October half term challenge

[Snoodleberry]

Hi all

my children’s school has just confirmed half term will be from Saturday 28th October, so a week later than the usual week (!). We were hoping to go on an overseas holiday for the first time in the last three years, but everywhere seems to be shut!

Think I am chasing a unicorn holiday, and won’t find anything.

any recommendations for hotels/resorts that will still be warmish, max flight time of 4ish hours, with pools, possibly a kids club/activities that are actually open suitable for DC4&7, budget up to £5k?

many thanks in advance for any suggestions!

The Canaries should still be open. We've loved Lanzarote in the summer not been in autumn but lots of nice hotels/resorts there.

Canaries are your best bet, otherwise places that have a city break market that stays open all year e.g. Mallorca near Palma, Algarve near Faro. Weather wise Canaries are more certain.

I’ve just priced it up and double-checked flight times, you could easily get a week at Riu Palace Tikida Agadir. It’s an excellent hotel and it will be warm enough for swimming. The pools are heated in winter.
There’s another Riu hotel that’s very popular nearby called Tikida Dunas.

Thank you for your suggestions! Will take a look on my lunch break. 😊

Canaries are perfect in Oct. Still beach weather, check for a heated pool at the hotel. We have 2 week half terms and there are great deals for the ‘other’ week! Your budget will go a very long way.
I love Lanzarote but Tenerife airport is much nicer, Burger King etc which is handy with young children.
Enjoy!

We get a two week half term so going over your week off to Turkey, all inclusive with an indoor pool and a heated outdoor one. We’ve been at that time of year before pre kids and was 23c most days.

Thanks all, now finding many more places with your suggestions. Appreciate the suggestion of finding a hotel with a heated pool. For some hotels it seems difficult to work out whether the pool will still be heated in November - do you just email the hotel to ask?

Look at hotels just outside Marrakech - friends had a lovely holiday in the Club Med there, not sure on pricing though. But weather should be nice, shortish journey, no jetlag and plenty of things to see if you want to.

The weather in the Canaries is still great this time of year - especially at the south part of each island eg in Gran Canaria - Mogan, Puerto Rico etc.

My top tip would be look up your chosen hotel on tripadvisor. Filter the reviews to October/ November. If they all complain about turning blue in the pool then it isn’t heated!

We went to Costa Adeje in Tenerife at Oct half term 2022. Our half term was a week later than the English schools, so it’s was 27th Oct-5th Nov. Weather was perfect for pools (which was heated) and sunbathing and I’m usually nesh! We went with EasyJet and stayed at the Sunset Harbour Club. We paid £1800 for a family of 4. There are loads of restaurants within walking distance and all reasonably priced. There’s plenty for children to do and there is Siam water park nearby as well.