Up to £6k to spend on a December family holiday - where to go?

[CityDweller]

If you had a budget of up to £6k to spend on a winter sun family holiday in December/Jan (leaving between Xmas and NYE), where would you go? I know it's the most expensive time of year, but we're tied to the school holidays and aren't able to go away in half-terms annoyingly (because of my job).

Looking for relaxing, rather than culture. Warm/ hot (doesn't have to be blazing hot, but warm enough to swim). Flight ideally 10hrs or less.

We're thinking about an all-inclusive type thing. We've never done anything like this before, but we're craving a holiday where we don't have to cook/ clean/ shop/ think about what to feed the kids (who are 6 & 8).

So far I've looked at Antigua (over our budget, I think) and the Canaries (weather not guaranteed and I'm not massively keen on barren landscapes). Any other suggestions?

www.tui.co.uk/destinations/dominican-republic/punta-cana/bavaro/hotels/royalton-splash-punta-cana.html

I stayed here a couple of years ago. Everything was fantastic from the people on holiday I met right down to the staff too!

We've booked the Dominican Republic for December. The weather looks good that time of year and flight is about 8 hours. Just praying it comes off the red list now

To be honest I would suggest waiting this year, long haul destinations may well not be possible. La palma in the canaries my mother rates

Thanks, I hadn't considered DR - will look into that option

Barbados might be a good option, I’m going there myself in December. It’s just under 9 hours flying, weather and food is amazing and people are really friendly. South coast is a good spot to be. It’s currently on the green list and hoping and praying it stays that way! 😊

Bahamas! This instagram person is there at the moment with her family, looks really nice www.instagram.com/luxefamily5/?hl=en

Dubai

Mauritius
It may be over budget.

Xcaret occidental hotel in Mexico….was a great AI hotel.

You may well struggle with a £6k budget to get away as a family of four to anywhere in the Caribbean. I got a quote to a four star AI in the DR for 10 nights and it was £11k. Seven nights was £9k and it really wasn’t anything special. Six nights in Dubai was £7k plus an extra £200 a head per adult for a NYE “gala dinner”. Mauritius was £14k. If you can fly out after NY though you can usually get some good deals.

The flight length is obviously off putting but I would head to Asia at that time of year. You get a lot more for your money and the weather is great. Flights are overnight so the kids sleep on the plane for a lot of the journey so it’s not as bad as it sounds. Obviously all Covid dependent of course.

Is it this year? If not look at Goa or somewhere in southeast Asia. The flight is longer but totally worth it. I prefer a flight with a layover to break it up- a night or 2 somewhere luxurious with a good pool.

Tui has Mauritius, DR and americium within your budget. I took my DC to DR when they were 5 and 7, it was their first long haul flight snd we had a lovely holiday. My older DS loved all the tropical plants and trees at the hotel. They also really enjoyed the swim up bars and ordering pina colada mocktails. It felt like an adventure even though we mostly stayed in the hotel and used all the facilities. It was a good introduction to long haul holidays and to the Caribbean.

Sorry that should say and Mexico.

@Zodlebud

You may well struggle with a £6k budget to get away as a family of four to anywhere in the Caribbean. I got a quote to a four star AI in the DR for 10 nights and it was £11k. Seven nights was £9k and it really wasn’t anything special. Six nights in Dubai was £7k plus an extra £200 a head per adult for a NYE “gala dinner”. Mauritius was £14k. If you can fly out after NY though you can usually get some good deals.

The flight length is obviously off putting but I would head to Asia at that time of year. You get a lot more for your money and the weather is great. Flights are overnight so the kids sleep on the plane for a lot of the journey so it’s not as bad as it sounds. Obviously all Covid dependent of course.

You have been massively over quoted. TUI and first choice do some good deals that may take OP over 6k a little. But not 11k!!

Travel agents like STAR are really expensive.

Thanks guys. I’ve spent days trawling Tui and other sites and have struggled to find anything that feels worth the money!

We can only spare a week and it’s not long enough to warrant the flight times to SE Asia or Indian Ocean (also older DC just doesn’t sleep on planes at all, which makes red eyes a bit grim).

I shall continue looking.

Have you considered Oman? We stayed at the Shangri-La outside Muscat (admittedly November but was very hot!). Super beautiful hotel with lots to do if you want. Couldn't comment on current prices but we booked directly when we went 3 years ago.

If you can only spare a week, then the Middle East would be better than the Caribbean as shorter flying time. May be tricky to get it in budget though at that time of year. Depends where you want to stay. We did 10 nights in Dubai, five star, half board at club level, 2 kids 2 adults for £6.5k. However that was travelling before Christmas and coming home on Christmas Eve. It was double that between Christmas and New Year and the hotel didn’t offer the half board option over that period either.

If I was only going for a week I wouldn't chose long haul have a look at Royal Sun in Los Gigantes, Tenerife. Its a fairly small resort away from the noise and crowds of the main Los Gigantes area. A quiet relaxing resort with fantastic views, it isn't AI but you just charge to your room and pay at the end and the prices are fairly cheap. With your budget you'll probably get a premium room with hot tub, all rooms have kitchens and there is a small shop on site, we didn't cook but the fridge was great for keeping drinks cold. The pool is small but quiet and the entertainment team are brilliant at keeping children occupied.