Any recommendations on villas in Canary Islands?

[parachutes]

Hi, we're hoping to book a holiday for Jan/Feb and am thinking of the Canary Islands (can't travel too far, can't have vaccs, want reasonably warm but not too hot etc).
We're looking for a villa/apt with pool in an area that has easy access to shops and restaurants (can't walk for long distances and do not want to hire car). No, can't think of any further demands but I could be back.

TIA

Hi there.
I guess that you are looking for a private villa so have a little look at this website as they do holiday lets and you can choose your area, budget etc -

www.lupain-holiday-rentals.com

If you decide you want to look for a hotel in Tenerife and you need some recommendations get back to me as i live in Tenerife and can help with this.

Happy holiday hunting.

We used VillaPlus for our holiday in Lanzarote last year, they were very good. We would use them again.

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

Ethel: I'll look up VillaPlus, thanks for the recommendation.

Lisa2: which island would you say would be better in Jan as we would like the weather to be warm (I know they're all pretty good around that time)? As we wouldn't be able to do too much I'm not concerned about loads of activities or anything like that; would just like somewhere pretty relaxed but not dead. Am a little concerned that Tenerife might be a bit too much (admittedly based on my recollections of holidays there in my very early twenties!)

Thanks again.

Hiya.
Well, i can not comment on the other canary islands as i have not been to them but if last year was anything to go by Jan was really lovely, the temp was around 26c so very plesant with a gentle breeze.

The evenings never get down past 17c which is fine but you may feel it a little chilly in the evenings so maybe bring a cardy or a light jacket, just in case.

You must have stayed in the heart of Las Americas last time that you were here as generally the island is not at all roudy and if people want that then they specifically have to go to Las Americas as thats the only place that bang the music out until silly o'clock!
Most other bars around are family bars, karoke bars and acts/shows.
By law, all bands and loud music must be either finished or turned right down by midnight but even before then it is not overly loud in my opinion.

My favourite area is Fanabe, i think it is wonderful for families with a lot to offer.

Do you have little ones and what are there ages?

if you want me to recommend some hotels please let me know.

Lisa.

Lanzarote can be quite breezy, we went in March and temp was mostly early-mid 20s,but one day was only 15c but another was 29c. I heard from friends that went to Fuerteventura (sp?) in January that it was only 19-20c so nice but not really hot.

Hi Lisa, thanks for your reply I appreciate it.
Yes, I have a 7yr old, but the main hurdle we have is that he's recovering (we hope) from an illness. It has left him unable to sustain physical activity for too long and this is the first time he's ever expressed an interest in going abroad for a holiday. We have to do two weeks as one wouldn't give him enough time to recover from the outward journey (if that makes sense) and an apartment/villa would be better than a hotel as we need the freedom being able to cook our own food gives us.
This might be one question too far: what's the availability like on foods for special diets? Gluten- and Dairy-free type diets? Not a huge issue as we can work round it but it's something that might be handy to know.

Thanks again.

Thanks Ethel, I'd read about Fuerteventura being breezy also so will give that a miss. We have been-pre ds-to Gran Canaria on a last-minute break (just before Christmas one year) but it rained most of the week (we also swore we'd never go back but how things change when you have children)! There's no guarantees but I'm trying to make it as foolproof as poss

Hi Parachutes.

Im sorry to hear of your son's illness, poor lad but i am sure after 2 weeks of relaxationand sun will put him on the road to recovery lets hope.

We have 2 iceland supermarkets here that sell almost everything, apart from calpol!! Nowhere on the island sells calpol so bring plenty if you are used to using it.

I am not sure about the gluten and dairy free diets.
I know they sell quorn and knorr products but i dont know if that is much help to you.

I am sure there are places selling food for special diets, i will look into it for you.

If you do need anything from the iceland supermarket you can always let me know and i can pick it up for you at some point.
I have a childcare buisness here and get so many families asking for this or that from iceland as the children are familiar with the products etc so it would be no problem for me.

In the meantime have a look at that Lupain link i sent as i am sure you will find something to suit on there.

Another couple to try are
-home and away
-holiday rentals
-owners direct.
Just google them and the correct websites will come up.

If ican help further please do not hesitate.

Lisa :)

Hi Parachute,
nice to see everything is going fine and that you are planning your holiday. In tenerife, there aren't a lot of villas with pool, and they are mainly on the hills (very faaaaaar from the beach, restaurants, ...) or near los gigantes where a car is a must. BUT there are lovely apartments or small houses in Las Americas, at the far end of Las Americas, in the more elegant part, far away from Las Veronicas or Playa troya which are noisy and terrible, which I believe is your idea of Las Americas.

