Pool based trip with kids

[SunnierDaysAhead]

I want to take my kids on a once in a lifetime holiday (once in a lifetime for us because I've just been gifted £6000 and we don't normally have any holiday budget, maybe not most people's idea of once in a lifetime lol).

We usually camp in Devon/Cornwall (they're beach babes!) and have never been out the UK so I don't know where to start.

I'm looking for somewhere with great pools and waterparks where they can eat ice cream and play all day. So it's essential that the pool is warm enough for this. I'd rather do May than August cos of prices.

Any experienced people with ideas please?

I don't have any specific heated pool recommendations, but if you basically want a waterpark and ice cream on tap, I'd be surprised if you couldn't get that for well under 6k in May. How far are you willing to travel?

Would highly recommend Costa Adeje in Tenerife if water parks are a must as close to Siam Park. I actually preferred this water park over the Disney World ones

I would consider looking at eurocamp. Some of them have incredible water parks.
Weve had some of our best family holidays at eurocamp

Anywhere near Siam Park, Tenerife

https://www.eurocamp.co.uk/holiday-types/holiday-inspiration/epic-waterparks

There are several hotels that include access to Siam Park.
Best water parks Europe

There's one in Europe and I'm not sure if it's in that article, that is tropical island themed but you can sleep (as in, your hotel room) is one of the tiki huts so have access day and night but I can't remember the name, I think it's in Germany

How old are your kids?

Turkey. Lara beach area. Look at Delphin imperial. Bit quieter but barut Lara and mardan palace are a bit nicer. They all have slides.
My kids favourite was the mardan palace.

Thanks everyone!
@mykettle My kids are 5, 9 and 12.

Are Turkey and Tenerife warm enough in May? I've never been!

Turkey is. We've been about 5 or 6 times in May half term and it's always high 20's sometimes in the 30's. It's warm enough to eat outside at night too.

It usually costs us between £6,500 and £8,000 (depending on where we stay and type of room) for me dh and four kids 5 star AI.

It's possible to do it cheaper loads of hotel options on Lara beach, Belek, and Side.

The only thing I will say is it's more of a fly and flop there's not loads to do/ see around Lara beach area. Might be better in Belek or Side I've not been there.

Look at Turkey. Lots of the hotels have water parks. You get more for your money in Turkey. We're going 3rd time in August.

At your kids age I would go for a hotel with an on-site water park. There are loads in Turkey, which as other users have said will be lovely and hot in May. Siam park is fantastic, and there are things for younger kids, but it's more geared towards older kids and teens. It's a long day for a 5 year old and expensive if you don't do the whole day and make the most of it.

In my experience May half term is hot enough for outdoor pool use in all the usual holiday destinations (Costas, Balearics, Portugal, Cyprus, Greek Islands) so don't limit yourself to just turkey. My kids are older but used to love hotels with water parks so I've been to loads - you'll be spoilt for choice! And the convenience of being able to go to and from your room easily makes the whole thing far less work.

Stella palace in Crete. We went May half term and it was lovely! We did upgrade to the rooms with terrace & small shared pool which was definitely worth it as the main pools get busy

If you look on jet2holidays.com they have a watermark included filter so that might help you look

https://www.jet2holidays.com/family-holidays/aqua-parks

Or what about Center Parcs or Bluestone or are you set on going abroad?

For £6k you might be able to get nicer accommodation, eat out some of the time and take a big treaty shop of ice creams, snacks and nicer ready made food like pizza and whatever else feels like a treat.

Also thinking if you don't have passports that's going to cost a chunk of money and you might not use them again.

@Loobylou1984 we've booked here for May this year never been before. You would recommend?
We have booked the two bed villa with private pool is that what you had?

Oh sorry just reread your post. Think we looked at the room you had but there were too many of us.

Tui blue Ephesus is a lovely hotel in turkey with a water park on site which is free to access. My kids loved it there.

Thanks everyone! I'm looking up all your recommendations.

The kids are really keen to go abroad, not least for the flight!

Could you wear a wetsuit in the waterparks if we went out season? Eg the tui ephesus ?

Thanks

Check out www.sanguli.es .A fabulous site with about 5 pools and lots to keep the kids entertained. It's on the outskirts of Salou and you also have Portaventura Theme Park nearby. Lots of different accomadation types. In May the kids would probably need wetsuits but lots of other kids willl be wearing them also. 😀

I was going to say this!! Went May last year and so impressed with water parks and pool areas.

Food was also wonderful.