Help and recommendations needed please.

Tanswell88

Hi everyone, me and my husband are looking at going abroad between Aug 14th - 3rd Sept. My husband gets prebooked holidays due to working shifts so it needs to be between them dates and it's also school holidays too. (So that means prices are like double anyway )We are a family of four (2 adults, 2 children ages 6 and 2). We are wanting hear the best cheaper places that do all inclusive that you'd reccomend?
We are hoping to do a budget holiday this year and maybe next and then do a big holiday to Florida the year after.
We went to Cal'n forcat last year for 10 days self catering and stayed at the Binimar and we enjoyed it but we wouldn't want to go back as we want to try somewhere else.
Obviously we have our passports so that takes away a large chunk of the cost that we had last year.
So... Can anyone reccomend any good places?
Also....is it best to book in advance or hope and prey for a good deal closer to the time?
We also said we want all inclusive to try and save a bit of money so we aren't totally against self catering again as we don't really drink alcohol (especially when we have our kids with us)
TIA.

Moto2

With a 6 & a 2 year old and you two not drinking, I'd be surprised if AI is the cheapest option for you.
The range of family resorts is vast, so a bit more info on the sort of things you like doing would narrow it down a bit.
Do you like beaches? Travel around a lot? Stay in the complex?
Do you like the sort of places that resemble Blackpool in the sun? Or something a bit less in your face?

opinions4u

Something like Eurocamp?

Tanswell88

Beaches we aren't too bothered about. Great bonus but not a must.
Our last holiday we did one day trip as we enjoyed staying on complex as they had 3 different pools, entertainment throughout the day and both children are water babies and could spend all their time swimming.
Ideally I'd like a place that resembled a haven holiday with very warm weather, with good swimming pools (kids pool with slides etc) and the good old holiday cheesy entertainment on a night time.

Moto2

Maybe have a look at the Costa Brava, Lloret de Mar?

apesxx

Tenerife- the Loro parque is a fantastic day out for the kids although it might be a bit too hot in August x we stayed at parque Santiago 4 but I don't think this hotel would fit what your looking for as was SC and no entertainment. We like to go off site a lot and find our own things to do. The kids slide pool was fantastic over the road at the sister hotel and couldn't get the kids out of it.

Alcudia in Mallorca- lots of big all inclusive resorts. Will be lovely and warm in August, the sea is really warm and shallow for miles out so safe for the kids. Lots of day trips to go on and only a 2 hour flight so kid friendly x
We loved this area but only stopped in a smaller SC hotel as the big AI resorts are our idea of holiday hell!

Tanswell88

Thanks for the responses so far!

Would you guys recommend booking sooner for the best deals or waiting till just before we go?

apesxx

Check out club mac ( think it also goes under the name of mac marte, Jupiter and saturno too) in alcudia. It is supposed to be ideal for exactly the type of holiday you are after x I know a few people who have been and loved it x

needaholiday

San Miguel Hotel/ Beachclub in Puerto San Miguel Ibiza is a good family all inclusive and usually works out a bit cheaper than other hotels. The Beachclub is on Thomson site and the hotel on Firstchoice. The hotel is also on booking.com but is called Club Hotel Cartago on this site. Beachclub is on the flat so may be better for little ones but food is better at the hotel. You can use either restaurant but if not using the one you are staying at you need to pre book the previous day at your reception. There is also a pre bookable Chinese and snacks are available from the Western Saloon during the day. They also have lovely ice creams that resemble Cornettos and Feasts etc.

opinions4u

Ideally I'd like a place that resembled a haven holiday with very warm weather, with good swimming pools (kids pool with slides etc) and the good old holiday cheesy entertainment on a night time.

Eurocamp, Canvas and many others can offer you this.

Voyager2002

Be aware that cheapest and best are two different things.

As for the question about when to book: have a look at the holidays on offer and decide whether you are choosy, or would be happy with most of them if the price were right. If you want to be sure of the place; the type of resort; flight times and everything then book well in advance... In order to get exactly what you want close to the departure date, you have to pay more. However, if you would be happy with most of them then wait: at the last minute you get offered the left-overs that no-one else wanted at bargain prices, and so you have to be content with whatever thee is then.

As for places: at that time of year, Devon and Cornwall are wonderful, while Spain (and even Paris) is just too hot to be enjoyable.