Playaballena Spa Hotel

💦 Mini-waterpark and colourful splash park
🍹 Sports bar for big matches and evening drinks
🎭 Full entertainment programme for all ages
🏊 Large lagoon-style pool area with slides and waterfall
🏖️ Just 200m from the sandy Costa Ballena beach
📶 Free Wi-Fi throughout

Official rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Board options: All Inclusive, Half Board Plus
Child age: up to 17 years
Rooms: 324 | Floors: 3 | Lifts: 2
Certified sustainable hotel
Pet-friendly in designated rooms (on request; charges may apply)

Costa Ballena is purpose‑built for relaxing holidays: long ribbons of soft sand, landscaped gardens and traffic-light promenades made for walking and cycling. Playaballena Spa Hotel sits just behind the dunes, so you can wander from the pool to the Atlantic in minutes. Within a short stroll you’ll find local restaurants and bars, while Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club is close by for a round in the sea breeze. If you fancy a culture hit, the historic city of Jerez is about 40 minutes’ drive away for sherry bodegas, flamenco and handsome plazas.

• 230m from the nearest restaurant
• 200m from the beach (approx.)
• 1.9km from Costa Ballena Ocean Golf Club
• 550m from Costa Ballena resort centre
• Jerez (historic city and airport town): approx. 40 minutes’ drive
Approx. transfer time from airport: 1 Hour

Costa Ballena, Costa De La Luz East, Spain

You’ll have plenty of choice when it comes to food and drink at Playaballena Spa Hotel, with a mix of buffet and à la carte dining plus four varied bars.

El Arpón Buffet Restaurant
The main buffet restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with a generous spread of international and Spanish favourites. Live show cooking stations mean you can watch chefs prepare grilled meats, fish and pasta dishes to order. Highchairs and microwaves make life easier with little ones. Gentlemen are asked to wear long trousers for dinner.

Terra Restaurant
An à la carte spot for evenings (seasonal; typically open late June to early September), Terra mixes international dishes with Spanish specialities. There’s a dedicated kids’ menu so the whole family can enjoy a sit‑down meal together. Beachwear isn’t permitted at dinner.

Bars
• Legends Sports Bar – a classic sports bar showing major games, ideal for an evening drink. Usually open 12:00–01:30 depending on occupancy.
• Naos Beach Club – a relaxed beach bar set in the gardens close to the shore, perfect for sundowners and light bites.
• Pool Bar – handy for ice‑cold drinks and snacks between dips (seasonal, typically mid‑June to mid‑September).
• Theatre Bar – a coffee and cocktail bar next to the show area, open for pre‑show and post‑show drinks most evenings.

Board inclusions and opening hours can change seasonally; some venues may require reservations or carry a supplement depending on your chosen board. What All Inclusive typically includes.

This is very much a pool‑first kind of place. The centrepiece is a large outdoor freshwater pool with slides, a waterfall feature and plenty of space to swim or cool off. Sunbeds and parasols line the terrace, and there are towels available with a refundable deposit.

Families are particularly well catered for with:
• A dedicated aqua park (seasonal, usually mid‑June to mid‑September) featuring slides and a half‑pipe section for older kids and teens.
• A bright splash park designed for younger children, with tipping buckets, water cannons and spray jets – open long hours in peak months.

From the gardens it’s a short wander (around 200m) to the wide sandy beach of Costa Ballena. The Atlantic here tends to bring gentle waves rather than mill‑pond calm, which is great for paddling, sandcastle‑building and long shoreline walks. A local beach bar keeps you topped up with Andalusian classics like grilled fish and ice‑cold drinks.

When you’re ready for a break from the slides and splash zones, Playaballena Spa Hotel has a decent line‑up of wellness and activity facilities.

Spa & Wellness
The on-site spa (open Wednesday to Sunday) features a sauna, steam room and Turkish bath, plus massage and beauty treatments (extra cost). Children from 4 years are allowed in the spa during specific family hours (typically 12:00–15:30, subject to availability), so you can enjoy the thermal circuit together.

