Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Destination and hotel recommendations for two 40 something friends who REALLY NEED A GOOD BREAK! 😁

7 replies

MockCroc · 06/05/2025 17:46

Just that really. One of my best friends from school and I are hoping to snag a few days away (maybe 5) at the end of July. I work full time and have kids and never sit down. She works really hard and has had a tough year. We want to go somewhere lush! Not as in “jungly”. As in just lovely. Could be anywhere but likely Europe because we don’t want to spend half the time flying. Could be an interesting destination. Could be somewhere you would recommend to put your feet up. We want to avoid the school summer holiday crowd (in terms of hotels). Somewhere nice to read a book. Good food and cocktails. Lovely views. We’re not clubbers. I’ve not been away with a girlfriend since I had kids (eldest is nearly a teen) so this is a real treat and I would like to do something relaxing interesting and worth peeling myself away from family life (although to be honest a wet weekend in a tent would be welcome just at the moment!).

If you have any specific hotel recommendations that would be amazing! We’ve mulled over Ibiza, Greek islands (but I don’t know which one) etc and would love advice about those, but I’m also wondering whether there are some great options I haven’t even thought of!

WWYD??

OP posts:
Lucia573 · 06/05/2025 18:07

Malaga is a surprisingly lovely gem of a city. Rome Mate Valeria hotel has a wonderful roof terrace pool and bar.
The Approdo spa hotel in San Marco Castelbate, south of Naples,is utterly delightful. You could also do one night in Naples for fun - we like the Hotel San Francisco del Monte, which has a wonderful rooftop garden and pool.
The Boscolo in Nice is fab, but pricey.

Lucia573 · 06/05/2025 18:10

Or how about Biarritz? The Hotel de la Plage would be just the thing. You can morning Eurostar to Paris; have a lovely lunch; take the afternoon train to Biarritz. (Or there’s an airport!)

Costacoffeeplease · 06/05/2025 18:12

Monchique Resort and Spa in the Algarve is lovely. Great food, drinks, mountain views and gorgeous spa. I’ve been several times even though I live about half an hour away

MockCroc · 06/05/2025 18:17

Oooo, these sound amazing. Already googling and dreaming...

OP posts:
Butthechildrentheylovethebooks · 06/05/2025 18:21

I'm going to Portinatx in Ibiza with friends soon. Gorgeous adults only hotel, small resort and well away from the clubbing etc... We go to chill, drink cocktails and eat nice food.
Wherever you go definitely go for adults only hotel. When you're not with your own kids it's amazing how lovely it is to not hear the noise of other people's kids round the pool 😀

MockCroc · 06/05/2025 21:34

Do you mind me asking which hotel in Portinatx? Have you been before? Yes, super excited by the sound of no kids. I love mine and love doing things with them but the idea of a peaceful break for a few days…

OP posts:
Butthechildrentheylovethebooks · 06/05/2025 23:12

@MockCroc It's the Barcelo. We have been to Ibiza before but a busier area. This hotel looks as good as the one we stayed in but in a nicer more sedate area. Me and one of my friends are demons when it comes to reviews and googling the hell out of anywhere we stay😄, so I'm confident we'll be happy there.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page