Winter sun, but not a big resort - ideas please?

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After all the cold recently I am forging a plan to get some heat and sun next winter.

DCs will be 6 and 3y 9m and I think we'd prefer to be in a self catering apartment or villa (ideally with restaurants on site or fairly near) than in a big resort. Happy to fly long distance, a bit nervous about the jetlag if there is a big time difference (as DCs are not the greatest of sleepers) but might risk it!

Any suggestions please? It's easy to find winter sun resorts on the web but I'm finding it much harder to find non resort options.

Though you said self catering, we're going to Gran Canaria. It's an AI hotel (3* so nothing flashy) in a small town (San Agustin) near Playa De Ingles. The hotels here are close to a quiet beach and the town isn't built up or loud from what I can gather.

(Plus AI with two young children - ours are 6 and 3 - we find is better than self catering because meals are immediate and not having to pick a restaurant and wait with two hungry, possibly tired kid. Eat when you want).

What do you mean by resort? I always thought a 'resort' was a village or town on the coast, but it seems that many people call big AI hotels 'resorts' .

Anyway, there are loads of smaller towns in coastal areas in the Canaries with apartment or bungalow complexes that aren't big, loud or 'Brits on the piss' type places.

We just usually book flights and then an apartment/bungalow on booking.com or similar in a small complex in a small coastal town in any of the main Canary islands.

Maybe somewhere like this or in Caleta in Fuerteventura. There's a couple of restaurants, childrens playpark and nice supermarket next to the Lanzarote one but it's about 20-30 mins walk (or few mins drive) to the main marina area.

Canaries in winter could be OK weather wise, but could be stormy/less hot, it's hit and miss - we had a week in Tenerife in January and had 5 warm sunny days and a couple that were a bit cloudy/windy, but fine to be out and about in, but if you want hotter and guaranteed sun, you might need to go further afield.

banging we've done AI a fair bit, for that very reason (plus kids clubs etc) but feeling ready to branch out... also ideally our DC need to be in separate rooms (both bad sleepers) so to get 3 rooms means we need s/c.

Yes I meant big hotel really Barbara. Thanks - Canaries do seem set up well for self catering apartments or houses - but as you say, I'm not sure the weather will be all that warm and I'm really hoping for hot!

Anyone have any ideas for further afield?

How easy is it to do self catering somewhere like the Caribbean or Mauritius - I only ever see hotels?

Guessing self catering in the middle east (Oman?) would be very tricky?

Good little harbour in Barbados? I'm not sure how child friendly it is though, theres also another aprthotel in Barbados on the South Coast, but I can't remember what its called. If its come to me I'll post later.

Jumby Bay in Antigua could also be a (pricy) option. Carlisle Bay in Antigua also have 3 bed suites, but they are very, very, expensive.

I've been very disappointed by weather in the Canaries at Christmas and in mid February.

Thank you - will check that out and will google aparthotels as that sounds like a good combo.

Yes 3 bed villas in resorts seem to be ruinous. They are usually the Presidential Suite or something similar! And have 3 bathrooms and butler service ... we don't need that!

That's what I suspected eloise

We’ve done self-catering in Mexico - Playa del Carmen. Was fabulous! We rented an apartment in a complex with a lovely pool and beach access. Shopping was easy and tons to do around there with dc. You would definitely need a hire car though.

How did you find the apartment mycat? Travel agent or plunge right in with owners direct or similar?

It was a few years ago so can’t remember the exact website but it was something like homeaway.commI think. We booked direct from the owners. The complex is called Nick Price residence (it’s next to a golf course) and there were other apartments to rent there I think. Felt very safe as it’s gated and secure.

Ok thanks! Guess I'm just a bit nervous about renting direct as what if you turn up and there is a problem, but I might have to get over that!

We stayed at the St James Condos in Barbados a few years ago. They were three bed apartments.

Thanks will look it up