Fitness & Sports
• Gym with cardio machines, free weights and fixed‑weight equipment (minimum age 16yrs).
• Mini-golf for relaxed family competition (local charge).

Other facilities
• 24‑hour reception with concierge support.
• Currency exchange (local charge) and luggage storage.
• Pet-friendly policy for small animals in selected rooms (on request, charges and restrictions may apply).
• Free Wi‑Fi throughout the hotel.

Facilities and opening hours may vary by season and occupancy and are subject to change.

Rooms at Playaballena Spa Hotel are simple, bright and practical – exactly what you want when you’re spending most of your time outdoors. Expect tiled floors, cooling tones, and balconies or terraces in most categories.

Superior Double Room with Garden
Sleeps: minimum 2, maximum 4
Ideal for families wanting a little extra space and an outdoor area overlooking the gardens.
Amenities include:
• Terrace
• Flat-screen TV
• Free Wi‑Fi
• Safety deposit box (local charge)
• Bathrobe and slippers
• Hairdryer
• Coffee-making facilities
• Minibar (local charge)
• Bathroom with bath and shower attachment
• Daily room cleaning
• Towel change on request

Double Room
Sleeps: minimum 2, maximum 4
A comfortable base for couples or small families, with either a balcony or terrace depending on allocation.
Amenities include:
• Balcony or terrace
• Flat-screen TV
• Free Wi‑Fi
• Safety deposit box (local charge)
• Hairdryer
• Minibar (local charge)
• Bathroom with bath and shower attachment
• Air conditioning (seasonal; typically mid‑June to mid‑September)
• Daily cleaning and towel change on request

Double Room for Sole Use
Sleeps: minimum 1, maximum 2
Perfect for solo travellers who want the same facilities in a slightly smaller set‑up.
Amenities include:
• Balcony or terrace
• Flat-screen TV
• Free Wi‑Fi
• Safety deposit box (local charge)
• Hairdryer
• Minibar (local charge)
• Bathroom with bath and shower attachment
• Air conditioning (seasonal; typically mid‑June to mid‑September)
• Daily cleaning and towel change on request

*Images indicative; layouts/views may vary.

The animation team keeps things buzzing, especially in summer, with a varied schedule of games and shows. Much of the programme is in Spanish, which adds to the local feel, but the activities themselves are easy for all to join.

Daytime
• Organised family games and small team competitions
• Water‑based activities in and around the pool
• Sports and mini-golf (local charge for mini-golf)
• Kid-friendly activities in the clubs and splash park

Evening
• Bingo and quizzes
• Karaoke nights
• Live music performances
• Mini‑disco and family shows in the theatre area

In peak summer (typically mid‑June to mid‑September) the programme is daily and full-on; in the shoulder months it scales back to occasional sessions but still offers a sociable atmosphere.

Families will find plenty of thoughtful touches designed to make life easier, from kids’ clubs to late Spanish mealtimes that match the local rhythm.

Children’s facilities
• Children’s clubs (3–11yrs and 12–17yrs) with arts and crafts, sports, games, water‑based fun, storytelling, drama and music – operating long daytime hours in high season.
• Outdoor playground with slides (age/height restrictions may apply).
• Indoor play area (typically open 11:00–19:00, depending on occupancy).
• Aqua park and splash park with slides, jets, tipping buckets and cannons (seasonal; restrictions apply).
• Highchairs and kids’ menus in the restaurants.

General services
🛎️ 24‑hour reception and concierge assistance
💷 Currency exchange (local charge)
🧳 Luggage storage
🐾 Pet-friendly policy in selected rooms (on request; charges and conditions apply)
📶 Free Wi‑Fi throughout the hotel

Do note that meals in this part of Spain tend to be served a little later than in northern Europe – breakfast often from around 08:00 and dinner from around 20:00 – which fits naturally with long sunny evenings by the pool.

Board basis
• All Inclusive – typically includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner in the main restaurant, plus snacks between meals for at least 3 hours per day. Local wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks and hot drinks are generally available for a minimum of 12 hours per day.
• Half Board Plus – usually includes buffet breakfast and dinner, with a selection of drinks at dinner such as local beer, house wine, water and soft drinks.

