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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Please help me decide where to take our honeymoon - need romantic yet child-friendly!

27 replies

MissGolightly · 07/05/2007 20:51

I'm getting married in September and haven't yet decided on a honeymoon - we will be taking 18 month old DS (well, he will be 18 months old when we travel iyswim) so I'm looking for somewhere romantic yet child-friendly! Any suggestions?

Logistically a villa would probably be easiest, as we would like DS to have his own bedroom for obvious honeymoon-related reasons, but I don't want to spend my honeymoon clearing up and cooking. Are there any hotels that can accommodate a baby in his own room, or any villas companies that do a full maid's service?

V grateful for your wisdom, o mumsnetters.

OP posts:
gingersj · 07/05/2007 20:56

Where in the world would you like to go?

gingersj · 07/05/2007 20:57

Where in the world would you like to go?

Original poster
MissGolightly · 07/05/2007 21:02

I'm totally open to any suggestions Ginger! Anything from Iceland to Pompeii, also considering the UK.

The only thing I don't want is a long-haul destination, as I can't face the idea of a long flight with DS, also we can only take a couple of weeks holiday so I don't want to waste too much of it travelling.

Oh, and I'm not good in v hot weather, so the Kalahari desert is probably out. Other than that.... the world is my oyster.

OP posts:
MrsDiorKeanuReeves · 07/05/2007 21:04

Lake Garda is child friendly, with beautiful, romantic scenery.

granarybeck · 07/05/2007 21:05

Although, sounds unexciting, some parts of Menorca are very pretty, nice for little ones and short flight.

gingersj · 07/05/2007 21:08

So Dubai is out, what a shame!!! It was the best place I have been with kids and boy were the kids totally spoilt whilst we sat by the pool.....

We went to the Son Net hotel in Majorca up in the mountains, was lovely and had great facilities, not a lot to do there, but just lovely.

franca70 · 07/05/2007 21:09

what about formentera?

Original poster
MissGolightly · 07/05/2007 21:27

Liking the sound of all of these - any suggestions for accommodation at Lake Garda Dior?

Where is Formentera, Franca? Ashamed to say I have never heard of it!

OP posts:
MrsDiorKeanuReeves · 07/05/2007 21:31

H and I did Riva - the mountainous end. The other end of the lake is flat and I think more child friendly, but I am not sure. Alll the towns on the lake were absolutely fab and I would go there again. An 18 month old will be no problem, although ds would probably be bored (he is nearly 6).

fizzbuzz · 07/05/2007 21:36

Wow, great minds think alike!!! I was going to suggest Lake Garda before I read the thread.

Riva del Garda....gorgeous gorgeous

MrsDiorKeanuReeves · 07/05/2007 21:37

Limone is lovely too. We took a boat from Riva at night and watched shooting stars as we sailed. It was amazing.

luciemule · 07/05/2007 21:39

If it were me, I'd probably end up choosing Center Parcs in the UK or abroad, purely for the fact that whilst not the most romantic of places, it's the most child friendly place for an 18 month old I would be able to think of. My DS is now 2 and to be honest, anywhere other than Center Parcs stresses me out completely! At least he'd have his own room with cot (if he's in one), you'd have your own room and you'd be able to eat out at one of the many restaurants without having to do all the cooking. You can also have maid service for changing towels, beds etc. You could pamper yourselves in the spa and spend romantic time together whilst DS is at the excellent creche. Still doesn't sound like a honey moon destination though does it?!

fizzbuzz · 07/05/2007 21:40

Yes Limone is also gorgeous, as is Garda town, and Malceasni (sp?)

MrsDiorKeanuReeves · 07/05/2007 21:41

Noooo, not CP for a honeymoon!
No, no, no, no, no...

MrsDiorKeanuReeves · 07/05/2007 21:42

Sorry

luciemule · 07/05/2007 21:49

Yes - I know what you're saying but imagine taking an 18 month old anywhere remotely romantic - it would seem like a waste if all it was was stressful. It might be better to have someone look after DS another time and then go somewhere more romantic/honeymoon-like so you can really spend time relaxing.
We've just spent 2 days in Bath without the kids and it was sooooo special (and I didn't miss them once). When we took them last year - I wish we'd never gone it was so stressful. It wasn't child/baby friendly at all and they weren't able to appreciate the shops/baths/romantic-ness of it all.

gingersj · 07/05/2007 21:56

If you are considering the UK, get into Babington House if you can afford it or check out luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk or similar. They have some fabulous hotels - we stayed at Calcot Manor, Moonfleet Manor and Woolley Grange and both are lovely, with great creches, babysitting, everything you need ...

Original poster
MissGolightly · 07/05/2007 22:12

Gosh, Lake Garda is getting lots of thumbs up, I may have to nip off and do some googling...

I think centreparcs might be a bit too family-friendly, although I know what you are saying Lucie! DP/DH and I will probably have a couple of nights by ourselves directly after the wedding, but the honeymoon proper is basically an excuse for splashing out on a nice holiday for all three of us.

OP posts:
luciemule · 07/05/2007 22:16

aha - luxuryfamilyhotels - good idea. Better idea than my daft Center Parcs one!

MrsDiorKeanuReeves · 07/05/2007 22:17

Definitely Italy - they love bambini!

newgirl · 07/05/2007 22:22

i would start buying issues of sunday times travel or conde naste traveller as they do cover dream family friendly holidays. that could inspire you!

franca70 · 08/05/2007 12:04

MissGolightly, Formentera is a tiny island very close to Ibiza.
this is one of the many website about it. It's become a hip destination, but it's still family friendly and in september it shouldn't be too busy and less expensive.
otherwise why not try corsica? places like santa giulia?
check this out

cardy · 08/05/2007 12:15

I was going to say italy too but the Almalfi coast (that's probably just personal tast as I like the sea/coast etc). I am also interested to hear if anybody knows of a good hotel that does children in seperate but ajoining bedrooms?

CS1753 · 08/05/2007 12:20

Have you looked at club med - they are goverened by the EU childcare regulations ad offer creche etc. I believe they may also have family bungalows etc.

www.clubmed.co.uk

GemBean · 08/05/2007 12:30

totally agree about the luxury family hotels, have just stayed at Fowey Hall in Cornwall, was DIVINE, for us and dd (14 months) we felt really spoilt and it was just bliss. The scenery was beatiful too.