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Original poster

MIL wants to book a dream holiday....

185 replies

Whatsername17 · 02/08/2017 09:15

MIL lost both of her parents fairly recently. With some of the money she has inherited she wants to take us all on holiday to try and make some happy memories with the money her parents left her. Dh and I have a two children, as do sil and bil and then there is sil2 and bil2 who are childless, young and hip. MIL has asked us to suggest a hotel, it must be at least 4* and all inclusive, ideally somewhere where they have never been before. Disney has been ruled out as MIL is worried it is the rainy season and sil2 has been several times before. Spain, Teneriffe, Lanzarote are also firm 'no no's' too. MIL and FIL don't want to go anywhere where Zika is a risk. They've all been to Greece and Cyprus but would consider it, if we found the right hotel. They've been to Santorini and Italy but again, for the right hotel they could be persuaded. Any recomendations of where we can go? My kids will be almost 7 and 18 months, I'm a little worried about keeping an 18 month old happy on a pool holiday so suggestions of how to cater for my little one would be appreciated. In the past, holidays in the UK have been very stressful with the whole family, so, selfishly, I'd like somewhere that is big enough to get lost for a couple of hours when we all start to get on each others nerves.(Although I do appreciate how generous MIL is being - it's a lovely thing to do and we are grateful.) Any ideas would be most welcome. She would like everyone to submit a couple of ideas and then I think we have to vote.

OP posts:
divadee · 02/08/2017 10:59

A med cruise would be ideal for your kind of group. No they aren't just for oldies!!! We have now done 6 cruises pre and post children and love them. Something like a royal carribean cruise from Southampton to the med. The kids clubs will give adults some relaxation time. Those that want to get off at port can, those that don't want to don't have to.

blibblibs · 02/08/2017 11:13

Lots of people have suggested Malta and it is lovely but to see it all you need to have car. Buses are fine, but they can take hours to do a very small distance and see always extremely busy so you might not get on the first one or the second or even the third!
And Valletta is beautiful but I wouldn't recommend staying there. And if anyone has mobility issues, the whole island is very hilly, so can cause difficulties.

Dumdedumdum · 02/08/2017 11:20

Yabu

gabsdot · 02/08/2017 11:20

What about a cruise. There is lots to do to suit everyone.

HopefullyAnonymous · 02/08/2017 11:25

Another vote for Seabank in Malta. Gorgeous hotel, lots to do. Seem to remember they had a small bowling alley in the hotel too!

FanSpamTastic · 02/08/2017 11:31

Go here - Mauritius - all inclusive, lovely resort. There is a kids club plus things to do for those without kids.

Tamassa

bluetongue · 02/08/2017 11:38

I hear there's a lovely Kinderhotel near Lake Garda in Italy Grin

budgiegirl · 02/08/2017 11:45

A cruise would be my idea of hell! Tiny rooms (unless you pay a fortune) and nowhere to escape to

That was what I thought, until I actually went on one. The big ships have lots of restaurants , bars, lounges, and sun decks, there's always a quiet spot to relax in.

Miranda79 · 02/08/2017 11:58

Singapore! There are AI resorts but not needed. Lots to see and do, fab public transport and brilliant food on every corner. Flights can be pretty reasonable. We stayed in a suite at the ritz with a toddler and it was brilliant.

AztecHero · 02/08/2017 11:58

I'm thinking of a cruise also. Everyone can have activities they enjoy, and meet up again at will.

I think it is such a lovely thing your MIL is doing, and it is special. We recently lost my FIL and we plan to have a holiday 'in memory' of him- probably to France also. It feels like honouring someone wit something out of the ordinary and everyday.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/08/2017 12:11

This place ... trust me, the Cerifiicate of Excellence is there for a reason: www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g659971-d290651-Reviews-Diana_Palace_Hotel-Argassi_Zakynthos_Ionian_Islands.html

The beauty of this bit of Zakynthos is that it's near the main town but not in it, with endless tours to take if folk want to get out for the day ... jeep tours round the island, boat tours, evening events, you name it. The local entertainment is great but not overwhelming and if the (quite small) beach is too crowded there's a free bus to the best one on the island

Only thing is, when are you planning to go? I was there at the end of May/start of June and it was perfect, crowd and weather-wise ... I imagine August might be a bit hot and far more crowded, but maybe that doesn't matter to you?

accidentalgrownup · 02/08/2017 12:16

I'd say cruise, one specifically aimed at families, perhaps round the med?

