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Taking a holiday with young children can frequently seem like an all-or-nothing proposition.

You permit them to remain awake exceptionally late one evening to watch a performance or entertainer, and suddenly, they believe treats at 10pm and retiring by midnight is standard holiday practice. The additional ice cream, despite knowing there'll be more to come, isn't regarded as a one-time treat, but a daily entitlement.

Regarding kids' clubs, off they venture on their own path to create their separate holiday world for however many hours daily, leaving you at liberty to unwind. If you don't pursue the kids' club option, then you're most probably attempting to split your time between being principal entertainer and enjoying yourself.

But on the perpetually sun-drenched island of Fuerteventura, I believe I've discovered the hotel with the ideal compromise that provides children abundant freedom and amusement, while affording adults the opportunity to decompress - without needing to commit to a kids' club.

Barcelo Corralejo Sands, situated in the northeast of the year-round holiday destination that's now got a direct TUI weekly service from Cardiff Airport, doesn't position itself as a venue aimed exclusively towards families, nor as a retreat for exhausted adults.

Instead of appearing to lack character or being uncertain what it's supposed to be, this establishment feels like an optimal destination for families, solo travellers, and couples of any age. The primary reason for this is a superb design that makes the most of the compact footprint of the site by positioning the two pool areas within easy sight of one another along a thoroughfare flanked by accommodation on either side.

This means there are no distractions between one side and the other - whether you're on a child-free getaway or a couples' holiday, you can relax by the larger main pool (where children can also swim, play and use floats) in what we found was generally a very relaxed and quiet atmosphere.

Meanwhile, just seconds away lies a truly exceptional environment for youngsters.

There's a shallow pool with two slides - one smaller and shaped like a humpback whale that would be perfectly suitable for even the tiniest of children, and another forming part of a pirate ship setup that was easily safe and accessible (my children are six and nine and navigated it effortlessly without any assistance, though that didn't stop me having a go myself).

The water, which also features a palm tree waterfall, is merely the start of the fun. There's a generously sized climbing frame suitable for toddlers, a set of football goals and a spacious enough area for children to enjoy two v two or three on three matches, table football, a table tennis table, and a pool table (this is chargeable at €2 (£1.73) per game). There is also a small classroom-style building stocked with toys, including a role-play kitchen and colouring activities - not to mention providing welcome shade. Pair it with a selection of nearby sun loungers beside the water, along with access to both the bar and your room, and you essentially have everything required to keep the whole family content for an entire day in the sunshine.

Children can play freely and make friends with ease. Provided your little one is of a suitable age, you can unwind while remaining on hand to splash about in the water, serve as cannon fodder in goal, or challenge them to one of the tabletop games.

Should you wish to split up and cover more ground, one approach we found particularly effective was positioning a lounger or two at each pool within sight of one another.

This meant that when one child fancied sitting in the whirlpool jets of the larger pool while another preferred playing with their new companions or retreating to the shade for some colouring, both could be accommodated with ease, while we adults still managed to enjoy a moment to ourselves. The children moved between us effortlessly.

In purely logistical terms, Barcelo Corralejo Sands is an absolute joy. It genuinely feels as though families can enjoy the very best of everything with the absolute minimum of stress and effort.

All of that would count for considerably less, however, if the remainder of the hotel failed to match the same standard. Fortunately, it delivers in precisely the same understated fashion it presents itself. It's refined and sophisticated without being excessive or over-the-top. The staff are unobtrusive, welcoming, and almost universally absolutely delightful and eager to assist. Our poolside suite was bright, spacious and comfortably roomy for four people, even with the 'lounge' area having been converted into a second bedroom.

The balcony was substantial and sheltered and, on our side of the pool, the staggered design of the building ensured it was entirely private from the neighbouring room.

There were numerous thoughtful touches, such as the provision of adorable bathroom sets for the children, and convenient features like complimentary beach and pool towels, plus the use of a mini fridge to keep any drinks purchased off-site chilled (do bear in mind, however, that using the in-room safe incurs a daily charge).

We opted for half-board and thoroughly enjoyed the extensive selection of included breakfast options each day. It felt especially indulgent to begin the morning with cava, smoked salmon and capers, alongside the nightly themed cuisines from around the globe (Spanish, Canarian and Arabic being particular favourites of mine).

Bottles of wine were priced between approximately €20 (£17) and €30 (we enjoyed a particularly delicious Mar de Frades Albarino over dinner one evening - highly recommended), while a large beer cost €3.80 at the time of our stay. We endeavoured, though rarely succeeded, in finishing dinner before the mini disco kicked off in the bar each evening at 8pm. If I were being particularly critical, the event could perhaps have stretched beyond its 15-20 minute duration, and the setlist might have benefitted from greater variety, though the Europop classics certainly deserved top marks.

Part of the reason for its short runtime, however, was the nightly bingo at 8.30pm. This was genuinely lively and entertaining for all ages, prompting plenty of laughter throughout the evening.

Every night, a musician or alternative performer took to the stage at 9pm. The resort, discreetly nestled down a side street, was merely a short stroll from the vibrant bars and renowned 'music square' of Corralejo town.

A variety of beaches are also within easy walking distance, though we largely favoured the laid-back atmosphere and readily available entertainment around the pool, which had the added bonus of the surrounding buildings providing shelter from the island's notorious breeze.

For those wishing to venture further afield for a day or two, an abundance of boat trips and excursions are readily available.

We embarked on a dolphin-spotting trip through TUI Musement (from £132 for a family of four, based on two adults and two children), and we were thoroughly grateful for dragging ourselves away from the poolside, as witnessing those magnificent creatures at such close range proved to be a truly mesmerising experience. Combined with the island's year-round sunny climate (approximately 320 days of sunshine annually means you'd be extremely unfortunate to experience more than a dreary day or two, regardless of when you visit) and a wonderful setting, the Barcelo Corralejo Sands emerges as a family holiday destination that could effortlessly become a firm favourite.

TUI offers a seven-night holiday to Corralejo, Fuerteventura, staying at the 4T Barcelo Corralejo Sands on a half board basis from £847 per person.

The price is based on two adults and two children sharing a Suite with Balcony or Terrace departing with TUI Airways flights from Cardiff on June 6, 2026, with 20kg hold luggage per person and transfers included. To find out more about this holiday or to book go to tui.co.uk, visit your local TUI holiday store, or download the app.

If you fancy leaving later in the year the same trip can be booked for departure on September 19, 2026, from £871 on a half-board basis or £1,086 for all-inclusive.

TUI Musement offers a two-hour dolphin-spotting cruise from Corralejo along Fuerteventura's north coast from £132 for a family of four. This price is based on two adults (from £40pp) and two children (from £26pp)