Please inspire me for a few days escape

[helpagal]

I want to get away for a few nights in Feb half term. We’ve done a few luxury hotels here like Four Seasons Hampshire and The Grove and it’s so expensive, I’d rather spend the money on a weekend away somewhere! Ditto Center Parcs. We used to take the kids to Paultons and stay at a nice little boutique hotel nearby but we’ve done that several times now. Last place we went to was Fairmont Windsor and it’s nice enough but I found it a bit boring tbh. Has anyone got any hidden gems or places they’d recommend? I don’t mind blowing the budget if it’s somewhere great but I find a lot of these piaces to be very over hyped and somewhat mediocre!

How old are your children? I’ve stayed at the fairmont Windsor and loved it, but went child free.
What are you looking for from a getaway? There’s a big difference between the fairmont windsor and centreparks/paultons!
one suggestion - do a city break abroad? Barcelona?
Or Alton towers and hotel there

We had a good stay at Widbrook Grange recently. It’s very family friendly https://www.widbrookgrange.co.uk/rooms/family-room
It’s not that far from Longleat and we did a full day out there for DD’s birthday.

How old are your children and what do you expect from the trip?

Friends are going to The Mole in Devon nearly every year after Christmas and really enjoy it but they see it as a de-stress trip. Their children are 18, 15 and 10.

Otherwise a city break? York is a great one, Edinburgh?

Kids are 5 and 7. They’re pretty easy going and just like the adventure of going somewhere different. DH suggested going to London and staying over but I think the museums etc will be rammed as lots of people stay at home this half term.

I did think about a city break as by the time you pay for a decent hotel of the likes of Fairmont etc you could do a weekend but we’d only be able to go Friday to Sunday. I thought possibly Copenhagen as the flight is short so would be doable.

I don’t really have any expectations tbh, just fancied a change of scenery for a few days and was looking for a bit of inspiration. When I mentioned Center parcs and the Fairmont what I was trying to get across is that we love a bit of luxury but also happy doing other types of breaks. I’ve just found recently we’ve stayed at some really nice, expensive hotels but it’s a bit bland.

I’m not sure about going as far as Devon. Kids are much better on a short flight than a long car journey being honest.

if you're doing a city break i don't think you need a particularly top end hotel as you really only use it as a base for bed and breakfast and will be out sightseeing for most of the day. Which part of the country are you starting from?

@MiddleAgedDreadwe’re close to Stansted airport. Yes exactly, wouldn’t need anything fancy!

Flights to Edinburgh aren't too pricey and there's loads to do in the city with kids that age.

Channel Islands?

London is busy most times, February half-term is the beginning, it gets a bit quieter around November to vamp up in December.

But maybe use inset days if you can and do day trips.

How about the Manor & Ashbury resort in Devon? Dd & I are going for the 3rd time this year. Really good for adults & children