterranean cuisine (dinner-only) on a small secluded terrace; fresh lobster is there specialty. There are child-friendly menu options available. Read expert review From ￡163 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

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Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

Dubrovnik, Croatia

8Telegraph expert rating

It’s hard to imagine a more relaxing setting than this luxury waterside hotel: it's set against a seaward slope on Dubrovnik's Lapad peninsular, in grounds planted with rosemary, oleander, olive trees and pines. There are several outdoor pools, a scuba diving centre and a rock-and-concrete beach, as well as a tennis court shaded by towering pine trees. Rooms have a funky, contemporary look and can be interconnected. Even little ones will appreciate the culinary offerings: in addition to a buffet restaurant, the beachside Maslina Tavern serves beautifully presented contemporary Dalmatian cuisine; Lean & Light (summer-only) specialises in smoothies, fresh juices and salads; Beach Restaurant Ponta does daytime snacks by the sea. Read expert review From ￡222 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

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Hotel Croatia Cavtat

Cavtat, Croatia

8Telegraph expert rating

Hotel Croatia sits on its own peninsular, with views down onto Cavtat's turquoise bay. There are two beaches – a concrete platform lined by sunbeds overlooking Cavtat Bay and, on the peninsula's south side, a series of secluded rock-and-concrete bathing areas. Children are well catered for, with a kids' club and playground, plus babysitting on request. There's a free-form outdoor pool rimmed by pine trees, and a tennis court and beach volleyball court. Rooms are carpeted and have simple modern wooden furnishing and fabrics in neutral earthy tones, with sliding glass doors giving onto generous balconies. Read expert review From ￡208 per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com