Most 'relaxing' holiday with a toddler and baby?

[Givemepickles]

I know it won't be relaxing but what's the closest we can get? Cruise? Centre parcs type holiday? All inclusive with childcare? Toddler is 2.5 and baby is 7 months. Would like to go away for up to a week before May, avoiding Easter hols. We're south England so could easily get to Southampton for a cruise but I've never done a cruise and no idea if I'd like it or how childcare is in them. Any recommendations?

Will consider UK and abroad. Ideally I'd like to avoid flying though.

It may not be what you are looking for, but we went twice to here in Wales when we had small babies and toddlers.
It is self catering, but very high quality and you can use the cook meals etc. They allowed supermarket deliveries.
There is a play park, farm and lots of outdoor space, as well as a swimming pool and an indoor soft play area and games room.
No childcare, but because there was a lot already on site, it was an easy holiday, tumble out of the door and everything's on your doorstep. Many places to visit nearby too.
I would personally save centre parcs for then they are both a little older.

We did center parcs at that age. It was far from relaxing but the accommodation was comfortable and there was plenty to entertain the little ones. We did very little cooking, mostly ate out (which really does add to the cost).

We came back a different tired to the tired we'd been when we left. That might be the extent of the win with little ones.

My friend said butlins was brilliant with two young children, they do special baby/toddler weeks.
Haven is good too.
I don't really think any holiday is relaxing with young children but avoiding airports and flights made the whole thing more relaxed for us.

If budget allows and if your kids are happy in childcare : this place which includes very good childcare for a half day from 6 months up. I know some people are about using childcare on holiday but at that age (with non sleeping kids) we hugely appreciated it. Luckily ours have always been happy to be dropped off anywhere there is fun happening.

Option to self cater or use their restaurant- they will bring your meal to your terrace so you eat while the kids sleep. We did a bit of both.

This place is also very nice if childcare wouldn’t work. No childcare but it’s all geared to under 5s and everyone is in the same boat which helps. Meals laid on iirc, dinner and kids tea anyway.

Both will require flying but IMO totally worth it for the sunshine. Small kids and rain is not a holiday.

All inclusive- food is just ready whenever you want it. No cleaning up and equally no waiting in restaurants. Mine do wait nicely but it's just time that you could be spending playing. Everything easily available- no having to plan journeys or get in the car.
I wouldn't use unknown childcare in any holiday resort though, not until they were older by which time hopefully we'll be doing much more adventurous exploring holidays anyway.

Also I'd always make sure the kids are in separate sleeping area that fully closes. Like 2 room apartment style so you can enjoy when they're sleeping. I make sure the balcony and loo is off the adult sleeping space.

How much money?

we went to Mauritius when ours was 18 months and they had a free childcare centre, we paid for a nanny (only £6 an hour our there) for whatever hours we fancied. A morning here and an evening there. Then we could enjoy adult pool and dinners etc.

the nanny was amazing and our clingy child loved her from day 1

Another vote for Mousses. We have been twice, going again this year. It's not cheap in school holidays but out of school holidays it looks quite reasonable.

If budget permits, Ikos all inclusive.

Basically somewhere with some excellent quality childcare and easy eating options will allow you to actually relax.

However before May would be a bit risky weather wise in Greece. If you can wait to mid-May (e.g. the week before half term) I'd do that! Weather should be lovely then (we usually go May half term).

Involves flying but one of the kinder hotels in Austria or Italy was the absolute best for us at those ages and that time of year. Childcare all day and evening long is included (if your kids will stay happily - mine didn't! But was still nice to leave them to go to the spa for an hour or two). They cater for babies from 6 weeks so it really is set up for kids of all ages, and no stress as although its marketed as a luxury hotel it's full of other families with crying babies and screaming toddlers. The downside is you need to put up with everyone else's kids too! But they generally have loads of pools, outdoor activities, farm animals, nearby hikes, beautiful scenery etc etc and very good food. There are several in the dolomites near Innsbruck and also near Salzburg, both just a two hour flight away then a short drive.

We went to the Canaries half board a couple of times. Had a nice routine of breakfast, beach, snack lunch then a long walk while they napped in the pushchair. Back for dinner and the hotel entertainment (mini disco).

It wasn't relaxing like it is pre kids but we didn't have to cook or clean up and dd1 loved mini disco so much it was a very effective motivator to behave herself!

AI can work if you have children who are either sleeping in the prams or don't mind late (9pm and later) bedtimes without waking up at 6am.

DD was neither so we had lovely s/c holidays where the house/appartment was near restaurants, had a balcony or patio and large supermarkets we could get everything.

We had days out, lazy dinners at our place or a early restaurant dinner, she went to bed as normal and we had wine/beer and snacks on the patio, the baby monitor always came with us.
One place was warm enough to swim in the evenings.

Far more relaxing then the couple of short hotel stays when we were visiting family where I had a toddler up at 6am demanding breakfast.

Scott Dunn for the best crèche and kids clubs.

Have a look at:

caseriodelmirador.com

It is the most wonderful place. We took our children, and I’m hoping to go back with my grandson.

Our best holiday when kids were little was Mark Warner, family room and kitchen available for milk, childcare appropriate to ages, lots of space, and evening crèche/activities do DH and I got dinner every night. Even better - I went in term time right at end of maternity leave!!

Our best holidays with little ones were with Family Ski company.

Not right for the time of year that you’re looking at but possibly for the future.

Kinderhotels in Austria as already suggested on this thread … cannot be beaten for families with babies/toddlers