What's the best family holiday you've had?

[TW]

OK - two adults and 2 or more kids, what's the best holiday you've been on? Location, accommodation (hotel/villa etc), facilities (private/shared pool/ childcare etc). And who you booked through.

I can't believe no-one has any recommendations!!!

Best family holiday I ever had was camping at Watergate Bay in Cornwall. But I don't think that's the sort of thing you're looking for.

Not necessarily, goosey. We haven't had a holiday in over 3 yrs, and my three are now 5,3 and 2. We have never had a family holiday. Dh doesn't like going anywhere "public" but I desperately need a break so want to go somewhere where I can get rid of the kids at least some of the time and have a real BREAK. I would love to hear of holidays which have been a real success, and why they were so good, because if and when we do ever get one, I need to make sure it is absolutely right.

Sea Acres, a caravan site near Lizard point; swimming pool on site, crazy golf, bar, national trust walks, day time creche and evening entertainment for children whilst adults sit and watch in the bar, 10 minute walk from beach (Kennack Sands), not too noisy as only 3 campsites on this coastline...if you like views on a sunny afternoon you can book the caravan 6-berth which has a balcony, and has a sea view so close that you can hear the sea at night! We've been twice and with young children was really good...about £400+ at height of season...but if you want scenery, fun and good location (only 25 miles from Porthcurno...one of the best beaches have ever been too...near Lands End) then I would recommend this, or it's neighbour next door, called White Acres...we booked it through Hoseasons and think the final balance had to be paid by June, or at leat 2 months before arrival...if a foreign location was what you were looking for went to the "Bahia de Alcudia",(hotel) in Alcudia, Mallorca (went as teenager but was very quiet and lovely)

best family holiday 2 adults, 3 children, 1 baby, was in Brookfield Holiday Village, Cork City, Ireland. It has apartments or houses, with plenty of grassy areas and mature trees, kids clubs, and small creche (so people can use the leisure centre). All the facilities of the hotel, and all in all it was very laid back. the children went to the club and made friends, and we just chilled out. There is plenty to do in the area, but we just parked the car and stayed on site. Had a couple of drinks in the bar at night while the kids went to their disco, and just thinking about it now makes me want to book it again this year! Mind you, we have never gone abroad as a family, except to stay with my sister in London (I live in Ireland) and that was so stressful, it put me right off. The children enjoyed themselves, but we just couldn't relax.

In Feb we went to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai with a nearly 4 year old and 3 month old. 4 yr old went to Pirate club every morning and then found mates to play with every pm on beach whilst 3 mth old was looked after by babysitter from 12-4pm at £5 per hr most days.
Very child friendly with all meals and drinks for under 4s being free which is huge saving. Beach and pools were great. Bit of a "zoo" during half term week so beware. Temperature in low 80s and sun not too strong due to it being winter.
Max of 2 kids in adults bedroom so could get quite pricey with more than that.
Generally most hotels in Dubai are very child friendly and great place to go for winter sun - far too hot in the summer >100 and high humidity.
Also did gtreat holiday in Portugal last June if you want details.

Have you looked at the "find the best" section of the website. There are reviews of plenty of places from MNers - I've used several of them and have always felt the reviews were fair (and I add my reviews too, esp if it loooks like a good competition week!).

How far are you prepared to travel, and what is your budget? I'm a Mark Warner fan, but they're not cheap. If money is no object then there are some nice places in the Caribbean...

The best family holiday I've had so far was with DH's 3 step-children and one of their friends, about 5 years ago. Their ages ranged from 13-18 and we drove them down through France to Lake Garda. At Lake Garda, we stayed at the Radisson Hotel at Torri del Benaco, which we booked directly over the phone from Britain. The hotel had lots of quite reasonably priced family suites, with two large bedrooms and a sitting room with sofa bed, small kitchen, nice bathroom and a sun terrace. It was a well-run place, with a pool, games room etc and lots of families (mainly Germans), though the food was a bit boring and so we ate out most nights. Torri is a pretty village beside the lake. I remember one evening sitting out in a restaurant overlooking the village square as three-generation Italian families did the passagiata, sailing on the lake and going to the open-air opera at Verona, which is nearby. There seemed to be something for everyone to enjoy. We also very much enjoyed the trip down through France and back, stopping off in Burgundy on the way down and on the Loire on the way back. We used the Good Hotel Guide to find places to stay in France.

