Destination with a new hotel by and old town and beach, not too £££

[plipplops]

We're trying to book a holiday and need ideas please! Half the family are autistic and care a lot what a place looks/feels like to be able to relax, but we don't have all the money so would love a recommendation. Going late August for 10 days ish. Total budget £4.5-5K, two adults and 2 DDs (15 and 17)

I realise a lot of the stuff I'm about to say makes me sound a right snob, but it's become clear that for DH in particular to be able to relax on holiday we need to be somewhere that 'feels' really nice?

Last year we went to Rovinj in Croatia which ticked all these boxes (it was gorgeous) but it's way more expensive this year so I want to consider alternatives.

Non-negotiables we need to have:
Nice hotel (where we can have two rooms) or possible self catering/apartment hotel type thing. Modern architecture ideally. Super clean. Good breakfast (for me!!)
Variety of local restaurants that aren't too expensive.
Old town (within 5 minutes walk) with traditional architecture and vibe.
Ideally on a beach.
Historical stuff to look at within an hour's drive.
Lovely countryside nearby.

Deal breakers - can't have:
Loads of high rise hotels built in the last 50 years.
'Brits abroad' stuff (I can't think of a better way to say this?!?!) - Irish pubs, karaoke, that sort of thing
Loads of shops selling buckets and spaces and other tat.

I'd love any suggestions (and please be kind!!) x

Bumping for you, as your requirements almost match ours (though it'll just be the two of us this time)

We had a nice holiday at the Sheraton in Cascais in Portugal. Lots to see locally, can get the train to Lisbon, beaches, Sintra is beautiful and historic.
the hotel was lovely and would fit the bill, although we went in that sweet spot after GCSEs when DD was finished at school but before the holidays so we probably got a good price. We didn’t have two rooms but had a room which had an adjoining living room with a sofa bed. So shared one bathroom. We did need a car though…. It’s a little drive into town.

Or Sorrento might fit the bill other than beaches? We stayed at the Hilton - nice pools etc and amazing breakfast! Loads to see nearby. We shared a room though as couldn’t afford two!

I hate saying this but that's quite a low budget for what you want / need..... unless you're all willing to share a big family room?

Barcelona?

I agree it's a low budget for virtually four adults and for 10 days. Although also bumping for inspiration!

Please can I ask where you stayed in Rovinj?

I second Cascais, very close to Lisbon and Sintra too. Can't recommend a hotel as we had an air BnB which was lovely and had a private pool but it was a studio apartment (pre DS)

I was going to suggest Rovinj. I would suggest somewhere in Greece or Cyprus.

Kos Town?

We stayed at the art hotel

An apartment at the Real Marina in Olhao, Portugal might fit the bill... On a harbour rather than a beach but amazing beaches very close by, 10 minutes walk into the town which is nice and not super touristy, very close to a lot of historic towns and villages and only a short drive from Faro airport. Not sure whether it would work with the budget at that time of year but I think it would tick a lot of other boxes.

https://www.hlapalma.it/en/sky-bar/ You might not get lake facing rooms but easy transfer from Milan.

How about Cavtat in Croatia?
Pretty village, nice restaurants, deffo not Brits abroad, easy boat or bus ride to Dubrovnik for sightseeing?

Would also def recommend Kos Town? It had a lovely 'feel' last year.

Im on

Altea in Spain
Crete - Chania

How about Saint Malo? Beautiful beach and medieval Old Town...

Edited to say there are a few beaches but we'd recommend the strip leading into the old town... Silon. Lots of very nice hotels to choose from.

Side in Turkey

How about Rhodes: great old town near all the new hotels. Don't have a specific recommendation, sorry, but it's a lovely place with lots of interest.

Cefalu in Sicily?

Rethymno, Crete. Beautiful old town with harbour and fortress. Beach runs close to the old town too.

We stayed at the Hotel Lone, last year was about £3K for a week in August (plus £1K for flights) for two rooms and was wonderful. We'd have loved to stay longer but this year it would be £4K for a week which is properly stretching the budget which is why I'm here for inspiration!!

Pensiscola (north of Valencia)

https://www.booking.com/hotel/es/aparthotel-jardines-del-plaza.en-gb.html?aid=304142&label=gen173nr-1FCAEoggI46AdIM1gEaFCIAQKYAQm4AQfIAQ3YAQHoAQH4AQuIAgGoAgO4Ap3gy7AGwAIB0gIkOTc2ODc5NjEtZTZmMy00NDk5LTk1NjAtNjM5MzIyYThmZmEw2AIG4AIB&sid=ad7a1c89cdcd0215e8c967b2f3ed4e90&allsrrblocks=935604434582141550000;checkin=2024-08-22;checkout=2024-08-31;destid=-396163;destttype=city;dist=0;groupadults=4;grouppchildren=0;hapos=19;highlightedblocks=935604443458214150000;hpos=19;matchinggblockid=935604443458214150000;nflt=httid%3D201;norooms=2;reqqadults=4;reqchildren=0;room1=A%2CA;room2=A%2CA;sbbpricetype=total;srrorder=popularity;srpriiblocks=935604434582141550000_239000;srepoch=1712517247;srpvid=a199873dc5d80084;type=total;ucfs=1&

Eden Roc in Rhodes was great but August would be insufferably hot.

I was also coming on to say Rythymno (Crete North Coast). It's beautiful and I think it would suit you guys. DS and his GF really loved it here they stayed in a v reasonable hotel near to the beach and old town. DH and I went to a more expensive resort hotel 10 mins outside town and loved it too. Loads of options for eating.

www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/ischia-things-to-do-italy

We had a beautiful holiday on Ischia. It was really unspoilt with a beautiful castle and a very chilled vibe. Budget wise I don't know if there are options in your price range. When DH and I went it was a short break for a special anniversary so we did stay at an expensive place but I would have thought there would be cheaper options too. I would love to go back and explore more one day.

How about taking a look at Cadiz?