All inclusive recommendations needed please

[2014newme]

Hi we've enjoyed all inclusives in Mexico and Mauritius but want somewhere different for 2018. I'm struggling to find anything good quality for under £5.5k which is what we normally pay for 2 weeks in may for 4 people Inc 2 x 10 year olds.
Ruled out are Turkey, Egypt, Jamaica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Cyprus. I've ruled out senatori resorts as they all gave downsides and ikos Olivia is too expensive.

Key features :
Great sandy beach
Kids club this is what my kids want, or good kids activities
Several restaurants with no restrictions on where you can dine
Upmarket vibe I'm not looking for first choice type places
Plenty to do in area we like to get out and explore.
Have been to most of Caribbean pre dc and do the think our budget would accommodate that.

Am I asking the impossible? Don't want to stretch budget as have other holidays planned.

Thanks!

To be honest if Ikos is over budget and things like FC and Sensatori not suiting you I think you'll struggle - European AI is more expensive than Caribbean and you generally get less included - it's rare to get a wide choice of restaurants with no restrictions for less than Ikos prices tbh. Barut chain are great but you've ruled out Turkey. Look at the Jet2 luxe collection- there are a couple of canaries hotels that might suit.

Thanks I will. Ikos is £7k which for 2 weeks in Greece seems excessive and the beach looks gritty? Much as I love Greece I don't feel the need to go all inclusive there prefer eating in different tavernas etc
Will check out jet2lux

Everywhere in Europe is expensive for next year tbh., lots of places with taxes introduced now as well. I can't think of a particular hotel that fits the bill but might be worth looking sat Croatia and Montenegro, prices are a bit better

Have you considered a cruise? That's what we ended up doing this year, having spent ages looking at all inclusive. Good food, no dining restrictiobs, lots of things to see, places to explore, good entertainment, kids clubs, and cheaper than you might think....

Go back to a different part of Mexico? The all-inclusives there are in a different league to other places.

Have a look at Princess Yaiza, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote. Not sure it will be in budget though.

Thanks we've been to Mexico 3 times and fancy a change but I love the beach so a cruise isn't for me, I prefer a beachside stroll of an evening to lots of entertainment I also feel claustrophobic on ships. I like lanzarote but we've done the whole island in terms of sightseeing.
I checked jet2luxe but nothing suitable and nothing at all in canaries.

Sani might fit but I doubt it's in budget for you. There'll be loads of choice if it wasn't for needing unlimited a la carte, it's just not that common in European AI unless you pay £££

Yes sani is out of budget and for Greece I'd prefer a more authentic experience.
Hmmmm

I know lots of hotels that would fit the bill but they are all in the Antalya area of turkey. I have been to hotels there that blow the all inclusives in Mexico out of the water.

Have you tried Cape Verde?

I've just paid just over 5k for 7 days in Tenerife in Easter. 5* resort AI,
But the beach isn't beautiful white sand, of course;

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g662606-d285140-Reviews-IBEROSTAR_Anthelia-Costa_Adeje_Adeje_Tenerife_Canary_Islands.html

Ps. I'd also ruled out Turkey, Egypt and apparently lots of us are doing that which is pushing up prices (alongside a weak pound) for everywhere else.

@Graceflorrick yes I don't need white sand but nice golden sand. I don't want black sand. I'll have a look at that resort though, is it all buffet dining?

Yes I love turkey but don't want to go at moment.

What are the downsides to the Sensatori you've looked at? The best one we've been to is Aphrodite Hills but the others are also good especially Tenerife .

Club Med? been to Bali and Thailand, great kids club

@kendoddsdadsdog why puts me off about sensatori is that kids clubs are available for an hour or two per day per child, mine like to pop in and out when they like and it's important to them on a holiday, tenerife people saying that the retreat area is a pain as once you're there you're stuck there, problems booking a La carte restaurants at some resorts, complaints about lack of sunbeds. Is the aphrodite hills the crete one?
Did you experience any of these issues?

@amber0685 club med is definitely worth further investigation not sure if it would be less than £5.5k though?

Have a look at the Marbella Corfu. It's a bit cheaper than Sani or Ikos

Thanks will check marbella corfu. Have you stayed there?

Club med Sicily is awesome but the rooms are dire, if you can get a large apartment there it would be ace. Facilities are great and all the sports and food is wonderful. Accommodation is lacking

I couldn't spend 2 weeks in poor standard accommodation I'd be unhappy.

DB Seabanks in Malta is lovely, nice rooms, great activities, tons of restaurants, just off the beach, and Malta is an amazing place if you like going out for day trips. So much gorgeous scenery and amazing history. Fabulous weather, relatively short flight, and astonishingly cheap car hire!

Yes we have. You do need a Seaview though. We really liked it.

Thanks I'll check the Malta and the marbella corfu options,!