Luxury(ish) 5k, winter?

[NeedTheBeach]

Well, it doesn't have to be total luxury to be fair! We're not used to such things 😂 Just nice and ideally not full of kids clubs etc.

Looking at our work schedules the next time we can take a meaningful amount of time off just the two of us, is next January / February.

We have had a very stressful time recently, illness (him) bereavement (me) and we'd like to do a fly and flop which we never normally do.

Interested in Maldives/Seychelles/Barbados/Dominican Republic etc etc. Basically guaranteed warmth and nice beach. NOT the canaries, I've been before in winter and the weather isn't guaranteed enough for me.

Can anyone recommend any good hotels? or even travel agents (we never use those usually either but like I say, we're just burned out).

We are early 40s and priorities are a good beach on site, nice cocktails, decent food. We want to try a do nothing holiday, usually we backpack and run ourselves ragged between destinations, it's actually been about 4 years since we've had a holiday.

Budget is hopefully 5k but maximum of 6 and we'd ideally like to do 10 days given travel time.

I would love to hear any thoughts or recommendations :)

I’d say Zanzibar. Lovely food, weather, people. I’ve only been to Dominican Republic from your list, but I liked Zanzibar a lot more!

sorry you had such a hard time.

Thank you! Zanzibar does look absolutely beautiful. Admittedly now that things have settled a bit we're looking to travel a bit more, so we're hoping to do winter sun and a summer 2026 safari and possibly beach, so I hadn't actually considered Zanzibar for this holiday. It does look absolutely lush though. I've been keeping a separate safari saving account for a couple of years 😂

I'm scared of picking the wrong destinations now that we have the cash hopefully for both holidays (see aforementioned bereavement, and my relative would have absolutely approved of this use of funds).

Where did you stay?

Barbados is always a good idea.

Could you recommend places to stay? I've been googling all evening and I know I said I wanted a fly and flop but I'm getting drawn in by all the things to do there and the fact that you can get around rather than being locked up in a compound like some some less safe islands in the region.

Because my mum died and left it to me? What's your point sorry I seem to have missed it.

Barbados try Mullins in St James.
Or Airbnb - most of the nicer ones come “with” a home helper who cleans, cooks some meals etc (tip nicely when you leave) so a bit like being in a hotel!

This one looks nice. www.airbnb.com/l/FAFoFYS2

Have a look at Oman. Nothing like Dubai or UAE.

I wouldn't recommend Zanzibar in January / February. June - October is the season there. January to March you can melt in the humidity! I have been twice, the first time around that time after after being in Ethiopia - the worst photo of me in existence was taken at that time. I had a shower, dressed and walked a few feet to the chair on the deck of my lodge - I looked like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards!

Guaranteed warmth, nice beaches, good hotels ... January in Puerto Vallarta in Mexico (West Coast). It sounds like you have both had a horrible time, and that town has something to soothe the soul in January - it's the breeding season for migratory humpback whales. Go out to sea, watch and listen to them courting. I can guarantee that it is one of the earths greatest sights.

Sorry, my comment was crass and uncalled for. I apologise.

It's alright, we all have those days but thanks for the apology 🙂

We love Barbados. We’re here at the moment. It’s generally quite a wedgy holiday (our 10 nights AI was about 7.5k iirc) but you could do it on your budget if you avoid February. Loads to do, but also excellent for decadent doing absolutely nothing but swimming, reading, snoozing and eating.

At the risk of sounding ridiculous, I think 5k might be a bit tight for peak season in the Maldives, flights will be pricey and hotels are certainly top end prices. I can imagine the Seychelles are similarly expensive, but we have not been. Have a look at Sri Lanka, haven't done a fly and flop, but I have been in February and the weather was perfect and I am sure your budget would stretch much further there than the Maldives. You can also never go wrong with spending time in Thailand, you can avoid Bangkok if you prefer and fly straight into Phuket. Obviously it's the perfect time of year for the Carribbean as well, that's not really my area of expertise though.

At the risk of getting another dig I'm keen to avoid the Middle East and South East Asia as I have travelled both extensively! We were lucky enough to do a lot of backpacking / on a shoe string type travel when we were young and healthy (independently of each other oddly, before we met).

Will check out some of the recommendations mentioned thank you all SO much! Lots showing up on BA holidays for Barbados within budget but of course I need to research areas etc a bit more. That's the first site I've checked, normally would book both separately but I've noticed hotels showing up on BA that don't show up on other sites so 🤷‍♀️

I've never done AI before but I guess I'm open to it.

Agree with Oman in principle it is STUNNING.

On areas for Barbados. The west coast, ie St James, Porters and northward from there are the nicest bits. Brunch at the Lonestar! Drinks at the Sandy Lane (to be posh!) Enjoy

Having been there recently, and if you can make the flights work, I would suggest having a look at Goa. If your budget doesn't work there, it won't work anywhere. We stayed in a 5* place right on the beach for just a couple of night as part of our tour but we could easily have switched off for a week there.

I’d go for a cozy Lapland holiday with some fun winter activities, snow and a sauna.

Can highly recommend Paradise Cove in Mauritius (adults only).
https://www.paradisecovehotel.com/en

We combined it with a safari in South Africa (with Trailfinders), so could work for either of your holidays

Barbados is great and perfect if you want the option of exploring- we’ve never done a resort there, always self-catering with shopping locally and going to local bars and restaurants. It’s fab, would recommend 100%.

I’ve just come back from Barbados. It’s absolutely fab. We like to stay at either Port St Charles (yacht club) or Beach View Hotel. We tend to go in November or March (lovely and a bit cheaper than Dec or Jan, Feb). We book through BA (especially when the sales are on) either as a package or using an Amex companion voucher and then a hotel. We’ve don’t like AI as the food is excellent in Barbados. Both the places I’ve mentioned have kitchens or kitchenettes (depending on which accommodation you book). Please report back what you decide to book! By the way, I’d try to go for two weeks! You should be able to bring this in on budget if you avoid peak season. Another tip is to book in advance and book direct as you can get a discount (Beach View offer this).

Thanks everyone! Barbados it is we think! Haven't decided what to do yet re hotel or anything but we are definitely going for a hotel rather than an air b n b because I just like getting looked after in a hotel tbh. I'm thinking Barbados makes sense because we can have some chill hotel / beach days and other exploratory days. Looking at flights independently, BA from Heathrow and Aer Lingus from Manchester seems to come in at about 700£ each , but then looking at hotels it seems slightly better value to get a package.

Will have a look properly when DH is up he's just off night shift so wouldn't appreciate being woken to be shown holidays 😂

We really loved Tamarind in Barbados. (It was a while ago though).

I think Barbados will be perfect for you.

The Maldives is lovely and might be possible- I paid £6.5k for 3 people all inc first week of January with direct flights. It was a perfect fly and flop- reading, snoozing, snorkelling.

Sorry only just seen your ask for recommendations.

Anywhere west coast around Holetown has the best beaches and best location to get everywhere so look at-
Tamarind
Mango Bay
Crystal Cove
The Club
Fairmont
The House

I'm sure you will find one to suit your taste.

Alternatively The Crane is south coast and out on its own but a great resort.

Or Southern Palms at St Lawrence Gap or if you hit an expensive week look at Butterfly Beach which is cheaper.

Have a great time!

Check expected weather carefully, I remember last winter lots of newspaper/click bait articles about the Maldives being cloudy.

my go to suggestion is Sri Lanka because you can get super luxury for that price and if you fancy going somewhere it’s easy to arrange a driver