in Costa Almeria, Spain
Zimbali Playa Spa Hotel
Updated 1 July 2026
- Baby
- Toddler
- Kid
- Teen
Zimbali sits on the long flat sands of Vera Playa, one of the calmest family stretches on the whole Costa Almeria. The pull for kids is the themed pool with slides and the splash zone next to it, the pull for parents is that everything is on one level, the gardens are shaded and the sea in front is shallow for a very long way. All inclusive is available and genuinely useful here, because Vera Playa is quiet and you will not be walking out to a strip of restaurants every night.
Our verdict
The safest bet on this coast for families with children under six: flat, shallow, shaded and organised. Take the all inclusive, take a car for two or three days, and let the rest be pool time.
The rooms
Big, bright rooms with terraces looking over gardens or the sea, plus junior suites and connecting doubles that let a family of five spread out. Cots are free and most rooms take a proper extra bed rather than a fold-out chair.
At a glance
- Water fun
- Themed pool with slides plus splash zone
- Beach
- Direct access, flat sand, very shallow sea
- Kids club
- Free, roughly 4 to 12, daytime and mini disco
- Board
- Half board or all inclusive
How the KidProof Score works
Every hotel is rated on eight things families actually care about, then weighted by how much each one drives your choice. Room setup counts the most. The little touches break the ties.
Sleeps how many? Connecting rooms, family suites, a real extra bed?
Clean travel cot, high chair, bottle warmer, changing table, kit to borrow.
Shallow pool or paddling area, playground, kids club (free or paid).
Quick breakfast, kids menus, allergy options, snacks on hand.
Secured windows, protected corners, watched pool, well kept grounds.
Laundry, in-room fridge, stroller access, parking, reliable Wi-Fi.
Close to family attractions, easy transport, park tickets or access.
Welcome gift for the child, staff who talk to kids, themed rooms.
Why families love it
- Themed outdoor pool with slides plus a splash zone
- Straight onto the flat sands of Vera Playa
- Free kids club and evening mini disco in season
- Senzia spa with a decent thermal circuit for parents
🗓️A day here with kids
- 8:30
Breakfast in the garden room
Go before 9am, the buffet is calm and the pancake station has no queue.
- 10:00
Beach while the sea is glassy
Mornings are still, the afternoon breeze usually picks up around three.
- 13:30
Lunch then quiet hour
Ground floor rooms mean you can nap a baby and still hear the pool.
- 16:30
Slides until dinner
The slide queue empties once the day trippers leave, and the water is at its warmest.
Family things to do nearby
Shell hunt on El Playazo
Walk south along the sand at low tide, the flat shore collects small shells and the water barely reaches toddler knees.
Promenade ride to Vera port
The seafront path is flat and traffic free, easy for a first bike outing or a scooter and a pram together.
Thermal circuit while the club runs
Book the Senzia circuit for the 10am club slot, it is the one hour of the day nobody will ask you for a snack.
Is it right for your kids?
Baby
0 to 1 yr
Free cots, flat corridors, shaded garden corners and a bottle warmer on request. The very shallow sea helps enormously.
Toddler
1 to 3 yrs
The splash zone is the right depth for this age, and the beach entry is so gradual you can let go of a hand for ten seconds.
Kid
4 to 11 yrs
Slides, club, mini disco and enough space to make holiday friends by day two.
Teen
12 yrs and up
Fine if they like pools and the beach, but bring a car: Vera Playa itself has little to do after dark.
Plan your stay
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Live prices & availability
Stays near Avenida Ciudad de Alicante s/n, 04621 Vera Playa, Almeria, Spain
We compare Booking, Expedia, Hotels.com and more so you book at the best price. Prices update in real time.
Parents also ask
Is the beach in front sandy?
Yes, Vera Playa is flat golden sand with a very gentle slope into the sea, one of the easiest beaches on this coast for small children.
Is the naturist beach an issue with children?
The naturist zone of Vera Playa is a separate stretch further north, clearly signed and not in front of the hotel. Walking south keeps you on the textile side.
Do we need a hire car?
For a pool and beach week, no. For Mojacar old town, Cabo de Gata or the Tabernas desert, yes, and those days are what makes the trip memorable.
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