Hi,

I'm new to the site, but thankfully not the island. Have never been to playa blanca in previous visits (looking forward to it) and have a new addition to the family this time round! Would appreciate if anyone can recommend toddler friendly restaurants in the area. I remember a few in PDC that had little play areas in the back.

Thanks - Maria

Hi Maria - I can't recall seeing any play pens etc... but all the restaurants here are really child friendly. A few of them on the seafront have highchairs too. The bars too will mostly welcome your littlun. It would be difficult to recommend any in particular - as they're all pretty good!

Does your toddler like birds? Well, in the middle of the seafront stretch of eateries is Brisa Marina (one of my favourite restaurants) and they have 2 big parrots on perches outside - there's normally a crowd of inquisitive youngsters milling about there.

Elle xx

Thanks Elle - my daughter is almost 2 and has the attention span of a goldfish! The parrots will be a must! Anything that distracts her long enough for us to get a few mouthfuls down (even if we have to operate in shifts!!) will be great.

As I mentioned, its our first time to PB and we have family and friends with us this year - a convoy of kids ranging from 10 months to 15 years (God help us). Any advice on how to keep them all happy and out of harm's way is very much appreciated.

Regards
Maria

Convoy of kids eh? You're brave!

Couple of suggestions for you then...

Dorada Beach has a few activities that might suit the older end of that age bracket - plus there are a couple of those trampolines dotted about - 1 just behind Dorada Beach, and one at the Marina Rubicon Shopping Centre (although I think someone said the other day that it had gone (?)

Princesa Yaiza has a large children's area with all sorts of sports and activities. It's called Kikoland.

The Shopping Centre at the Marina has a Bowling Alley upstairs - which is really cheap, and they're fab with the kids. Hubby's boys love it there when they're over.

I don't know what kind of accomodation you've chosen - but if you're staying in a hotel... you'll find they usually have activities for the kids too.

Have a good time!

Elle xx

Thankfully only 2 of the convoy are mine - a 2 year old and a 13 year old (she, by the way, is the infamous "GIMME SUM INFO" user - I nearly cried laughing when I saw her replies!)

We have booked Holiday Village Sun Tropical - pleeeeease don't tell me anything bad about it because we made a really bad choice recently in Mallorca and I don't want to relive the whole 'fist fight for sunbed' scenario.

Your suggestions are a great help - thanks again - it means we can hit the ground running when we arrive! My older daughter is mad keen to go diving - she had an introductory course with PADI last year - and I heard that they are based in PB, so that's definately on the agenda.

Thanks again and take care
Maria

Aha! Small world eh? As long as she's not upset over the "wrist slapping" that we gave her over her text-speak

Sun Tropical is good and close to the centre of Playa Blanca, so you'll be near to all the action. Yes, there's a few PADI centres in Playa Blanca. As you enter the Marina... head over to the far right hand side (you'll see a diving place there). Or go to the Dive College ( http://www.scubalanzarote.co.uk) which is up the other end of the town, close to Natura Palace Hotel. They've just had a viewing pool built by our best pals - and you can watch people practising from the promenade. Friendly bunch of guys in there too.

I can't comment specifically on your hotel, as I haven't been in there - but reviews seem fine. Cheap and cheerful, and great for the kids!

Count those days hon

Elle xx

She's not upset at all - she quite enjoyed the reactions she caused, and laughed at the thought of making someone feel like an old fart!!

I see she is asking the same questions as me (we really must communicate more in our house!) Thanks again for the info - their site looks great.

Fingers crossed on Sun Tropical - I don't think we get as much choice (of hotels/apartments) when booking from Ireland, and this appeared to tick all the boxes from a family point of view. And if they are happy ..........

Maria x

Sun Tropical is grand. I have been there three years in a row and hope to get back there again this year, for the fourth year. Not only are there supervised activities for children, throughout the day, but there are so many children that they will find and make new friends every week! its close to beach and town. Town is not big, but then you can hire a car if you want to go to Port del carmen, which is notas nice as the smaller Playa Blanca.

Thanks for that Ravima. While i'm not expecting utter luxury, it's nice to hear some positive feedback from someone who has actually stayed at Sun Tropical.

Just a quick question - are the balconies reasonably spacious (I have requested one above ground level)? The reason I ask is this .... I stayed at a complex in Mallorca last year and you barely had room for a small round table and 2 chairs on the balcony - in fact if you had the tables and chairs out on the balcony then you couldn't get out there with them!! It was an absolute joke and ruined the 2 weeks for me. Having a young child, we often have to settle for a few drinks on the balcony at night while her majesty is asleep - it would be nice to know that we can both sit out there at the same time !!!!!

Car hire is definately on the agenda - this is my 5th time to Lanza (the first with my toddler) and I would love to drive around the island again and revisit old haunts. I'm seriously hoping that Joe Smokes is still in PDC - the BBQ Ribs were to die for!!

Thanks again for the info
Maria

Joe Smokes still around!
Open as usual, enjoy your ribs.

Ahhhhhh ..... excellent!! Great grub and great staff....

Hey Cymmon, does a bus run from Playa Blanca to PDC ? The reason I ask is that we also have fond memories of the buckets of beer at Joe Smokes, so driving into PDC is out of the question!!!

Also, thanks again to all the 'regulars' on the forum - it's great to have so much information in advance of our trip!

regards
Maria

There is a bus from PB to PDC but you have to get off in the old town. Cy will give you numbers and times no doubt

Balconies are not very big. Hold table, 4 chairs and clothes line.

Maria D - Are you back? If so, what did you think of PB and Sun Tropical

Hi Ravima,

Nah ..... not heading to PB until 7th July and it CANNOT come quick enough!! Was just out on my lunch hour (unofficially of course!!) grabbing some bargains for the hols, so its really starting to feel like the countdown is on. We have had some lovely weather here the past few days, which is also getting us in the mood.

I will be sure to let you know what I think of both the resort and the complex when I get back.

Didn't you mention that you were hoping to head over to Sun Tropical again this year - any luck with that?

Cheers
Maria