Feb sunshine...

[Dan_1981]

Looking for suggestions for somewhere nice and warm, laze on a beach around a pool. Child friendly - 6 & 9 year olds.

All inclusive would be preferable, 25 degrees+

£1500 / head ish?

Suspect i'm looking at Dubai other middle east areas?

Long haul is ok.... mid range would be better.

Would the Canaries be warm enough?

[Palmela]

Canaries are often windy this time of year, and not that hot. Take a look at Cap Verde.

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

Palmela said:

Canaries are often windy this time of year, and not that hot. Take a look at Cap Verde.

Agree - Fuerteventura is our go to place in Feb/March and whilst temperatures are fine for us, 25+ they are not and the wind can be an issue.

Cape Verde can also be windy although will be warmer.

Egypt may also be a possibility.

[JimmyConwayNW]

I think you should be able to get a UAE holiday within budget, might not include the all inclusive element but you are 99% certain of the weather and loads to do.

Ras al Khaimah might be a good option for a fly and flop.

[Guyr]

I was looking for Dec and the story is similar for Jan/Feb.

Basically nowhere in Europe (even the Canaries) is hot, the nearest places are Egypt and Dubai.

[GT4P]

Thailand, becoming even more popular with European families. Khao Lak is a family resort no need to do all inclusive as plenty of places to eat cheaply bed and breakfast best option.Nice beaches etc.TUI fly direct to Phuket then it’s about 1-1.5 hours north from airport.
If you want Tenerife in Thailand then Aonang (Krabi) much more busy and not as laid back as Khao Lak.
Personally would avoid Phuket but it is also an option.

[Dan_1981]

Thailand looks like a good shout!

Reasonable prices too even just going direct with Tui.


Also found a cruise with MSC around the UAE....

Both look like good options at the moment, not sure how the kids would find a cruise - i'd want to get off and look round each location - not sure how they'd feel about that!

[ChocolateFrog]

Canaries can vary hugely by location.

There was a 10 degree swing between about 30 miles on Tenerife when I was there in Feb a few years ago.

[GT4P]

2 weeks in Thailand can easily be had for £1500pp and eating out is cheap especially away from western type restaurants. If considering Khao Lak the centre is busy but not manic it even has a macdonalds but western prices if kids like that kind of thing. Beaches are safe, Thais friendly. Further north about 6 miles from centre you have the Robinsons resort which is pricey but a lovely resort with great pools right on a fantastic safe beach with lots of local restaurants etc on or around the beach.
If you do decide post on here hotels considering and I can give you low down or answer any questions as been going to Khaolak every year since 2017 and will be there again February 26

[GT4P]

With regards to the Canary Islands the weather is best May to November, knew a fella who went every year in February and the weather was a gamble, one year they had to go out and buy jumpers as it was so cold , I have been in March and April and the weather was mediocre, chilly in the evening. Late in the year is better than early in the year. January to March is best in Caribbean or Asia. Back in the 80s spent time Eliat (Israel Red Sea area ) and that didn t properly warm up until mid March but then I like high 20s.Thailand expect high 20s and low 30s and sea temperatures of 25 plus.
With regards to Robinson resort it is on a beach called Pak Weep have a look to whet your appetite. All beaches in Khaolak are nice apart from the one near the night market between the town centre beaches and KhueKak beach which Khuekak all though really nice is the least safe at times for small children.

Edited by GT4P on Thursday 18th December 10:44

Edited by GT4P on Thursday 18th December 10:45

[GT4P]

Should add for clarification that KK beach is over a mile long and the only small area unsafe for small children is near the Haven (this is more popular with adults only than families)as the beach slopes and certain tides creates large waves( not all the time) But if you go a bit further north to the Marriott it is a really nice flat safe beach which is popular with families

Edited by GT4P on Thursday 18th December 11:11

[Dan_1981]

Thanks for that - very good info!

The first hotel that came up was the Tui Blue Khao Lak - any good?

[GT4P]

Dan_1981 said:

Thanks for that - very good info!

The first hotel that came up was the Tui Blue Khao Lak - any good?

Cannot comment on individual hotels as I always book independently and return to the same one year after year , but I know all the areas pretty well and if the one you mentioned is the Tui Blue mai khao lak then it’s on the pak weep beach about 10-15 walk north of the Robinson Resort. Lots of large resorts on that beach like Beyond but not on top of each other and the beach is never over crowded. It’s purely a beach holiday there no other facilities as such but lots of restaurants on or near beach also when tide is low you can walk to White Sands beach which has lots of restaurants and sunbeds it use to be much nicer but some people like that kind of thing.In between is a nice restaurant and the Rock Bar followed by some smooth rocks that’s an ancient petrified forest great for rock pools to explore and just after is a fabulous little basic bar in the grounds of an old hotel overlooking the beach where the kids can play and you have a cheeky beer with your eye on them then you walk on to white sands.
Definitely recommend Pak Weep beach it’s lovely and safe for the kids to play

[GT4P]

Just to add Pak weep beach is about 10 miles north of the centre (main town area) which has all the tourist shops etc etc

[otolith]

When we were looking at this last year - basically wanting warm, not too far, not ridiculously expensive - we finished up going to The Gambia. It was indeed very pleasant.

The only thing I didn't like too much was that yellow fever vaccination is recommended, and that made me a bit rough for a couple of days, but that's a one-off jab, won't need it again if we go somewhere else affected.

[Dan_1981]

A bit more time spent on this and have narrowed options down...

Thailand is actually a bit pricy for the dates we want to go (Peak Feb dates)

So we're now looking at

Jamaica - are they recovered from the hurricanes? - Grand Palladium Resort

Mauritius - Outrigger Resort

Dubai - Le Méridien Mina Seyahi

Anyone familiar with any of them?

[WhiskyDisco]

Have you looked at Cape Verde?

[otolith]

Dan_1981 said:

Mauritius - Outrigger Resort

Can't comment on that resort, but we stayed further round the island and really enjoyed it.

[belleair302]

Florida Gulf coast. Clearwater and southwards.

[loskie]

Sri Lanka

also much more to do than lazing on a beach.

Wildlife, flora and fauna.

May also teach your kids that those less fortunate can still enjoy life, excel at school and it's not all about materialism.