Lone woman beach holiday mid to late Feb?

[LaSevillana]

I've been told I need to take annual leave before the end of February and am a bit unsure re where to go. I'm a single woman and am looking for something super relaxing with minimal stress. The idea of just sitting around reading with a cocktail is amazing.

First thought was Canaries but not sure they'll quite have the weather late Feb. Have also thought of Dubai but a bit unsure re safety, and it's a bit unsettling that they do random PCR testing on arrival. Have also thought of the Caribbean (St Lucia, Barbados) but also worried about safety and the fact it might be really honeymooney, and Mexico (Cancun area). I'd want somewhere where I'd feel safe on the beach and not be bothered or harassed.

Would anyone have any recommendations of where to go?

[TokyoSushi]

No suggestions but this sounds just wonderful, have a fabulous time OP, wherever you end up!

[Chasingsquirrels]

Caribbean.
Dominican Republic?

[Namechangedforspooky]

Lanzarote in late February has been fine to be beside the pool when I’ve been before,. I think I’d be tempted just to do that!

[Roo45]

I went to an all inclusive hotel near Tulum in Mexico with a female friend, Im really sorry I can't remember the name it was a few years ago, it was a bit quieter than Cancun and not too much nearby but felt completely safe in the hotel, often I was on my own whilst my friend was at the gym lol, loads of pools plenty of food and drink, took a few day trips organised by the hotel including the ruins by tulum beach which are stunning! They did trips to the other nearby beach too where people go to see giant turtles. There might be some hotels there with their own private access to beach x

[LondonWolf]

Have you been alone?

I've gone as a single parent with my children many times and they've stayed with family while I have gone out and about alone. I've honestly never been bothered at all, not even in my bikini on a resort. If off resort I go to the family/womens beaches and also public transport has women's carriages or sections. I never really went clubbing or anything like that, though did have cocktails in the resort bars, there are many destination bars that are well worth a visit. Always cover up shoulders off resort in the malls etc as well - usually have a pashmina with me and wear light trousers. I think it probably depends on the resort you stay in as well. What you describe as happening to your friend just wouldn't have been countenanced by any member of staff at any resort I have stayed at. Honestly can't imagine it. Sorry that happened to her though.

[MarshaBradyo]

@Itsnotdeep

I think that wellness retreat sounds heavenly *@MarshaBradyo*

I'd love to go somewhere like that right now.

Me too, if I wanted a single or couple holiday I’d go back there

[NoToLandfill]

OP I have done this and it is a fabulous as you hope!

Madeira. Canico baio riu hotel.
Lovely food, glass of cava with breakfast. 2 nice pools and a sheltered bit of the sea to swim in just near the hotel.

Zero bother from anyone. In fact the hotel were great and I had a bottle of wine over a few evenings dinners.

Flew BA. Very civilized flight times.

Can I come with and we promise not to talk to each other?!

[Gnomechomsky]

Pacific coast Mexico.
We go every year. DH has a hobby that takes him off most days, early to late, I love it because I get to sit on the beach/ by pool all day.
Choose a hotel with room service, I have this loads as after a long hard day at the beach I’m tired haha.
I stay in the grounds of the hotel and tend to choose smaller boutiques types, I think most people think I’m a lone traveller.

[GreeboIsMySpiritAnimal]

Oh god, now I really want a holiday alone to just sleep, swim, read and sunbathe!

[HopingForMyRainbowBaby]

@LaSevillana October the first time and May the second time. Both lovely and hot. May obviously more than October. Although I did need a Cardigan whilst walking on a night time in May. I also had to sleep in socks one night cos I was chilly. Every other night though we ended up leaving the patio door open to get some air in. I've just checked the weather it's highs of 16 degrees tomorrow

[Thirtytimesround]

For what you describe I think Dubai would be perfect. I’ve traveled there on business alone many times. It is an extremely safe country (MUCH safer than UK). If you go to a 5 hotel and hang out by the pool / go to 5 beaches and the malls, you’ll have a great time. And the spas are amazing. There’s even a Dubai Ladies Club where you can hang around all day. And a water park.

There is none of the constant harassment like in Egypt/Morocco/Africa, Dubai is not like that at all.

(Only time I felt uncomfortable was when I popped into other hotels on my own for a quick sandwich in the bar area. The security staff assumed I was a prostitute and basically stalked me from a metre away until I left 🤣🙄)

Go Dubai and have fun. They are very good at fun.

[eztiger]

Try the body holiday in st lucia. There were lots of women traveling alone when I visited and a very friendly atmosphere with lots of repeat guests

[LondonWolf]

@Thirtytimesround

For what you describe I think Dubai would be perfect. I’ve traveled there on business alone many times. It is an extremely safe country (MUCH safer than UK). If you go to a 5 hotel and hang out by the pool / go to 5 beaches and the malls, you’ll have a great time. And the spas are amazing. There’s even a Dubai Ladies Club where you can hang around all day. And a water park.

There is none of the constant harassment like in Egypt/Morocco/Africa, Dubai is not like that at all.

(Only time I felt uncomfortable was when I popped into other hotels on my own for a quick sandwich in the bar area. The security staff assumed I was a prostitute and basically stalked me from a metre away until I left 🤣🙄)

Go Dubai and have fun. They are very good at fun.

Yes! 👏🏼 finally someone else on MN who likes Dubai!

[ringoutthebells]

Why do you think you won't get the weather in the canaries? Surely everyone goes dec to feb, it's the nearest hot place. I suppose yes the evenings are a bit darker/chillier than your summer holidays but then I have kids so am usually done by 8pm Depends if you want balmy evenings I guess!