NJ, we were booked for the Jumeirah Beach hotel over the Feb half term but had to cancell as ds got chickenpox a couple of days before we were due to go we are planning on booking for next Feb.

TW no where "public"?

SIS
The JB hotel is very big and can cope with a lot of people. I think we were a bit shocked at how busy it was due to fact it has been relatively quiet on our previous 2 visits. All available loungers were used every day! Great for the kids tho as they had lots of friends to play with. If this is an off putter,my brother lives in Dubai and says that they now called JB "BUTLINS"!!!

NJ, thanks, I have been warned by a few others about the size and bling nature of the hotel and the fact that the whole area is a giant building site. But in Feb, |I want some guaranteed sunshine without flying longer than 10 hours and somewhere where ds (aged five now) can be kept happily occupied and the JB hotel seems to fit the bill - but I wish they would call it centre parcs and not Butlins!

TW could you take someone with you eg mum/au pair/nanny to help you with kids and rent a lovely house? We did this last year (not with nanny but we didn't need it as only have 1 baby) with lots of friends and it was really the best holiday. Had lovely provencal stone village house with pool and shady terrace, it was so relaxing. And so hot that we barely did anything but laze around and swim and eat and drink. Doing it again in July, can't wait!

here is where we are going this year this site has many houses of varying sizes etc.

I think it works out at about £100 per person per week between 8 of us + flights and car hire, but Ryanair fly to Nimes and Montpellier v cheaply.

Camping/Mobile homes are really good, but you would be hard pushed to find any with childcare for the youngest ones.

Our two best holidays were camping in Cornwall last year (kids were 4 and 2) and Mobile home in Carnac, france with one baby and me PG.

Other than that Center Parcs have been our next best. These do have kids 'clubs' and you can get babysitting (better value for 3 kids) and it really relaxing as all the kids love the pools.

The issue would be your DH if he doesn't like places that are 'public' it rules out most places like camping/center parcs and would leave you with a villa/hotel which is more impersonal.

that would have to be last year. camping in brittany in a caravan - yes we went for unadulterated luxery for a change and went in a caravan. the pool complex was the best i have ever ever seen. the childrens entertainment was provided not just by the reps but also by an operative paid by the campsite and the kids were in kid heaven and adults in every competition goin from pool to table tennis to football to "its a knockout" with the inflatables in the pool. the nearby towns and beaches were good and we found a fave creperie. the kids danced to holiday songs with holiday dances all evening. elest dd who was 13 at the time was too shy to go after a girlie who wanted a snog - so funny. and he got drunk and said classicly " i love you muum" and hubby and me made ourselves the proud owners of two bar stools where we took turns in getting so drunk you didnt wake up til 3pm the next day.

we are going back this year to the same place - when our philosophy always was to explore. but thissite was out of this world.

This is all fab advice, thank you all. Didn't realise about "reviews" on the site so shall check it out. Personally, I love the idea of a Mark Warner or equiv. and have read a recent thread which also has good advice and re Neilsen Hols etc. Dh is, though, inherently anti-social and really doesn't like having to "share" - he's far rather be away from everything - and we're in Scotland so to him a fortnight on the west coast is paradise. However, he's not the one who gets the children by default. And the weather can be so miserable - OK it can be gorgeous too but it is a risk. Personally I am a major francophile and camping in France sounds good. The children would adore it, and they learn a bit of French at school so that would be a bonus to them. I'm wondering, has anyone any experience of "off-season chalets"? I think it's ski companies such as Ski Esprit, who own the chalets and employ the nannies anyway - obviously the resorts are geared up to winter activities but the impression I get is that it's a market that's growing.
The other consideration for us is that all the children are in bed by 7 so evening childcare is essential
Thanks everyone
Thanks everyone.

We went to a Esprit Chalethotel in Chamonix last summer. We were able to go at end June, before the bulk of the UK schools had broken up (we live in Europe) but there was also a family from Scotland with older kids because their holidays were early and families with younger kids. Activities for the older kids didn't really get going until a week later as a consequence but had the option of nursery for dd (then 22 months)which she did for a day and a half. Dinner was an adult-only affair on shared tables with kids club for over 4's running and baby listening but dd was awkward to settle by 7pm. Kids had tea at 5.30 which was fine if not especially adventurous. Our food was excellent, included wine with dinner and there was a small bar in the hotel. The holiday overall was good and a much better experience than I'd expected. We got it at a bargain price with iglu.com and definitely felt we got value for money.

