Holiday quandary

[SereneReader]

Me, DH and dc (teenagers) want to go on holiday next year, half board but dont want buffet style. We prefer to choose from a menu and served at our table for lots of personal reasons, but I can't find anything like this with the usual companies, Tui, Jet2 etc. We are hoping for Spain or Greece for 1 week next August.

Any ideas what I should search for?

Sure I can't tempt you to Italy? I may be out of date but I think this would be easy at a small hotel in Italy.

Do you need waiter service at the table, or would one of you be happy to order from the bar?

I have been to a few hotels that were reasonably priced that did this - not half board, the big discount usually comes from the buffet element. But reasonable prices regardless.

I think you'd struggle for a served breakfast in any typical holiday hotel abroad.

Alternately, would a hotel next to a very reasonable table service restaurant work?

Agree with PP that Italy is a good option too, and Greece more promising than Spain.

Any other accessibility needs or hotel wishlist items - rooms or pool etc?

We stayed in a hotel in Sardinia on half board basis and they had a similar set up. We chose our options à la carte and the waiter brought them to the table. We loved it as the quality of food was much better than a mass-produced buffet and there was no chaos.

Look for small boutique hotels.

We stayed in a lovely hotel in Dubrovnik that did this - Hotel Kazbek.

I would be tempted by Italy! And anywhere in western Europe.

I dont mind a breakfast buffet. It's just the evening meal I want to choose from a menu dont mind going up to the bar but want it brought to me at a table.

All four of us have different issues with noise, busyness, queuing, physical disability in standing, shyness, germ phobia.

We just want a lounger, large quietest pool, nearby beach, good food, sunshine/heat and no toddlers screaming! And something not mass produced, something quirky and invisible. We've tried Iberostar, H10 etc and it's not us.

@Ironfloor269 what was the name in Sardinia?

Not what you're after, but I would consider self catering

Pine cliffs in the Algarve? Different board options there and different restaurant options

Are you happy with a menu with a couple of options per night, that changes daily? So two choices for starter, two for main, two for dessert etc?

If so, there's some lovely hotels in Austria or Italy that would fit the bill.

We stayed in a gorgeous hotel in Ischia where you ate at the restaurant, used the bar, and paid the tab at the end. Menu not buffet. Was great.

Choose a smaller hotel in Sicily, so much more relaxing given your circumstances. You won’t be getting entertainment generally though at this type of hotel

@TofuTuesday what was it called?

Let me find out - it was a wonderful place, up a hill, with a thermal spa area.

I just messaged you @SereneReader

@TofuTuesday thank you. I'll take a look.

All the Ikos group have à la carte for every meal - even breakfast . Expensive though .

Stella Palace in Crete is very nice and if you stay in a certain category of room you get a lovely , quiet breakfast area .
Dinner is à la carte .
Many hotels in Greece and Turkey have this option . If you can’t find one through the operators just book hotel and flights separately.

If Italy consider Excelsior Dolomites Life Resort . Amazing food à la carte and the best pool ever !!
https://www.myexcelsior.com/en