I have a holiday wish list but can’t find anything that ticks our boxes…

[Justincasepocketjustincase]

Looking to go away for a week anytime after 6th July, 2 adults, DC 12 and nearly 3.
Shortest flight, flying from Bristol or Exeter (live in Cornwall so airports are a nightmare with driving there & early or late flight times!)
Maybe AI or similar, would like a mix of included a la carte restaurants as don’t enjoy a buffet each day but appreciate it when the kids are starving and they don’t have to wait.
Splashpark for toddler, tennis football or basketball activities for tween, a sandy clear water beach, and nice pools.
And very quiet, we’re not fans of people and noise when on holiday. In fact, i’d love a bit of space and peace at times.
budget £4/5k.

Will be hard to find an AI that is quiet in July to be honest. Most people stay in the resort as they have paid a premium for AI. If you don't like crowds I'd book a villa and eat out. But July is peak season for most of Europe, so restaurants will be busy. Still, easier to escape the crowds I think.

I agree that you're asking for something where it will be difficult to tick all boxes.

You're likely to have to compromise on something, ie not quiet, not AI or a much larger budget than £4/5k.

Maybe Eurocamp in a big tent, caravan or cabin would work? Then you'd likely get the splash park, pools and other activities but space to yourself to chill out. Eat out at least once a day, then stock up on easy food (pizza, BBQ, cheese/ham/bread/olives), drinks, snacks, ice creams etc. Or an apartment/small villa, perhaps on a complex.

Loads of options here from Bristol with Jet2holidays starting from under £2k, which gives you ample budget for eating out each day.

https://www.jet2holidays.com/free-child-place-finder/results?airport=118&date=09-07-2024&duration=7&occupancy=r2c12_3&destination=155_153_154_152_151_150_149_2112_160_1584_156_1719_161_2053_157_139_129_95_103_94_1364_99_2028_98_97_1747_105_2051_2052_1857_1858_1929&sortorder=1&page=1&tripadvisor=4&boardbasis=4&facility=9

You can find it however it may cost quite a bit more as you're looking for a high end hotel offering à la carte as well as buffet dining.

A lot of the Turkey resorts offer this however the Russians are keeping the prices high as it's one of the few destinations they can travel to within close proximity to them.

Look at flying to Faro Portugal or Alicante. You can fly direct from Newquay airport to these.

Then find a nice small independent hotel which does more al a carte or bed and breakfast and eat out in those areas. Or maybe a private villa rental with pool would suit more and eat out sometimes

If you want to go to a decent hotel that’s good value for money, you’ve got to accept that it’s going to be fully booked in July. And to support facilities like teen sports and a toddler splash pool, a hotel needs a high footfall so there will be a lot of people. Your best bet is to stay in a hotel with adult-only areas that you and your OH can take it in turns to escape to while the other watches the toddler. Or somewhere with a crèche so you can both go! In July and August the adult-only areas are usually fairly peaceful because the hotels are mainly full of families. Also, don’t get a room with a pool view. In fact, request a room on the quietest side of the hotel away from any entertainment.

Don't go for a private villa, there will be no other kids and no kids clubs. The 13yr old especially will be bored. I think you are going to have to accept that quiet is going to have to be the box that can't be ticked alongside the others.

How about Hotel Guarana in Olhos d'Agua in the Algarve? We stay in the village regularly although as it's just me and DH now we prefer to self cater. I'm in a few FB groups for Olhos d'Agua and this hotel is always mentioned by people with children.

The village is lovely. Not too big, lots of bars and restaurants. Ubers are available so if you don't want to drive, you can get around quite easily.

Were in Cornwall too and usually fly from either Newquay or Exeter.

Have a look at Blue Sea Beach in Crete. Ticks most of your boxes

Thank you, I know it is a very big ask, thanks for the tips!

With this age gap I wouldn't do self catering in a villa, the children will both be bored.

You can search for an appartment in a resort complex, self catering but normally also restaurants available or even the option to do AI.

Look for a resort which is spread out with 2 storey buildings, you may walk a lot more but outside the main areas with bar and pool it feels a lot quieter.

Protur Biomar Sa coma Mallorca. Has to be the Biomar for what you want - space and peace. The other hotels in complex ( under possible exception the Sa Coma Playa) are very busy.

Tenerife during October half-term

Canaries or even Cyprus are still ok in October but we had rainy days as well and I don't think I would enjoy that for my main holiday.

Same with Easter holidays, pools are not necessarily heated, it's still a bit of hit and miss.

@Justincasepocketjustincase have you looked at Italian lakes maybe?

i don’t know anything about the lakes but have enjoyed trips to Italy before.