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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU just want to book a half decent holiday

63 replies

Brighteyes27 · 05/07/2017 19:05

AIBU why is it so difficult to find a family holiday with a room that accomodates a proper family? We have left it late but want to book summer hol for Aug 17. I am going delirious with all the choice on offer.
Kids (12 & 13) want an all singing all dancing in your face place. DH and I like somewhere quiet relaxing laid back plenty of shade a cooling breeze good food/wine nice restaurants not having to get up at the crack of dawn for a sun bed and somewhere to stroll around nice scenery, good reviews (to instill confidence) but most of all happy children.
But we will settle on clean, self catering or decent all inclusive, some facilities to keep the kids happy (not complaining) and a room that will properly accommodate a 12 and 13 year old so we don't have to sleep apart on holiday. Suggestions welcome of resort accommodation and holiday company private let. Thanks

OP posts:
HipsterHunter · 05/07/2017 19:07

Anywhere that does 2 bed apartments?

Brighteyes27 · 05/07/2017 20:26

Thanks it's difficult finding this and when you find them the reviews aren't good and it's not clear what the bed set up is and 12 and 13 year old can't share a double sofa bed.

OP posts:
QuiteLikely5 · 05/07/2017 20:29

There are many two bed apartments.

Is your budget small otherwise I can't think why you are struggling to find them

Brighteyes27 · 05/07/2017 20:36

Well it's August not particularly £2500 for 7-9 days in Algarve (flights and accom from Scotland as Scottish schools will have gone back) or just over £3,000 AI. Ideally wanting Algarve or other nice resort and accommodation with same facilities as above for older kids.

OP posts:
zeebeedee · 05/07/2017 20:46

Does it have to be the Algarve?

We went here www.firstchoice.co.uk/holiday/accommodation/overview/Playa-Blanca/Lanzasur-Splash-Resort-009964?im_id=PPC&gclid=Cj0KEQjwnPLKBRC-j7nt1b7OlZwBEiQAv8lMLNOoz-RUBzlzCwcWEZ02vIbTrLwarip7OzeQT-V7YocaAuv18P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

It was AI, reasonably priced, good teenagers club during day and evening if they want, waterpark attached, so ordinary pool was quiet ish, accomodation in villa with double bed and 2 single sofa beds

Maxandrubyrubyandmax · 05/07/2017 20:48

Have you looked into a cruise?

NapQueen · 05/07/2017 20:49

Look for hotels with two connecting bedrooms

Book an aoartment on air bnb

BackforGood · 05/07/2017 20:50

Why can't they share ?

CheeseGirl4 · 05/07/2017 20:53

Have a look for locations first, decide where is reasonsble flight-wise/ things to do and then use Trivago. You can put filters on for a family room with the ages of your children, filter by rating (start with excellent and very good), then price. Add features you want like pool etc and check out the results.

If you'd prefer a package holiday look at icelolly.com for deals.

Marylou2 · 05/07/2017 20:55

All the Tui Sensatori hotels have this kind of accommodation 2 bedroom apartments with huge beds,swim up rooms etc. Lots for children to do and spas/relaxation for Adults.Is this something you would consider?

ShinyGirl · 05/07/2017 20:56

Sensatori are lovely but will be much more Pricey than that

Marylou2 · 05/07/2017 21:02

Oh sorry I didn't read the budget bit ! My mistake.

Brighteyes27 · 06/07/2017 13:42

Thanks all. Sensatori is a bit pricey and think the target audience is more couples with babies or pre-schoolers, primary school children is that right?
zeebeedee thank you for your suggestion it doesn't have to be the Algarve we just like the Algarve in the past as there is a nice breeze nice food wine and scenery. I really don't know what I want or where I fancy but just want to keep everyone happy!! Was the splash place very hectic/noisy, what was the food like, did you go AI, rooms like, was there many children the age of ours or were they mainly younger ones, are your children teenagers? Thanks

OP posts:
WillRikersExtraNipple · 06/07/2017 14:04

"Proper family"? As opposed to what exactly?

You are 2 adults plus 2 children, you literally couldn't be more catered to. Absolutely everything family related is designed specifically for you.

Blobby10 · 06/07/2017 14:08

Have you thought about a Eurocamp holiday? The tents are really nice - most comfortable beds I have ever slept in! We took our 3 to the south west of France - just north of Bordeaux. There are cycle trails everywhere so we hired bikes and didn't drive for two weeks! The kids could go to the pool or table tennis/games area without any worry, and there were lots of other similar aged children around in the evenings.

MamaBear001 · 06/07/2017 14:10

We've just booked The Holiday Village in Turkey, 2 free kids places per 2 adults booked and the rooms have sliding doors and 2 bathrooms...

MamaBear001 · 06/07/2017 14:12

We paid £3700 for 4 Adults, 3 kids (13,6,1) for 2 rooms...

Whatsername17 · 06/07/2017 14:15

We went to a holiday village last year. We went to the one in kos. It was brilliant. We had a room with a partition between the adults double and the kids single bed. The reps had something going on for the kids all day. There was a noisy pool with activities going on, a splash pool, and then two other pools, one of which was quiet and tucked away. Id highly recommend.

Ilovehamabeads · 06/07/2017 14:18

We've been to the Lanzasur place mentioned upthread. The water park was ace, my dc are just slightly younger and it suited all ages. Wasn't busy but then again the weather was awful (it was in May). Food was lovely but our apt had kids on 2 small sofa bed type things. Ok for the younger one but might be a bit uncomfortable for teens. Apt had loads of space, but I don't think I'd go back again unless there are rooms with better beds.

YerAWizardHarry · 06/07/2017 14:21

Scottish schools not back til the 22nd this year

Sunbeam18 · 06/07/2017 14:24

I'm in Scotland and we are back 16th

INeedAFuckingNameChange · 06/07/2017 14:24

Try the Hilton Vilamoura - we got adjoining rooms but they also do two bed apartments.

It's quite pricey but genuinely amazing. You'll have a rush for the sunbeds in the morning though unless you use the adult pool or go back late afternoon.

It's a ten minute walk from the beach and the marina which has tons of restaurants.

Brighteyes27 · 06/07/2017 14:36

WillRikersExtraNipple by referring to a proper family I mean a family of 4 with two very tall older children (both would be classed as medium to tall adult height) of the opposite sex not a family with one child a baby or two under 5's. Many of the bedroom arrangements are quite unclear.
Blobby10 your holiday sounds perfect to me but husband doesn't want to camp!!
I have never fancied Turkey or Tenerife but will look into the Lanzur one mentioned up thread in an attempt to please everybody. Thanks

OP posts:
OuchLegoHurts · 06/07/2017 14:44

I agree with the pp who said that your size family is catered for everywhere! We are a family with two kids and have never had any problem getting two bedroom apartments, or else one bedroom with twin beds and a double sofa bed in the living area...they're in every resort!

Blobby10 · 06/07/2017 14:54

Brighteyes they also do static caravans and luxury lodges at some sites! Grin Dont envy you trying to please everyone tbh - maybe as you're putting the time and effort into researching then your choice should get preference Wink