[CrotchetyQuaver]

Me, I'd bugger off to Barbados. I always seemed to attract the oddballs in St Lucia who were harmless enough but annoying. I used to have to travel out there for business and was on my own. I loved it as like you sitting in peace reading books is my idea of heaven.

[LoveFall]

@Ruthietuthie

Quite a long flight, but I would pick Hawaii.
Oahu would be a good starter island. Choose a hotel or airbnb away from Waikiki (which is fine, but the rest is far better- we love Kailua),hire a car and explore.
Very safe, gorgeous, and really pleasant weather.

DH and I love Hawaii too. Our favourite Island is Kauai. We have stayed in the Prince Kuhio condos quite a few times. They are all different. Safe and quiet.

Nothing fancy, but an excellent snorkelling beach right acrss the road, and a shortish walk to the Spouting Horn.

It is well maintained and has a nice pool. Just goggle Prince Kuhio as they have a website.

Lots of farmers' markets with delicious local produce (avocados the size of your head). Chickens loose everywhere.

Staying on the Poipu side of the Island guarantees better weather.

The Waimea Canyon is stunning. Drive all the way to the top and you can look over at the dramatic coastline.

[Toohardtofindaproperusername]

Havenr read full tgrear yet but if result comes quickly youd be fine. You can end up so jet lagged in thailand that you dont wanna move or do much for the first day or two anyway ... 😉

[PossiblyDreaming]

Grenada or Tobago are beautiful in February and the places in the Caribbean that I’ve felt safest walking around. I do a lot of bird watching and travel alone regularly. There are loads of self catering places available relatively cheaply in both islands walkable to decent restaurants and bars and I’ve never been harassed or felt threatened by walking around on my own. The only places I’d steer clear of are the docks where the cruise ships disembark but even the locals tend to keep away from there as it can get a bit rough.

[LaSevillana]

So many of these suggestions look amazing! I've had a quick look through the entry requirements and unfortunately a lot of them have testing on arrival and/or quarantine if you end up next to a positive case on the plane :( I think Thailand would be my top choice if not for that but the thought of being hauled off to a hospital to quarantine is awful!

[LaSevillana]

@Roo45

I went to an all inclusive hotel near Tulum in Mexico with a female friend, Im really sorry I can't remember the name it was a few years ago, it was a bit quieter than Cancun and not too much nearby but felt completely safe in the hotel, often I was on my own whilst my friend was at the gym lol, loads of pools plenty of food and drink, took a few day trips organised by the hotel including the ruins by tulum beach which are stunning! They did trips to the other nearby beach too where people go to see giant turtles. There might be some hotels there with their own private access to beach x

This sounds great and I think I would enjoy Mexico. Do you know if it's easy to get around by public transport? I don't drive so I'd need to get from the airport to the hotel, and if I wanted to visit any sights, I'd need to be picked up by a tour bus or be able to get there alone.

[LoveFall]

Just wanted to add that I have often thought that if was wanting a warm, relaxing holiday with lots of relaxing time, I might pick a cruise. The Caribbean is a lovely cruise destination. Most of the ports you can just walk off the ship, or take a tour. We visited a nutmeg packing place in Grenada that was fascinating to me, and snorkeled over the "champagne" reef in Dominica, where volcanic bubbles come up from the bottom.

Most of them leave from Miami or Port Everglades.

[LaSevillana]

@Toohardtofindaproperusername

Havenr read full tgrear yet but if result comes quickly youd be fine. You can end up so jet lagged in thailand that you dont wanna move or do much for the first day or two anyway ... 😉

My worry would be if I got a positive...unlikely but not impossible, especially if you've recently had an asymptomatic infection :( At least in other places you get to stay in your hotel room...I think in Thailand they haul you off to a hospital or a quarantine hotel...I've seen reports of people having to share rooms with strangers!

[LaSevillana]

@ringoutthebells

Why do you think you won't get the weather in the canaries? Surely everyone goes dec to feb, it's the nearest hot place. I suppose yes the evenings are a bit darker/chillier than your summer holidays but then I have kids so am usually done by 8pm Depends if you want balmy evenings I guess!

It's definitely not quite beach weather for me at the moment...I think Northern Europeans find it hot but I'm half Spanish and lived in Seville until I was 9...actually I was just in Seville over Christmas and was walking around in my winter coat! Highs of 20C are fine for sitting out with a beer or reading by the pool but not so much for going in the sea or swimming in the pool (I don't think many are heated?) I think I'd need around 27C+ and no wind to really do the whole beach holiday thing.

[LaSevillana]

@Thirtytimesround

For what you describe I think Dubai would be perfect. I’ve traveled there on business alone many times. It is an extremely safe country (MUCH safer than UK). If you go to a 5 hotel and hang out by the pool / go to 5 beaches and the malls, you’ll have a great time. And the spas are amazing. There’s even a Dubai Ladies Club where you can hang around all day. And a water park.

There is none of the constant harassment like in Egypt/Morocco/Africa, Dubai is not like that at all.

(Only time I felt uncomfortable was when I popped into other hotels on my own for a quick sandwich in the bar area. The security staff assumed I was a prostitute and basically stalked me from a metre away until I left 🤣🙄)

Go Dubai and have fun. They are very good at fun.

I'm coming around to the idea a bit! I don't think I'd enjoy the whole 'fake' thing but I'm also weirdly fascinated with it!

Do you know how it is to get around without a car? Are there shuttles or buses to the hotels from the airport? Can you walk around on the street to get to the beaches? I remember reading that the nicest beaches are owned by hotels and you can't just rock up but not sure how that all works!

[NoToLandfill]

On the palm in Dubai you can only get to a beach if you are staying at the hotel/ apartment block.

Really REALLY bad idea to go to Dubai as a single woman. Just crazy.