Please help, what do I need to take on this holiday?

[BarbaraVineFan]

I'm a single mum going on my first ever all-inclusive holiday with 4 year old DD in a couple of weeks. The resort is quite fancy I think and I'm going to be meeting a friend and her family there who are a lot wealthier than me. This shouldn't matter, but I've put on quite a bit of weight lately and I'm self conscious about that, also the fact that my clothes aren't very high end. I saw a thread recently recommending buying a really good coat to make yourself look put together, but not sure what the beach equivalent of that is!

Also just not sure about things like whether to take inflatables - will the hotel have them?- how much cash to take, tipping etc. If anyone could help with a little list of things I might need that I haven't thought of, I'd be really grateful!

You're going to an all-inclusive so no one has to worry about spending money.
You don't tip, but you'll probably find your wealthier family, at the end of the holiday goes around tipping those staff they've built a rapport with, and leaving something for housekeeping.
You've put on weight? No one cares. No one cares about how anyone else looks, they just care about how they look.
What we all care about is whether you're keeping an eye on 4yr old daughter. Because no one else will be. Sun, alcohol, fun, laughter, no normal routines - you need to keep an eye on your daughter every single minute or you need to take turns with one adult engaging with multiple children.
Clothes - Find a couple of loose sun dresses. Wear every outfit at least twice. No one cares.
All-inclusives are basically are a good deal - but most popular with those who need to budget and are with children.
Find a long wrap/loose flowing top to wear over your swimwear. You'll basically be eating lunch (and breakfast) every single day in it.
Every single person, almost without fail, has two items that it turns out they wear, pretty much every single day.
The only three outfits you need:

1. Swimwear for the pool, including a modesty dress/wrap/tunic you can pull over a wet swimming costume to eat lunch (and breakfast).
2. Day wear, just in the remote possibility you leave the resort and go see something (unlikely).
3. Comfortable evening dress or outfit.

How many outfits do you think you need for your 4 year old? Willing to bet, the three outfits above will also suit packing for your 4 year old. Why? Because you just need to dress appropriately. You don't need a "new" outfit every day. Because no one cares. Seriously travelled to over 80 countries. Done all-inclusives in Europe, Carribean, Africa. Stayed many times in 5* hotels, mostly work. Mostly now, kids all grown up, I create our own bespoke travel plans, without all-inclusives. But I don't think you can beat them for a budgeted, child-friendly entertainment included, amazing and stress-free times, when you do have children. Just don't dress to impress - it's not a cruise - dress to be comfortable, sunny, summery and appropriate enough.

Liquid talc is a godsend in summer. Stops chubb rub, great for under boobs in the heat&great after the pool. 😊

Have a look on Vinted as my friend bought some really nice beach cover ups from there. I wouldn't go for anything white on holiday if you're going to put sunscreen on at the same time. It will stain the first time and you won't be able to wear it again so a massive waste of money.

Have a great time! You'll look lovely whatever you wear I'm sure.

Try to avoid spending in the airport on the way back. It might actually be cheaper to buy something on the plane. Depending on where you are going, some will only take cash in the airport as well. Have a brilliant time! An all inclusive holiday actually feels like a holiday when you're a single parent and used to doing everything!

A fitted bikini with full sized brief bottoms. Almost a fifties vibe. Mine does wonders for my shape and wearing a proper cupsize top means I feel great in it. I love Freya but Bravissimo have some lovely designs too.

Honestly don’t take any inflatables. Some hotels don’t allow them and if they do, you’ll definitely be able to get some near by. We’re on holiday at the moment (arrived today) and DDs have already been to purchase the obligatory inflatables. We always pass ours on before we leave too.

Don't Listen to some of the advice on here - packing croissants from Asda and ‘beware some hotels have long trouser policy for men ‘- it’s just OP and her daughter!
Keep to a limited colour palette - and you can mix your outfits. Maybe three colours like navy, cream and khaki.
For a week you’d need at least 2 swimsuits and stick to one piece they look much classier. There are nice styles on the market that aren’t frumpy H&M have a good selection. Cover ups like long dress, floaty trouser and a thin white or black shirt (Primark do nice ones) with slides or flip flops are fine for the day.
For the evening couple maxi dresses and wide legged trousers and/or full maxi skirt with slim fitting top. You can wear skirt or trousers in day as well if your out sightseeing with a t shirt. River Island is good for this.
Wear trainers on plane and pack sandals or wedges.
Don’t worry about your daughter she will be in swimsuit all day and bring some soft shorts and t-shirts so she has dry clothes to change into. One or two summer dresses is fine and some dressier shorts (denim) and pretty top for dinner - and pack armbands by all means but don’t bring big inflatables with you.
Enjoy your holiday hope you both have a great time!

Did you know you can do a Boots online click at collect order before you fly and pick it up at airport after security? Gives you more choice than limited airport branches and saves time..

