Please please help me find a holiday

[ahundredtimes]

So people: 2 jaded adults, 3 children (12,10 and 8)

We've done a load of self-catering holidays, v. nice but I think we need some ACTIVITIES and FACILITIES for the kids to go off and do, have some independence, so we all get a break and some space (we spend an awful lot of time together)

Where to go? What to do?

Resort hotel? I want to go abroad, if possible. DH will do his nut in a big 800 bedroom hotel I'm afraid, annoying and spoilt but there we have it.

Can anyone recommend something? Please? I've never done a resort hotel type thing before.

Budget generous but not ridiculous

centre parcs? I've never gorn there but they ahve lots of activites I think

of course it might be Hell on Earth

cyb, can I have a beach??

I like center parcs

Can you stretch to Mark Warner? My friends with older children really rate them

yes, perhaps.

Thank you, I will go and investigate them, don't know anything about them

read OP properly next time

It was a good suggestion

Hi, you should look at hotelsviva.com they have fairly spacious 2 bed apts available.
We went 2 years ago and found the entertainment team was excellent. There was something for everyone but no pushy reps forcing you to take part.
The facilities for adults were also good, especially the child free chill pool.
We went to the Viva Tropic in Alcudia and although we weren't that keen on Alcudia itself (typical resort town) it was bearable.
Have you considered a cruise, haven't been myself but know people who have and the kids all rave about the facilities.

Pelangi Beach Hotel Langkawi

Haven't been for a while but it was lovely, you can opt for a beach villa - the hotel staff babysit in the evening if you want to second honeymoon it! And there's a kids club.

A cruise! I really haven't thought of that. I can't imagine it, but I'm trying. It's a thought.

Thank you for rec, will go and check it out.

ooh rarebear - thank you

thank you all

Is that in Malaysia??

might be too far, hang on

How about a mobile home on a campsite? We have 3 DCs slightly older than yours and are now heading back to a campsite in the summer having strayed briefly into villas.

The big advantage of the campsites is that you can give the children freedom but know that they cant stray too far. Ours absolutely love it and always manage to make friends. Especially in France the campsites are normally good quality with playgrounds, pools, bike hire etc.

Most campsites have restaurants and takeaways plus you can barbecue/cook when you want to.

The accomodation is pretty good too - this year we will have three bedrooms plus aircon and a deck.

Talking about campsites, we've booked Thomson Al Fresco for £380 in the last week of August. Its a Puccini at the Le Vieux campsite in Aquitaine. Highly recommended as Suziehomemaker has said already. Its our first time doing something like this and ds aged 5 is excited about the whole thing.

Hi Cheeky, we stayed there a while back and it looks like they have been updating it since we were last there. Just one tip - the beach is good but the waves are very big.

I hope you have a great time.

highly reccommend a cruise with your age of children as the activities tend to be great and you get to do some sightseeing and relaxing. only problem is the cost as either you'd have to have a big room to fit you all or two adjoining smaller rooms, which will be a bit more expensive. look at royal carribbean for fantastic facilities or msc for cheaper holiday (as kids go free) but still lovely boats. we are booked on a cruise next summer round the med and we can't wait!

A few years ago we all went to Vassiliki and did windurfing for a fortnight with Neilsons. Fabulous holiday, but horrendously expensive, and can't afford it this year.

I expect they're already fully booked for school holidays though.