The Spanish resort ideal for families with huge waterpark, in-room PS5s and free attraction tickets

MAGALUF may be thought of as a party hot spot.

But the Mallorcan coastal resort has spent millions to shake off its riotous reputation and transform itself to appeal to families.

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So when I took my boys Fynn, 14, and Mack, 12, it was a lads’ holiday of a very different kind.

Sun, sea and slides, lots of slides.

We stayed at the vast Fergus Club Mallorca, home to the biggest hotel waterpark in the Balearics.

The boys were soon flying down the six main slides, two of which were vertigo-inducing monsters I only managed once.

The recently refurbished resort is only moments from the Magaluf strip and a stone’s throw from the famous Linekers Bar, but this is an oasis of family fun.

All-inclusive prices for two adults and two kids this October half-term with Jet2 Holidays work out at £2,888, including flights and luggage.

If you have pre-school kids, a week all-inclusive is from £2,010 for two adults and two children flying with Jet2 from Stansted on various dates between September 15 and 30.

For this, you will get a newly-redecorated room as well as snacks, meals and as much sangria and San Miguel as you can drink.

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The hotel used to cater to an 18-30 crowd but, in line with the rest of the town, is now going all out to appeal to the family market.

There are 656 rooms, many with balconies overlooking the pools and waterpark.

Guests who book into a room in the Magnus hotel section get access to a second restaurant and bar as well as extra amenities including a Nespresso coffee machine, robes and slippers and even a PS5 for the kids (you need to put down a €100 deposit for the controllers).

By day, the main draw for the kids will be the vast pools and waterpark.

As well as the slides, there is a splash area and a wet bubble pool.

The hotel also has a kids’ club, gaming zone and cinema room.

And the entertainment team serve up a huge choice of fun activities, from games by the pool in the day to live music and comedy at night.

The main buffet restaurant is surprisingly good.

The food varies from traditional Spanish favourites to burgers, pasta and pizza — and it is not as repetitive as some all-inclusive menus.

Chefs cook much of the food, such as eggs, pancakes and steaks, in front of you. One evening they even did grilled octopus.

Kids get ice creams all day from the bars but if you want crisps and nuts with your beer then you will have to pop to a local supermarket.

There are plenty nearby and all fairly reasonably priced.

While it might be hard to tempt the kids away from those slides, there is still lots of other entertainment to enjoy out and about.

Gravity-defying moves

The hotel is also currently offering guests free tickets to the incredible House of Son Amar theatre.

The stunning venue in a 16th century palace in Carretera de Palma-Soller is home to amazing Cirque du Soleil-style show Ohala.

For the cost of a 25-minute taxi, you can watch a spectacular feast of dancers, gymnasts, trapeze artists and circus entertainers at the countryside estate.

When we went to see the show, the main draw was the recent winner of Portugal’s Got Talent, Sofia Rolao, who pulled off gravity-defying moves.

With drinks and food served throughout the show, it is a West End-quality night out.

I wasn’t sure the boys would be keen but they loved it.

Many cater for kids and there’s also lots of the usual amusements for youngsters along the beach.

Ben O’Driscoll

As an immersive experience, the actors and dancers are all around and often interact with individuals in the crowd as the story unravels.

And once you are out of the hotel you might as well spend some time on the famous Magaluf beach — a long, sandy strip with dozens of bars and restaurants.

Many cater for kids and there’s also lots of the usual amusements for youngsters along the beach.

All in all, it looks like Magaluf might just be turning a corner.

But the highlight for me was still a little naughty — relaxing on a floating sun bed an arm’s length from the bar.

“Another beer, por favor”.