First ever all-inclusive - help!

[Ketryne]

We've never done an all-inclusive resort holiday but think it's finally the time. We have a DS who will be nearly 4 and a newborn DD who will be approx 8 months. Last year DS was bored on our family holiday (Airbnb villa in Italy), so we think he'd really love a kids club.

In the past we've always been quite resistant as we like to do our own thing, explore local towns and plan activities under our own steam. DH is terrible at sitting still so doesn't like to be trapped on a resort with nowhere to go, and I'm also put off by all sharing one room, so we've tended to do self-catering/airbnbs.

If we're going to do the resort thing, I'd like it to feel a bit special. Otherwise it's a lot of money for something we don't love.

Can anyone suggest a mid range resort/location that's worth looking at? Something that feels genuinely nice but not so luxurious I'd be scared of the kids touching things.

Criteria are:

• Warm in the summer months but not roasting (Greece heat makes me nervous)
• Ideally near towns/places to visit so we're not stuck
• All in cost under approx 10k including flights
• Very open on flight length/distance assuming price isn't too ridiculous.
• Must be child friendly and have kids club facilities
• Due to nursery term dates we'll have to travel in July/August.

Any suggestions welcome!

I would honestly suggest ignoring nursery term dates and going in term time while you can. June or September are perfect for this age as they are warm but not baking and far less crowded and pricey than July/August. Sea is warmer in Sep.

Sani resort in Greece is a very nice option with babies and young kids, so much set up for them, I am not sure of costs in June/Sep but could be within budget.

If it has to be July/August then the tricky bit is warm but not roasting. I would suggest looking at Kinderhotels in the Austrian Alps?

Thank you, the Kinderhotels look very interesting and not something I'd considered before.

I'd love to avoid the summer months but the issue is my husband not having enough work annual leave to cover school holidays and a trip in term time.

If you look up Kinderhotels on mumsnet there are quite a few posters who have been and recommend specific ones.

The European resorts will be very hot in July/August, its also peak season. People rave about French camping sites and contentionental centre parks on here.

If the only reason to go AI is for a kids club, then what about alternatives? Eg European Center Parcs or Billund in Denmark, the home of Lego with a watermark. The coast is an hour away to the east or west.

You might get 7 nights in Ikos or Martinhal, otherwise tui Holiday Village is perfect for kids we found the best ones ones to be Rhodes and kos but will be very hot. Royal Son Bou is great.

We did french holiday parks for years as we had a family mobile home which was great but very different to AI.

I've done Caribbean when mine were a similar age. I won't do AI in Europe as the quality of food isn't good enough in my opinion unless you're doing Ikos which is very spendy. I also like being out and about or at least at the beach and European resorts don't tend to have their own beaches. It's not peak season in the Caribbean, it's the start of hurricane season but you're rarely affected so early in the year. It might rain once a day for a few minutes but the rest of the time it's warm but not unbearable. The kids clubs have been very good there as well with timetabled activities so you can dip in and out.

https://www.loveholidays.ie/holidays/portugal/algarve/albufeira/eden-villas-and-apartments.html?WT.mc_id=pgo-36969284580-kwd-17583675112&ch=hn&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAqfe8BhBwEiwAsne6gdi5AVfQNcrrKBVyqOwpGWJVz3twCgQvdd_q6omgjNXuikKe2oQyEBoCveQQAvD_BwE

A friend of mine with young children love this resort, it's very family friendly and geared towards younger children.

If you can't stand the heat in Greece than I would say most of southern Europe is out. Maybe Portugal?

I would also say Kinderhotel. Yes, Austria can also be hot but I found it a nicer and more tolerable heat then Greece, we were in both at the same time of the year.

Saying that, you can also have a week of mixed weather, so the Alps are less weather secure. But you also have lots to do and can mix lazy days with activities.

I'm also going to suggest Caribbean as generally their level of service is unrivalled (forgetting Ikos and can't remember the name of the other chain).

I think the Iberostar Creta Panorama & Mare in Crete could fit the bill. We went in July a couple of years ago. Temperature was a perfect 28 C . Food is good (without being gastronomic) the grounds are beautiful as are the views. I would go back in a heartbeat. It was only our second time doing AI and I wasn't disappointed.

This is all super helpful, thank you!

Those of you suggesting Kinderhotels/European Centreparcs type places - do you think there would be enough to do with a not quite 4 year old? I've always liked the look of these holidays but imagined them to be better with slightly older children who can walk greater distances and ride bikes.

Also, anyone have any experiences of the Seychelles? Resorts seem surprisingly affordable and weather ok but I don't know anyone who has ever been there!

I wouldn't be working around nursery school dates! Go in May or June if work allows - it'll be cooler and you'll save literally thousands.

We've done the AI thing with small kids, we didn't really like beach holidays pre kids but it works well with little ones - they're so happy pottering around the pool and honestly the kids disco was the highlight of their year. You just have to adjust your thinking - it's not a holiday about seeing somewhere new, it's about relaxing as a family and prioritising the kids.

We went to MarSenses in Menorca which I would recommend but you'll be able to get somewhere nicer again with your budget.

