AI vs Self Catering and value for money

pingufan

Okay, family of 4 - 2 kids age 12 & 10 who have always gone AI. It suited us fine when they were younger from the point of view that we stayed in the hotel every evening - being buffet style meals meant that if the kids didnt like something they would just go get something different and to be honest it was a very economical way of holidaying for us.

Now that they are older I'm starting to crave something a bit different. A separate bedroom for hubby and I would be great, I like the idea of getting up in the morning under our own steam, drinking a coffee on my balcony and not dragging the kids out of bed in case we miss breakfast. The evenings would be nice to go out and find different places to eat - the kids dont miss the mini disco any more!!

So, for 2014 I'm looking at Self Catering in a 2 bed apt. Hubby is worrried there won't be enough for the kids to do and they'll get bored but most of the places that do apts that have water slides and all the daytine activities that he children are used to cost almost as much as going AI!

He is also worried that we would spend far too much. Are there any particular places that are good value for money and where cost of living is cheap?

We usually spend £2200 - £2500 for an Ai holiday plus about £400 spending money - could we SC for the same total spend?

Can anyone recommend a good SC place that has 2 bed Apts - a beach close by would be lovely. Or should we be looking at an AI that does apartments?

Cost is a big factor - how much should we be taking for 2 weeks Self Catering? I'm happy to do breakfast and lunch myself but would be looking to eat out in the evening.

My head is boggled with it all to be honest - also for 2014 would I be better off waiting until the low cost airlines release then book an apartment separately or go down the package route?

Thanks - sorry for all the questions but I'm interested to see how other families manage to do it.

balletshoes

You could look at apartments now, see what you like the look of. i have booked separately for october because i couldnt get the apart i wanted on a package with flights.
my daughter is 12 so being close to but not slap bang in the middle of the resort was important. close to beach and with grocery store nearby too. we,ll stock up the fridge with cold drinks and get bread and sandwich fillings but will probably eat out mostly.

Marker_2

I've done AI and SC holidays. Last time I did a SC was in 2004, and it was cheap as chips. £250pp for flights and accommodation to Cyprus.

On my recent holiday search I noticed there was not much price difference at all between RO, BB, SC, HB and AI. Given that I would almost always book AI and take spending money to go out for lunch when you fancy.

If you are holiday somewhere like Italy, where you will definitely want to eat out then book SC.

mcfisco

Boredom with the kids will be the issue you need to sort out first I reckon

Finding somewhere that you're happy to let them wander off and do stuff without too much stress
Have a look at Sunwing Resort Fanabe, Tenerife.
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g1166580-d651572-Reviews-Sunwing_Resort_Fanabe-Playa_de_Fanabe_Tenerife_Canary_Islands.html

Siam park is very close and Loro Parque isn't
Twin tickets are good value through Travel Republic before you go

julie2710

I was going to recommend Tenerife. Probably the Playa de Las Americas it Los Christianos areas. You can book rental apartments which are quite often in resorts via web sites that owners rent direct from or holiday rental sites. To eat out is cheap and to be honest breakfasts are really cheap out. Water parks and crazy golfs, zoos, trio to the top of the volcano.

I think you could do it within your budget comfortably.

mcfisco

Eating out around Playa de Las Americas, Los Cristianos, Fanabe is not too bad, plenty of places with €9 three course menus.
Beer can be had for around €1/pint through the day and nearer €2 in the evening.
I reckon you'd be fine with an evening budget of €50 for decent food and a drink or two

zagfles

What about a static caravan on a campsite, usually good value, often right on the beach, separate rooms etc, nearly always have a BBQ. loads of entertainment etc, usually a pool with slides etc...

We usually spend around £3.5k for a 3 week holiday, that includes eating out most nights and lots of trips out etc, it'll be a lot cheaper if you stay mainly on site and have lots of BBQs.

Have a look at keycamp, siblu etc, also look at booking direct with the campsites.

pingufan

Getting a really good price for here

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g663504-d500641-Reviews-Niriides_Beach_Hotel-Psalidi_Kos_Dodecanese.html

around £1500 for 2 weeks in July in a 2 bed apt

Is that a good price for SC?

Any idea what the cost of living / food / drink prices are in Kos please?

holidaysforme

pingufan wrote: »

Getting a really good price for here

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g663504-d500641-Reviews-Niriides_Beach_Hotel-Psalidi_Kos_Dodecanese.html

around £1500 for 2 weeks in July in a 2 bed apt

Is that a good price for SC?

Any idea what the cost of living / food / drink prices are in Kos please?

Is this for this July or July 2014? Never been to Kos, but looks like a great price to me!

pingufan

July 2014 with Thomson x