There was also plenty going on in Chamonix with large outdoor pool and mountain railways and cable cars opening up great views and walking. tbh most larger mountain resorts have activities and events going on during the peak summer months (mid June to August).

hth

god, custy, you must be really rich, we can't afford caravans in France in high season

Do look at rentals - if you can get friends to share with you and fly on low cost airlines it can work out cheaper than caravans in high season.

It's still a nightmare trying to find a fun holiday if you have more than 2 kids. We now have 4 and I refuse to do self catering - no holiday for me. Some very successful holidays have been in Arabella Sheraton Son Vida Palma in Majorca (expensive but fab - they confirmed the ages and sexes of the children to leave the right size bathrobes and appropriate gifts), Jalousie Hilton in St Lucia - pure heaven - and Corinthia Mistra Village in Malta. We travel a lot with my husband through work and I realise how far we have to go to make travelling child-friendly. How about New York for an action packed few days? My kids love it.

We recently holidayed in Fiji with nearly 5 yo ds and nearly 2 yo dd. Last time we went to Fiji (honeymoon, 10 years ago) it was mainly Australians and New Zealanders but this time plenty of people from UK and US, so travel costs must be lower(?) now.

Stayed in two places, Shangri-La's Fijian Hotel on the coral coast and Castaway Island. The Fijian was very geared to families. Two children stay free in parents room (small additional cost for additional children or second adjoining room booked for children is at half normal price) and all meals for children are free, full buffet breakfast for adults also free (included in price)each morning. Kids club will take kids from 2 years to 12 years, they have three different age groups (2-4, 5-8 and 9-12). Kids club is free and has morning, afternoon and evening sessions. Our dd was not yet 2 yo so we paid a babysitter to go to kids club with her, this was very inexpensive at FJ$5/hour. Kids were inducted as members of kids club (even little dd) and received a t-shirt and certificate. Plenty of activities for eveyone at the resort, all non-motorised watersports were free, most other things very inexpensive. We only stayed a few days but easily could have filled every day for two weeks with new activities!

Castaway Island was also very child friendly, but more expensive. Children stayed free in our room (was actually two rooms and bathroom) but had to pay a meal plan for children 3 years and over. Meal plan included full buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner from children's menu (good variety at each meal and different every day) and pizzas from woodfired pizza from 11 am each day. Kids club at Castaway was free for children 3-12 yo. They had morning, afternoon and evening sessions and children younger than 3 could attend with a babysitter (FJ$4/hour). There were so many activites for the kids it was amazing, within minutes of arriving on the island ds was whisked off to go fish feeding and play ball games on the beach! Kids had a ball and we apent alot of time either relaxing on the beach/by the pool or canoeing, sailing, snorkelling, bushwalking or playing tennis - all at no extra cost.

Can't recommend Fiji highly enough as a holiday destination for anyone, but for families in particular!

custardo - what site did you stay on in brittany?

Chelle - you brought back memories of my stay on Castaway 18 years ago! It was idyllic. The only problem was, I was 15 and sulking, because I didn't want to cme back to the UK (we had emigrated to NZ 2 years before and were emigrating back to the UK again!), so I couldn't let Mum & Dad see how great I though it was!

I'd love to go back as an adult and really appreciate it!

les mouettes. it does have its own site if you want to google it. until this year we never booked through mainstream operators but through a company called leisure directions. when we first discovered them they were very cheap but the prices have been going up in their hundreds. the catch was- you couldnt pick your site and date - you literally had to phone up in february and say what you got? then have the money to pay for it all at once. that way we usually got ourholidays either half price or three quarter price of mainstream operators like eurocamp etc.

however i heard leisure directions and big operators like eurocamp and key camp amalgamated this year and so basicaly its all one big company.

we have found a different company this year - cant remember the name - we are back to tent status but going 1st july for 12 days it is less than £550 for the five of us inc. ferry crossing. we make it our absolute business to trawl the internet every year for the best operator - it takes bloodya ges but can save 500 squid or more - its worth it