If you don’t already know, every Friday I run a Q & A on my Instagram and the question I get asked most frequently is where can I have a ‘hot holiday’ for October, particularly October half term which is usually at the end of October. October half term really is the last opportunity for parents of school aged children to get some sun without having to travel long haul. I’ve rounded some of my favourite luxury family hotels for October half term all easily accessible from the UK.
Of course weather is never guaranteed at the this time of year but you can certainly hedge your bets with some of these places which are some of the best family resorts in Europe or near Europe.
The Ritz Carlton Abama, Tenerife is the perfect place for out of season sun and is only around 4 hours from the UK. Tenerife enjoys warm weather long after the rest of Europe has cooled own. Average day time temperatures at 24 – 28 degrees. The hotel itself is located in Guía de Isora, which one of the quieter and more relaxed areas with more luxury resorts.
This hotel ticks all the boxes, multiple restaurants with different cuisines including a two-Michelin star restaurant. There are beautiful beaches, family pool, huge rooms and a kids club for 4 -12 year olds. Plus the hotel itself is stunning architecturally.
Domes of Elounda, Autograph Collection – Located in Crete, Greece’s largest island. Domes of Elounda is a great family-friendly hotel option. October is actually a great month to visit Crete, we went ourselves last year. We had some periods of cooler weather it was mostly around 25 degrees.
With the feel of a Cretan village and lots of indoor / out door space. Domes of Elounda has a very natural feel to it with exposed brick, natural material and colours. It’s understated but still feels luxurious. FYI Domes was very hilly so not the best choice for people with mobility issues.
Our ‘Haute Living’ suite was really spacious with a large bedroom and separate living area. We had a terrace and our own private pool. There are multiple pools, private beach and an amazing view of Spinalonga Island. Parents will love the St Tropez-inspired Vilebrequin La Plage, CORE (an outdoor hub including exhibitions, installations, popups, and street food trucks) and the refined spa.
For kids there’s kids club, watersports, tennis and football academies and evening entertainment.
There’s several restaurants at Domes of Elounda. Tholos is the main Buffet, Makris is Michelin level Greek food, Vilebrequin La Plage Restaurant showcase where Mediterranean flavours, Antonino’s is the signature Italian restaurant. CORE is a plaza concept with deli stalls and food trucks.
Daios Cove is also in Crete but quite different to Domes of Elounda as it has a smaller more boutique feel.
The resort is architecturally stunning with a design that blends seamlessly into the landscape. The resort hugs the cove offering stunning view of the Aegean sea from every angle. The hotel design was inspired by water and earth and the rustic brick work blends into the cove with the resort sprawling across the hillside. The concept is all about natural materials; wood, marble and stone to create a minimalist look that is still luxurious in feel. FYI the hotel is also hilly and you need to take stairs to the beach.
We had booked a suite in ‘The Collection’ which makes up the hotel’s best selection of rooms and we had a premium one bed suite with sea view and private pool. The hotel heats the pool and can provide a safety gate on request There is one main pool with a small baby pool inside it, adults pool and indoor pool at the spa. There’s a lovely big beach, water sports, and a programme of local excursions. The spa is a real jewel in the crown here and parents will love it.
Daios Cove offer a Children’s Club for aged 4 – 12 included in the price of the hotel and a Crèche Club for age 4 months to 4 years at an extra charge with either the morning or afternoon session bookable. I was extremely impressed by the nursery staff who were lovely – its run by UK childcare experts Worldwide Kids Co who have qualified nursery staff meeting UK standards. There’s also a Scott Dunn kids club.
As part of the Residents’ Club we were staying on an all inclusive package. There are five restaurants including Pangea the buffet, Taverna is the hotel’s Greek / Cretan restaurant with a beautiful view overlooking the cove, Ocean Restaurant is the hotel’s most fine dining restaurant, The Beach House is a rustic beach front space with Mediterranean-inspired dishes and RHO is the hotels raw concept and is for over 14s only.
I haven’t been myself but Ikos has a new hotel in Crete this year so Ikos Kissamos is another option there.
Parklane Hotel Parklane, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Limassol, Cyprus – Ticks all the boxes for family-friendly luxury. With 222 rooms, 34 suites and 18 villas, a spa, beach, four pools, six bars and restaurants, a shopping village. We absolutely loved the Nammos branded restaurant and all the amazing shopping. The children loved the kids club which is the biggest in Europe and had it’s own water park. Cyprus really is a top choice for winter sun near the UK in October, I’m actually looking at booking myself for this year.
Kasbah Tamadot, Atlas Mountains, Morocco – Richard Branson’s amazing retreat in the Atlas Mountains is one of the world’s most amazing hotel’s, consistently included in ‘best of’ lists. The rooms are beautiful and unique and while we stayed in a Berber Tent, you can also stay in a Riad. The views are insane, as is the authentic Moroccan cuisine and the gorgeous gardens.
The hotel includes Kasbah Tamadot Kids – a club that welcomes kids of all ages For children under 12 there a garden treasure hunts, Moroccan crafts, junior cooking classes and nature walks. The childcare team tailers each experience to the child.
Teenagers can enjoy guided hikes, tennis matches, cooking lessons plus explore local culture.
Ikos Porto Petro – We loved staying at Ikos Porto Petro , part of the renowned Ikos group. There’s five pools, most of which are family friendly, six restaurants, two beaches and an amazing kids and baby club. Best of all, it’s ultra all-inclusive even for champagne.
The hotel includes lots of fun organised activities including arts, games, theatre for kids plus adults only spaces such as the pool and spa. The great thing about Ikos Resorts are the flexibility and hassle-free nature. It may be a slight risk in October but day time temperatures in October are 22 – 27 degrees.
Will you be booking any of these luxury hotels for October half term?
PIN IT!!
