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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

advice re hol with toddler

15 replies

ilovetochat · 07/01/2009 15:45

i am booking a holiday for October for me, dp and dd, dd will be 2.3.
we are thinking portugal as it won't be too hot, about 18-20 i think and a short flight.
i have found a nice 2 bed villa with a pool which would be nice to have the freedom and privacy and comes with a car.
or a nice hotel,b+b basis, not super family but child friendly which would be nice for dd to see other kids and there is an indoor pool as i presume it will be too cold for outside pools, also a bit of entertainment on the evening that we could watch from the balcony may be useful or may keep dd awake.
both villa and hotel are in vilamoura near restaurants and bars.
which of this is going to best with an active toddler.
only other option is go family friendly hotel somewhere like canaries which is longer flight but warmer.
help please.

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Original poster

ilovetochat · 07/01/2009 19:56

bump.

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brunettemum · 07/01/2009 20:13

We have done a number of villa hols since our DD was born. The clear advantage over a hotel/b&b (IMHO) is that you pick your schedule. You can eat and drink when suits you, dh and your dd, she can nap when she needs to, and you can still sit by pool/relax knowing she is safe. Also, it's more likely that you won't have to share a room with her, which means that you and your dh get more of a holiday too IYKWIM

We have been to the osta del Sol and Costa de la Luz in October, and the temperature was perfect - it just gets a bit chillier at night, but a fleece and a glass of wine on the balcony does the trick

Haven't been to Portugal, but suspect the temps will be very similar. Also the resorts are so family friendly and the beaches so good that she will see other children anyway.

The car is also great as if you do get poor weather (you would be unlucky) it means you can go and explore which keeps everyone happy and not bored.

My only advice re a villa with pool is to try and get one with a fence round - we have done both, and it is a bit more relaxing if you know dd can't wonder off and fall in! (Though not unmanageable if you can't find one).

Hope you have a great time - we've just booked another villa for March - Lanzarote this time... not looking forward to the flight though! DD will be 2.11 by then, so hoping the flight will be ok.

Enjoy

KnickKnackNaNewYear · 07/01/2009 20:22

I was in Vilamoura last year with 2 small kids...I'll come back here tomorrow (or over the weekend) with a few details

Original poster

ilovetochat · 07/01/2009 21:09

thanks brunettemum, was it too cold to swim in the pool when you went in october? i don't think the pool was fenced off, you have started me thinking now, i don't suppose there would be stair gate if any steps, highchair although maybe won't need one then, what about car seats for hire cars?

hurry back knickknack!

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Original poster

ilovetochat · 08/01/2009 21:31

bump

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bodiddly · 08/01/2009 21:37

the weather can be great in October but more the beginning than the end. My parents have a place out there and I have been a few times at that time of year. It is a nice temperature during the day but a bit chilly in the evenings. You definitely need heated pools at that time of year though! I would always go for a villa over a hotel but that is largely because I like the freedom of meal times, not having to share a room with a toddler etc.

AnyFucker · 08/01/2009 21:39

portugal is fantastic for ikkle kids, they are made most welcome

Lagos has a fab beach and lots of lovely villa-type properties, and very friendly locals

early october will be good weather, not too hot but still warm

end of October may get a bit more changeable, rainy and/or windy which when the temp drops a bit can feel a bit too cool for swimming IME (but then I love the sun)

Original poster

ilovetochat · 08/01/2009 21:57

i'm struggling to find nice small villas, only 3 of us so only want 2 bed. do villas have heated pools?
we have had lots of lovely hotel hols pre dd and also 1 great villa hol but i was thinking hotels may offer more dor dd like play areas and indoor pool and other kids?
we will have a car though so can get out.

please keep the info coming. thanks

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Ruthiebabes · 08/01/2009 22:11

Lagos is fab resort on the Algarve, and loads of villas there.

We stayed at a lovely apartment on a complex called Vilabranca. (check out great reviews on tripadvisor). We booked it direct with the owner on holidaylettings.co.uk. It had two bedrooms. So we could put kids to bed and have some time for ourselves. The apartment was really spacious with 2 bathrooms as well.

The complex isnt massive so not noisy. There are two pools, not sure if heated though. We went in middle of sept and pools warm enough.

I think it is worth considering an apartment as they are generally cheaper than villas.

We hired a car and toured around.

If you want any more info let me know. We love the Algarve. Beaches are amazing.

Original poster

ilovetochat · 09/01/2009 14:17

thanks ruth, have you stayed in any hotels there?

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Ruthiebabes · 10/01/2009 12:19

Stayed in Aqualuz aparthotel a few years back, but preferred Vilabranca.

Original poster

ilovetochat · 10/01/2009 12:58

ok thanks!

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KnickKnackNaNewYear · 12/01/2009 12:03

Sorry its taken me so long to get back! I'm afraid I don't have much advice though.
When I was in Vilamoura we stayed at very swish luxury apartments at the Hilton, the nicest place I have ever been in my life (we got an absolute bargain and were paying less than most people were for cheap hotels/apartments). We were only there for 3 days and spent almost all of the time on site, there was so much to do.

The rest of our holiday was spent elsewhere and for the life of me I cant remember the name of the town
The hotel was lovely, nice pools (cold but bearable outside and heated indoors), great kids club etc, other kids to play with (this was really nice in the evening when at the hotel entertainment). As a nation they seem to be incredibly friendly and very child friendly
We had 2 adjoining rooms, which meant the kids could sleep in one room during day/at night, and adults had peace in the other room.
I'll come back and let you know if I can remember the name of the town or hotel!

KnickKnackNaNewYear · 12/01/2009 12:06

Forgot to add, its definitely worth hiring a car. We brought our booster seats with us.
I would definitely take a small pushchair as well as we found we did lots of walking and kids were able to stay up later for dinner if they didn't have to walk to and from restaurants.

Original poster

ilovetochat · 12/01/2009 14:21

right, thanks we have booked our holiday and it is totally different, not portugal and not a villa, , oh well
dp decided that as it is his special birthday he wanted something to remember so we have booked a cruise and stay round majorca, 1 week in a hotel at Pollensa and then a week on the boat.
thanks everbody.
1 question, we will be having coach transfers from airport to hotel and to boat, what happens with regards to dd, does she have a seat of some sort or just a normal coach seat or do we have to take 1?

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