Aibu to want a holiday that’s a cross between self catering and hotel?

[Guiltridden12345]

Just that really. The benefits of a hotel complex - primarily kids meeting other kids - but the ability to retreat from the swarming masses. My partner and I don’t like hotels, we like privacy and peace, all inclusive hotel holiday would our worst nightmare and we’d genuinely rather stay home than do that (I wish it were different). However, our tweens/ teens are becoming less able to amuse themselves -they argue continuously wotj each other and it’s really wearing. We are on Holiday now in a villa somewhere idyllic and it’s like WW bloody 2. First world problem but I wondered if there’s a halfway house holiday that suits old and young?

we went to martinhal in sagres when they were little. Had a Villa with a small pool on the edge of a big holiday village with bigger pools, bars, restaurants, play areas and a kids club where the kids can play with other kids (plus formal care if you want it). It was great - we could stay away or dip in as we wanted. We didn’t go back only because it was a bit too windy (it’s an upcoming surf spot apparently as a result). And we’ve not been able to find anything similar since. Anyone know of anything like this elsewhere in Europe? Or how do you cope with bored/truculent/irritating siblings on sunny holidays?

If your teens are anything like mine they will refuse to join in anything like kids’ clubs and organised activities because they are lame.

I went looking for it, and can't for the life of me remember the name. My mother booked it and I see her later so I'll ask her. It may well still be there.

You need a holiday village with self catering apartments on the grounds a resort. Still had all the entertainment, communal pool, all inclusive option etc

https://rochabrava.com/en/
Something like this?

Lanzarote has lots of bungalow and apartment complexes where you can do any board from SC to AI. Choose one in a central location with a nice terrace or balcony and you can chill there and older DC can go to the pool or you can all go out to the beach, restaurants etc, or pick up snacks and drinks from a local supermarket/convenience store.

For example

with a little shyness at first, mine would be well up for company, they are v sociable and make friends easily. I think that’s the issue, 2 weeks with no peers is hard for them and it puts them in a mood.

we are doing a boat trip and eating out loads for lunch/dinner. But it’s so hot that sight seeing is out, it’s really energy sapping and we all struggle to be active in the heat (we all do loads of sport ordinarily. But now that the kids want more than a pool and an inflatable (we had years of total self entertainment) we clearly need to mix things up.

When we went to Florida a few years ago we stayed in an apartment in a complex with decent pool etc and right next to a mall.

When we were in France a few times, we stayed in apartments which had a lovely pool and where you could get bread/pastries delivered every morning (ordered day before) - Pierre et Vacances was the company and they gave loads in France and some in Spain.

In Gran Canaria, we were in a 2 room cottage but with a couple of pools on site, restaurant, mini market and couple of bars.

Last year in Amsterdam, we stayed in a hotel directly across from the Olympic stadium which was almost studio apartments with a mini kitchen, bar and restaurant downstairs and in a lovely residential district so lots of overly places to eat or just drink coffee with a book for a couple of hours, and on a tram line straight to city centre.

Sorry I'm rubbish on names as DH usually books. But it's absolutely possible to do without getting a proper hotel or a villa.

I don't know why you're focusing on the board basis. That's just food. Plenty of hotels have apartments and also offer all inclusive. Nobody will get you in a headlock and force you into a buffet.

Villa holidays sound like the most boring thing on earth for teens. If you're on a budget, even a reasonable one, you can't afford Ikos. I'd look at the canaries. Costa Adeje in Tenerife in particular or Gran Canaria.

@Guiltridden12345 We stayed at Pine cliffs resort outside Albufera. It looks like it's grown even bigger since we were there. There was a mini bus running back and forth to the beach as it was hot and we used to walk to a restaurant nearby called Langousteria or something like that for dinner. We had a two bedrooms two bathrooms with a living room (with a sofa bed) and a separate kitchen and air conditioning

Thought of another, Cordial Mogan Valle/ Cordial Mogan Solar in Gran Canaria are 2 bed apartments within a hotel- not sure if they do AI but certainly a decent B&B.

We’ve been to Senator Mar Menor a couple of times. We stayed in a 2 bed apartment, but there’s also a hotel part so there’s a couple if bars, restaurant, spa, etc. Couple of water slides, there is some children’s activities but they’re in Spanish as it’s mostly Spanish guests.

When I was a teen we holidayed at holiday parks in Belgium and Denmark which I imagine are probably Center Parcs or something now. They were great - we could hire bikes and do what we wanted within the site. Or go to the pool etc. Lots of freedom.

Or just stay at a normal basic hotel/apartment and organise activites and trips yourself as and when you want to do them?

Or do you want something nearby that your kids can take themselves off to without you?

Ooh thank you so much!

Am going to meticulously look at all these options, there’s some great ideas in here and I’m really grateful. Mumsnet can be so helpful sometimes!

As an aside, I'm very curious as to what guidelines are being repeatedly broken by Sewerdrain!

We’re about to go to Eleonas in Zaros, Crete next week. Just hoping there are other families for the kids to socialise with.

I was thinking the same! Hardly an emotive thread topic?!

We just did Neilson and are total converts. You could have lazy mornings if you wanted, the activities are very dip in and out. The teens all looked to be having an amazing time. We went to a mostly AI resort (breakfast and lunch always included, dinner included 4/7 nights) but there is one that’s B&B. But the food was excellent and it really wasn’t the heaving mass of people/waste fest I think you’re imagining. I hated Mark Warner btw so was surprised at how much I enjoyed Neilson, would go again in a heartbeat.

I am definitely looking into this. I think my other half would love some activity too. And I could lounge and read a book. It’s like a dream…

was the neilson AI food healthier than the usual fare? It’s not just the crowds, it’s the total crap and carb fest that I object to as well. I don’t mind a bit but need good food, fresh fruit and veg options too.

Yes it was. Loads of fresh fruit at every meal. Loads of decent salads at lunch and dinner - leafy salads, pulse based salads, different every day. There was always grilled fish as a protein option (sardines, swordfish, tuna…). I don’t eat meat but DH said that was great as well. I mean it really wasn’t a carb fest at all. Compared to MW where the food was just crap, I really was very impressed.