To want a holiday where we can actually relax?!

[Rumplestrumpet]

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...

Have a look at Neilson Beachclub holidays. They have a creche so you have a little bit of adult time during the day and they also have evening childcare so you can get the odd evening out. Lots of activities for for adults too. And the food was really good in the one we stayed in (Greece, Retreat Beachclub in Sivota). Have a lovely time wherever you go!

Agree Cala D'Or or Menorca would be a good choice. What were you looking at for £3k OP? 5 star AI in school holidays?

Assuming you can go in September or October, I would have thought you could get a week somewhere nice for about £1k for SC/B&B - the example I gave above was about £700 for the accomodation and flights in October a couple of years ago, so not much more than £1k for food, car hire etc for two of us - so not much more for a baby as well seeing as you don't pay for flights.

We've been abroad twice since our youngest was born (now 16 months) and both times we booked a swim up room. This meant we could put him down for a nap during the day and we got a break next to the pool. He wouldn't sleep in the pushchair, he likes to be in a cot to sleep so as we have an older child as well, this was a good solution.

When he was awake he just floated around the pool (ask for one with the pool in shade but sunloungers which get some sun) while we took turns in with them.

I can't find where we stayed but Hotel Cala D'or looks nice!

I've heard really good things from a few friends about Almyra in Cyprus, and Sani resort in Crete. All had kids aged between 1 and 2. Also Martinaal in Portugal and the Thomas Cook family one (sensatori?) in Lanzarote.

You won't find any I don't think that take babies that young in the kids club, but even if you can book a babysitter then you could get a break in the evening.

We always get a ground floor room with terrace- as close to pool as possible. It allows us to get in and out of the room easily with buggy, and to sit and enjoy a glass of wine in the evenings

Book an apartment that's part of a complex so you have play area etc, make sure there are restaurants nearby, and then just eat out or have very simple supermarket food. And why should you be the one doing the shopping, cleaning etc? Make sure DH does his share.

Centerparcs in Europe. There are play areas at all the restaurants. If you upgrade the villa you get a dishwasher and a hot tub. The UK ones are massively overpriced but we went to one in Belgium that was amazing and much cheaper.