Where to go on summer hol with toddler & NB?!

[rebeccaben]

I am due with my second child in March and my husband and I are trying to figure out where on earth to go on holiday next summer (pref end of June, beg July...before it gets even more expensive with school holidays). We will then have a 3 month old and a 2 year old. I have always avoided package resort type places in the past, but almost wonder whether a decent resort with a kids club and a creche might be the most sane option. Last summer we rented a lovely villa in the south of France with extended family but I don't think that will work this time (when both children are a little bigger it would be perfect).

So, if anyone has any suggestions of somewhere to go that is a short flight, has sun and sand, and is not too cringeingly 'Brits abroad', please let me know!!

Thanks, Rebecca

[ClareC]

We hired a villa in Paxos, just me, my partner, our then 20 mth old daughter and 4 1/2 mth son. Villa had 3 bedrooms and a pool and was perfect for a family holiday. Kids loved the pool, easy to keep baby in shade and for kids to sleep when they needed to. also had the bonus of having a washing machine.

We would walk to a taverna for a late lunch (after kids nap) and then once the kids were in bed woukd spend evenings on our terrace with a glass of wine.

We risked eating out a couple of evenings and it was OK, just more relaxing to eat out at lunchtime!

Certainly was nowhere near as relaxing as without small children but far better than any hotel / apartment given we were not confined to a room post 7pm!

[rebeccaben]

Thanks Clare! I didn't really think about the logistics about be confined to our bedroom once we put the babies to bed. So maybe it is better to do a villa than a hotel. We've never been to Paxos - if you would recommend it, could you post or PM me the details of where you stayed?

[ClareC]

Paxos was lovely, we booked for next year whilst there! I will pm you the details of the villa.

[savage]

Hi

We found this place http://www.lesarrail.com/ on this website http://www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk/. I can recommend le sarrail, it is really beautiful with a touch of luxury!

It felt very safe for the kids, and they provide lots of toys in both the gite and play barn. Also provide a play scheme, babysitting and food if you should require it.

Kate

[amydown]

We stayed at the Almyra hotel in Cyprus as it was recommended for being child-friendly. Our toddler was 18m at the time and there were other families with toddlers and little babies too. Paphos itself didn't have much to offer I have to be honest but we pretty much stayed in the resort and it was great!

They have a crech which was really nice and run by English nursery teachers and they are really well equipped for kids and babies generally (early dinner with childrens buffet) and provide you with warm milk in the evening for baby, can loan you steriliser, and all sorts of stuff.

If you search for the Almyra hotel in Paphos on Google, lots of info on the website.

[Norfolkvillas]

We loved Domes of Elounda in Crete - small and intimate (for a resort), with rooms that have separate living room so no creeping about in the dark after kids asleep. Kids club, creche from 4 months, kids pool, gorgeous beach with dappled olive tree shade right down to the waters edge. Brilliant service, couldn't do enough for us. Didn't need to bring anything as they supplied buggy, baby monitor, etc. It's not cheap though, but it was probably the first time we've been away and it's really felt like a treat for our son (2yrs) as well as us...

Martinhal in Portugal also worth checking as it is fabulous for families - it's a hybrid hotel / self-catering, so best of both worlds...

For the future, I also really fancy Le Sarrail and Almyra that the above two posters mentioned....

[rebeccaben]

Thanks so much for all of the recommendations - looking at them all now!

[VALFR59]

Hi Reb,

If you want to have another experience more "family friendly" in France, two good adress to have a flat/holiday house inside a nice complex, full of activities for all the family and often with a nursery/toddlers club:

- Club Mediterran?e: they classify the clubs compare your situation "in family/single/or in couple without child".

- Pierre&vacances:

Just check the feed back on websites, well look the pictures, etc. because even if it's between a 3 and 4 stars venues with the french classification, some of them need to be refurbished , for the price you have to pay for it (example not go to the "Club Med" in Corsica)

See you :))

Val?rie

[buggie]

Just incase you'd consider a UK based break, I'd like to throw Bosinver Farm into the mix, we went with our 1yr old in Sept and have already booked to return next year. The accomodation is fab - small cottages which have beautiful views & none feel overlooked (they provide everything you'll need so only need to take clothes/favourite toys. There's a soft play/play barn and you get to hand feed animals with Farmer Dave every morning and there's a solar heated outside pool.

We went for a week but have booked for a fortnight next year so we can enjoy a few days just on the farm without missing out on what else Cornwall can offer!

[Hollysmum]

If you can hang on til the littlest one is 4 months ... Club Med will take them both in the cr?che if that's what you're looking for. Recommend Hammamet in Tunisia. They think of everything ... except breastfeeding, went when our eldest was 6 months I just insisted on picking her up after a couple of hours so I could feed her. She loved it there. I'd never gone for a resort holiday before kids but all I want now is some peace and quiet, a sun lounger and a good pool!

[pommie]

we have been to a place in rhodes called Pefkos and stayed in Pefki Islands Resort. It is a lovely place to stay, very clean, friendly people and it has two swimming pools plus a little kids one. Also you can use the facilities in the complex just 2 seconds away from it (its all part of the same one) which has another pool etc. Its a stones throw away from restaurants/bars etc but not so you can hear it from the apartments. The beach is just a short walk away from the apartments too. have a look at the thomson website