Google "Parque Santiago playa de las americas "and you'll find tons of review for this luxury apart hotel and even You Tube video. My favourite is Parque Santiago 3. the small houses are on the beach front, and with a lovely, small garden . Or Parque Santiago 4 but absolutely not the Parque Santiago 5 if you want to sleep at night. You'll be near a nice sandy beach (yellow sand) with everything you need. Its name is Playa Las Vistas.
I wouldn't recommend you Fañabe. To be honest, I hate it. It's full of Fun Bars, Live Football and horrendous restaurants. there are stairs and the beach is dark and, in my opinion , dirty. Yes there is a mini-golf, a trampoline , but you can find that in LAs Americas as well.
Near the Parque Santiago complex, there is a very nice, quiet, beach promenade and you'll be between the two main surfing spot, so a great show for everyone.
There are two Health Shops with special food. the best is inside the Trebol supermarket in Adeje www.servitreboladeje.es/ , you'll need a taxi, more or less 11 euros from Las Americas. Or in Los Cristianos, in avenida de suecia, there was a small shop, but they didn't have a lot.
One last IMPORTANT thing. Should you ever need a hospital, go here www.hospitaldelacandelaria.com/ in La candelaria. there is a semi-private hospital in Las Americas, called Hospiten Sur, but avoid it. It 's just good enough for drunken tourists or stitches (but not on your face).
Any questions, I'll be pleased to help

Lisa: thank you so much for all your help, I really appreciate it. I'm going to spend some time looking into the resorts (and links) you mention and see what we all think. Thank you for being so willing to help. I had a quick look at your website and I think we will be giving you a call if and when we come over

Gordonpym: thank you also. I do like the look, and description you give, of the Santiago complex but having looked I think it might be a bit to busy for him; he has a neurological disease and sometimes needs total quiet and rest so I need to try and find somewhere where we can dip in and out of the action! I will look in to the area more though as I love the sound of it. Thank you.

Herbietea: am googling your recommendation now!

Thanks again, would appreciate any and all advice.

I don't think I used the word 'thanks' enough just then did I?

parachutes - I know you have ruled out fuerte for windyness but we found the cheapest villas were there - we have booked a 3 bed/3 bath villa there with heated pool and playstations/sky telly etc for 500quid in feb half term - ownersdirect had loads...

Hope you have a great time - you deserve it!

Hi zombishambles,thank you for that (what a lovely comment!); I haven't completely ruled it out so will have a look on ownersdirect and see what I can find. I just want a nice place with a pool where we can get to a beach and restaurants on his good days, I'm hoping I can find it, sure I will.

Awww thank you and yes, feel free to drop me an email or a call anytime, i will be more than happy to help.

Obviously anything else, just ask and il do my best to assist.

Take care.x

Hi Lisa2, hope you don't mind one more question: do you know when the best time to book flights to Spain is? When we're likely to get the cheapest deal? Due to current health we're postponing for 12 months but we will do it and it will give us more time to ensure ds is okay to travel etc.

Thanks

Hi Lisa2 (and parachutes!)

Sorry for hijacking, but wondered what the temp is like in Tenerife over Xmas?

We are looking for somewhere hot over Xmas hols, for me, DH and DDs (aged 1 and 3).

Ideally an all-inclusive resort, close to the beach, with kiddie friendly activities. Do you have any recommendations?

Hi Parachutes.
Aww, im sorry you had to postpone BUT i believe that everything happens for a reason so in a year's time your little one might be so much better and be able to enjoy his holiday much more too, still a shame to hear that though.

To be honest, flights can literally change from day to day. I normally fly with Monarch and some of the days in the week can be very expensive and others dirt cheap so it really is a case of keeping watch all of the time.
You can get flights one way for £10 but with the taxes, charges etc they put on top it can be around £50/70 when you tot it all up.

Have a look on Skyscanner (google it) as they search for all the best flights, also a good holiday website to look at is www.travelrepublic.co.uk i find them sometimes very reasionable when other operators are very expensive so worth a look.
The other obvious thing is that flights are always more expensive in the childrens school holidays.
If you want me to have a look with you when you have more of an idea of booking i would be happy too.

Hi Vanimal.
Ok, december here last year was very hot indeed with it creeping up to 28c in the day.
Normally on average it is around 24-26c in the day and never lower than 16c at night so it is very pleasant.

Xmas does get very busy here, aswellas the new year periods so some people like to leave it until jan/feb to come out because they dont like packed out hotels etc.
I have a manic december working every day and eveningfrom the 8th going through until the 12th/15th of jan.

For 5* resorts i would recommend -

-Anthelia park (iberostar), great for adults and children (my favourite on the island)

If you are looking for 5* plus i would recommend-

• sansatori/gran melia. Beautiful hotel with fun for all but it is not directly on a beach and would be a 5 min drive to get to one.

-Bahia del duque - I love this hotel as it again has something for everyone.

Abama resort- Lovely hotel for that relaxing holiday, very exquisit but not so much evening entertainment but i guess over xmas and new year there willbe something.

All the hotels that i have mentioned above have a kids club but can not go in without supervision and left if under 4 years old.
They can go in but you have to pay quite an expensive rate for this.
This is why i am contacted so much to help (because i have my own childcare buisness on the island) families out as i have a boot load oftoys and the children dont have to be stuck in the kids clubs for hours for the parents to get a break/spa treatment etc.

If you have anymore questions etc please dont hesitate to let me know.

Lisa.