Family Camping at the Incredible La Marina Resort

Introduction

As a firm family favourite, camping holiday parks are always a popular holiday choice. Blessed with some of the best campsite resorts in southern Spain, they are major draws for tourists visting Costa Blanca.

One such holiday park is the La Marina Resort. With a range of touring pitches and bungalows to rent, along with a swimming pool to rival the best water parks for kids in Costa Blanca and other spectacular guest facilities, La Marina remains a local favourite.

If you are deciding between staying here or at Alannia Costa Blanca, another of the area’s impressive campsites, see our comparison of La Marina vs Alannia: Which is the best camping for kids?

Here though, we are reviewing our latest stay with our 4 young children at La Marina resort in May 2024.

Where is La Marina Camping & Resort located?

La Marina Camping & Resort is located in the town of La Marina, in the south of Spain’s sunny Costa Blanca region. The nearest large town is Guardamar del Segura, situated 7km or a 10 min drive along the coast to the south.

The campsite is located behind large sand dunes that separate it from the closest beach, which is an approximately 20 min walk away.

What facilities does La Marina Camping & Resort have?

Undoubtedly the centrepiece of the La Marina resort is the water park swimming pool. With a child-friendly shallow splash pad area and many different water slides to suit thrill seekers of all ages, the pool is like having access to a proper water park, only usually with the bonus of no queues.

Besides the pools, for kids there are both outdoor and indoor children’s playgrounds, a games room, football pitches, tennis and paddle courts. Mini golf and an evening fairground can also be enjoyed, for additional cost.

A tourist land train runs every 30 mins during the day to shuttle guests to the nearby natural and unspoilt sandy beach and back.

In the evenings there is a programme of family entertainment, including shows in the Coliseum theatre.

For anyone looking to really relax, there is an impressive indoor spa space, called Marina Senses (additional cost applies).

What is the pool like at La Marina Camping & Resort?

There are 2 different pool areas at La Marina Camping & Resort. The main water park Lagoon Pool is central to the resort. It consists of a collection of pools, attractively landscaped with local trees and plants and decorated with a tiki theme. With a good range of water slides to suit everyone from young to old, as well as plenty of shallow water for little ones to stay safe, it is a brilliant space for younger children. I am yet to find better at any campsite I have ever been to.

In addition to this main pool area, there is also the smaller Bali Pool. This tends to be a quieter pool area for relaxing around, away from the shrieks of the water slides at the Lagoon Pool.

Both pool areas have bars serving drinks and ice creams. The lagoon pool even has a swim-up bar so you can enjoy a cocktail in the water, which is a nice touch.

Both pool areas also have plenty of sunbeds that can be used for free. There are also bali beds that can be rented for an additional cost.

Separate to the outdoor pools there is also an indoor pool and spa area. Sessions in the spa can be pre-booked, for an additional cost.

Is there a kids club at La Marina Camping & Resort?

La Marina Camping & Resort always operates a mini club for smaller children, with a monthly programme of activities throughout each day that can be joined in with.

In peak summer season there are also extra separate kids clubs for older kids and for teenagers.

Personally, my kids are usually just happy to be be at the pool all day, so I can’t really comment on the quality of the kids club entertainment.

What is the evening entertainment at La Marina Camping & Resort?

There is a programme of evening entertainment at La Marina Camping & Resort. The most impressive shows take place inside the Coliseum, a newly constructed outdoor theatre venue. Groups of guests are assigned seats in their own individual booths to watch the show. Shows run every Saturday night in low season, and every evening in the peak summer season. Food and drink can be ordered to eat at your table.

Away from the Coliseum, there is also a smaller covered space that hosts early evening entertainment on its stage. When we visited recently, there was a bingo game being played.

Can you buy day passes for La Marina Camping & Resort?

Outside of the peak summer season, it is possible to turn up on the day and purchase guest passes to use the pools and other campsite facilities.

Even when day passes are available, if you are able to stay in your own tent or caravan, it is definitely worth doing so. The price is usually not much higher to stay, allowing you to just relax and enjoy your stay for the full duration.

In the peak summer season the facilities are exclusively for staying guests, and day passes are not available. The full 2024 opening schedule and entry prices for day visitors can be seen below:

What are the restaurants like at La Marina Camping & Resort?

There are a good range of food options available at La Marina Resort. The main restaurant serves mediterranean cuisine and has a nice elevated balcony that overlooks the pool area. There is also a buffet restaurant and separate Italian restaurant, both located in the new Coliseum theatre.

