Does my dream destination exist?

[LilyHarris]

I need a break. Can you help me find the perfect location? I've travelled a lot but always with friends and usually busy multi-destination type trips. I've never done the relax by the pool for a week thing, but that's what I'm now looking for. I'll be going on my own (a woman in my 40s).

Here's what I'm looking for:

Boutique, adult only hotel with a pool. Offers room only or bed & breakfast rates (all inclusive is not for me). Rooms have balconies, ideally with sea views. Has a relaxing, chilled out vibe. A spa or wellness facilities would be nice but not essential.

No more than a 10 minute walk to a gorgeous sandy beach that isn't entirely covered in sun loungers, a choice of excellent restaurants serving local food and craft/gift shops. It would be nice if there's a market too.

I'd ideally like to wander out of my hotel and down to the beach, stopping off for an ice cream or a drink or a sandwich, without encountering much traffic on the way. Not too busy, but lively at the same time. I love a nice sunset. No high rise hotels, no cruise ships on the horizon.

The other thing is, I say I want to lie by the pool with a book and a cocktail for a week and that's because right this second I feel burnt out. But when it comes to it, I do like to see and do things. Art, culture, nature, boat trips, obscure tourist attractions.

Ideally under an hour transfer time from airport. I don't want to hire a car.

Safe, welcoming area for solo female traveller. I'm not looking to make friends but an environment that encourages conversation and interaction would be a bonus.

This holiday would be late October 2024 so I was thinking the Canaries for sunshine. But happy to take suggestions for other times of the year too, as I'd like to plan more trips like this.

Does my dream destination exist? I'd love any ideas for specific hotels or even just areas to consider.

I woudl suggest the capaldi in Morocco but it’s not near a beach. Very peaceful and adults only though. Great for a few days of doing nothing.
Sitges is great but maybe not in October

I've stayed at both of these as a solo female traveller and they're ideal. Independently run, quiet, private. Both are on the beach and within easy taxi reach of the relevant airports.

Smallish hotel with a wonderful spa (low key but some of the best treatments I've ever had) - Casa del Mar on Langkawi:
https://casadelmar-langkawi.com/

All private villas (plus a restaurant that will do room service) - Saree Samui on Koh Samui:
https://www.sareesamui.com/

I agree with this! I've stayed at the Hotel Capaldi a lot. It's quite expensive unless you go off peak but Tara and Ed the owners are fabulous. Great restaurant, very quiet and peaceful. I usually go when I've been stressed at work so I can laze in the sun with a book and enjoy the peace and beautiful views of the Atlas mountains. They also own the Riad Capaldi in Marrakesh so it can be fun to do a split stay.

Try the BodyHoliday in St Lucia www.thebodyholiday.com/

It is all inclusive, but the food is so varied you can eat different things every day for at least a fortnight.

Lovely people, and adults only. Spa treatment every day. Loads of activities, or just lie on the beach and stick a little flag in the sand for the staff to come and take your order.

If you do a helicopter transfer from the main airport, it's a much quicker journey to the resort. You also arrive before everyone else and leave after everyone on your return journey.

Can't recommend it highly enough. When we first went we were amazed that people go back and back and back, five, six times. We've just booked again for next year 🥰

Oh, and it's brilliant for solo travellers

Intercontinental, Muscat

Have a look at Sawday's website. Some fabulous places there.
Happy planning!

Wow, I'm so glad I posted this. Some amazing sounding suggestions here, thank you.

Most of my friends are married with kids and no longer available for the type of holidays we used to go on together. This year I've decided to embrace solo travelling, but I've felt out of the loop with where's good to go and just a bit stuck generally, so I appreciate you all pointing me in the right direction.

The last time I went to Thailand it was backpacking in my early 20s and it'd be so nice to go back with a bit more luxury this time. Langkawi too, was another backpacking stop and somewhere I wouldn't have thought of. Puerto de Mogan and Playa Blanca had both come up in my own research so nice to see them recommended here too. So many great ideas, thank you.

For anyone else reading this, I stayed at the Pilot Amphora Boutique Hotel in Georgioupolis, Crete earlier this year and it pretty much fits the bill. It's built on the site of an old pottery and all the decor was inspired by that so lots of clay, terracotta and plaster pinks. It was very calming. There was an amazing traditional bakery at the end of the street that sold olive bread hot out the oven. And there was a very pretty beach a short walk away. The water was cold on the surface and hot underneath because it's where the river met the sea.

Great thread! I've been looking for this kind of info too.

Castara Retreat in Tobago has everything you ask for except the pool. The Caribbean is 5 mins away though. I have been there alone and spent most of my time lying in a hammock and going to yoga classes. Food is excellent (saw Jenny Agutter in the restaurant) and the people are so warm and friendly. It is a very small resort - about 20ish apartments - British owned but run by locals.

castararetreats.com/accommodation/

Hotel Esplendido - Port Soller in Mallorca.

Gorgeous boutique hotel with lovely quiet pool area x 2 and spa, really good restaurant and chilled bar for evenings, set on a crescent bay overlooking the sea with lots of great restaurants. The old tram to Soller runs past and there is a market held at weekends, lots of options for walking the coastal path to Deia or day trip to Palma, also boat trips each way along the coast.

I’ve stayed several times, the best rooms are those with a sea view balcony or terrace, it’s just the most relaxing place. It’s not adults only but there aren’t many children around, if any. There is an adults only pool overlooking the bay set in the gardens and great service.

Weather wise, it’s been really hot in October during the last few years and cooler in the evenings once the sun has gone down, the sunsets are great. It’s my chill out place when everything is a bit much…

Alvor Portugal might suit. Alvor itself is lovely, the town, nice food places, people return every year. We stayed at pestana Alvor which has apartments built into the rock. The walk into town through the nature reserve is stunning.

Following as you are pretty much me and have been looking today for the same. Will respond properly with suggestions after my search.

Barcelo Fuerteventura Mar spa in Caleta De Fuste,. Right by the beach and if you upgrade to a superior room you get free spa access (no under 18s). The spa is amazing - indoor outdoor pools, hot/cold baths etc.
lots of shops, bars and restaurants. I felt really safe there.