Help please - first solo trip

[FancyAnxiety]

DP does not like do-nothing beach holidays but I love them. So I’ve decided to go on a package holiday alone, for the first time ever. I’m giddy at the idea but overwhelmed by choice on Jet2, Tui, etc. Would love some advice/inspo! Going in July during term time.

My wishlist is:

Ideally Spain as I feel familiar with it, having travelled there a lot. Not Canaries because I’ve been there too often.

Fly from Southampton, Bournemouth or Bristol. (In that order).

Not sure if adults only is a must, as I assumed it might be ok in term time? Tell me if I’m wrong!

All inclusive or full board as I want to lounge by the pool 😎 and nice food is a must. Ideally more than 1 restaurant as I like choice. This is the hardest bit for me as it’s so difficult to suss from reviews! How do you know if the food is good???

Air conditioning is a must. As is a balcony or terrace.

Ideally near a beach.

Not interested in night life as I’ll be enjoying a quiet wine on the balcony/terrace and tucked up in bed early 🤣 but a nearby promenade/gelato place would be fab. Maybe a few little shops nearby. Happy to walk.

A spa would be delightful.

With the single occupancy, I can’t find much for less than 2k so happy to spend up to 2.5k but less would be ideal!

Am I asking too much? 😆

VS Gandia Hotel sounds like it has everything that you're looking for! VS Gandía Palace Hotel in Gandia, Valencia | loveholidays. The flights are automatically set to Exeter but if you change them to Southampton you'd still be well under budget

I would still do adults only. Even if not in term time you might get lots of littlies.

Where have you been looking? I would maybe look at the Ibiza or Majorca. If not, Benalmadena or Fuengirola might be a good shout.

I’d definitely go adults only. The Scottish schools break up much earlier than in England. In our area the schools finish on 27th June and lots of people take the first fortnight to avoid the more crowded and expensive English holidays!

Have a marvellous time!

Definitely go adults only if you want avoid kids! July in English term time is already holidays for Scottish schools and many independent schools across the uk, not to mention those who pre-schoolers.

Adults only if I were you.
Scottish schools break up earlier. Preschool kiddies are not affected by term times so much.
Some European countries break up earlier.

Thank you so much @MamaBobo @MiddleAgedDread @pizzaHeart @TravellingSpoon for the adults only advice. I had no idea about Scotland!

TBH I don’t mind family type hotels as they sort of feel “safe”, if that makes sense?! I’ve never been to an adults only hotel and seem to think creeps will try to talk to me (probably not though, as I give off a strong Go Away vibe to men 😆).

Edited to add - some fab usernames here 🤣

I would avoid those which go as “family favourite” . Their food and entertainment have this family vibe ( suitable for children) and it’s ok if you have children with you but boring if you are not.
How much do you usually drink? I don’t drink much and found half board more convenient. I have breakfast and dinner and buy what I want in between, I cant survive 3 meals plus extra on a holiday .

Look at Puerto Pollensa or Puerto Soller in Majorca. But not many people take full board in either of those towns as there are so many nice restaurants a stone's throw from the hotels, plus with full board you are either eating from buffets or set (table d'hôte) menus. Included food is never as good as "chosen food" because as soon as they have your money the restaurant is a cost centre rather than a profit centre. But everything's relative, and only you can know what "good" food is.

If you can do without a beach then you could look at somewhere like this https://www.sontrobat.com/ which offers half-board (and you can get a light lunch too). We stayed there for a few days last year and it was fabulous. (Cocktails are €7!) You can get to the beach by bus or taxi if needed. We also went out for a fine-dining meal a few miles away.

I would go B&B somewhere in walking distance to resort centre, restaurants, beach etc so you can go for a wander and eat out at lunchtime and also pick up wine and snacks for your evenings on the balcony. Likely to cost less than the sort of AI you're looking at and a nicer experience than cheaper buffet places.

Don't forget that lots of European countries break end of June/early July. If you can, then go adult only.

Go to tui, do a load of filtering and see what comes up.

Having just come back from an adults only hotel I would definitely do that if you can afford it. You get a lot of small children in term time. The one I just stayed at not likely to be in your budget of £2k though.

Puerto Pollensa is a good shout for single travellers. Lovely, relaxing resort and definitely a lot of solo females when I've been there. I'm sure there are a couple of hotels that do all inclusive there.

Plenty to do in the daytime if you get bored of lying by the pool. But I'd be happy with doing nothing but going to the weekly market in the town square and mooching along the Pine Walk for an ice cream in the evening.

I like Paguera in Mallorca. Most of the other holiday makers are German, but you still get Spanish food, just that it's described in German. Three nice beaches, good selection of hotels, restaurants and a nice pedestrianised seafront. Easily accessible to Palma if you want a day out in the city.

That’s very good advice, thank you.

I don’t drink much in terms of alcohol but I drink a lot of tea/water/soft drinks in hot weather. I do like lunch by the pool and hate the feeling of having to go out of the hotel in the hottest part of the day to seek out lunch 🤣🥵

This is really helpful and interesting points there about chosen food.

Lots to think about - thank you! 🙏🏽

Ah you’re painting a lovely image for me! Any suggestions?

This is where I get overwhelmed by choice and give up 🤣🥲

Oooh very keen to hear which one it was - the budget might be flexible if it’s really lovely 😆 PM me if you prefer!

Thank you - will take a look! Sounds lush. If you have any hotels you have stayed at and loved, I would be interested 😃

Sounds lovely - thank you! Any hotels you’d recommend?

Hotel Miramar is very good, a nice combo of traditional Spanish charm with modern facilities and service. They don't do all inclusive, but you really wouldn't want it when the options to eat out are so good. It's not adults only, but there won't be any going children there, it would be totally unsuitable.

The Hoposa Daina is adults only, and slightly more geared to younger adults than the Miramar - cooler vibe I suppose. Again, I don't think they do AI but I really think it would be a shame to miss out on the restaurants surrounding it.

ETA -if I were visiting alone, I'd go for the Miramar. It's small and family-run, and there are always solo females of all ages looking happy, relaxed and well looked after.

I've messaged you.

I know you said Spain but Elysium Spa Hotel in Rhodes is fabulous and 5 star but more affordable then many. It has its own beach, I do half board and the food is fantastic, pool area is always quiet and there’s a beach bar at the edge of the grounds with decent entertainment every night. Cant recommend it enough.

@PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich @loveawineloveacrisp @BeckyBloom thank you so much for the recommendations! Having a look 👀 now.