By both pool areas there are bars that serve snacks and a full range of cocktails and other drinks.

If venturing to the beach, the land train passes several private restaurants located just outside of the campsite grounds, offering even more options for eating out.

If wanting to cook yourself, the campsite suermarket shop is excellent, including a takeaway counter for hot food that can be pre-ordered.

What are the staff like at La Marina Camping & Resort?

In our experience we have always found the staff at La Marina to be friendly and relaxed. You are generally free to enjoy your stay without the worry of too many fussy rules. Besides glass bottles or containers, there are pleasingly no restrictions on taking your own drinks and snacks into the pool area, which is a big bonus. Don’t miss a cocktail at the swim-up bar though!

Children are always greeted with a smile and staff always seem happy to help.

The evening stage shows are not overly professional, but are still good fun for all the family to watch.

Summary of our experiences

We have visited La Marina Resort on several occasions now and my kids are always excited to go back. The layout and setup of the place is just perfect to allow the whole family to effortlessly enjoy their stay.

Pool

Undoubtedly the best thing about La Marina Resort is the water park swimming pool. The large splash pad area with multiple slides and sprays has shallow water throughout, so children of all ages can enjoy it without needing to swim. For a younger child it is perfect. My kids can spend all day there!

The larger slides, while not on a par with the biggest at the larger water parks in the area, are nonetheless great fun, even for grown ups!

The Bali pool also provides a lovely relaxing space, with a beautiful infinity pool for calmer swimming.

For a heated pool outside of the summer season, the indoor Marina Senses spa offers this and more in peace and tranquility (for an additional cost). We’ve previously had a great time in there with our kids.

Other facilities

Besides the pool, there are some other great facilities at La Marina Resort. The football pitches and courts look well kept but I haven’t ever used them with my kids – I just can’t get them away from the pool!

The indoor soft play is not enormous but makes a good addition for when you are looking for another fun activity to keep little ones amused. The outdoor playground is also decent, especially if using it in the evening when it is not so hot. It’s location is isolated from the pitches though, so it is not so easy for kids to use unaccompanied.

The land train to the beach is brilliant for anyone not wanting to take on the 20 minute walk. The beach is also really beautiful when you get there. Don’t expect beach bars or any amenities though, it is a very natural beach.

The numerous sanitation blocks are all modern and clean, with hot showers never a problem.

Evening Entertainment

The evening shows are fun for all the family. The new Coliseum theatre is a seriously impressive venue to host them. It is nice to have your own private booth to enjoy the show. Capacity is limited though, so be sure to reserve your space in advance. To reserve a booth, you have to agree to a minimum €5 spend per person (effectively a round of drinks).

One thing the resort lacks is the kind of large, outdoor communal space that some other campsites offer. For anyone not wanting the formality of a show in the Coliseum, there are not too many other places to congregate in the evenings.

Shops and Restaurants

The on-site supermarket is excellent. It is nice to be able to travel somewhere and know that it doesn’t matter if you forget to take something with you that you’ll need. It is also kept well stocked with cold drinks to keep you refeshed throughout the day.

The restaurants are generally pretty good. We enjoyed some tasty pizzas from the Italian restaurant.

However, the fast food takeaway inside the Coliseum at show-time is pretty chaotic and not especially brilliant. If watching a show I’d advise bringing your own food or a takeaway pizza in, or definitely at least ordering any Coliseum food in advance. Otherwise you’ll likely spend most of the show queueing and then waiting for food to arrive.

Location & Layout

The location of La Marina resort is ideal for anyone visiting Costa Blanca. Centrally located and close to Alicante airport, the resort makes a great base for exporing the area. That said, you might find you’re enjoying the campsite so much you never want to leave!

The nearby beach is beautiful and, although not directly accessible from the resort without a 20 minute walk, is worth visiting if you can. The land train makes this prospect far more appealing.

The campsite is generally well laid out. The central position of the water park swimming pool means that you are never a big walk from it, wherever you are staying on the site. Sanitation blocks are frequent so are also never too far away.

Overall

La Marina Resort remains one of our absolute favourite places to visit with kids in Costa Blanca. Every year my children are literally counting down the days until we can go again!

Although understandably quite expensive to visit during the peak summer holidays, La Marina represents great value for anyone able to visit outside of this time. Especially when you consider everything on offer.

The water park, combined with the relaxed and unfussy vibe, create an environment of happiness and relaxation for all the family. Just as my kids love the water slides, I always look forward to another poolside cocktail (or two).

One thing is for sure, we’ll be back!