To ask you to pick a holiday for me...

[HighHopes20]

We’ve narrowed it down to two options in the Algarve in May both family friendly, all inclusive hotels with kids pools & slides, playgrounds, a buffet restaurant, snack bar, rated 4.5/5 on tripadvisor etc.

Option 1: Jupiter
Option 2: 3HB

Option 1 has two restaurants (1 buffet, 1 a la Carte ) and a snack bar, a free daily shuttle to the beach, indoor heated pool & spa.
Option 2 is a short walk away from the beach, it’s about £50 cheaper overall but you get a 1 bedroom apartment as standard, no indoor heated pool.

We have a toddler who would love the splash parks, playgrounds, pizza! I like the thought of having an apartment so we could have space for ourselves when he’s gone to bed but every other time we’ve been away we’ve struggled to get him to sleep on his own (he’s fine at home) so not sure we’d benefit from that.
Also love the idea of the spa/indoor pool as apparently the outdoor pools are freezing all year round.
Help!

The first doesn't have an indoor heated swimming pool it's a 'spa circuit' - which I think means it has jets and taps pouring water onto you to massage different parts of the body.

For that reason I would go to number 2.

@mumdiva99
From their website ‘ You will find a modern water circuit comprised of dynamic heated swimming pool with vertical jacuzzi; waterfalls and water jets; sensorial showers; turkish bath; sauna; three individual relaxation rooms; one couples room with hydromassage bathtub; a dedicated team of professionals focused solely on you; as well as a broad range of aesthetic treatments and massages to help you refocus.’

I haven't looked at the hotels but are you aware that the sea temperature is particularly cold in the Algarve and the current is very strong?

Did you read under two can't use aqua park on option 2?

He’ll be 2.5 when we go, won’t venture much into the sea but will be nice to go to the beach to build sandcastles and sunbathe (weather dependant!)

Will your toddler be able to use the heated pool as it says spa age 3 and over. I like the 2nd one better. The weather can be very unpredictable in May. You could take a wetsuit for your toddler.

The second one is a 15 minute walk to the beach.

Personally I'd take a buggy and choose the second one.

Have you looked at the reviews on trip advisor?

You’re right my toddler would be too young for the indoor pool but I could use the spa

Reviews are all mostly great. The 3HB is rated #8 of all hotels in Albufeira, Jupiter is #10.

When in May? I wouldn't go early may to either as the weather is iffy until June (last week of May)

Mid-end May. Mixed reviews on weather online but most say 20-25c on average but a lot cooler at night which is perfect for us.

They both look nice, but I just wanted to mention about the splash parks with the bucket of water that tips up, your ds might be okay with it but my ds hates having water sprayed in his face and the water is quite powerful when it tips out too.
I've booked a holiday to turkey for mid may to hotel nashira which seems similar to what you're looking for, if turkey was an option for you.

My sons ok with water play so fingers crossed he likes it. We considered turkey for the weather but we both went pre kids and didn’t think much of the constant heckling when we were out and about and we didn’t feel very safe.

I've just read the reviews (on a long bus ride). I'd definitely go with the second with the apartment.

@ponoka7 what swayed it for you?

Bumping for more opinions...

Definitely number two! I just clicked onto number 1 and it's a bit meh, me personally I think my family would prefer number 2.
I've just booked magic Robin hood resort near benidorm, or there is a magic natura reserve which has a zoo (I think it's very nearby) or the magic aqua splash, all relatively close to benidorm and all incredible!

I prefer 2 just by looking at the photos.

@ByeFeliciaa do you have a link please?

@randomusername1 who did you book through Please?

I think I would go with option 2

www.jet2holidays.com/spain/costa-blanca/benidorm/magic-robin-hood
This is the one I booked, I've not been to this before but I have the other two

If you want to be in Albufeira, I would go for number 1, 2 is quite a long way from the town itself, although this may not matter to you if you’re going AI and it looks like there is stuff around it. How often is the shuttle from the first one to the beach? The hotel is at the top of a hill so you don’t want to be walking it (and it’s quite a long way). Weather should be OK, although it can get quite cool and windy in the evenings. We went at the end of May half term last year and it was perfect, my mum went same week the year before and some days the restaurants were putting blankets out!

www.jet2holidays.com/beach/spain/costa-blanca/benidorm/magic-natura-animal-waterpark-and-polynesian-lodge-resort

This is the natura reserve one

@CakeandCoffeeQueen I booked with loveholidays

It seems to be unanimous decision for number two- I think the only negative for me for that hotel is that there is only one restaurant vs three in the other hotel so what if we don’t like the food? But judging from the reviews that’s fairly unlikely.
Also it will be my birthday whilst we’re out there so I was thinking a birthday massage and an a la carte meal would be lovely but would only be able to do so at hotel 1. But being on holiday for my birthday really is enough!!

No 2 is in Olhos d’Agua which is absolutely lovely. Small resort around an old fishing village, with lots of Portuguese visitors, gorgeous restaurants.

It’s completely different to Albufeira - no rowdy late night bars. But you can get a taxi or bus into Albufeira, it’s not far. We usually go in a couple of evenings for dinner.