Montsti · 02/08/2017 12:24

I would also suggest Forte Village in Sardinia...or Mauritius (loads of amazing child friendly all inclusive hotels)...or Dubai...

I know some people who've just been to an AI 5* resort near Thessaloniki in Greece and it was apparently amazing.

Cape Town is great (I live there) but there's a lot to do so good be stressful with young children...

A cruise would be my ultimate nightmare but each to their own!

Oliversmumsarmy · 02/08/2017 12:29

California and car hire for each family. There is Legoland and Disney and the theme parks. Shopping and beach and loads of other things to do.
Taken the DC since eldest was 2 and it has never failed to be a great holiday.

Definitely not cruising with small children. I went on a cruise once and that was enough. It is geared more towards people who like bingo and watching shows eating and drinking.
I was sick the whole time. Spent most of it on deck throwing up over the side. Didn't think I missed much . the rest of my party seem to have a great time. Dp and friends all drink and loved it. I just thought it was incredibly stifling and claustrophobic.

If you are going with extended family the secret to a great holiday is everyone able to get away and do their own thing. Then meet up at a point during the day or evening for a few hours.

flippingwings · 02/08/2017 12:57

http://www.danairesort.co
http://www.sani-resort.com/en_GB/our-hotels/sani-beach-club

Have a look at Smith hotels, there're plenty family friendly luxury ones

Steviea88 · 02/08/2017 13:09

Sensatori-Ibiza
Seabank hotel-Malta
The mitsis hotel chain in Greece. Stayed in a few of them and found them all ok

Both for children and adults, easy enough to go off the complex and explore but still pretty good good and drink for an all inclusive in Europe. The cocktail bar at the seabank is nice for the adults to have a break on the evening on their own too.

veryveryquietly · 02/08/2017 13:23

Sicily. Warm, sunny, very child-friendly culture but also lots of stuff of interest to adults, driving is easier than on mainland Italy, can eat your own weight in gelato.

purpleleotard · 02/08/2017 13:24

Tahiti?
Cook Islands?

anotherdayanothersquabble · 02/08/2017 13:51

Why not suggest a trip to a travel agent... someone who can work to a brief, ask the right questions..

CiderwithBuda · 02/08/2017 13:59

Can definitely recommend Sani Resort in Northern Greece. You fly into Thessaloniki. We have been going on and off since DS was a baby and we lived in Bulgaria so could drive down.

We are going back next year with DS who is now 16 and two of his friends.

There are a few different accommodation options but the Sani Beach Hotel would prob suit you all best. We always end up back there. There are three pools. One a baby pool. Two beaches. Kids club.

Th resort itself is built around a Marina with lots of restaurants and a small supermarket. You can do all inclusive but still eat at the restaurants in the marina. We like the fact that you can wander down to the marina every evening for dinner but yet you are not leaving the resort.

As I said we have been going for years and it has changed a lot. It's constantly upgraded over th winters. Staff are lovely.

Chewiecat · 02/08/2017 14:24

I second Sani beach resort in Greece. Loads of activities for children to do and it's huge so you can just escape for a little while sometimes

Pigface1 · 02/08/2017 14:57

Why are they worried about zika? Surely your PIL aren't trying for a baby?

Starskit · 02/08/2017 14:59

Cape Verde? When my LO was 18 months old she loved collecting pebbles on the beach for hours.

AcrossthePond55 · 02/08/2017 15:06

Rent a beach house in So California, preferably Orange County between Laguna Beach and Seal Beach (I grew up spending summers in Newport). Close to everything. You'll be able to Uber to closer locations (including Disney) or rent a car/van. Great beaches, plenty to do.

SF is nice, but the water is too frickin' cold to swim and too dangerous for kids to play at the water's edge (sneaker waves).

I grew up in So Cal, now live in No Cal. So Cal is much more 'child friendly' than No Cal. Both have plenty for adults to do.

SwedishEdith · 02/08/2017 15:07

Agree about access to a train station/your own car to get away from everyone. That would be my priority.