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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I being unreasonable in my holiday requirements?

132 replies

Diplodocusarecool · 28/02/2026 19:26

My DH and I have had a very hard couple of years but things are hopefully starting to look better. We really want to get away over Easter on a last minute holiday, preferably to the Canary Islands or similar.

Looking at hotels though I keep coming across issues with sleeping arrangements. We have a 3 year old DD who is obviously far too young to be by herself but we want to be able to sit and chat after she is asleep.

Ideally I want all inclusive (don't fancy hauling a grumpy, tired pre-schooler back from a restaurant every night) but even when you look at apartment hotels the bedrooms don't have doors on or you are expected to make up a sofa bed every night.

How do people manage this? Is it me or is there a major gap in the market?

Budget isn't huge but I didn't think tiny either preferably flights and hotel for £2000 - £3000 for seven days. Probably 31st March to 7th April. Suggestions very gratefully received.

YABU - you just cant use holiday sites properly. Here is what you are looking for.
YANBU - It doesn't exist at this price point.

OP posts:
MidnightPatrol · 28/02/2026 19:30

I agree - it blows my mind how poorly these hotels are set up for families while… targeting the family market.

In France they often have these hotels in ski resorts with a bunk bed room in an alcove - so you still have the rectangular shape of room, but a little private space
for kids to sleep.

The summer holiday market doesn’t seem to go in for this.

HolidayPlanningAgain · 28/02/2026 19:30

Have a look at Paradise Park, twin room in the annexe is what we used when the DSC were younger, had their own bedroom which perfect, they could go to sleep whilst we were still up but contained within a single space.

Letterstojuliet · 28/02/2026 19:30

CharlotteStreetW1 · 28/02/2026 19:29

In answer to sitting and chatting after DD has gone to bed, you can use the balcony 🙂

Yes this ^ somewhere with a balcony. We take some wine or cocktails back with us from the all inclusive and sit on the balcony.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 28/02/2026 19:29

In answer to sitting and chatting after DD has gone to bed, you can use the balcony 🙂

Chrysanthemum5 · 28/02/2026 19:28

You would be better going in to a travel agents and asking them to search. They will often know which hotels will suit. It may not be something all inclusive offer though - we’ve only done self catering so I am not sure

FluentTealGuide · 28/02/2026 19:28

Welcome to the world of parents hiding in the bathroom with a bottle of wine after bedtime.

butternut123 · 28/02/2026 19:28

We used the holiday villages when the kids were younger as they have options where the kids sleep behind some sliding doors in the room. Now they’re a little older we do self catering a get a villa or adjoining rooms