I'm 40 this year. Fabulous holiday needed. Help me find one!

[Littlefish]

Well, dh and I are both 40 this year so instead of having a party, we've decided to go on a fantastic holiday with dd (3).

We've been looking at France, Spain, Croatia etc. and then remembered that dh has squillions of airmiles.

When we checked, he's actually got enough airmiles for 2 and a half flights to:

Any where in America
Bahamas
Carribean
St Lucia
Mauritius
South Africa

Once I'd picked my jaw up off the floor, I got really excited!

We went to Grenada (Carribean) some years ago, before we had dd and spent all our money on her

So, who can help us find an amazing 2 week holiday cottage/villa/hotel/- we're happy to consider all options, but think that self catering may be the way forward so we have a sitting room to sit in while dd (3) is asleep.

We need to be very close to a beach (maybe even a beach front villa

We want to go last week of August/1st week of September.

Our budget is £1,500ish for the accommodation.

Come on sleuths - do your work!

Oops Caribbean

Dominican Republic or Cuba. both beautiful and you'll be exposed to their culture.

Guatemala is a lovely place to go as well.

Thanks sabadidii

Are there any particular areas you would recommend/not recommend I look at?

what do you fancy doing on holiday? Sight seeing? Lying on the beach?

We really just want to chill out with dd on a beach, visit local cafes and restaurants and have some quiet family time. DH has been away a lot this year and we just need some time together, somewhere beautiful and quiet. dd is really a bit too little for lots of sight seeing (she's 3).

We wouldn't need babysitters or kids clubs or anything like that.

I think we're leaning towards Mauritius. Has anyone been, or got any words of wisdom re. which coast to head for?

sorry never been to Mauritius although think its meant to be beautiful. My in laws are going this year and staying at Belle Plage or something like that.

Check out Travillas. They have some gorgeous villas.

Mauritius has gorgeous beaches but very few local hangouts.
You'd be stuck in hotel.
The Caribbean would be better for that.

My Inlaws have just come back from here

atlantic view hotel cape town

Its a boutique hotel and they had an amazing time there. It has wonderful reviews on Tripadvisor.

Antigua was recommended as the most child friendly caribbean island. Those links look great!! Am dreaming of my next holiday....

Antigua was recommended as the most child friendly caribbean island. Those links look great!! Am dreaming of my next holiday....

Do you know, as soon as I posted it- I saw you was on the same thread and really said out loud- "shit- she is going to clock me on here now"

Im Orf....

tmmj - those places look absolutely gorgeous! I am drooling! Need to show them to dh.

Bigspender - that's interesting about Antigua being so child friendly - just what we want!

Tiredemma, that hotel is spectacular! Do you think it would be child friendly, or one to keep in the bag until DH and I can get away without dd?

Slim 22 - thanks for the info about the lack of local hangouts - I hadn't heard that. Have you been? We were hoping not to stay in a hotel/resort, but go somewhere independent/self catering which might be difficult if there aren't many local places to go.

Sidge - thanks for the links, I'll check them out tonight.

Yes, they are a great deal! I keep remembering all those lovely airmiles and smiling. It was going to be a nice holiday wherever we went, but now it's going to be AMAAAAAAAAAAZING!