Holiday 2012 with a 5 year old

bishop_stoke

Hi,

Just returned from a holiday (for want of a better yet still polite description) in Mallorca courtesy of First Choice/Holiday Village Viva.
Well, that was the first and last time we'll be staying at a Holiday Village, and the last time we'll use First Choice - ever! It was like Butlins, but with sunshine and food poisoning.:mad:

Anyway, my thoughts are now looking towards getting it right for 2012. What I am looking for is a child friendly hotel suitable for 44 year old parents with a 5 year old girl, as we will be next year. Something with a little to entertain a 5 year old, such as a play park within the complex or very nearby, suitable toddlers swimming pool and something with excellent food (we value quality over quantity, as view 'buffet' style restaurants with some suspicion).

One of the places we have seen is the Tamarisk Hotel in Bodrum, but really we would appreciate any advice and idea's as to suitable places to stay. Obviously with a 5 year old, safety is our prime concern so high rise hotels are off the list, as is anywhere that has a connection with First Choice (Last Choice). We went self sufficient last year and rented an apartment on the Costa Brava, and this year tried a Holiday Village for the sake of our daughter - both dissapointed - us at least.

Oh, last thing - we are not loaded with cash! We have a budget of about £2500 - £3500 for a decent holiday next August. After the last two disappointments we really need a relaxing break!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

DCFC79

Not fully loaded yet you say a min budget of £2500, isnt that more than ample for a holiday for an adult/s and child.

bishop_stoke

DCFC79 wrote: »

Not fully loaded yet you say a min budget of £2500, isnt that more than ample for a holiday for an adult and child.

We just had two weeks in a supposed 4 star resort that took almost every penny of 6 months worth of overtime to pay for. The holiday cost £2500, and we probably spent another £400 - £500 on eating out because the food was so abysmal. We dont have much spare money at the end of each month, but I do insist my child has a holiday to remember every year, unlike her father who never had a proper holiday till he was 25. No, we are not loaded and do without things ourselves to ensure our child has a childhood to remember for all the right reasons.

£2500 isnt a lot for two adults and one child by the way if going All Inclusive or Half Board. We managed to spend £2000 last year by renting a private apartment and flying to Alicante with Ryan Air....

DCFC79

bishop_stoke wrote: »

We just had two weeks in a supposed 4 star resort that took almost every penny of 6 months worth of overtime to pay for. The holiday cost £2500, and we probably spent another £400 - £500 on eating out because the food was so abysmal. We dont have much spare money at the end of each month, but I do insist my child has a holiday to remember every year, unlike her father who never had a proper holiday till he was 25. No, we are not loaded and do without things ourselves to ensure our child has a childhood to remember for all the right reasons.

£2500 isnt a lot for two adults and one child by the way if going All Inclusive or Half Board. We managed to spend £2000 last year by renting a private apartment and flying to Alicante with Ryan Air....

apologies i got the impression it was 1 adult and 1 young 1 and after re reading what you wrote i wondered if it was 2 adults plus 1, i thought it was alot for 1 + 1.

I dont remember my holidays when i was 5, i remember bits from holidays but not all of them and not enough to look back on.

bishop_stoke

DCFC79 wrote: »

apologies i got the impression it was 1 adult and 1 young 1 and after re reading what you wrote i wondered if it was 2 adults plus 1, i thought it was alot for 1 + 1.

I dont remember my holidays when i was 5, i remember bits from holidays but not all of them and not enough to look back on.

No worries, just want to find somewhere nice to go next August. Quite new to all this, as prior to our daughter being born we always used to go a bit further afield and not have to worry about kids. Due to the nature of my job and how overtime is paid I need to start looking now.

As I said, any advice or suggestions gratefully received.

scottishnellie

Have a look at the Royal Wings Hotel in Lara Beach, Turkey.


It's a fab hotel.

• Excellent food (inc a la carte restuarants)
• Big pools with waterslides
• A great kiddie pool next to a playpark with shaded areas
• It's own funfair
• fly to Antalya then only 20 mins from airport

Check the reviews on trip advisor. There are other great hotels in Lara Beach but to my mind the Wings is the best all round.

Review here:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297962-d557048-Reviews-Royal_Wings_Hotel-Antalya_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast.html

Orville

bishop_stoke wrote: »

Hi,

Just returned from a holiday (for want of a better yet still polite description) in Mallorca courtesy of First Choice/Holiday Village Viva.
Well, that was the first and last time we'll be staying at a Holiday Village, and the last time we'll use First Choice - ever! It was like Butlins, but with sunshine and food poisoning.:mad:

Anyway, my thoughts are now looking towards getting it right for 2012. What I am looking for is a child friendly hotel suitable for 44 year old parents with a 5 year old girl, as we will be next year. Something with a little to entertain a 5 year old, such as a play park within the complex or very nearby, suitable toddlers swimming pool and something with excellent food (we value quality over quantity, as view 'buffet' style restaurants with some suspicion).

One of the places we have seen is the Tamarisk Hotel in Bodrum, but really we would appreciate any advice and idea's as to suitable places to stay. Obviously with a 5 year old, safety is our prime concern so high rise hotels are off the list, as is anywhere that has a connection with First Choice (Last Choice). We went self sufficient last year and rented an apartment on the Costa Brava, and this year tried a Holiday Village for the sake of our daughter - both dissapointed - us at least.

Oh, last thing - we are not loaded with cash! We have a budget of about £2500 - £3500 for a decent holiday next August. After the last two disappointments we really need a relaxing break!

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Oh my, i am off to the holiday village costa del sol a week thursday. From the research i have done all comments seem positive. I hope the holiday is ok.

Zoetoes

Orville wrote: »

Oh my, i am off to the holiday village costa del sol a week thursday. From the research i have done all comments seem positive. I hope the holiday is ok.

I'm sure it will be great, I've looked at that one a few times but it came up a bit pricey.

We went to the Egypt holiday village last year and it was fantastic.

bishop_stoke

Orville wrote: »

Oh my, i am off to the holiday village costa del sol a week thursday. From the research i have done all comments seem positive. I hope the holiday is ok.

The Costa one is meant to be better than the Mallorcan one. Having thoroughly read through the reports on the one we stayed at, it appears that it isnt as good as others, with the Costa Del Sol Village proving to be popular with those who have visited both. Im sure you'll have a good time.

bishop_stoke

scottishnellie wrote: »

Have a look at the Royal Wings Hotel in Lara Beach, Turkey.


It's a fab hotel.

• Excellent food (inc a la carte restuarants)
• Big pools with waterslides
• A great kiddie pool next to a playpark with shaded areas
• It's own funfair
• fly to Antalya then only 20 mins from airport

Check the reviews on trip advisor. There are other great hotels in Lara Beach but to my mind the Wings is the best all round.

Review here:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g297962-d557048-Reviews-Royal_Wings_Hotel-Antalya_Turkish_Mediterranean_Coast.html

Thanks for that; will add it to my list of possibles. I have had a quick scan of the reviews that mark it as 'terrible', but they are few and far between.