Where would you send 5 women for 4 nights of sun, pool and gentle nightlife?

[FussInBoots]

So… we’ve decided to cancel our Bruno Mars London trip this summer. One of our girls can’t come as she’s due to have an op on one of her ‘girls’ to match the other 'girl' after stage 4 BC ❤️ and it just wouldn’t be the same going without her.
But now we need something else to plan and look forward to!!

There are 5 of us and we’re thinking about 4 nights somewhere warm next year. No idea what month yet really, we’ll work that around her recovery and when we can all get away.

We want sun, a pool (definitely a pool!! Heated if we go when it might be cooler), and enough loungers for all of us to lie around, drink, chat and put the world to rights 😂

We don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere though. We’d like local bars and restaurants, a bit of gentle nightlife and some atmosphere in the evenings. Not looking for clubs or anything mad, but equally don’t want everywhere shut at 9pm!

Beach nearby would be lovely, either walking distance or a short taxi. We’d also need a local shop/supermarket nearby for drinks, snacks and supplies.
Flying from Cardiff or Bristol and really don’t want a massive transfer at the other end.

Accommodation wise we’re open. A lovely Airbnb/villa with a pool would probably be ideal, but we’d definitely consider a hotel, B&B or half board. Not really looking for a package all inclusive holiday.

I’ve googled and googled and keep getting the usual generic answers, so I want to know where people have actually been and loved.

Where have you stayed that you’d genuinely recommend for 5 women wanting sun, pool, nice food, drinks and a good laugh? Specific towns/resorts would be great, but actual hotels, villas or Airbnbs would be even better!

We just need something bloody lovely to look forward to ❤️

Caiscias (sp?) in Portugal. 30 mins by taxi from Lisbon airport. On the coast, upscale town with restaurants/cool bars - lively but not tacky or full of pissed up people. Can access “town beach” or more beautiful spots by very cheap Ubers. Can do a day trip to Sintra in the hills or 30 mins by train into Lisbon.

Rhodes works well if you book b&b in Ixia, short cab or bus into Rhodes town and your budget will stretch quite well because it’s not too expensive. The hotel I stayed in had suites that slept up to 6 people with their own mini pools and were not horrendously expensive

Nafplio on the Greek mainland - lovely place to stay www.anthemion.gr

I love Greece, but this is a great shout, Cascais is perfect for a trip like this, so easy to get into Lisbon and Sintra is beautiful, plus Cascais itself has plenty of nice restaurants and bars and the beach on the way to Estoril is lovely

Malaga (as has already been suggested is a lovely city.
Marbella (the old town) is great for a few days.
Gibraltar (you can fly from Bristol straight there and walk from the airport).

San Stephanos NE in Corfu. Villa Anastar has a private pool, a little beach below, village is a 10 minute walk. Two bars that stay open late, 5 gorgeous tavernas. It's bliss

Mijas!

Majorca, Santa Ponsa, just back today from Iberostar Jardin del sol suites.... unreal and ticks all your boxes! Def get a room with terrace, own sun loungers and jacuzzi tub! Wonderful sea views and shops bars and restaurants v close by!

Palma. For loads of reasons, it is a 2 hour 20 mins flight, and there are flights from almost every airport for a very reasonable price. You can be in Can Pastilla (which has a beautiful beach, plenty of bars and restaurants, tons of supermarkets etc.) within 15 minutes of getting out of the airport. Plenty of low key day trips - Palma itself is nice, local bus is 2e, or uber is an OK price if more of you. Soller on the train (although rammed). We stayed at the Alua Leo, which we found marvellous - nice big pool, loads of sun loungers and the food was brilliant - I am not normally a HB person, but it was so good, and so reasonably priced, I would not hesitate, drinks were not expensive 3 eu for wine (of questionable quality !) They had some entertainment on at night (we did not bother with this, went out) and they did the occasional thing around the pool which was actually OK ( I am a hater of "forced disturbance of any nature") but actually it was fine, free cocktail taster, snack, free ice-creams, bingo etc. - but it was minimal and actually quite good. We went in June, pool was not heated but bearable then. Rooms are "normal" twins with balcony, and aircon etc. clean, functional, fridge. It is VERY near the airport, no bad noise to speak of. BUT we were on the swimming pool side, and we liked seeing the planes coming in (every 2 minutes until about 1am) but there will be haters on this front. You could not hear them at all once you had shut the balcony doors. Also, sorry plans have been derailed, that must be rubbish xx

Pollensa in Majorca. Really pretty, near beaches and bars and great places to eat. Really beautiful, cobbled streets etc

Talamanca or Santa Eulalia in Ibiza fits the bill. Alternatively Portals Nous in Majorca - great beach access and a short trip into Palma which is great as it sounds as if you don’t want a city break and staying in Palma will be just that.

Biarritz

Would also third Cascais. I love it there.

Another vote for Cascais. We go there often. You cannot go wrong.

we are planning a late summer weekend, having already had our summer holiday. Fly EasyJet from Bristol and it’s a short jaunt.
Grande Reale Villa Italia or Albatroz are fabulous hotels.

Dubrovnik.
www.adriaticluxuryhotels.com/hotel-bellevue-dubrovnik?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Google-places&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20986198745&gbraid=0AAAAAqrFnIRgf8sRiK82LQbtcBE9ifF1B&gclid=CjwKCAjw6rfSBhAqEiwA_yocpkqutTTzCDlApr9A37Hjo--v_njJzQZTI_rP46Y1AtQJW1M7CMfHThoCZuEQAvD_BwE

Malta would be perfect

Valencia was brilliant for a group of 40 something women, good food, cocktails, sun, shopping, culture and amazing beaches.

Santa Eulalia is where you want to be in Ibiza.

Great public transport so you can do it independently or book a package with transfers. Can also get a bus to Ibiza town for a day out.

Gibraltar

Another vote for Malaga.

Málaga

Palma or Pollenca ( city, architecture, amazing food, beaches nearby and easy to explore the island), Malaga ( similar) , Ferragudo or Lagos on the Algarve ( amazing beaches, fabulous food, one of my fave places!), agree with Cascais too. Likewise amazing food, easy access to Lisbon, Sintra, other beaches on the coast. Have a look at Alastair Sawday, think they do nice places in Malaga, Portugal. Also iescape do nice places. happy hunting and hope your friend is ok.

Menorca!!!

the capital Mahon/mao is small & perfectly formed. You could stay in the city & travel to beaches or stay at beach & travel into town.

Faliraki, Rhodes is perfect!!!!

My friend and I went to Ibiza for my 50th. Flew from Bristol and short flight. We went for 4 nights and it was great.