Campsite or all inclusive hotel

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Hi,

I would like some advice! I have 8 months old, 2 year old and a 5 year old. Would an all inclusive hotel with pool or a euro camp holiday be better?

First holiday
Thanks

With dc of those ages, I’d definitely recommend having somewhere with at least two, maybe three bedrooms. That would cost ££££ in a decent all inclusive during school holidays, whereas you could get a 3 bedroom caravan on a campsite for a lot less, so I think one of the main deciding factors is your budget.

(Have to say, based on my experiences of trying to "holiday" with three little children, I'd be tempted to say: Neither. Calculate the cost of putting them all in childcare for a certain number of days, stay in your home, and then use those days to have some fun childfree days out by yourselves as a couple.)

We have two DC currently 2 and 5. Having space is the thing we value most. We’re currently in a three bed villa with pool and garden and roof terrace. Space to play, pool to dip in and out of, beds and bedrooms to allow for bed sharing. Outdoor dining space and roof terrace with sofa for morning/evening chilling. We have to self cater due to youngest DCs allergies but for me a villa plus eating out is the best combo.

All inclusive not really my thing. Too much other people and too many choices dictated. Euro camp/campsite in France also a favourite but sometimes I really need the peace and privacy of a villa over a resort style holiday.

Do you like the idea of all inclusive?

Another one saying neither, with dc so little. It's hardly a holiday for you juggling three v young dc. Certainly not camping but even in a hotel I'd feel trapped. Unless you've got childcare baked in (eg going with family) I wouldn't do either of these. Self catering villa would be the best if possible then at least there's a bit more freedom of movement in the evenings.

I would save your pennies and opt for a cottage in the UK with walks to local attractions (kids in buggy) we did many all inc with young kids and it's hard work - also did euro camp also hard work.

Love love love eurocamp for kids! Been taking mine for 16 years, since my eldest was little.
My kids are 16, 15, 14, 4 and 2 and they work
Perfectly. Restaurants, shops and pubs on site.
Often more local. The pools are fabulous and keep big and little ones happy. Lots of entertainment and kids clubs etc.
we do other types of holidays, butlins, all inclusive, haven etc but these are a favourite with all mine.
A holiday is what you make it and you can have a good one with kids those ages. It won't be relaxing but it can be fun.

Presumably by camping you're not meaning in a tent? You mention Eurocamp which is actually quite nice lodges so it's not the same. We've done Eurocamp and all-inclusive. Eurocamp for the first time when they were 2 and 4 which was great. I'd say for younger kids that's better as you can get separate bedrooms and have a cooking area etc. It would feel quite claustrophobic in a hotel with 3 young DC. We did AI this year but kids are 6 and 9 so quite different needs.

@Kokeshi123 the more I've been thinking about it the more I've been starting to think neither would be enjoyable 😂

Can you do a holiday rental home with a pool? A gite around the Dordogne area in France would be great. You can do activities such as canoeing down the river, visit towns and a chateaux, then bbq in the evenings. We do these sort of holidays a lot and they are great with a toddler. Not too bad a drive from the ferry or eurotunnel port depending on where you live.

I think holiday rental/villa is out of our price range 🥲

The eurocamp is a mobile home with 2 bedrooms. Older 2 in one room and baby in with us. There is an outside space that looks big enough with loungers and a table to eat. It's very close to the pools & the pool has a great part for toddlers and young children. It's at lake garda and so we could walk to the lake & there is a park and bouncy castles etc.

I'm worried the all inclusive has a pool but a lot is aimed at older children. And then once they have had enough of the pool what do we do? Although it would be lovely not to have to cook & kids would find buffet exciting.

@supersonicginandtonic I think I've now realized that it won't be relaxing and at a campsite I can probably fit in more activities! How did you find the younger ones enjoyed it?

@Heatherbell1978 how did you find the younger ones enjoyed it?

I think after covid and us not having been on holidays we just need a break and some exciting memories for kids!

