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Original poster

To still want luxury holidays with a young child

229 replies

Hadenough1234567 · 17/08/2024 20:53

DH and I have become used to holidaying in 5 star hotels. Usually Jet2 indulgent escape type places as an indication. We now have a 16 month old. We’ve been to Greece and long haul holidays with DD.

We still want to have high end holidays but need to tailor them a bit.

We like hotel facilities and our own outdoor space with sun beds. We like to be at the beachfront and avoid high rise hotels. (This is why we like the Greek islands) We like a good sized room, a junior suite at least but ideally a separate living area and bedroom.

We’d like places that tick these boxes but possibly aren’t aimed at families, so the place isn’t necessarily over run with kids.

All inclusive is preferred because we like breakfast and lunch buffets - ideal for DD. We still like high standard food and drinks, some all inclusive can be a bit questionable quality.

We like a bit of room service too.

Any tips?

We have a decent budget - about £10K for 10 nights but a bit of flexibility here.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hadenough1234567 · 18/08/2024 18:53

sunsetsandboardwalks · 18/08/2024 14:03

I don't think you'll necessarily have a good time at a hotel that's not family friendly, even though they may allow kids on paper.

I don’t agree as we’ve done this successfully 3 times now. We know what our needs are and ensure they’re met. There’s a difference between children being unwelcome and needing a resort aimed at families with kids club, water slides, mini disco etc. Our DD doesn’t need these. She needs/we need:

Outdoor space to play (pre walking we had a private pool but Won’t now for safety - we’ll go to main pool) We also lie on our loungers while she naps so the private space is for us too.

Breakfast and lunch buffet. High chair available. We ask staff for things for dinner for lunch time.

Swimming pool

In the evening we do bedtime routine, get her to sleep, put her in the pram and go for dinner and a cocktail.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hadenough1234567 · 18/08/2024 18:45

sangriaandsunshineplease · 18/08/2024 16:13

You seem to be making this more complicated than it is. Go onto the Jet2 website, select the hotels which meet your criteria and then see which ones have room for a travel cot. Job done! Oh, and whilst she's so young, avoid travelling in school holidays (including private school holidays and Scottish holidays) and that will significantly reduce the number of children at any hotel

Thanks but I don’t think we are. We’ve had 3 great trips so far. I’m not saying we can’t come up with our own ideas. We’ve done exactly as you suggest. The list of high end places with private outdoor space and decent AI isn’t that long. Lots of the great places are half board and lots of the AI places can be a bit big standard with the food. We’ve exhausted the Jet2 options and have a shortlist and are simply looking for other ideas. We do a lot of research to get the best for our needs. We never travel in school holidays - it’s too hot. But some places become overrun with pre school children just before and after the holidays, it’s not as simple as saying just book out with school holidays

OP posts:
Original poster
Hadenough1234567 · 18/08/2024 17:44

Thanks to those who’ve offered suggestions.

To those suggesting cognitive dissonance- definitely not. Before DD arrived we always went to adults only resorts. If staying at a resort that allows children then people simply aren’t entitled to expect them to be child free.

Our previous three trips have been to places that haven’t been aimed at families but have been suitable for our child’s stage. We’re mindful that it’s not a family resort so intervene quickly if DD makes noise. (We would do this anywhere TBH) She’s a very settled child and people comment on that when we’ve travelled. The problem is that some people do allow their children to run feral and that’s not suitable especially with a small child.

At this stage we don’t need kids clubs etc. DD is a water baby so loves the pool and beach. We do however ideally need a breakfast and lunch buffet, much easier with a little one.

We really do prefer Greece to Spain and travel at the start of June or end of September so the heat isn’t really an issue at those times.

OP posts:
DecafDodger · 18/08/2024 17:07

If a luxury hotel is not adults only then you can reasonably expect to encounter kids there, as their parents, who are used to luxury holidays, may want to continue. Like OP. And Ikos/Grechotel/Sani type of places are great with tiny kids, and they have family rooms, so you don't have to sneak around when DC is in bed. 1-2 year olds won't really make use of all the playgrounds/water parks/clubs/mini discos of a family resort, so why go to a hotel like that?

IkaBaar · 18/08/2024 16:59

Martinhal Sagres? Might be more than £10k though if you are including car hire, flights etc. The villas might be quieter. It’s lovely we’ve been a couple of times.

DecafDodger · 18/08/2024 16:44

£10k on a holiday? Blimey. Spend £2k and give the rest to a food bank...

So I am assuming you regularly donate most of your holiday budget as well?

frecklejuice · 18/08/2024 16:42

My kids are 10 & 15 now but we have always avoided holidays aimed specifically at kids because both of mine are fairly quiet and have never wanted to do kids clubs etc.. They have a better time floating around in the pool and kicking a ball on the beach than running around with loads of other kids.

People saying that they would hate kids being on their luxury holiday need to realise that there are adult only hotels!

Skigal86 · 18/08/2024 16:33

We stayed at the Grecotel white palace in Crete earlier in the year, it is the most beautiful place I’ve ever stayed and we’ve booked to go back next year. On their socials it doesn’t come across as being very family friendly but it really is, but without the full on “family” aspect of some resorts. A la carte restaurants are amazing, great kids club but not sure on the minimum age. We had a room that shared a pool and garden with a few other rooms but the main pools were fab too. They also had a creperie and chocolaterie included as part of the AI.