Take a Travel clock.
A travel kettle.
Some after sun lotion.
Some baby wipes.
Sun Hats. Sunglasses
Travel first aid kit
Tweezers
A roll of plastic bags .
Puppy training pads for childs bed.
Kitchen Roll dish brush .plastic plates and cups
Tea bags. Coffee whitener. Plastic spoons.
String and pegs to hang up wet clothes.
Umbrella ( for sun protection)
Colouring books and crayons.
Small boxes of cereal ( midnight snacks)
Hair ribbons or clips.

My tips are to shower and use after sun etc in the late afternoon before getting ready for dinner. Then in the morning put my sunscreen on, tankini ( big fan of these) and sundress over the top then help DD get ready and go for breakfast.
Beach bag needs a couple of sarongs - I like the uncrushable fabric ones, super light and easy to tie on as quick cover up or to extra protect you or DD from any sunburn.
Check you have comfy sandals and pool shoes etc.
Take a couple of plastic mugs for drinking bottled water in hotel room.
Have fun!

Oh another vote for maxi dresses for you for evening. For DD what will you use for help for her swimming- arm bands? Flotation aid? And what will you take to amuse her on the plane or for a quiet hour in the hotel room?

Hello, generally no need to tip if you don't want to.

Take a few swimsuits each 2-3.

Hotel not likely to have it's own inflatables. Bring your own and some games / toys.

Don't overthink the clothes - simple floaty dresses are fine.

You will be fine. Sit back and enjoy the break

I wear a one piece swimsuit with cheap board shorts over the top as I don't like the tops of my legs being on show and I feel less self conscious. Enjoy!

Try Vinted for good quality but cheaper clothing and beach cover ups , sandals and sun hats.

Natural fabrics (cotton, linen) for clothing are much cooler. Fabrics can be filtered in the search bar.

My biggest recommendation is a floatie vest absolutely not armbands that dd can wear. That age -water is a magnet to kids and they can get into trouble in inches of water. Wear it by and in the pool or by-in the sea.

Also tamperproof wrist bands that hold your details and dd’s name. In case you are separated. Some kids clam up and won’t even give their name to those around them trying to help. Kids get lost in the blink of an eye.

Both are found easily and cheaply on Amazon. I know mine are boring safety ones but if she gets lost or in trouble in the water you’ll be glad you had them. Hotels are under no obligation to provide lifeguards and not all beaches have lifeguards either.

Have a look in charity shops who are starting to put out their summer stock, many have items like Sun hats and beach cover ups, nice floaty dress and sandals and around the pool clothes don't have to be pristine and most people take same clothes year after year. Two or three summery dresses , floaty skirts and tops to mix and match will take you through the week.

One of these is perfect if you are wondering around touristy places and or by the beach. You can get waterproof versions too. They are just enough for a small. Purse and a bank cards, phone, small pack of wipes too
Heelay 3 in 1 Crossbody Mobile Phone Bag for 2024 Newly iPhone 15 Pro Max Phone Bag Wristband Armband Shoulder Belt Bags Sit Apple/Samsung All Phone for Walking Running

tea bags. Plastic spoons. Kitchen Roll dish brush .plastic plates and cups

I thought OP was going to a fancy all inclusive resort? Pretty sure they will have spoons and she will not be expected to do the dishes.

When we used to go away when my kids were little, half our luggage was taken up with toys/entertainment for them lol.

Poundshop for cheap inflatables that you can leave if you can't be bothered trying to deflate (actually annoyed at myself for forgetting this right now as just been robbed of £20 for a bloody floaty and a football 🤦‍♀️).

Cheap bucket,spade, watering can and bits. Kids will spend hours playing in the pool with bits like this, but tend to end up expensive overseas (captive market).
Fave toys??? My little ones always had cars and trains and a Teddy as well.
Couple of books for quiet time and maybe pens/colouring pad if they will sit with them at dinner whilst you chat with friends.

Clothes - anything you are comfortable in. I get chub rub, so tend to take cropped trousers, for day and eve, with thin tops/strappy tops. As long as I like what I'm wearing and it's comfy, I'm not bothered. I see people dressed up in 30 degrees plus and think I just couldn't, especially chasing a toddler as well.

A couple of costumes/swim wear each for a week then you can rinse one wear one.
My kids have the 50spf tops they have to wear when swimming/on the beach, can get cheap enough in asda/tesco/amazon - I hated getting sunburn when I was younger.
I like simple shirts/dress to throw over my swim wear and flip flops/Sliders during the day (which often end up being my even choice as well).
Cheap pool shoes or crocks for the kids they can keep on in the pool/at the beach. Stops them burning feet on hot floors (if they will water them- my eldest is now 12 and said he would rather step on lego then wear water shoes 🤦‍♀️)

Hi, OP here, just an update to say how grateful I am to everyone who posted on this thread! I am currently on my holiday and thanks to all of you, I feel well-dressed and as though I have packed all the right things! DD and I are having an amazing time 😊

So glad you're having a lovely time. Did we all miss anything? Anything you wished you had?