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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a holiday where we can actually relax?!

32 replies

Rumplestrumpet · 05/09/2016 22:53

So I have managed to convince DH to finally take a week off work for a holiday, pretty much a first since our firstborn arrived a year ago, and I'm struggling to find something! We really need a break, and DH has even promised to turn his phone off for the entirety (!)

I really just want a relaxing resort-type holiday, but don't want to be stuck in the room whispering once baby is a asleep. Hubby wants to rent a villa but I know I'll then be spending half the time shopping, cooking and washing up (been there, done that!). I've see some lovely resorts with kids pool, soft play, splash park, etc, but not with apartments or suites. We can afford to splash out a bit, but Thomas Cook quoted us £3000 for a week in Spain and I nearly passed out!

Does anyone have a great holiday recommendation? Somewhere a one year old can be easily (and safely) entertained, but where we might also manage a bit of "us" time too?

And yes, I recognise this is completely a first world non-problem, and feel guilty enough even posting that I will now hang my head in shame...

OP posts:
Leeds2 · 05/09/2016 23:01

A cruise? Check that their kids' clubs will take a one year old though! We used to give DD her dinner, then take her to the kids' club whilst we had hours. The babysitting was free up until half past ten, then you paid by the hour. They would also look after DC during the day, or you could take your DC and play with them there yourself.

ZenNudist · 05/09/2016 23:04

How about going self catered but getting a place that's near to restaurants and walkable with baby in pram, that way you can eat out more and do less by way of shopping and cooking.

Original poster
Rumplestrumpet · 05/09/2016 23:20

Hmm, cruise, I had never thought of that, will see if that might work....

Self catering is fine but it's also about having fun stuff for baby to do. Here at home we basically move between soft play and stay & plays, and I can imagine a holiday without something like that would just be stressful - and boring for baby! We both absolutely love seeing her giggling down a slide, so it would make me so happy to see her climbing around and having fun

OP posts:
maninawomansworld01 · 05/09/2016 23:23

If its only a week can't you leave baby with GP?
A holiday with a 1 year old is rarely what you hope...

Original poster
Rumplestrumpet · 06/09/2016 20:16

Leaving baby for a week is definitely NOT an option for various reasons - mostly, in fact, because we'd both miss her like crazy! A weekend maybe, but logistically not easy.

OP posts:
auntyemaily · 06/09/2016 20:28

Try looking at big family hotels like holiday village but check out the room types. Some have apartments on site as well as rooms. So you get a separate bedroom but still get to go half board / AI or whatever. Or as PP said, go self catering but pick somewhere with a decent pool bar for lunches and lots within walking distance.

user1471461166 · 06/09/2016 21:25

We went to Menorca last year and stayed in the Mestral and Lleibeig apartments all inclusive. Santo Tomas is a great resort for families, our apartment had a nice terrace balcony thing so once the kids were in bed of an evening we could sit out with a glass of wine. Gorgeous beach two minutes away and a great kids pool.

We went in September for a week and it was around £1800 if my memory is correct.

My husband also wanted a self catering villa holiday but I had the same objections as you, and so all inclusive won!!

Sounds like exactly the sort of thing you're after?

Whatisit76 · 06/09/2016 21:32

You don't really need to splash out on all that family stuff when they are one. Just find a nice hotel with a pool and kids pool and a room with a balcony and you are sorted. When are you going?

redmimi · 06/09/2016 21:36

We've stayed at mestral and llebeig twice and really enjoyed it, had a 2 bedroom apartment so we weren't creeping around in the apartment. We splashed out when we just had dd and went to martinhal is Portugal, which was amazing.

Maki79 · 06/09/2016 21:37

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the posters request.

BikeGeek · 06/09/2016 21:39

Would have thought you'd easily find somewhere resort based with villas/suites for around half that price. Was looking at Mark Warner recently and outside of the summer they were about 1400 for a suite type room

toomuchtooold · 06/09/2016 21:40

We went to Knowle Farm in Devon when our girls were 18m old - it's a children's farm with cottages, a little pool and a soft play area. They also have a babysitter you can hire, and the Riverford restaurant is nearby. It's quite low key but nice.

