Something in between self catering and hotels - does this exist?

[Ohforgoodnesssakess]

Shamelessly using aibu for traffic…

we’re trying to organise a holiday with extended family. Those family members are introverts who hate being around other people on holiday so we usually rent a holiday home somewhere in the middle of nowhere and do self catering.

however, with kids, this involves a whole lot of cleaning/cooking/laundry and isn’t much of a break imho.

I know they would love the all inclusive aspect of having meals done for them etc.

is there some kind of halfway holiday between these two options that I’m missing? So not a room in a busy hotel with a crowded pool, but maybe self contained apartments with private pools on site somewhere…?

pipe dream maybe but asking the mumsnet hive for ideas 🙏

www.pinecliffs.com/en/accommodation/villas-golf-suites/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMInu_dyr6r-QIVno5oCR2kNAWQEAAYASAAEgL4WvD_BwE#

pinecliffs in the Algarve.

We have stayed in the hotel, but you can also rent apartments and villas which give you access to the hotel facilities, loads to do for kids and a beautiful beach.

Depending on your budget, Marbella Beach Club has lovely private villas.

@Ohforgoodnesssakess sorry, time difference, just came back to this. If you google “pool villa x country” it will give you a starting point, then look at TripAdvisor or country specific travel sites for reviews. Most places are listed on a number of booking sites so you can often get reviews from different sources. Villas are usually either “stand alone” offered by individuals, part of a complex, or it is common for a management company to manage a number of different villas, you just need an initial contact. You can do a bit of sleuthing on Airbnb to see the other listings of people offering accommodation there. If you don’t want to use Airbnb you can make contact via one of the other sites. For Bali we rented the same villa for years, we were put in touch by a friend, but unfortunately the villa was sold during COVID and no longer appears on rental sites so we booked an Airbnb and from there have a new contact who manages a number of local villas.

Villas in places like Bali and Thailand always come with staff and they will happily do or arrange for pretty much anything you want. Pay the rate they ask (which won’t be much), tip generously and everyone is happy. We supported our “usual” driver and his family in Bali during COVID (as did many Bali regulars we know) because the people are lovely and you do form relationships.

In terms of cost, if you go to the high end resorts then yes, the pool villas will be some of the most expensive options, smaller villa only complexes will be cheaper as will the stand alone option. I guess it all depends on your budget. We are paying Aus$180 (maybe £90ish? I don’t know the exchange rate) for a beautiful one bed villa with small pool and it is high season. We are coming in November with our kids and have a big three bed with garden and much bigger pool for $250 a night (low season). Hope that info helps 😊

I'm following with interest as we were looking for a similar thing!

Good lord, she’s going on holiday not on the run. Motels are the most god-awful places on earth and full of the last people you’d want your children to be around.

Agree with this, although all sites are self catering. We find it perfect for extended family holidays. Activity club and pool for our son. Chilled out accommodation with own space for grandparents. You can eat out et on site restaurant for all meals if you want.
Currently in Majorca

I questioned this too! She doesn't want a hotel. Why would she want a motel?

I'd be dropping the boring people from the trip and booking a holiday that suits your personality personally.

If you're really keen to go with them though just look at hotels with container apartments, loads out there

Or speak to a travel agent and they can help narrow it down, as sometimes it's hard to search specifically on travel sites for them

www.stonehavenvillas.com/?utm_source=local-directories&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=localconnect

Magical place

Pula Suites Boutique Resort in Son Serva, Majorca. We were just over £2.5k for 1 week all inclusive for 2 adults and 1 child last October.

Should add we got it last minute and offered a cheap upgrade to the suite with private pool so possibly more to book in advance

Another vote for the HPB.

Although the UK sites can vary with onsite food but all the overseas sites we've stayed at so far have food options.

Best investment we've made.

I'm wondering are we talking different gener here

Following with interest ... we're looking for something kind of similar. Next summer.

Spain or the islands (possibly Croatia or similar? Ideally no further than 4 hour flight at most) a villa to sleep 3-5, private pool, decent amenities but not all bells and whistles, tastefully (erring on contemporary) done and walking distance to nice cafes, bars, restaurants (don't want posh but definitely want to feel like we're amongst locals).

45 mins tops drive from airport and DO NOT want to have to hire a car. So taxi transfer ideally.

Nice walk to a pretty harbour with mountains/lots of greenery would be the cherry on top

Don't any of you dare say I'm fussy

they are called "Guest houses".

Or "Bed and breakfast with evening meals available".

We've stayed in many in lovely locations, run by fabulous foodie cooks.

It's called an aparthotel

The Sandpiper in Barbados has self contained cottages and apartments where you can use all the hotel facilities.

Carbis Bay Hotel also has self contained suites with private hot tubs but you still get to use all hotel facilities.

Both eye wateringly expensive but very beautiful.