Single parent plus early teens. Budget £6k. Help!

[OneLivelyDreamer]

Summer 2025
a healthy budget that i want to spend wisely
two early teens
both adore swimming and being in pool for hours. Slides would be great!
easy walking distance to beach
one is a scuba diver and would be nice to incorporate
we love a marina close by for evening walk
like the option of a day trip too
and looking for AI so 5 star only although we’re not foodies and as long as fresh and healthy option…. we are happy.

One room for 3 is fine.

Im just happy if they are.

Sun and warmth pretty much guaranteed please!

8 nights

absolute max flight 4/5 hour

any hotel recs?

Huge thanks

Gloria Verde, Belek
Cornelia De Luxe, Belek
Sherwood Exclusive Kemer, Kemer
Nirvana Mediterranean Excellence, Kemer
Titanic Deluxe Lara, Lara Beach
Miramare Beach, Side
Stella Palace, Crete
Lyttos Beach, Crete
Lyttos Mare, Crete
Euphoria Resort, Crete
Creta Maris, Crete
MarBella Mar-Bella, Corfu (probably my top rec, is just a fab hotel)

wow
have you stayed in all of them?

im quite taken by stella palace because of the water park but what is the beach like?

out of that selection… best with young teens who love swimming, beach and a marina plus option of a day trip or two

huge thanks

I work for a tour operator and part of my role is doing quality checks, so I’ve visited a lot of resorts but not stayed overnight in all of them.

Stella Palace has a section of private beach on Analipsi beach - it’s a lovely beach, calm and good for swimming. Analipsi itself pretty little coastal village, there isn’t a marina but there are some nice walks including some piers. Kato Gouves which is the next kind of settlement along the coast towards Heraklion does have a marina of sorts , but it’s a 10 min drive / hour walk from Stella Palace. Crete is a really good choice in terms of day trips though, lots to do.

Creta Maris doesn’t have such a good water park, but does have some slides and is in Hersonissos which is a much busier resort in terms of things to do.

and of them all Marbella is the best? why?

really grateful btw

Turkey ruled out as went last year

I'd look at Tenerife with young teens. I know you said ai but I would also consider b&b / self catering near the marina at colon lots of activities in the area like scuba, lots of day trip options both expensive and by public bus eg up teide. Lots of reasonable restaurants for the evenings some have live music though choose wisely to avoid the cheese! I stayed not too far ai but no slides and I was jealous of the eating out options so close

I love Corfu so that biases me towards MarBella! But it’s a really gorgeous hotel, great service. Very green and lush, which I like. It never feels like you’re rushing for sunbeds or umbrellas, the staff are super attentive, the beach and sea are gorgeous.

My only slight hesitation would be that the reviews haven’t been quite so good this season as usual, this might just be early season teething problems but might also indicate a wider issue.

It also is very much a family hotel - it is popular with families with younger children which might not be the vibe you’re going for.

Ibiza port des torrents Tui Blue

I agree with this, last holiday we had with our two teens and two tweens was in this area and it's one of the best holidays we've had. Our only mistake was going AI and regretting it as there was so many child friendly well priced beachfront restaurants. Siam water park would be a dream for your kids and if you're like me you'll enjoy a day reading/having cold beers while they amuse themselves.
We also enjoyed the zoo at the top of the island.

thanks all

@cherryassam how about second choice perhaps? thank you all!

i keep reading about Ikos

and also Gretacol Palace

Ikos is great, but I doubt it would be in budget for the school holidays with two teens

Stella Palace would probably be my second

just had a look and i can get 7 nights at ikos Aria for £4960 next July (my two will break up a fortnight before state) so with flights will be on budget

but no water park

yes Stella Palace looks great

my last question and then i’ll leave you (2 actually) but no pressure to respond

Ikos or Stella Palace you think better for teens?

And how does ikos compare with sani (been 3x. loved it but wouldn’t return with teens as pool lovely but not enough generally for them)

Ah yeah if you can get out before the main holidays, that really helps.

I don’t massively rate the beach setup at Aria. Ikos is also generally a bit more low key for teens than for younger kids - but it depends what sort of thing you want. The food and service is generally extremely extremely good, similar level to Sani.

Stella Palace won’t be as excellent service (in my experience) nor as good food as Ikos, but still overall 5 star Greek AI level. (Ikos/Sani are another level above really). But the water park / facilities are really good and good for teens.

i think it’s going to be stella palace
thanks so much

As you’re able to go that bit earlier, you might be able to get Wyndham Grand Crete Mirabello Bay in budget which is in a lovely location.

I’ve been chatting to my DH (also works in travel) and he’s suggested also looking at Nana Golden Beach, Crete

Would you consider Egypt? Just thinking that the diving / snorkelling is excellent there

Sorry we cross posted - Stella Palace is fab if you all like the look of it!

ill look now

and yes to Egypt?!

I was going to suggest this too.

good for teens?

The two thing that would make me a bit nervous recommending Egypt to you would be 1) the food - it can be more hit and miss but generally the genuine 5 star resorts are fine and 2) it can be a bit less walkable / comfortable out of the resorts, especially for female travellers.

You could look at, however:

Rixos Premium Seagate, Sharm el Sheik or
Pickalbatros White Beach, Hurghada

Tui Blue Aura is a nice four star, good water park next door

My eldest was 13 at the time and loved it. Slides in the water park are definitely ‘scary’ enough to give teens thrills. No scuba but the beach cove next door you can snorkel from, or hire a pedalo and go a bit further out. Sunsets are amazing. We went into San Antonio to do a boat trip from there as well.

food not important. We go to the hotel buffets and every night i get salad, fish and fruit, children eat everything and anything. And then we leave for beach walk / table tennis etc. Foodies we are not.

walking outside of the resort however is very important and for the reason alone on the basis of what you’ve said… egypt discounted. Shame as such good value!

ill take a look today thanks