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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

113 replies

Guiltridden12345 · 08/08/2023 16:46

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Guiltridden12345 · 09/08/2023 22:06

washrinse · 09/08/2023 21:36

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.

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This sounds really tempting, thanks so much for that.

OP posts:
Girasoli · 09/08/2023 22:09

We are going to a eurocamp type place and staying in a bungalow this summer.

Aparthotel looked great but was more expensive.

Original poster
Guiltridden12345 · 09/08/2023 22:09

washrinse · 09/08/2023 21:36

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.

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Can I also ask which resort you went to?

OP posts:
Cornishmumofone · 10/08/2023 09:42

How about Giramar Apartamentos Turisticos in Lagos, Portugal? It's done small apartment blocks around a pool with a bar and restaurant.

GingerKombucha · 11/08/2023 16:55

Corales Suites Royal Hideaway Tenerife was great - beautiful big two bed apartments with private pools and huge verandas you could eat, swim and relax on with other pools and michelin starred restaurants on site. Service was phenomenal and the place is stunningly beautiful. Much more luxurious than martinahl and food was way better though not as aggressively child focussed (which may be a good or bad thing).

Original poster
Guiltridden12345 · 11/08/2023 21:12

GingerKombucha · 11/08/2023 16:55

Corales Suites Royal Hideaway Tenerife was great - beautiful big two bed apartments with private pools and huge verandas you could eat, swim and relax on with other pools and michelin starred restaurants on site. Service was phenomenal and the place is stunningly beautiful. Much more luxurious than martinahl and food was way better though not as aggressively child focussed (which may be a good or bad thing).

We’ve done Tenerife twice, both times it was completely cloudy. Apparently the volcano? But it put us off. Hoe was your weather?

OP posts:
LimePi · 11/08/2023 23:46

washrinse · 09/08/2023 21:36

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.

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That’s so interesting. i love Neilsen and haven’t been to MW, but MW is a bit more expensive and I thought would be slightly more upmarket then. Good to know re food and i can happily stick to Neilsen. I have young kid, did you use their childcare?

LimePi · 11/08/2023 23:48

Guiltridden12345 · 09/08/2023 22:09

Can I also ask which resort you went to?

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clubmed has amazing food (just been to their Provence hotel) and their kid activities are mind blowing (circus school!!!). But it’s only AI, no villas and a lot of ‘organised fun’. But definitely plenty of things to do for teens

washrinse · 12/08/2023 11:37

LimePi · 11/08/2023 23:46

That’s so interesting. i love Neilsen and haven’t been to MW, but MW is a bit more expensive and I thought would be slightly more upmarket then. Good to know re food and i can happily stick to Neilsen. I have young kid, did you use their childcare?

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Oh I’m really surprised MW is more expensive! I would’ve guessed it was the other way round just based on the offering so that’s interesting.
Yes we used the kids clubs, they were good. I would say my school aged kids enjoyed the clubs a lot more than my preschooler which I think is just reflective of the fact that younger kids tend to prefer being with their parents and slightly older ones tend to prefer being with their peers.
The staff were really brilliant, high energy and kind. I liked the fact that they were very flexible so the kids could just do the bits they wanted and you could sign them in and out as much as you wanted. So our youngest was with us a lot but our oldest was rarely seen 😂

SystemSeven · 14/08/2023 07:30

Have you heard of Sani resort in Greece? Half board on a complex with >25 restaurants. Included activities are a tree tops adventure (go ape) and a Bear Grylls Survival family course - where you learn survival skills and have a speed boat ‘rescue’. It is a pricy holiday though. There is a Rafa Nadal tennis centre and a Chelsea football academy on site. It’s one of those places where you can do absolutely nothing or everything going, which every you feel like.

Left · 14/08/2023 07:43

How about one of the Centreparcs European sites? Lots of activities but also your own space to retreat to if needed.

Orangello · 14/08/2023 09:52

CenterParcs is what you are looking for - selfcatering villas, but also a ton of activities to join.

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