Tips for first Neilson beach club holiday

[MeanwhileTime]

We’re going on our first Neilson holiday in a little over a month and I wondered if anyone could help me with packing suggestions, as well as any general hints & tips for how these holidays work/ what to expect.

We will obvs be taking swimwear, t shirts & shorts etc, but is there anything else you would definitely recommend? We have beach shoes on the list already.

We will be taking our 15 and 11 year old. Will they be supplied with rash vests by neilson or should they bring their own?

Also, if you and teens or tweens who had phones what did they do with those during the day? Did they leave them in the room or was there somewhere safe to leave them in the kids club? Happy for our two to leave theirs in our room but just wondering what the usual arrangements are.

And finally, any recommendations for really good waterproof sunscreen?

Thank you to anyone who is able to give advice 🙂

Clothes pegs to help dry your stuff out!

Yes, kids will get rash vests if you've registered them with kids clubs.

Possibly ear plugs if you're near the bar area.

Some first aid stuff for any scrapes.

Cycling gloves and shorts and maybe your own helmet if you're fussy about such things.

Inflatables for the pool!

Encourage your kids to join HotShots. It’s full of fun and adventure.

DD had her phone with her - she took lots of photos.

Get used to talking to your partner - you won't see the DC! Dinner with DH was a shock 😂

Great suggestions, thank you. Would never have thought about clothes pegs but will add them to the list now.

Oh I hadn’t thought about them taking photos, of course they’re going to want to do that.

I’m hoping if we don’t see them it will be because they’re having too much fun! 😆

The neilson photographer takes LOADS of photos of the kids- it’s worth buying the package. We’ve been to a couple of beach clubs. It will depend a bit on who else is there and where you are as to whether you'll
see much of the kids!

You are in for a great holiday! Agree with pp it’s such a shock when your DC don’t want to join you for meals!

Water bottles - they can provide but I prefer my own and then you can tell it’s yours. Water stations around the resort to refill.

Cap, sunglasses. We use Nivea factor 50 sunscreen, everyone has their own bottle so can carry with them. 11 year old (Stingray?) may be happy to carry the Nielson bag. Teens have their own backpack or beach bag.

15 year old may prefer their own rash vest depending on the group, mine have always worn their own by that age.

They need their phones especially the 15 year old who can join adult activities if they want as everything is organised through the app now. They may also go off resort at times (you’ll know when and where) so need access to some money , sometimes cash depending where you are going.

Everyone changes for dinner (casual) but not lunch.

Hot shots is fantastic if the 11 year old is interested. I have never seen older kids with inflatables. A ball maybe for waterpolo but you can get them there.

We stock up snacks and beers from local supermarket as bar prices are more expensive.

Oh yes the photographer is EVERYWHERE! The package is great value (the first time! We have thousands of photos of kids in rashes jumping into the pool 😂)

If you want to try the water ski or wakeboard sign up for your first tow on the first day, it gets very busy.

We are not going this year, now I’m jealous!

So many excellent suggestions, thank you so much. I am noting everything down and getting really excited about going now 😁.

Is Hot Shots separate from the usual kids club the 11 year old would do? I can check but am pretty sure we filled something out online to sign them both up for the age appropriate kids clubs but it sounds like hot shots might be something separate?

Hot shots is a more full on programme learning to sail etc with less flexibility timing wise. Neither of mine did it, just did the normal clubs.

Are all the parents that go super fit? I’m not 😂. I’m more at the lower end of average when it comes to fitness but happy to do some exercise classes and try out some water sports. Hoping I won’t feel like the odd one out!

Suncream per person because you’ll all be going to different activities.
water proof phone cases
tinted goggles for the outdoor pool
sunglasses chords for water sports
Sunlounger towel clips
its definitely not full of super fit people. Some go just to focus on one activity and others try lots of different things and relax by the pool too.

Oh you lucky things - we go in June and have been several times. My tips are:
More sports kit than you think you’ll need as you’ll live in it (and happily!)

• sports bras
• vest tops/t shirts wicking material
• shorts
• sports socks
• yoga wear (but no need for full length leggings if temps high)

A baseball hat (tennis etc) Sunglasses you can play sport in Several swimsuits and board shorts and a rashie for adults (paddle boarding, windsurfing, kayaking etc) Flip flops or sliders for everyone as you will wear these or trainers and little else A sharpie pen so you can writes kids names on water bottles and rash vests and sun screen etc Cycling stuff if you are a keen cyclist but otherwise they will provide everything Swimming goggles Everyone will need their own sunscreen as kids will take one with them each day An spf for lips A small rucksack or bag Very little dressy clothes - a couple of summer dresses per week, most nights you will probably fall into bed early Books

Tea bags if you’re me :)

an extension cable with plug adapter so you can charge several things with UK plugs at once, and there's never enough sockets in hotel rooms!

found my packing list:
undies
bras
sports bras
PJs
sunhat/cap

couple of pairs each of:
sports/beach shorts
cycling shorts
casual shorts

rash vest
sports t-shirts / vests
casual t-shirts/vests

2 dresses for evenings
cardigan / hoodie

swimsuits/bikinis
goggles
swim cap
pool towel
dry bag
waterproof phone case
pool inflatable

sweat towel for gym classes

flipflops / sliders
beach shoes
sandals for evenings (optional)
gym/running trainers

sunglasses with strap
glasses
contact lenses

toiletries
medication
sunscreen
after sun

charger cables
ipad
headphones
book/kindle
plug adaptor
extension cable

clothes pegs
sunlounger pegs

subject to the amount of sport you'll be doing:
cycling shoes and own pedals (to ensure they fit)
cycle helmet
wetsuit
tennis racket

Oh wow, this is all amazingly helpful, thank you all 🤩!

And Handwash liquid!

Love Neilson beach club: have fun!

My top tip: cross pack your clothes in each other’s suitcases and bring a few essentials (swim gear, suncream, underwear, contact lenses, trainers etc) in hand luggage. We lost 2.5 days of one trip to luggage not loaded on our charter flight (alongside about 15 other families), and I didn’t enjoy having to use half a day to be taken to the nearest Decathlon to buy replacement kit!

Despite a luggage debacle one year and a lengthy delay another year, love Neilson holidays and getting to try new activities as a family. If we go back, we plan to book Hot Shots.

Oh god what a mare that must have been. Wise advice, thank you!

I spent most of my time lying by the pool interspersed with a couple of leisurely kayak sessions! Did try a bit of tennis one year but not very seriously! Real mix!

The hotels they partner with really aren’t that great.

You pay extra for HotShots.