Holiday - family of 4 adults (DC 18 and 20)

[BollockstoThis1]

We cancelled what would have been our last family holiday abroad during covid times then have had a few things happen mainly health scares and DC going to Uni etc. One DC had a holiday abroad with friends last year and the other has had a couple of odd days away with friends in the UK.

They are both working during the summer holidays and have both decided they would like to go on holiday abroad with us myself and DH in early September if we can get a good deal and we pay lol. We have a boy and a girl. Can anyone suggest a hotel with two large rooms or an apart hotel or similar with nice food even if only breakfast where we could stay together to avoid me sharing with DD in one part of the hotel and DH sharing with DS in another part of the hotel (the DC’s said they would share a room and both get changed in the bathroom if we were in a room next door) just want to avoid self catering with me shopping, cooking and cleaning for us all which wouldn’t be no break at all. Hit me with suggestions don’t need our own villa or own pool out in the sticks as won’t be hiring a car but would like to have a fairly central location (not overly warm) within easy walking distance of nice restaurants and bars. Could be a beach destination, city break or half and half.

Thanks

DB Seabank Resort and Spa, Malta (two rooms split by sliding door).
D’Aljandar Villas (attached to Hotel Cala Galdana), Menorca.

Self catering doesn't mean shopping and it usually means a more spacious accommodation.

Thanks @SmashingGemini I will check out those suggestions in terms of cost, location and temperatures as also don’t want it too hot.

Thanks @TakeOnFlea I know that. We did it when the kids were younger and I bought cereals for breakfast and we had, sandwiches or omelettes for lunch. Its just my son eats so much now that I would be forever trotting out for food supplies for breakfast and lunch (lugging big bags about) and cleaning the kitchen (as I don’t want to live in student digs) even if we ate out every night which we enjoy doing (but the cost adds up for 4 of us so we couldn’t do that for every meal plus snacks.

Its just my son eats so much now that I would be forever trotting out for food supplies for breakfast and lunch (lugging big bags about) and cleaning the kitchen

You could try an interesting experiment where you just lay on your sunlounger watching what would happen when he got hungry and you weren't running around buying and preparing food for him and clearing up afterwards.

I can't get my head around four adults going on holiday together and only one of them doing any food shopping, preparation or clearing up afterwards.

Can they not go to the shops?!

@Bjorkdidit DH isn’t in good health. DD is an extremely fussy eater and won’t eat or touch any meat. DH and DS both eat a fair bit and most meals usually contain some meat. DS would go shopping but it would be last minute.com during siesta or when the shops were closed and he would only buy the absolute minimum (one meal at a time at best) especially if he thought he might be paying and forget half of it. Hence, wanting a hotel (serving at least breakfast).

Early sept you run the risk of it being pretty hot anywhere in Europe. You could look at the canaries, at least it tends to be breezier there. Check out Jet 2 holidays.

Maybe an AI hotel would suit? They were great for us when DC were that age as they could eat 7 meals a day, the fussy one could pick out what he wanted and snacks and drinks on tap all day. Mine are both male so we just booked two rooms. There are some places in the Canaries where you can get a two bedroom apartment in a hotel. So more space than hotel room and you could swap rooms around.
I would search Jet2 or tui for 1 room for 4 people, that should throw up self catering apartments then look for one that you can add in meals.
When DC were 18 and 20 we enjoyed Corralejo in Fuertaventura. Fabulous beach, laid back little town with a bit of live music on an evening.
Look at Alua suites. You can get a 2 bed apt and various meal combinations

Baobab suites or Hotel Suite Villa Maria on Costa Adeje in Tenerife both offer 2 or 3 bedroom suites.

Thanks both I wasn’t thinking of the Canaries but will check those out. DD seemed keen on a city break, DS and DH aren’t bothered just wanted warmer weather than here without it being unbearable temps. I don’t mind as long as we are all together and everyone is reasonably happy and I get some relaxation time. I was thinking around the second week in September before they go back to Uni and I did wonder about Lisbon, Porto, Budapest, Croatia, northern Italy or France or somewhere so some things to do nearby and its not just a beach holiday but Its hard pleasing everyone.

If you looked at Costa Brava or Costa Dorada in September, it might not be quite as hot, but with still lovely warm sea. Then Barcelona or Girona will be accessible by bus or train for a day out or two.

Search for AI deals on Jet2 holidays like a PP says, you should find somewhere with the right sort of accommodation to meet your needs - if you go through this link, it should show you options with connecting rooms or 2 bed suites

www.jet2holidays.com/family-holidays/family-sized-rooms

I was going to suggest Lagos in Portugal. We’ve stayed at the Marina Club Suites hotel several times and it’s always been good.

There’s a Pingo Doce supermarket within an easy walk for supplies.

www.marinadelagos.pt/accommodation-where-to-stay/marina-club-lagos-resort

Croatia - Neilson Beachclub Alana
Family rooms, interconnecting door - double room and twin room, bathroom each - or a cabin on the same site.…..and lots of activities, great food, walking distance to town.

Have you looked at Madeira? Not really many beaches, and not really 'lively' but plenty to do. Funchal is a nice place, enough to do. And temperature wise it's warm but not too hot.

Thanks anyone suggest anywhere else?

A cruise?
That ticks the boxes for city break, sightseeing or just relaxing.
We did one when DC were 18/20 and it was a big hit.

Sorry this made me laugh. A big long waffle about basically your kids coming along if its free

Plenty of options in early September and if you're willing to hold on there is likely to be better deals to come. An all inclusive hotel means you can all eat what you want and there will be vegetarian options if catering to British tourists (not a given elsewhere). They generally include transport to your hotel and in my experience they have lifts, ramps etc. Another advantage is you know what you are spending up front, the kids can fund extras themselves.

How about Tenerife, I know there's anti tourism demos but it's mostly about airbnbs not purpose built hotels. You mentioned your husband wasn't in good health - it's easy to rent little scooters and there's good public transport for any of you wishing to explore. I stayed at a Bahia one and some had interconnected doors.

Another option is Magic Life, a TUI brand they have multiple locations, we really liked it, even had sports for adults (enjoyed the archery for instance.) but despite being a big complex it was chilled out as there's multiple restaurants included, quite and louder bars etc

Sorry thanks but not convinced about Tenerife and the Canary Islands etc.

A cruise might be lovely (haven’t done one before) but sadly over budget. Budget up to 2.5K for flights (from the north) and B&B accommodation.

It doesn’t have to be just a 7 night beach/lying on a sun lounger type full on destination but a combination holiday would perhaps work better (4-7 days). As long as temperature isn’t unbearable.

We just need enough appropriate bed space for the 4 of us, comfy beds, easy walking distance from some nice restaurants available not too far away.

DH’s mobility is ok at the moment its more tiredness/fatigue so having somewhere within easy walking distance without a majorly steep hill involved is a massive plus.

Think you're going to have to decide for yourself 🤣 you've got some very specific and fussy types by the sounds of it. The canaries fit the bill perfectly but you don't want that

Are you sure a cruise is out of your budget?
There's not much point looking only at your flight/accomm costs and thinking of that as your budget, as by the time you add in food and drink for 4 adults, it will be considerably more (esp if you're not SC, and I totally get why you don't want to do that).

You have a lot of boxes to tick, and it sounds like a cruise would tick them all.

(Disclaimer - I have never been on a cruise myself, but just going on what other people have said about them!)

Yes cruises are limited around that time before Uni starts and between hospital appointments and a family birthday also the best part of 6K.

We looked for something very similar last year and really struggled. We ended up renting a villa near a taverna in Greece which was much more cost effective.