A friend also recommends Creiff Hydro, where they also have childcare, and there's lodges as well as hotel rooms, soft play, a spa, a pool, nice kids' meals.

toffeeboffin · 06/09/2016 21:42

Don't self cater. It's not a break, you'll end up more knackered than before!

wobblywonderwoman · 06/09/2016 21:43

I totally get your predicament!

I think a self catered apartment is your best bet though. Try abd get one walking distance to a family restaurant and eat out.

Almostthere15 · 06/09/2016 21:43

We've done martinhall and it was divine. It's not cheap but worth it!

Nakupenda · 06/09/2016 21:49

If you want a holiday where you can actually relax, leave the kid at home & enjoy a week away. It's only a week Hmm

alfagirl73 · 06/09/2016 21:50

I agree with the pp - consider a cruise. You can get some great deals this time of year because it's coming to the end of the mediterranean season. Everything is done for you, food is included - including room service - you can do as much or as little as you want in terms of just relaxing completely or doing a bit of sight-seeing. It's like being in a huge luxury hotel with everything on your doorstep, and you wake up to a different view every day.

Look for a cruise line that has good babysitting facilities and is family-friendly.

Youremywifenow · 06/09/2016 21:50

and all the Protur ones in Majorca fit what you're looking for - splash parks, soft play, toddler parks etc.

KP86 · 06/09/2016 21:53

Butlins or similar? If you look for a toddler week there will be lots of activities. Won't break the bank. Bognor Regis is next to the sea, there are quite a few local bits to check out and you can get half board (def upgrade to premium though!) so no cooking.

Thomasthetank456 · 06/09/2016 21:54

We've stayed in 2 different viva apart/hotels in majorica They have a kids pool with slides and water sprinkler things and a climbing frame. Kids entertainment in the evening before the main show. You get a separate bedroom with kitchenette which is handy for storing drinks snacks etc. Went when dc was 18m and 2yrs

Artandco · 06/09/2016 21:55

I wouldn't Go to one catered for kids. At 1 she won't even be allowed to join in most hing as usually 3-4 years minimum

Book a nice hotel with bed and breakfast. Somewhere with beach and town for sightseeing. Baby will be fine for a week going to beach, playing in sand, walks along promenade, pool at hotel etc. Can do some sightseeing also.

Eat out in restaurants for lunch and dinner, or grab some snacks for lunch on beach. Baby can sleep in pram or sling in evenings, and toddle around town squares with local kids.

Spain or Greece I recommend. Both places very child friendly and happy to have kids out late and joining in.

BarbaraofSeville · 06/09/2016 22:13

We stayed in this bungalow complex in Playa Blanca Lanzarote.

It was a 2 bed bungalow with reasonable kitchen and shared pools including a tiny one for little ones.

There was a few restaurants, naice Waitrose type supermarket, beach and play park within a couple of minutes walk and the main Playa Blanca marina, beach, restaurants etc were a 20 minute stroll along the promenade.

Lanzarote has a lot of bungalow complexes so you can find others closer to the action if that's what you want.

Re: self catering - eat out as much as possible, have easy supermarket food (pizza, salads, bread, cheese, olives, barbecue), don't do any cleaning except keeping the kitchen usable and make sure DH does half of all cooking, washing up and childcare.

Charley50 · 06/09/2016 22:13

Hmm Cala Dor in Mallorca has nice little gently sloping sandy beaches where your baby can sit and play.
We stayed in all inclusive, with lots of pools but not water parks type place. The food was lovely and it was so nice not to cook and not to think about cooking or shopping for once. Hotel was on the beach. I can't find it to tell you what hotel it was but Cala Dor is good for babies. Apparantly Menorca is good for v young children too.

NotCitrus · 06/09/2016 22:17

Self catering can work if you are somewhere where you can buy ready-made food and enjoy buying food in markets etc. Or eat in restaurants with baby in buggy, buy sandwiches out, enjoy cafes.

Have used rooms with balcony before - put children to bed, hide on balcony (with wine) until they are asleep. Though with just one baby who can be put in a travel cot, putting the cot in the vestibule by the door should suffice.