Hello,

I'd most appreciate any help, ideas, recommendations please.

We're wanting to holiday in Europe - Spain, Greece, Portugal etc..... Flying from the UK with upto a 4 hour flight to the destination.

We're looking for a holiday similar to the resort of Playa Del Carmen in Mexico, but without the 10 hour flight lol.

And are looking for a hotel similar to the Paradisus Esmeralda -

http://www.melia.com/en/hotels/mexic...lda/index.html

Beach resort, upmarket all inclusive hotel which has pools, restaurants, show cooking etc.... which would be suitable for adults and children aged 6 and 11.

But don't want a Brits abroad resort with bar streets etc....

I'd most appreciate your help

Hi

What about Rhodes. 4 hour flight from London. Maybe the Sheraton Rhodes - http://www.sheratonrhodesresort.com.

Tenerife might fit the bill. Good weather, within flight time:

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/SmartDe...tel-Deals.html

Thanks for the ideas. We had thought of Rhodes but wasn't sure if it gets the 18-20's crowds. We'll also take a look at Tenerife. Any other resort, hotel recommendations would be most gratefully received.

If you are in some "all-inclusive" FIVE star resort do you really think the "18-20's crowd" is going to be in evidence?

If you read my post, I didn't mention 18-20's crowd at the hotel. I think it's quite clear we're wanting a more pretty, upmarket resort. Do you have a problem with that?

Dukey seems to be saying that the 18-20s won't be in a five star resort because they don't have the cash for it, so don't worry.

And if you really want 5-star all-inclusive beach resorts, your best bet is the Caribbean.

Why would you want an AI resort? That defeats the whole purpose of exploring.

But maybe you don't mean AI like the term is generally used???

Russ, the Caribbean is outside the OP's flight time from the UK. The 18/30's lot on Rhodes tend to be centred on Falaraki, the rest of the island is mostly OK. We stayed at the Amathus Resort a few years ago and really enjoyed it.

http://www.amathusrhodes.com/

Thanks for your replies. Janisj some of the party will be AI, some won't and will be exploring local restaurants and area so that's why we want the local resort to have some character and not too noisy. I had looked at Amathus Beach, Rubicund, and thought it looked nice. Was it a more quieter hotel and what was the surrounding area like?

Friends of mine swear by Bahia del Duque in Tenerife; for the whole family, from kids to grandparents.

Not too much round it if I remember correctly and it wasn't noisy as a hotel. It was very nice and we were very pleased with it.

Thank you both

Sardinia might suit you - lots of luxury hotels there, plus some nice beaches. Or possibly Cyprus?

If you follow the news, Greece is looking to do away with all inclusive resorts because of their impact on the surrounding communities. Other EU countries will follow.

For something better then a dumpy all inclusive resort, there is a nice property on Menorca, Torralbenc, a luxury spa hotel. On Mallorca you'll find another luxury spa hotel, Cap Rocat.

Catalunya's only five-star Grand Luxe resort hotel, Hostal de La Gavina, is on the Costa Brava, in the village of S'Agaró (Girona) and is much better then your typical all inclusive. It even has an 80-foot outdoor saltwater pool (www.lhw.com).

Thanks again for more ideas. We'll take a look.

I have liked some all inclusives but they must have a huge impact on local businesses and I think in turn the culture and community feeling goes from the resorts.

Thank you again

Maybe Crete - Elounda Bay Palace and Elounda Beach, just on the edge of your flying time. Elounda bay is beautiful and the abandoned leper colony at Spinalonga an interesting visit for adults and kids

Another worth checking out for the "all inclusive" side is Forte Village Sardinia

There are probably a good few places in Portugal - one we went to and enjoyed (but didn't LOVE) was the Sheraton Pine Cliffs

There is a website called kidsinthemed which tends to have good suggestions for all-inclusive top end hotels in Europe

jane

hmm... kidsinthemed.com seems to have turned into westernoriental.com - they still have a lot of the same hotels though, I have heard good things about a lot of those hotels over the years including Vila Vita Parc in Portugal... if you look at their European beach hotels I think you might get some good ideas.

All the best

Jane

Thanks Jane, Inreally appreciate your reply. I'll take a look now.

Kindest Regards.

Predictive text above! Lol. Should say I really appreciate your reply