Winter Sun recommendations?

[MarianaTrench]

We are looking to go away just after Christmas for some winter sun ... I am thinking the Canaries are still quite chilly around that time of year so I am thinking Dubai or Abu Dhabi. We have a 3 year old and a 1 year old.

Has anyone happen to have any recommendations?!

We need/want a separate bedroom for the kids, so we can put them to bed and still be up and read a book. Ideally an apartment rather than a hotel, so we can do our own cooking.

[Beaky]

Cape Verde - 2 hours south of Canaries, very underdeveloped but hotels good with kids club if you want one. Great beaches and much warmer than Canaries. Cheaper than Dubai too. Lots of hotels have family rooms with separate bedroom etc

[AllBrick]

Summer in South Africa at that time of year. Went for 6 weeks, loads to do, great exchange rate, everyone speaks English and Durban beach is great.

Might be a tad far though (10hrs to joburg) and could cost a bit too. Only 1hr time difference which is good. Have to spend at least two weeks too.

[HK]

We stayed at Zabeel Saray (on the palm) with our 3 and 1 year old in a family room (separate bedroom for kids) and it worked really well. They have a small-ish swimming pool for kids which is ideal for toddlers and younger children and a kids club (they take them from 4 but you can still go with them and play with toys etc). Flight is doable and you're g'teed sun, so great destination if you want just want to chill and relax. We went to same hotel the year after too. We've been in Jan and Feb but days are slightly warmer and longer in Feb if you can hold out till then ...

[Audrey]

I came on to suggest South Africa too. I'd recommend South Africa Airways over BA every day of the week, even though you have to connect through Jo'burg. In terms of cost and comfort it's incomparable.

SA is incredibly child friendly, we were so blown away we are booked to go back next year. Only downside is the water is freezing (not to mention full of sharks!) so it's not entirely "sea-sidey", but so much to see and do.

[smartie1]

Dubai is great with small children. We moved back to dulwich last year after living there for 6 years.

Plenty of apartments to rent if you prefer that to a hotel although you'll miss out a bit as they have excellent pools and facilities.

Loads of choice of hotels - many are more suites than rooms so you can put the kids to bed and sit on the balcony or in another room.

Check airbnb for apartments if you really do want self catering facilities.

Loads of flights and you can get some really good deals. It's worth calling the hotel directly and asking for a discount as they often upgrade to a better room or offer half board packages instead.

[LSB]

We are going to go to Oman in Feb with our three kids. Muscat is a lovely city and there are some great hotels - flights not too expensive at the moment.