Cancelled Thailand need baby friendly alternative in Europe

[Blueberry1990]

We were due to go to Thailand and Singapore in August for mt Husbands 40th but as we were staying a night in Doha on each leg we have decided to cancel the holiday and stay in Europe.

We plan to have a week at the beach then will do a European city for a few days each side.

For the beach holiday I think probably Greece will work best (budget around €2500 for 7 nights).
Looking for a hotel that is baby friendly (14 month old), has an indoor soft play area, not bothered about board basis, high chairs in the restaurants, walking distance to supermarket and beach.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

Won't 8t be the rainy season in Thailand

Just to note I live in the South of Spain and endure 40 degree summers so I'm used the heat. We would be travelling from 29th August so not the hottest time. We are just back from Greece last week and had a great time, very baby friendly and no we didn't sit in the dark from 7pm!

I also don't have direct flights to SE Asia from where I live so that is not an option.

I had only booked my flights and got them refunded so haven't lost any money.

Greece - Elounda in Crete is very child friendly and gets a good breeze.

Would you consider Northern Italy? That way easy to combine with a city via the trains. Likes of Lake Garda has lots of child friendly options.

I guess this is a lost cause, but understanding there really is a difference between "direct" and "non-stop" flight might prevent people spending time on the ground at places they would rather not be...the two terms are not always interchangable.

www.going.com/glossary/nonstop-flight

Yes definitely if I could find the right hotel. Although I wouldn't travel by train as we have too much luggage for that with the car seat, stroller, suitcases etc

I wasn't spending time on the ground somewhere I didn't want to be I specifically booked that flight as I did not want to fly further than 8 hours at a time with a baby so had to split up the stay in the Middle East.
I've worked in the travel industry for over 15 years I think I would know what a direct flight is 😅

Yep I get your logic now.

I'm sure you know the direct/non-stop difference, but I know (and I guess you do), a lot of folks don't and it still trips people up...

How important is the softplay?

Many of the hotels at Lake Garda are family friendly likes of Cassius etc. For the softplay element your probably looking at the Eurocamp apartments so Belvedere Village, Bella Italia etc which is pretty full on less of a 40th birthday treat.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g1850051-zff4-Lake_Garda-Hotels.html

Car hire is pretty cheap in Italy just check the company reviews as many are chancers with trying to charge for already existing damage.
Can easily get to Verona from Lake Garda for a day.
Cities you have Milan and Venice not too far away.

You’d also think that as you’ve spent 15 years in the travel industry you wouldn’t need to ask strangers on MN for hotel recommendations!

I specialise in SE Asia products so my knowledge on Europe isn't great, I can't know everything about every country you know.

I think @lovenroses point is that you don't hang out at the beach 10-4pm with a baby in Greece in August.

You can fly direct to Bangkok from London.

Fly via Istanbul or overnight to Malaysia.

I don't live in the UK and I specifically chose that flight as I don't want to fly more than 8 hours without stopping.

Where do you live? We’ll find you a route. Holiday in Europe v holiday in the far east with a child is a VERY different experience and for a special birthday I’d say go east.

I live in Malaga, the only option for me going to SE Asia was a stop in the Middle East so it's no longer an option.

Might not help but we were at the Barut Hemera in Side, Turkey for May half term, very baby friendly, they even provide baby equipment and do have an indoor soft play.

I think I’d do overnight from Amsterdam or London maybe, but if 8 hours is your limit it is more of a struggle.

Yes 100% not flying for more than 8 hours with a 14 month old, would rather stay at home 😆

Sounds awful. I don’t want to be inside 10-4 every day on holiday. I want to be outside enjoying the scenery. By the way, the water in Cornwall isn’t murky. It was beautiful & clear when I swam in it last week.

Bloody cheek! It makes far more sense to go somewhere in the uk with a baby. We’ve had wonderful holidays in Cornwall and Norfolk.

Sod off to Greece with your snarky comments.

I flew to Thailand with family and 14 month old grandson in March. We flew with Eva air direct from Heathrow to Bangkok. Grandson coped really well, it was the adults that found it harder!

Look up Mousses in Lefkada - it’s brilliant for young children. No indoor soft play but it has a lovely Kids Club that’s indoor with lots of toys

I’d guess it depends on the 14month old and how much you like the destination. Mine all travel well and I love the Far East so it’s a no brainer for me.