Package hol for Jan 2011, never done one before -advice?

[snugglejunkie]

As in never been on a package holiday, not never been on a holiday though it's feeling a bit like it at the moment!

Before DS, we did flights and accom seperate, and generally did self catering. However this will be our first holiday in 2.5 years (as in haven't even had a weekend of 2 days due to DH starting his own business) and we will have a 14mo old - frankly we just want to have a rest and for it to be relatively easy

Basic requirements:

• Warm. Given it's January & we've only got a week we're thinking Gran Canaria or Egypt?

• either all inclusive or half board, food at least half decent

• 4 or 5 star.

• pool to laze around (me!), some stuff to do to stop DH getting ants-in-his-pants (e.g. bike hire, some sports, gym?)

• baby-friendly (obviously). Big plus if there's a possibility of childcare for, say, one half day and one evening.

Thoughts? Advice? Tips?

Egypt is always a good bet and they seemed to be pretty child friendly when we went although our dcs were older.
Have a nosy on Trip Advisor to get honest hotel reviews. I tend to stay away from any hotel that is ranked lower than the top one third of hotels for that resort IYSWIM, and I know several people that work on the same principle. You may find out more about the childcare options that way too.

We went to Egypt in Feb with DS and plan to go again next year (with a 4 month old too, well that's the plan). We actually didn't book a package, but only cos I could get it a bit cheaper by contacting hotel directly.

Would really recommend Swiss Inn in Dahab - reasonably priced, food fine (no one ill which is good for Egypt), teeny but cute kids club, but it's for 3 years and up, BUT the woman will do baby sitting, and you can probably get her to arrange someone in the day too, €10 ph I think. All the staff were so nice to DS. Beach is really nice, windsurf centre next door and kitesurfing up the beach. Snorkelling and diving can be arranged all over the place as well as trips into the desert. Depends what your DH is into - mine went windsurfing/kitesurfing - I just sat on the beach with morning sickness. Small gym, yoga class, massages.

You can only stay there on half board, but can also choose all inclusive. Definitely the best place to stay on Dahab beach - we physically looked at most of them once there. Though there is a new one at the end of the beach that we didn't look at. If you go to Sharm, there is no airport transfer (Dahab is about an hour, DS just fell asleep), then there is a huge choice of hotels and some far more expensive ones, I think my friends like Four Seasons, has really good Thai restaurant. But it's much more built up and not as laid back, depends what you like and your budget. Def check out TA.

Also meant to say was the first time we had done that sort of holiday too - DH had been to Egypt windsurfing before we were married, but I had never been and had always been dubious. But it was great. Hotel was mainly German guests though, which I prefer to hearing lots of Brits!

Cheers guys

Deffo leaning towards Egypt - weather more reliable I think. Will check out reviews on Trip Advisor.

Hope you weren't too miserable domesticgoddess. Ergh. The very thought of morning sickness, let alone on hol (like my home comforts when I feel crappy).

Notso keen on built-up, but less keen on long transfers (road safety in Egypt? Also I get mega car/coach sick!!) An hr would be about the max.

Anyone else got any first hand experience? Good hotel recs?

Canary Islands in Jan really not reliable, you're right - unlikely to be in a bikini much of the time. Egypt was just right weather wise - 25-28 and the water was lovely. This was end of Feb.

Car journey was not a problem - I know what you mean about car safety, but we hardly passed any other vehicles, it's a drive on a big dual carriage way through mountains, completely quiet.

It was actually better to be ill on holiday as I didn't have any housework to do and DH was around to play with DS! It wasn't planned like that though - I had actually had a mc which was why we booked the holiday, but I got pg again straight after!