Does my holiday exist?

[ItsMyIssue]

Looking for a summer holiday. Myself, DH and 2x teens. Don’t really mind where, it’s more what we want that I’m struggling to find, esp. for August. Looking for quiet, small hotels, with pool. Ideally private beach or v.close to beach. Would like to be able to travel easily/car hire to area of interest/small towns. Budget up-to 15k.
We've had a v.difficult year, we just to need to be together this holiday, with no stress, no lively hotels, no lively people…..

Cassis, south of France

I was once craving a really quiet relaxing break totally by myself while my son was with his dad and ended up booking through I think it was secretescapes who were amazing and also well worth looking at. I stayed here and it was beautiful and so relaxing and lovely. They even have a meditation labyrinth type thing. And a private beach reached by shuttle bus.

I’d booked on some sort of spa retreat deal which was a great deal money wise and also meant I had this amazing super kind and genuine personal trainer type person for the week (not my usual lifestyle!) who really went above and beyond (without being creepy in any way) to make my whole stay great. One of those people who clearly absolutely loves what he does and it shows.

The only downside for me was that the hotel culture was a bit more “refined” than I am used to (I mean it is a Ritz-Carlton so what did I expect 🤣 I’m not sure I actually realised that before I went though!) and so 1. tipping for everything seemed to be expected which stressed me out a bit (sometimes I just want a cold Coca Cola by the pool without having to agonise over whether I am culturally expected to tip and how much and finding cash etc!) and 2. the food in the proper restaurants at the hotel (as opposed to poolside bar or room service type food) was super posh with “foam” etc. which isn’t really my style! But if you were hiring a car you wouldn’t be so limited as to your options for eating anyway.

www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/lisrz-penha-longa-resort/overview/

I also stayed here once which was also super relaxing with a very peaceful atmosphere (it used to be a monastery) with exceptionally beautiful views and gardens, but the pool is tiny and they generally don’t do lunch so you have to venture out (sometimes on a relaxing type break I just want to hang out so that was a bit annoying). No private beach but the local beautiful (though busy) beach isn’t far if you are driving. And again the issue with food being slightly posh in the resort though local food was amazing and not hard to find in the local town.

Technically it’s adults only though I asked as for some reason I just couldn’t find anywhere else I liked the sound of that year, and they were happy for me to bring my son who was I think 13 then, as long as he wasn’t likely to be hugely noisy and boisterous and behave like an adult would be expected to basically (it was totally fine but my son is quite a quiet introvert and happy to eg sit by the pool and read with me or go for a quiet swim etc).

www.villapaolatropea.it

Mandelieu-La Napoule in the South of France. I’m biased as we have a property there. Fly to Nice and loads of lovely places to visit in the area.

www.mandelieu.com/