Details and inclusions can change from season to season; you’ll receive the most up‑to‑date information on arrival.

Local area: Costa Ballena
Costa Ballena is a modern resort on Spain’s Atlantic “Coast of Light”, known for its broad sandy beaches, cycle paths and golf. It’s a great choice if you like space on the sand, laid‑back bars and easy, family‑friendly exploring – from the local waterpark to pretty Parque de los Lagos with its ducks and lakeside paths.

• Country: Spain
• Region: Costa De La Luz East
• Resort: Costa Ballena
• Language: Spanish
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Time difference: GMT+1 (typically +1hr from the UK)
• Average UK flight time: around 3 hours

Information is based on the most recent supplier details and may change; some facilities are seasonal or dependent on occupancy. For entry rules and health guidance see the UK FCDO Spain advice.

Playaballena Spa Hotel Prices & Book
Choose your dates in the search box for live availability, early booking discounts and the latest family offers. Book with low deposits and full ATOL protection for your holiday peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Playaballena Spa Hotel close to the beach?
Yes. Playaballena Spa Hotel is approximately 200m from the wide sandy beach at Costa Ballena – it’s an easy, mostly flat walk from the hotel gardens, so you can swap between pool and sea throughout the day.

2. Is Playaballena Spa Hotel good for families with children?
Very much so. The hotel is part of a family‑focused collection and offers a large pool with slides, an aqua park and splash park, two age‑segmented kids’ clubs (3–11yrs and 12–17yrs), an indoor play area, playground, children’s menus and long daytime and evening entertainment. It’s a strong choice for families with children of all ages, including teens.

3. What’s the difference between All Inclusive and Half Board Plus at Playaballena Spa Hotel?
All Inclusive usually covers buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus snacks for at least three hours per day and a selection of local alcoholic and non‑alcoholic drinks for at least 12 hours daily. Half Board Plus includes buffet breakfast and dinner, with selected drinks such as local beer, house wine, water and soft drinks served with dinner only. Exact inclusions can change, so always check the information given at check‑in.

4. Does Playaballena Spa Hotel have a spa, and can children use it?
Yes. The spa features a sauna, steam room, Turkish bath and massage/beauty treatments (extra charge). It typically operates from Wednesday to Sunday. Children from 4 years old are allowed into the spa during set family times, usually between 12:00 and 15:30, subject to availability and spa rules.

5. Is there a gym at Playaballena Spa Hotel?
Yes. The hotel has a gym with cardio fitness machines, a free weights area and strength-training equipment. The gym is usually available for guests aged 16 and over. Opening times may vary seasonally.

6. What kind of entertainment is offered in the evenings?
In high season you can expect a full programme of evening entertainment, usually including family‑friendly shows, live music, quizzes, bingo, karaoke and a mini‑disco for children. In the shoulder and winter seasons the programme is reduced to occasional entertainment. Much of it is presented in Spanish, but non‑Spanish speakers typically find it easy to join in.

7. How long is the transfer from Jerez Airport (XRY) to Playaballena Spa Hotel?
The resort is around 1 hour from Jerez Airport by road, depending on traffic and the exact transfer routing. Selected holiday packages may include express transfers, meaning you’re among the first dropped off and last picked up within Costa Ballena.

8. Are pets allowed at Playaballena Spa Hotel?
Yes, this is a pet‑friendly hotel and animals may be in residence. Pets are typically accepted in specific room types on request, with restrictions on size and a local charge. If you plan to travel with a pet, confirm details and availability at the time of booking.

9. Is Wi‑Fi free at Playaballena Spa Hotel?
Yes. Free Wi‑Fi is available throughout the hotel, including public areas and guest rooms, making it easy to stay connected or stream on your own devices.

10. Are meals served at typical UK times?
Meals in this region of Spain are generally served slightly later than in the UK. Breakfast tends to start from around 08:00 and dinner from around 20:00. This follows the local Andalusian rhythm, with long sunny afternoons and vibrant evenings.