Family hotels with pools: what to check before you book

Kids' swim times, children's pools, depth and water slides: the questions that decide whether a pool works for your family.

By the Pool-Hotels.com editorial teamPublished 29 September 2026Updated 1 October 2026

A pool that is fine for adults can be a let-down for children, and the other way round. These are the questions that decide whether a pool works for your family. Our family list has 1,176 UK stays with a pool, 82 of them with a separate children's pool and 374 with water slides.

1. When can children swim?

Hotel pools often set times for children, for example mornings and late afternoons only. If your children want to swim after dinner, check the family swim times before you book. We show them on the Pool Card once checked.

2. How deep is it?

A pool with no shallow end is hard work with small children. Ask for the depth at the shallow end, in metres.

3. Is there a children's pool?

A separate children's pool or splash area lets toddlers play safely while older children swim. 82 stays on our family list have one.

4. Slides and water play

Water slides are mostly found at holiday parks. 374 stays on our family list have them. Ask about height and age limits for each slide.

5. Where do you sleep?

1,176 stays on our family list have family rooms. At a holiday park you get your own lodge or caravan, with the pool shared across the park.

Family stays with a pool by place

Questions

What should I check at a family hotel with a pool?

Check when children can swim, how deep the shallow end is, whether there is a children's pool and whether slides have age or height limits.

Figures come from our UK listing data, updated 29 September 2026. How we check pools