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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To still want luxury holidays with a young child

229 replies

Hadenough1234567 · 17/08/2024 20:53

DH and I have become used to holidaying in 5 star hotels. Usually Jet2 indulgent escape type places as an indication. We now have a 16 month old. We’ve been to Greece and long haul holidays with DD.

We still want to have high end holidays but need to tailor them a bit.

We like hotel facilities and our own outdoor space with sun beds. We like to be at the beachfront and avoid high rise hotels. (This is why we like the Greek islands) We like a good sized room, a junior suite at least but ideally a separate living area and bedroom.

We’d like places that tick these boxes but possibly aren’t aimed at families, so the place isn’t necessarily over run with kids.

All inclusive is preferred because we like breakfast and lunch buffets - ideal for DD. We still like high standard food and drinks, some all inclusive can be a bit questionable quality.

We like a bit of room service too.

Any tips?

We have a decent budget - about £10K for 10 nights but a bit of flexibility here.

OP posts:
Cormoran · 17/08/2024 20:56

Anthelia Tenerife

Beezknees · 17/08/2024 20:57

Ikos resorts.

howlsmovingbouncycastle · 17/08/2024 20:58

Sani (not AI but superb) or Ikos.

Isyesterdaytomorrowtoday · 17/08/2024 20:59

Ikos

Hazey19 · 17/08/2024 21:00

Another one for Ikos.

Cheepcheepcheep · 17/08/2024 21:00

Also saying Ikos, I’ve sadly never been thanks to budget but my friends rave about them!

We’re looking at Club Med atm which is a similar vibe (hello kids PJ club so you can have dinner in peace) and there are some gorgeous ones in the Maldives and the Seychelles which I reckon would tick the box too.

Evenmoretired44 · 17/08/2024 21:01

Beachcomber hotels in Mauritius

cunoyerjudowel · 17/08/2024 21:01

I would avoid places that aren't aimed at families as people go there to avoid children- like yours.
So they may be less tolerant and your child's presence may not be as welcome
Plus the facilities for your child may not be as good and there may be less to do for your child

I would choose a location without a long transfer and with good flight times

WestrayWife · 17/08/2024 21:04

Martinhal Sagres in Portugal - we've been with kids ranging from 6 months to 10 years, and couldn't fault it. Facilities are excellent and definitely feel luxurious. Have a look on the Mr & Mrs Smith Families site for other suggestions.

CheeseWisely · 17/08/2024 21:12

Ikos resorts, or possibly the Zafiro Palace resorts in Majorca, although I don't think either of the latter are beachfront.

longdistanceclaraclara · 17/08/2024 21:16

Ikos or Martinhal

KvotheTheBloodless · 17/08/2024 21:17

You'd be mad to actively seek out a place that isn't child-friendly. Aye, yes, I'm sure your DD is well behaved and lovely, but other guests who've booked somewhere non-child-friendly will be pretty pissed off that a child is present, no matter how sweet she is.

Also, tiny kids really don't enjoy sightseeing, they just want a beach/pool.

Sorry OP, but actively choosing somewhere that doesn't specifically cater for families is asking for trouble.

DecafDodger · 17/08/2024 21:21

Atrium Prestige in Rhodes was gorgeous. Child-friendly enough but not aimed at families, so limited there were just a few kids. Many rooms had private pools and own sun loungers. never felt busy. Tons of sunbeds on the beach, and you can order food and drinks to your sunbed from the app, very convenient.

Nohugspleaseandthankyou · 17/08/2024 21:22

For those saying not to with a child at non family focused places as people have gone to avoid kids, couldn't you argue as well that if they wanted to avoid kids (and clearly have good budgets) then they should go to child free hotels/resorts?
If kids are allowed surely they're allowed
They are a part of the public after all.

I have no skin in the game BTW I don't have the budget or inclination for this kind of holiday myself, just wanted to add my perspective.

Beezknees · 17/08/2024 21:24

KvotheTheBloodless · 17/08/2024 21:17

You'd be mad to actively seek out a place that isn't child-friendly. Aye, yes, I'm sure your DD is well behaved and lovely, but other guests who've booked somewhere non-child-friendly will be pretty pissed off that a child is present, no matter how sweet she is.

Also, tiny kids really don't enjoy sightseeing, they just want a beach/pool.

Sorry OP, but actively choosing somewhere that doesn't specifically cater for families is asking for trouble.

Honestly if you want a child free holiday book an adults only hotel.

Even if a hotel isn't necessarily "child friendly", if it is not specifically adults only then children can go. It's unreasonable to expect no kids and be pissed off at kids being present if you choose not to book adult only.

Nohugspleaseandthankyou · 17/08/2024 21:25

Beezknees · 17/08/2024 21:24

Honestly if you want a child free holiday book an adults only hotel.

Even if a hotel isn't necessarily "child friendly", if it is not specifically adults only then children can go. It's unreasonable to expect no kids and be pissed off at kids being present if you choose not to book adult only.

That's how I see it too.
There are many things jn public I don't like but I'm also aware public isn't shaped or catered exactly to my liking. As long as no one is breaking the rules or actively having someone else I think we all need to chill amd let each other be.

Candlesandmatches · 17/08/2024 21:26

Club med
Kinder Hotels - in Tirol, italy, Switzerland
Beaches resorts- Part of the Sandals chain

Beezknees · 17/08/2024 21:27

Nohugspleaseandthankyou · 17/08/2024 21:25

That's how I see it too.
There are many things jn public I don't like but I'm also aware public isn't shaped or catered exactly to my liking. As long as no one is breaking the rules or actively having someone else I think we all need to chill amd let each other be.

Agreed. If you want an adult only holiday and don't book an adult only hotel then you really have no right to moan about kids there. You're just shooting yourself in the foot. (No skin from me either as I don't have young kids)

witmum · 17/08/2024 21:28

TUI Blue holidays are perfect

DecafDodger · 17/08/2024 21:33

Kinderhotels are amazing, but nobody without children would ever go there voluntarity. So certainly doesn't tick the not aimed at families box.

TakeMe2Insanity · 18/08/2024 10:36

Shangri la Sentosa.

cunoyerjudowel · 18/08/2024 13:25

I am not moaning about kids being there but advising the op - if people get wound up by the ops child / the hotel has crap child facilities it won't be a lovely atmosphere and I experience for the op.

If I don't want to be round kids I book child free - but I actually like them as I have them, however I also know the feeling of being in a place not set up for children with small children and it is not nice

Bjorkdidit · 18/08/2024 13:38

Lanzarote is another good place to look as there's no high rise hotels. Look in Playa Blanca. The temperature isn't quite as hot as Greece either.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 18/08/2024 13:45

So you have a young child, but you don’t want to go somewhere where other people have children. Bit of cognitive dissonance there.

jeaux90 · 18/08/2024 13:46

Scott Dunn OP, best kids clubs and childcare in high end places.