If you go on the coast of Athens (Maratha is etc) the wind from the sea stops it being too hot, I could cope last year in August and I’m not one for liking it too warm I.e not a sun worshipper. We stayed at the golden coast hotel, which was lovely, but a lot of stuff was geared towards French customers, which we enjoyed tbh ( we are from the UK). Also Ibiza but family areas (es canar etc) it’s beautiful and not all party party party

It's beautiful, my honeymoon destination but that's really what its for- couples more go than families.

Zoos, smaller walking trails, get a backpack carrier for the little one. Do routes where there is something to do/see while walking. We did a 4 hour hike (ok, DD was 10) going from one castle ruin to the next at the French/German border but we also did some where there were small streams to pass, dens to built, some are set up for children with activity stations.

I think DD's favourite one was where I fell flat on my bum while trying to cross a stream, I was black and blue but she definitely had the time of her life.

Take a picnic.

You can often hire bikes, tandem ones for the older and a children trailer which caters for babies.

You will find the same kind of activities/day out options you have in the UK.

We do a mix of holidays each year. Usually one or two CP/Eurocamp type self catering holidays during half terms then a week AI during the summer. Both very enjoyable in their different ways.

If you do consider center parcs, have a look at Erperheide. We had a 0.5, 2.5 and 4.5 when we first went and found loads to do to fill the week. There's a great swimming pool with loads for young children, horse riding, jeep safari, big indoor soft play, kids craft activities, mini disco, little farm you can feed and stroke the animals, play areas dotted around. It's not too big so fine for little legs, or take a scooter or pull along wagon. It's a bit of a drive at 3.5+ hours from Calais, but worth it.

De Haan is another good one, only 1.5 hours from Calais and also great for younger children. It's near the beach with big sand dunes, huge soft play, farm, jeeps. Pool isn't quite so good but still has a toddler pool with slide. Can do a day trip into Bruges or hire bikes and cycle along the coast.

Many Eurocamp sites are also excellent with good pools and kids clubs. You have a good budget so could afford nicer accommodation and eating out each day if you don't feel like cooking.

I don't have a particular hotel recommendation for AI as the ones we've been to haven't had loads to do nearby so might not suit you, but have a look at Zafiro hotels in Majorca/Menorca, Royal Son Bou in Menorca, H10 hotels in Spain/Canaries. Most have family rooms with a seperate bedroom and living area. I would never have thought we'd do an AI holiday before kids, but they are just so easy and relaxing you really can spend quality time with them. No worrying about what's for dinner and getting a food shop in, no constant moaning "I'm hungrrryyy", no planning what to do each day to keep them occupied. Kids club, pool with slides, ice cream on tap, mini disco, everyone's happy!

Does your dh want to get out and about or have activities to do at the resort? Neilson, mark warner etc have good kids clubs and then also offer things like adult sailing lessons, group bike rides, windsurfing etc.

Otherwise I think the euro camp idea is a good one, still self catering, but lots of other kids to play with and if you do a ferry and drive you’ve got your car to get out and about.

I think AI in Antalya, Turkey, is very good and instead of booking it all in one go, book the hotel and flights separately (hotel direct; flights EasyJet / Jet2 etc).

I recommend:

Lara Barut Collection
Titanic Deluxe Golf Belek
Voyage Belek Golf & Spa
Delphin BE Grande Resort

The hotels there are fantastic for children: splash parks, water parks, lots of pools, lots of restaurants, arcades, bowling. Some have fairgrounds, lots of evening entertainment and activities. The restaurants
are fab, there are bars and golf courses for dad and spas for mum. Can't go wrong really.

The nicer ones in the area are:
Carya Regnum
Max Royal Belek
The Cullinan

Enjoy.

No kids club at centre parks. However loads to do.

Not necessarily all inclusive (though some are) but the Valamar chain in Croatia is fantastic and have excellent kids facilities.

Look at Mousses, Lefkada. Run by a travel company called Simpson Travel.

You get a self catering "villa" on a lovely site with only 12 villas total. Large communal pool. Lovely onsite restaurant which isn't crazy expensive. Most importantly, an excellent kids club, mine have a great time there. It's Ofsted inspected or something and run to a high standard, with a dedicated space and great activities for the kids. Everyone who goes there has kids so the kids all play together at the pool when they aren't at kids club/out. It's not super luxury but it's clean, comfortable, safe and pretty classy in my view. I prefer it to Ikos (food is much better frankly!). You'd need to hire a car but that allows you to zip about the islands, which is reasonably quiet but has a nice local town (about 10 min drive away) and beaches.

We have been twice and are going again this year. We also found what looks like a french equivalent - Chateau Les Carrasses - but no crèche, only a kids club from age 4.

We have been to Ikos twice but it's not good value in school holidays. Prefer less of a massive resort anyway.

Oh didn't see July/August. It might be ok v early July. I wouldn't go in school holidays as I think it would be too hot. Surely you'd save tons by going in term time? We usually go May half term and the weather is lovely. Warm for sunbathing but not boiling.

With the age of your kids you don't necessarily need AI as they're not going to be asking for expensive drinks and snacks all day and I doubt adults will want to drink loads. Half board is cheaper and still great because the buffet takes all the stress out of trying to feed everyone For lunch you can just pick up a few snacks to eat by the pool.

When mine were a similar age we had a fantastic holiday at the Iberostar Selection Anthelia in Tenerife. Would love to go again but it's too expensive now we're stuck with school holidays only.

I would go mark Warner or Neilson