NeedthatFridayfeeling · 18/08/2024 16:24

Loved Constance Ephelia Seychelles and Heritage Awali Mauritius

MichaelandKirk · 18/08/2024 16:23

I sort of understand what the OP is trying to find but she has made a fatal error is assuming that HER child will be beautifully behaved and won’t make a scene at breakfast or start screaming the place down just when others are enjoying pre dinner drinks. I have been to many many luxury hotels and there is always one child who will kick off at the wrong time.

PurpleDiva22 · 18/08/2024 16:20

I get it OP. There's a huge difference between going to a normal hotel with a swimming pool and outdoor area suitable for a child, than going to a fully family centered hotel with slides, playgrounds, sing-a-long dinners, dressed up characters about the place and a request to do the chicken dance with 100 families holidaying in the same place.

I've no suggestions for you unfortunately but it sounds like my kinda holiday!

KimberleyClark · 18/08/2024 16:17

A cruise with this company? They don’t specifically exclude children, but there are no children’s facilities on board, I’ve cruised with them 4 times and never seen a single child.

https://www.azamara.com/home

Azamara Cruises | Award-Winning Small Ship Cruise Line

Change The Way You Sea with Azamara Cruises. Discover the world through the lens of a local with unique cruises to the Mediterranean and beyond.

https://www.azamara.com/home

sangriaandsunshineplease · 18/08/2024 16:13

You seem to be making this more complicated than it is. Go onto the Jet2 website, select the hotels which meet your criteria and then see which ones have room for a travel cot. Job done! Oh, and whilst she's so young, avoid travelling in school holidays (including private school holidays and Scottish holidays) and that will significantly reduce the number of children at any hotel

Mynewnameis · 18/08/2024 16:12

Martinhal cascais was amazing, but possibly too kid friendly for you 😅

DodoTired · 18/08/2024 16:07

And ClubMed! (But not in France)

DodoTired · 18/08/2024 16:07

Ikos of course.

also Sani, and check out hotels on Gibson Dunn family page, there are places like Westin etc

CasaBianca · 18/08/2024 15:49

Cheepcheepcheep · 17/08/2024 21:00

Also saying Ikos, I’ve sadly never been thanks to budget but my friends rave about them!

We’re looking at Club Med atm which is a similar vibe (hello kids PJ club so you can have dinner in peace) and there are some gorgeous ones in the Maldives and the Seychelles which I reckon would tick the box too.

+1 for Club Med. Not always as luxurious as Sani (for example) but the food is amazing and kids clubs are better and include looking after DC during the evening if you want.
@Laughinglama these could be good for
you, the older the children get the better the activities from the kids clubs are, perfect for 5-12 I would say.

NewKidOnTheBlock99 · 18/08/2024 15:47

Bobbotgegrinch · 18/08/2024 15:30

So you don't want other people's children inflicted on you but you want to inflict your child on everyone else.

That's going to be popular!

I feel like there are so many people just wilfully missing OP’s point. There’s a huge difference between a hotel aimed at families (think water park, kids restaurants, fairground etc) VS a standard hotel with a couple of kids facilities (kids club and a small paddling pool) which is what OP has asked for which is not unreasonable. If a couple chooses to go to either of the above there are going to be kids there, it’s not rocket science if they don’t like that then they should go adults only. OP not wanting to go to a family aimed hotel but go somewhere where her child is welcome is completely fine.

Combattingthemoaners · 18/08/2024 15:40

KvotheTheBloodless · 17/08/2024 21:17

You'd be mad to actively seek out a place that isn't child-friendly. Aye, yes, I'm sure your DD is well behaved and lovely, but other guests who've booked somewhere non-child-friendly will be pretty pissed off that a child is present, no matter how sweet she is.

Also, tiny kids really don't enjoy sightseeing, they just want a beach/pool.

Sorry OP, but actively choosing somewhere that doesn't specifically cater for families is asking for trouble.

They should book adults only then if they don’t want any children there at all.

Babyenroute · 18/08/2024 15:33

Oh and follow Tiny travelship on instagram

Babyenroute · 18/08/2024 15:32

Domes Novos Santorini, Six Senses hotels

Laughinglama · 18/08/2024 15:31

Bemusedandconfusedagain · 18/08/2024 14:53

We love a luxury holiday too. But one thing I'd say is don't book too far ahead. The kind of hotel that worked with my 16mo is very different to what worked with a 2 or 3 year old. E.g. trying to contain an active toddler to a nice private balcony with a few sunbeds and/or keeping them from drowning in the private pool are very different to entertaining one who is just on the mood.

I'd say that business and first class are definitely worth it for long haul with little ones, but pick your hotel carefully so there's enough to entertain them or it won't be a very relaxing holiday for you.

As the above poster said- at 16 months we also had the types of holidays you describe. Now 3 and 7 would be absolute hell- nothing to keep them entertained at those types of holidays which then makes life a whole lot harder and less relaxing. We still go on lovely holidays however have had to adapt and accept we now holiday in NICE but family friendly resorts with slides/ kids clubs etc and the restaurants serve chips/ burgers and plain pasta 🤣🤦‍♀️ we will return to our luxury in a few years when they’re older and happy to sit and chill and enjoy the finer things in life.

Bobbotgegrinch · 18/08/2024 15:30

So you don't want other people's children inflicted on you but you want to inflict your child on everyone else.

That's going to be popular!

xx18921 · 18/08/2024 15:26

Sani or Ikos

Porridgeislife · 18/08/2024 15:25

Hillside Beach Club in Fethiye, Turkey. AI with two adults only and one family beaches, and a special pool & play set up for under 3s.

However, almost no resorts do kids club for u3s, you need to engage a babysitter if you want time as a couple.