We did Eurocamp and French Gite holidays from when dd was 2 years old and always had a lovely time. Outside all day, in pool, days out etc - with all the playground facilities, she always slept well. She didn't like the shower when tiny so we bought an inflatable, filled it with warm water and let her have an alfresco bath on the terrace after dinner. We always mixed up eating out, getting takeaway or preparing something simple/BBQ so I was never a slave to self catering. When dd was bigger she liked to go to the shop to buy fresh bread and croissants in the morning. Having the separate rooms was fab - put her to bed and drink wine on the terrace.

This sounds fabulous any gite recommendations?

Le Banquet in Les Eyzies, Dordogne, and Logis du Pressoir in the Loire stand out.
https://lebanquet.com/en/gites/
https://logisdupressoir.com/

We spent a whole month travelling around France when our DC were 9 months and 4 years old. Mostly Eurocamp/Huttopia/boutique camping and it was excellent. we loved Le Phare on Ile de Re. You definitely can have fun on holiday with little ones, just adjust expectations!

We’re away now with DC (2&5) and it’s been really stress free! We’ve learned that holidays work best if we mostly self-cater but with lots of treats, meal times are much more relaxing. This is partly driven by allergies but it’s also just easier not to be expecting kids to sit in a restaurant every night at a young age. Establishing a holiday routine helps too - this week it’s been beach in the morning, late lunch, pool, walk to the park, dinner, bedtime. So much less adventurous and cultural than the sort of holidays we used to take, and more cooking and cleaning work but there’s no doubt that it’s magical and an adventure for the children and we have managed to relax ourselves too.

@tigerdog do you have any tips or ideas to make it easier?

Eurocamp, in a static caravan, will be fine. We had some great holidays with kids the age of your oldest two doing that.
Personally, better than an all inclusive, most of which have you all in one room.

I think an aparthotel is the best of both worlds as you have the option for some self catering but also have access to the hotel restaurant(s) and facilities.

Would your 5yo go to a kids club and your 2yo go to a crèche?

We stayed in a mobile home at a family-friendly campsite with lots of facilities (indoor and outdoor pool with slides, play areas, kids club etc) for 2 years in a row, the first year my kids were 5 & 1 (nearly 2) and the second year they were 6 & 2 (nearly 3). It worked well - so well that we went back the second year - but it was hard work with all the self catering and I did find myself fantasising about all-inclusive. I wouldn't want to be stuck in one hotel room with them, though! You would need a balcony at least so you can sit out there while the kids are asleep.

My oldest is anxious (awaiting assessment for ASD & ADHD) and didn't want to do the kids club - we didn't force it as he would have been distressed. But if your child is more likely to go to the kids club I think that would make a holiday more relaxing.

Otherwise we've had the best success with UK self-catering breaks with family (extra adults to belp with the kids and catering!)

Neither. Villa with bedrooms, fenced pool, walkable to restaurants and a bath.

When my DC were pre school we used to enjoy Mark Warner (expensive) holidays and also Centre Parcs. The CP worked so well for us, we’d book some child care and have a few hours at the spa. The playgrounds were good, we would feed the DC earlier on and then get a takeaway delivered or all go out and eat. We used to book lots of activities and I also liked to walk around and get a coffee.

Look at Pierre et vacances - they have lodges/apartments but you can book meals at some locations. Children under 4 eat free so half board works out very good value at those ages. Kids clubs, indoor pools in places like Normandy (easy drive) or they have locations in sunnier places

I only have 2 children so the dynamics are different but to be honest I just booked holidays I fancied and kids were fine, lots of long road trips (lived in USA) as in 2000 miles in a couple of weeks. My only compromise was that if there was a suitable location I would often let them have McDonald's for lunch as there there's often a play park attached with climbing frames etc.

Just remind yourself that until all kids are at least 4 holidays are life in a different location

Are you sure you’ll get a cot in a caravan? Eurocamp bedrooms are titchy.

Other companies may have better accommodation. Often sites will have their own. Last week of summer holidays is often cheapest as European kids back at school.