3 under 4, luxury sun holiday?

[mummyoftri]

We want to go away with our 3 DC for 5-7 nights in September. 4yo will just have started reception so we will have to take her out for 3-4 days a few week after she has started.

The youngest (by mid Sept) will be 3 months. We also have a 2yo and 4yo.

We would like a bit of luxury for ourselves having not been away for 3+years, with a nice kids club and ideally all inclusive so I'm not cooking and buying groceries all week.

Somewhere within Europe which ideally only has a 2-3 hour flight time.

Does such a place exist?!

Sorry also somewhere with a splash park or mini slides etc in a kids pool within the hotel. Something to entertain the kids in the pool basically

Have a look at the Tui/First Choice Holiday Villages. We went to the Mallorca one this year and are booked in for the one in Rhodes next year.

They’re not 5* luxury but I found Mallorca really nice and great for our 2 kids (8 and 5). Bonus of a short flight time (2-2.5 hours) and then an hour or so transfer to the hotel.

www.firstchoice.co.uk/holiday/accommodation/overview/Cala-Millor/Holiday-Village-Majorca-046925

A lot of kids clubs don't start till age 3, so you will still find yourself with the 2 youngest ones. Personally I can't think of anything worse especially with a 3 month old, also missing school in the first few weeks of reception is not great. This is when they learn all the routines etc..... of school. I would leave it until May next year to go when newborn will be older and eldest will have settled in school.

I think this is a bad idea. A lot of important settling in happens in the first month of school; missing it for sickness is one thing but I think planning a holiday to disrupt your DD's first term at school is not sensible or kind to her.

Also personally I wouldnt bother flying with 3 young children just for 5 nights. Some of the bigger holiday companies do childcare for under 4s but ££££ if you want three kids to be cared for. Seven nights is worth it.

We have always tackled it another way: gone to a self-catering villa in a resort with a nice pool, paid for MiL and FIL to come, hired a big vehicle to get around.

We don't cook all week. We do one big shop at the start and stock up on breakfast food, water, snacks, fruit, salad, pizza, yoghurts, frankfurters, cheese, and ham, bread, pasta, wine, beer, juice, coffee. We make simple breakfasts and lunches back at the villa then we siesta. We spend our time in the resort play area and pool/pool bar, then we eat an early dinner in the resort restaurant or get take away to the villa (as seating a 2 and 4 y.o. for dinner each night can be stressful).

You don't want baking hot weather with 3 little ones. Maybe try the Canaries at October half term? Still warm enough to swim if you find somewhere with a fully heated pool.

Ok we were on the fence about September but I think you have persuaded me to do October half term. I'm guessing canaries or Tenerife are our best options for then!?

I think it’s a bit silly and unfair on your eldest to take them out of school weeks into starting. Switching to school is a big adjustment and you’d be taking them out just when friendships are being made, routines are being learnt, confidence is being built. It won’t harm him in the grand scheme of things, but it does seem a bit of a shit thing to do.

Can’t you go in Oct half term? Or at least once he’s been at school for a few months, why September?

Ha, cross posted. Yes, Canaries are always a good shout.

Neilson. The older two will be included in the normal kids clubs and you can pay for some nanny time for the youngest if you want to. Their resorts are excellent for families.

I’ve heard a recommendation for Green Garden resort in Tenerife, though I’ve not been myself. Seems to have lots for kids: www.jet2holidays.com/canary-islands/tenerife/playa-de-las-americas/green-garden-resort-and-suites-and-siam-park-waterpark

I also wouldn't pull a DC out of school when they've only just started. It will be really disruptive for her and unfair too, because she'll miss a lot and will just be starting to make friends and get used to the routine. I know for you it sucks that suddenly you're constrained by school holidays/prices, but please don't pull your DD out of school in her first few weeks.

We are in the same boat wanting a luxury all inclusive with a 1 and 3 year old. Just booked an Ikos resort in Greece. Great reviews, food looks amazing and they have creche and babysitting options.
Our oldest starts school next September so decided to take them in May rather than disrupt her 1st term.

Have a loot at Scott Dunn. Not sure if it covers all the age ranges but has some luxe options

Please don't pull your child from school just as they are settling in, it's so important. If you must do a term time holiday (I really don't think they are wise) go to the canaries in the winter

We did fuerterentura with TUI, lots of families there. It was TUI owned.

Glad you reconsidered. The sun should not be fierce then. Have they all got passports?

Have you considered Centre Parks less stress than struggling through airports and less change of diets?

Going away with small kids is such a lot of work with all the traveling etc that I would go for a week minimum. I wouldn't bother with 5 nights. I also wouldn't take my kid out of school in their first few months. They will be settling in and this will be disruptive to that process.

Holiday Village Kos would be great. They do a crèche for the little ones and kids club starts at 3.

Zafiro Palace hotels in Majorca with a swim up pool !

Hi there, even if you go all inclusive, you may also consider trying to get a place that has a fridge in the room so you can give them milk from the fridge. Just a thought. All the best LD

Any Ikos !! Pure luxury and perfect for small kids . We were in Ikos Dassia in April and it was just amazing.