Villa holiday or hotel

[historybuff14]

We are part of a group of close friends (3 families) with youngish children (3-9). A couple of us have a big birthday coming up next year and we'd love to do a trip away with our families next year during the October half term. Organization has fallen to me (my turn!).

I'm trying to decide between renting a large villa (7/8 bedrooms) or looking at nice hotel options. A villa is more appealing in principle but finding something nice and child friendly somewhere good is quite overwhelming. I'm also worrying about having to cater all the time but perhaps some villas offer catering too. A hotel seems a bit easier but maybe less 'special'.

Ideally we'd like something less than 4 hours flying away and with nice weather. Do any of you lovely ladies have more experience in setting up something similar? Thank you!

100% hotel. I was firmly against AI but with a group and kids it’s just so easy. October you’d need turkey. Balearics will be shutting down. Not sure about Cyprus?

I would pick a hotel over a villa. You all need space away from each other too. You do not want arguments over villa cleaning or someone deciding unilaterally what you are all going to eat and when.

Are you certain you want to do this?. People need to be given the opportunity to do their own thing on holiday rather than potentially you all being together as a group all the time.

This sort of dynamic does not always play out well re holidays and friendships can end as a result,

Thank you. Villa was def heart over head but hotel does seem somewhat more practical!

Hotel. No way do you want to be sorting 3 meals a day for that many people.

Hotel 100%

Being stuck in one house with that many other people (kids included) would drive me insane.

You can make loose plans to meet on the beach in the morning ...everyone can get up and have breakfast on their own schedule, everyone can retreat to their own space when they need to (think about the younger ones needing naps). You can meet up for dinner or not.

The shopping and catering for a villa would stress me the eff out.

Definitely hotel. I wouldn't want to spend so much time with a large group in one building, that's not easy.

When we went with friends we did separate lodges and just did activities and dinner (pizza, snacks, dessert) together.

Hotel, so much easier - each family has separate space, no argument over rooms, who drank what etc. AI is ideal so you all know what it’s costing when you sign up! At that point in the year I’d look at the canaries, Morocco, Egypt, perhaps Turkey or Cyprus but won’t be that hot anywhere (though also cheaper than summer)

villas everytime! No rushing to bagsy a sun lounger.

Love a villa holiday, but with that many people, it's much more practical to do a hotel holiday. No problems with who has which room, how to split the shopping, who is cooking/clearing up, how to split finances when eating out etc.

Also a villa with that many bedrooms is quite hard to find, and does limit your choice somewhat. And can also be eye wateringly expensive.

Depends on the budget! And how well you all get along.

I personally love a villa holiday - plenty of space, can hang out when the kids are sleeping, no fighting over loungers and no schedule for eating. But it means everyone there needs to be on the same page, have the same budget expectations and similar schedules. If one family has a dramatically different bedtime for their kids that will be tricky.

Personally I'd look for a 4/5 bedroom that has a kids room with bunk beds - but again, that depends on how the kids all like the idea! it gets dramatically more expensive once you get to massive 7/8 bedroom houses in most situations as they aren't as common.

Hotel. Villa will be hell.

All inclusive with a great kids club from age 2, during the day they are having fun, while the adults relax, chill, do whatever.
I have a couple of hotels in mind

As someone who has just returned from a villa holiday with my husband's large, extended family... I'd go for a hotel.

Villas are ok if they’re in a shared complex with facilities eg a big pool, a nearby shop, a snack bar. Portugal excels at these but are generally quite remote so you need a car to get anywhere.

When you’re away with that many people a small pool is awful (and they’re often deep and therefore colder than a nice leisure pool with safe shallow kids areas).

We’ve done it and it felt like we were all on top of each other with no way to escape. Need a quick argument with your husband or a moan about little Tarquin being a brat, no chance. Hotel all the way, with things in walking distance so you can take 10 mins out to nip to the shops for an ice cold lemon Fanta.

If I were you I’d look at Menorca - short flight, glorious beaches, safe clear sea, and so many small hotel options. Cala Galdana is a good starting point.