Anyone been on these all-inclusive resorts hols? did they live up to your expectations?

[temmy99]

Cut and pasted for a response.
I have only the October half term break for me and the children (16, 10, 4 & 1) to spend together before I emigrate with the three younger ones. My dd1 will be staying with dh to finish her studies. We have decided to do an all inclusive break (we only have one week) like Beaches but I am a bit sceptical of all the glossy travel brochures which promises all but delivers none. Has anyone had any personal experiences of these types of resorts (not too fussed where) that will take the younger one (nursery/creche) keep the 4 & 10 occupied while I relax when I feel like but still have something for us to do together as a family. Apologies for the length of this thread but we have been through a bit and I really want us to have a good time. Your experiences please.

you leave your kid at home?

Cut and pasted for a response

where have you cut an pasted from?

haven't been but just wanted to say what a nice idea it sounds, my parents moved when i was 16 and though i boarded at school spent short hols with godparents and it was all fine . hope you have a lovely holiday wherever you go

cut and pasted from longhaul as I did not get a response. not sure what you leave your kid at home is supposed to mean. my 16 yr old dd will be staying with her dad to finish her sixth form. we don't all want to emigrate together just in case it does not work out. thanks.

We spent a few weeks at a Pierre et Vacances place (south of France) last year. It was pretty good. Not very luxe, but lots of stuff for kids of all ages to do.

i think an all inclusive is a great idea - the kids make friends and do great activities, you all eat together without you cooking and you get to relax - fantastic! We had a great time at a mark warner in corsica this year - my 5 year old still talks about it, and our 1 year old had wonderful care.

You can get some last minute deals - not sure for half term but shop around.

I've only recently been on all inclusives, having been a bit of a snob about them before . I've now notched up 4! and they were all brill in their own ways. Having said that, if you want the kind of hol where you get to explore the local area, and have lots of variety in what you eat and do, it might not be for you. I found them great for relaxing, and lots of them specifically cater for families with young children, with 'animators' who organise activities while you sun yourself and have an inclusive cocktail.... and you know how mcuh it will all cost in advance, so can indulge in food and drink without calculating how much you have left in your budget.
Have fun....

thanks newgirl. what time of the year did you go and was it all inclusive. sorry for the barrage of questions but I would like as much personal experience I can get b4 making my decision. I am not too fussed about pricing but availability as this is the only time I have. any more info will be appreciated. thanks.

We've done club med for the last 3 October breaks and are going again this year- so obviously love them. They suit us, we all enjoy the different activities available, and dd always made friends, which keeps her busy. Ds would go to the kids clubs sometimes, so we did get some time.

hi spink which all inclusives have you been too. I am not intrested in local areas. just eating and sleeping.

sammac, which Club Meds still have good weather in October?
does it have to be the Caribbean?

We've gone to Tunisia every time- there are a few different ones there. Weather is lovely, pools are heated. Not too hot- high 70s, low 80s- so can do activities, Some nights maybe a cardi.

the 2 best (and only ones to have stuck in my memory!) were:- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Royal Decameron I think, and Sri Lanka - the Club Hotel DOlphin, Waikkal.

temmy - we went in may this year and the weather was gorgeous - warm but not restrictive. Not sure what the weather would be in oct.

any specific questions?

food was good - lots of choice so suited us all - healthy bbqs etc

nice people - active crowd rather than sitting round drinking crowd

most people were quite private but were friendly at meal times etc if you want to chat

accom was clean and comfi but basic - rooms were quite small but i know you can get two rooms adjoining for your larger family.

drinks/juice etc avail all day

have a good look at the mark warner brochure on line - they go to egypt too which might be ideal for oct. some of their med resorts might shut down by then. You might like to ask how many kids of each age are already booked in to the clubs to give you an idea if there will be mates for yours

bump!

Yes - Turtle Beach, Barbados. About to go this October half term for what will be, I think, our 5th visit!

Lovely staff, good food, not too big, right on the beach, 2 swimming pools, 3 restaurants, great kids club - really relaxing.

Maybe see you there?!

Temperature in Barbados averages 80 degrees. October is towards the end of the rainy season, but rain usually very sporadic (and warm!).

Lovely island and people, if you wanted to get out and about.

We've been to FDR in Jamaica (twice - we love it so much, we went back).

The all-inclusive concept is very good in the Caribbean (have been a la carte also, and that plan is not cheap). All inclusive is also great for older children (over 9/10 ish) because they can do their own thing, and they are not always tapping you for money.

The place that we went to gave you a nanny with your condo, and she did both the housekeepign and also the looking after of your children, according to your wishes.

science teacher, I like the 'nanny' concept but is FDR an abreviation, will check this out. BIWI, I will chck turtle beach out as well. do you book through an agt or do you do it separately i.e. flight and resort. I hope to book something by next week as there is less than 6 weeks left. i really hope to get something nice.

I have done Almond Beach in Barbados - it was fab.
Only had one DS at the time, and he could dip in and out of the childcare. Reasonable choice of about 5 restaurants, lots of sports too.
We went September time, lovley weather. Would definitely reccomend it.

We book through Virgin Holidays - but try this company:

www.bestatbarbadosholidays.co.uk

I was looking at it yesterday and they seemed to have some good prices.

Only word of warning is that you may find October half term is fully booked!

We have been to Mark Warner (Kos) and Club Med in Turkey for the last October holidays and the weather was great during the day but could be a bit chilly during the evenings. Off to try Club Med Sicily this year.

Club Med is much more sophisticated than Mark Warner as far as the food/resort/accomodation goes, but you don't have to dress up if you don't want to! The atmosphere feels very relaxed and casual.

Mark warner has better clubs for the littlies but you rarely see children out of the clubs doing stuff with their parents.

Club Med has better facilities for older children and there are children around all day, they can pop in and out of club when they want and there are many more activities organised for them.

Another company to consider would be Powder Byrne, who do the same sort of thing but it's more 5* They have a great place in Tunisia.

Good luck with finding what you want.

Thanks Dee, very explanatory which is quite reassuring, I have looked at a few of the sites suggested but they are already booked up for the half term (thanks for that BIWI!), I am now considering doing as much homework as possible to see if I can squeeze the break in early next year and do something shorthaul for the oct half break instead, I will still prefer with nursery/nanny facility as it won't be a break if i am with ds2 all day considering dh is not coming along. Thanks for all your suggestions. Does anyone know of any nice full board hotels in Europe with activities for children, please????

We went to Lykia World near Olu Deniz in Turkey this year which was fab! Full board including wine/beer/soft drinks with meals. Wonderful facilities. Look it up on Trip Advisor. Have been on 3 MW holidays which were also great and inclusive of sports during the day but accommodation quite basic.