All inclusive first timer

[Attheendofthedayitgetsdark]

I'm in a holiday metasearch engine wormhole; please send a rescue party

Trying to organise our first all inc holiday for early next summer-can go in term time as children are 1 and 4-always hated the idea of all inclusive but it now sounds like a fucking dream I tell you

My favourite place so far is the Ikos Olivia in Halkidiki-looks a sure bet.....but I can't help but think there isn't actually that much for children especially in the way of pools and playgrounds-the kids pool is just a shallow paddling pool with nothing in it in the way of slides/water jets etc-bit dull I'm thinking
For roughly the same money I've also looked at the Zafiro Palace in Alcudia Majorca, and the Ocean Lagoon in Nissi Beach Cyprus-both look great and have what seem like fantastic splash parks and playgrounds

I've also looked at the slightly cheaper Insotel Cala Mandia in Majorca which is 4* as opposed to 5 but again the facilities for children look perfect and it still seems to be far away from the beige buffet territory that I'd prefer to avoid.....also it's a good £600 less than the other places

If anyone with more experience than I can contribute wise words of advice then it would be much appreciated!!

we have very dear friends who went to the one in cyprus, and had an amazing time. lots to do for the kids and the weather was lovely!

We went to Barcelo Sands in Fuerteventura and it had an amazing kids pool area. They also have pool toys once a week in the main pool. Kids club looked great (we didn't join as DS is 14).
Near to the beach/supermarkets/old town too. You can watch the rays swimming in the harbour

@sleepismysuperpower1 thank you for the recommendation!

@Pieceofpurplesky that hotel does look nice although I'm reluctant to choose something in the Canaries just because of the slightly longer flight time-4 year old is fine but the 1 year old will probably just lose his shit 😆

I have no clue why some of the text is highlighted in bold in my OP.......

I've not been to any but almost went to Zafiro when dd was 1. Wish we had because it's a lot more expensive now and we can no longer afford it!

Basic pools can be a good thing imo. Last year we were at a hotel where the kids pool had lots of slides, dd (then 2) seemed to find it very stressful with other kids running around/pushing/taking turns etc to get on the slides. However, she loved a different hotel we stayed at which had a separate splash pad and a simple pool - the simple pool allowed floats/toys.

Do you want a kids club and kids entertainment? Kids entertainment is a big draw for me for AI - dd loves it and it wears her out so she goes to sleep easily.

Also do research on the surrounding areas, there may be playgrounds/green parks nearby in which case hotel playgrounds aren't so necessary.

@Kindnessplease DS I think would get bored easily and is big on slides etc, that said smaller DS will be a bit young for all that

I like the idea of a kids club but realistically I don't think either of our two will want to be left even if it's together, so some kind of playroom and playground is likely to be more beneficial

Yes the Zafiro is kind of pricey.....definitely won't be going once school life kicks in!

We visited friends at the iberostar ciudad Blanca in Alcúdia Majorca. Great kids pool, excellent all inclusive from what I can gather. Rooms a bit basic. Actually on the beach so that was ace. We have only ever stayed in villas before and I was a bit sold on it after just a one day visit. We’d book there straight away but have been to Majorca so much that we are a bit over it. So we are going to the zafiro in menorca next year. We booked with jet 2 who have civilised flight times some days of the week. Saturday and Sunday are good for both from Stansted.

We have gone two years running to Zafiro Palace and might go again next year. Staff are fab, rooms are good size, loads of pools, restaurant and entertainment. I'd never been AI before but it was the most relaxing holiday ever since children.

It might be worth looking at Tui Family Life hotels, I don't think the ones we have stayed at are what you are looking for so I won't recommend them but the concept is probably what you are looking for.

They have playrooms for under 3s (but siblings can go in) tend to do a rhyme time type session and I think they all have playgrounds. Kids club is a 2 hour session. Also many have 1 or 2 bedroom apartments available rather than just a studio.