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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Genghi · 03/08/2017 10:24

Dubai and the USA are both great for kids. Dubai more do - so much to do for kids of all ages, and most of the 6-7 star hotels provide one to one child care from registered childminders.

lifebook · 03/08/2017 10:39

Dubai, Disney and a cruise all my idea of hell I have to say! Very hard to please everyone that is the problem.

We went away - 18 of us - to a beautiful villa in Bali - long flight though but oh so gorgeous and the Balinese are so gracious and kind, esp with the children. It is so relaxed and we split up to do different trips or just stayed at the villa which was fully staffed, they had a driver, cook etc so arranged everything through them. It really was the holiday of a lifetime and I think maybe if your MIL is prepared to pay and wants to treat you all then you ought to really go for it and make it somewhere that you will remember forever.

singloud · 03/08/2017 10:55

This looks like luxury and child friendly in Crete.
http://www.amirandes.com/guestrooms/index.html

Bearbehind · 03/08/2017 11:37

I'd have thought it is too early to be booking for July 18 now. Most airlines only book 50 weeks in advance and the hotels won't all show availability yet. (Cruises do book a long way in adavance if you are considering that option)

If you spend a couple of months each thinking about what you'd like and doing a bit of research then maybe you can reach a consensus when there are more options available.

It sounds like you're all rushing to book something just so you can say it's booked.

Whatsername17 · 03/08/2017 11:41

It's more that mil is struggling with the sale of her childhood home and wants it booked so she has something positive to look forward to.

OP posts:
Dowser · 03/08/2017 11:48

I think a cruise sounds like an excellent solution.
Bali sounds lovely but a long , long way.
Especially with young children
What a generous mil.

TractorTedTed · 03/08/2017 13:29

Your mil sounds lovely.

I can totally understand why she wants something nice to look forward to.

Personally I like booking independently and enjoy lots of research. However, if it's proving difficult, perhaps she could get everyone involved to suggest their 2 or 3 main preferences e.g. Sports /culture on offer, weather, child friendly, length of flight etc and then maybe she could go to a travel agents' and get some suggestions?

Dailystuck71 · 03/08/2017 18:23

I agree with everyone who said a cruise. Although thousands of people on board you rarely feel it or see it.

There will be something for everyone including your 18 month old if you book one with a crèche. Means you and DH can enjoy an evening meal just the two of you.

Those who want to do the pool can and those who want to do a city can.

anotherdayanothersquabble · 03/08/2017 19:01

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/family-holidays/best-three-generation-holidays-guide-to-self-catering-hotel-ski-cruise-adventure-with-grandparents/

Maybe ask everyone to give there top three must haves for a perfect holiday...

lilydaisyrose · 10/08/2017 12:14

Did you resolve this OP?

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