Club La Santa- teens and also bedding/yoga mats? And if not CLS any other winter sun/no jet lag suggestions please.

[Fasterthan40]

We are thinking of going post GCSE mocks for winter sun . Kids both spend quite a lot of time training in various sports but fall into different age categories (12 and 16) so won’t be able to do classes together as teen limit is aged 10-15 .
Thought my DD aged 16 would be excited but she just said it sounds like a busman’s holiday. Do kids make friends and pal up or would she just be trudging around from class to class? I think she’d like independence and mucking around in the pool with mates as well as scuba safari/hyrox type stuff. Son aged 12 prob more adaptable so less concerned about him enjoying it. Debating sending kids and DH off to Morocco for a few days whilst I swim/laze around- is this doable?
Also seen reviews that pillows are horrendous and no yoga mats provided. Is this correct?
Thank you for any suggestions, googling drawing a blank and South Africa- which was original plan is coming up £££.

I've been to CLS and I don't know about teens, but can confirm that you can get yoga mats. When I went you could have one item of sports equipment out on loan per person, so if you get a yoga mat you would need to give it back when you want to take a bike (for example). I didn't notice the pillows either way, which makes me think they must have been fine.

Ah, that’s really helpful on both counts, thank you.

the beds and pillows were truly awful last year! that was in a "comfort" apartment. can't fault the rest of the place but i've never been with teens.
Do you mean a yoga mat for personal use to have in your apartment? They're definitely provided for classes.

Ah we have booked a couple of comfort apartments (too late to book a big one for family of four). That is what I had heard about pillows. Shame about beds as harder to pack one of those.
I was thinking about yoga mats for stretching in apartment- maybe need this if beds so bad- but helpful if they have in classes.
DH has booked and promised DD another adventure trip if CLS too tame. I am just happy at prospect of winter sun and only one hotel- they all like road trips which I find exhausting.

We used to go to CLS years ago when the kids were young. I used to buy a compressed pillow in m&s & squeeze it into my bag. Noone else seemed that bothered so it was just hor me. I then used to leave it behind.
In more recent years (pre COVID) we stayed in the newer apartments & the beds & pillows were fine.
Yoga mats were provided in classes.

Compressed pillow is a good shout. They may be fine but my back and I will be glum if not. We wake up there on Xmas day but fly back Xmas evening so will be packing stockings but not other gifts. Worked out cheap and we have enjoyed travelling on Christmas Eve before so hoping Christmas Day is also fun.

Just feeding back to say that so far CLS has been amazing. Kids have made friends at all the classes they have done. There is an insane range. 12yo has enjoyed TRX, slack line, CrossFit, basketball, tennis, mini golf etc., 16yo has used gym and pool a lot but also done HIIT, aerial relaxation, windsurfing, hyrox, cross fit and others. My husband seems to have tried most stuff!
I have LOVED having Olympic pool almost to myself first thing in the morning. I have done plenty of reformer Pilates and stretching and various other low impact knee friendly classes. We have been fairly independent and all branched off as kids found friends/training partners.
We booked too late to secure a two bedroom apartment but actually having two one bedroom apartments on the same stairwell (quite Oxford college vibes) worked really well. Meant we had two bathrooms, two fridges and two double hobs.
We chose to self cater and stocked up at Lidl near the airport before we drove up to CLS. There was a mercadona and a hiperdino nearer the airport if I had planned better. Had to drive out once for another big shop (we have all been ravenous) but otherwise have used the on site supermarket.
No dishwasher in room, nor washing machine. So we have had to use the launderette (€6 wash, €4 dry on self service- which is v quick cycle and they have a sportswear cycle).
Packing wise wish we had packed more sports stuff and less normal stuff. Also warm stuff for evenings. We have been glad of fleeces and Uniqlo fold up puffas. Would not have regretted dryrobes I reckon.
Spa onsite is €18 a visit or €80 for the week. You can also pay €6 to have a wristband key rather than a card for your room. Wish we have done that too.
The evening entertainment is quite sweet and seems well attended tho’ not as well attended as the morning stretching gymnastics around the pool!
Kids have been asking why we didn’t come here before. It is like a natural progression from Villa Pia and really allows them to be free range.
only downside for them is that it is majority danish guests which limited friendship pool. But does mean people behave notably nicely and there is no smoking/vaping or riding bikes on site and everyone obeys. No drunkenness in evidence. I wondered if it would be a bit MAMIL in vibe but has been really gentle.
Would 100% recommend. Trying the buffet resto for Xmas day lunch so will see how that goes. Menu includes roasted tofu but also lots of veg.

Oh, you are making me feel nostalgic & remembering how much we all loved it, particularly the "morning gymnastics" which we did in lockdown in the garden. If ever I hear any of those tunes I'm transported straight back!

Ha we did wonder if we would start switching our hips side to side if we heard the whistles tune!! Just back from aerial relaxation which was awesome!!

We also really love how they are almost over supplying space/activities/ equipment. It’s so nice having a generous amount of everything and not having to hustle!

Glad you’re having fun!

Thank you and thanks also for tip off re: bad pillows. Beds surprisingly good but supplied pillows super naff. But I was expecting this because of your warning.

Thank you for the report. Sounds like it's a perfect fit for you and your family.

I've been eyeing up CLS for years now - no DC just me and DH. Or me alone :)

I shall re-visit the website when I get a chance.

Really useful as I’m debating CLS for us. We love Lanzarote but DC are aging out of the typical kids clubs.

Really amazing and yes either solo or with your DH you will have an amazing time I think. We are now home and I am sadly recalibrating to life without cheerful young Danes telling me to stretch and breathe and my lovely empty huge pool.

Small kids looked super happy with all the mini Olympics etc.. and the children’s talent show was hilarious- definitely bring props and a soundtrack ready for a show!