Big family holiday in Oct- where to go?

[sootired]

We're planning on a holiday around the October half term, with our extended family. The kids range in ages from 12 down to 2. We've been looking at the Caribbean but would consider other long haul destinations. But we can't decide on a country, let alone a particular hotel, and ones we have been looking at (Beaches resorts) don't have great reviews for the money they cost. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good beach resort which caters for the different ages of our kids?

We looked at Jamaica but have decided on Egypt instead. The reasons are that it is only a week and the long haul flights are quite long, and a ten hours with kids would crucify me I think! Egypt has all the kids activities you could want, hot, and 5 hour flight. Cheaper too!

Have you considered Sardinia

Any Mark Warner ones get you?

Does it have to be hot?

Barbados ok?

Have a look at Iberostar Tucan/Quetzal in Mexico. It is fabulous for families and is set on the most beautiful beach I have ever seen in my life. We have been 3 times with DS, in May, September and October and out of all these months October was my favourite time to go

St Lucia is nice, if you are looking at the Caribbean. Small - you could drive across the island in half a day - nice beaches, developed without being tacky, doesnt have the same problems of crime of, say, Jamaica or Trinidad although love both these places - St Lucia is just 'easier' for a family holiday, though, iyswim).

Thailand? You will fork out more to get there, but the quality of hotel, service etc absolutely pisses on the Caribbean and the food/drink is cheap.

Florida coast? Miami or further up - Sarasota, Clearwater, Anna-Maria etc? Lovely, lovely beaches.

October is apparently the best time to go to Orlando for the Disney resorts - not too humid, all dressed up for Halloween ...

We're going to the Iberostar Tucan in Playa del Car in July as did loads of research before booking (I'm a bit crazy like that). October would be a good time there.

Not a long haul destination but don't overlook Egypt. Depends on what you like doing but the snorkelling/diving is amazing, the weather is perfect in October, good hotels, cheap prices ..

I'd go to Oman. I am biased but it is a lovely country with lovely people.

I think you might like Cotton Bay Village in St Lucia - see here - which has creche, kids club and teen club, and has good room choices for large families. Antigua is another good choice cos of handy flights.

If you only have a week and with lots of kids to cater for I would recommend Dubai. Especially the Jumerah hotels. They have life guards at the pools and nice beach, so kids perfectly happy. Great kids club if any of the kids want to get out of the sun for an hour or two. Also free entry to Wild Wadi water park which is really fun. Only an 8 hr flight too. Culturally there are better things to do, but for sheer relaxation can't beat it. We have stayed at the Madinat Jumerah Al Qasr see Tripadvisor. Our kids love. We have taken them to Cambodia, Malaysia, Borneo, HK etc but they still love a good old beach/pool holiday.

we went to orlando/disney in November a couple of years ago. The weather was still nice and no ques at the parks!