Holidaying in Menorca this year with one 2½ year old. Staying in Cala N Bosch at the Casas Del Lago Apartments. They have one or two bedroom aparts. We have a one bed with two singles in the separate bedroom and two "pull out" beds in the living area. Not ideal but better than the alternatives we looked at. They will provide cots if you need them free of charge. They are not AI but they are two min walk from beach and a lovely marina 2 mins in the other direction (having stayed there previously ) which has plenty of places to eat/drink. I would recommend the resort wholeheartedly. Not full of night clubs or (and I have been there myself ) lots of 18/30s. A good family resort.

Thanks for that. Yes, I'm off to Menorca mid September, staying self catering in Cala'n Forcat. It's the 1st time I'll have been away with my kids (now 1 and 2 years), so it's really an experiment! I chose self catering for the 1st time but would prefer HB/AI as this must be easier with 2 small kids! Looking forward to Menorca, heard lots of good things about it.

We travelled last year to Greece when my daughter was 1½ for the first time. Chose self catering because she wouldnt eat enough to warrent paying a child price at an AI hotel. It was fine. Most places love the kids and even provide you with plates so you order for yourself and share with them. It was an experience but such an enjoyable one that we going again this year . Personally, I wouldnt chose an AI until she was at least 5 years old and would get value for money for her :). Have a lovely holiday.

My kids are now teens and we have mainly gone SC as you get more space and it's a bit more relaxed .It does seem to cost a bit more but has worked for us

We've been to a few hotels which have had 2 double beds in a room. Would your 2 sleep together in a double?

Thanks for replies. Not sure if they would sleep in a double, as my 1.5 year old still in cot at present. I will be moving her to bed in next few months so will have to see! I agree with the point about having more space in SC, so will see how September hols go!

The Flamingo Oasis, All Inclusive, in Benidorm has fantastic rooms and are the biggest we have stayed in. Our room consisted of two queensize beds and two bed settees and still left ample room to move around. Bathroom had two hand basins a large bath and shower. It is all inclusive with plenty going on day and night for the kiddies, we rarely left the hotel. The only downside is it's about 20min walk to the beach, although you could get a taxi as the taxi rank is right outside the hotel.

Yes I have come across that a few years ago my work round since has been too do a DIY since that way I can book a self catering type apartment but still ask for AI, However this year I am using Hellenic voyages to go to Crete, the Hotel I have chosen is the Royal/imperial Belvedere. It is AI with huge family rooms, so you might want to check that out here http://www.belvederehotels.net/

I'll post a review when I get back.

We stayed H/B in the Orquidea in Gran Canaria in a family room sleeping 4, bags of space. Good kids club and excellent reps. It wasn't really our cup of tea but it gets great reviews constantly.

We stayed A/I last year in the Hotel Oleander, Side, Turkey. 2 huge rooms, shower room and a bathroom. It also had a great (gently shelving) sandy beach, good for young kids.

We are a family of 4, 2 adults, 1 10yr old and 13 yr old.
we have been self cat, half board, and all inc, and ALWAYS had a room for 4, with a seperate bedroom.

it depends on the area you want, hotel apartment etc.

lanzerote seem good at these type of rooms, although we havnt been there.

thomas cook also do plenty of rooms for 4, and our supplements have been mainly for plane fuel and airport costs, not room supplements.

we have done, turkey, fuerteventura, ibiza, costa del sol, tenerife, we have picked there due to having good facilities for children, and the kids have loved every holiday.

We are 2+2 like you, and have never had a problem, we have stayed in: Lanzarote, Cyprus, Menorca, in hotels. And sc in Menorca.

hi Lesley1142.My family (2 adults & 2 children)have stayed at the Orquidea in Gran Canaria twice.We have stayed in a few superfamily hotels and these are by far the biggest rooms.The only problem you might have with really young children is that the rooms are split level so the steps may be a problem,you could check to see if all room a like this.

hiya
ive just come back from the Montagut Hotel in santa susanna, it used to be apartments but was turned on 2004 into family suites,,,,,,, ive always gone SC bacause of the space you get (or dont) in hotels, i came across this one by accident after searching for hours looking for SC, every room has a lounge with a really substantial sofa bed, not the ones with sponge cusions you remove, but a pull over sprung one,,,,,,, tv, mini fridge. hairdryeer,,,, loads of starage space, bathroom and a bedroom with 2 single beds, and more storage,,,,, its a 4 star with entertainment for kids, not every minute of the day but during the day and at evenings, there were all kinds of show put on and the kids always got their own seats in the front,,,,,,,, food was really good and my kids have actually "filled out " a bit since the hoiliday,,,,,,,,,,good luck

If you look at my other postings you will see that I am a Turkey and All inclusive fan. But this is after being to most countries in Europe and having tried all meal arrangements.

Turkey and All inclusives are the most relaxing and especially good if you have children of any age.

In respect to the question asked you could try The Hotel Hemera in Side (Thomas cook, Portland, etc) or a better bet is the Hotel Atlantis in Belek (this is a stunning hotel with every facility available) (available through Thomas Cook). This hotel has twin rooms for 4 with proper beds. The only downside of this hotel in Belek is it is remote. But with young children this may not be a problem. Easy and cheap to get the bus or taxi to Belek village or Kadriye for shops and weekly market.

If you can arrange the flights to suit, why not consider the Aphrodite Beach Hotel in Gouves, Crete. They have rooms that sleep 4, and you can book B&B, HB or even AI. There are kids clubs, activities (yes I appreciate your children are really young), a safe and interesting playground, a children's pool and really friendly and helpful staff.

There are shops and bars and restaus nearby if you don't want to cook - and it's only a short transfer from Heraklion airport.

http://www.greekhotel.com/crete/heraklion/aphrodite/home.htm

Hi Lesley
We are also a family of 2 adults and 2 children (ages 5 and 9) - for a number of years now we have being doing our holidays DIY not only because it is alot cheaper, but also we have noticed that alot of hotels have family rooms, but for some reasons these are not possible to book using the conventional UK tour operators !

We mainly use this site for flights ; http://www.xl.com/ (use the promotion code TESCO to get an extra 20pp off each flight) and these sites for accommodation ;
http://www.findmeaccom.com/scripts/TDBkgEngine.dll/Startup?utm_id=
http://www.sky.onlinetravel.com/hotels/search.asp

We then either hire a small car from the airport for the week (to run around in, and great for beating the buses back to the airport on departure) or arrange a separate transfer by shuttle bus or taxi (plenty of websites doing this - just do a Google on the destination you are going).

We went to the Iberostar Creta Mare/Panorama near Rethmynon Crete last year and it is FANTASTIC ! Infact you will find the Iberostar chain of hotels normally have great standards of food and accommodation, and are very family orientated - thus plenty of family rooms (without bunk beds !).
Our holiday last October to Crete cost £500 less than the equivalent package ! and that included us having a car to run around in all week.

The more you look into DIY the more you will see just how much package companies make on the child places as many hotels charge very little, and sometimes nothing (!) for young children, and even most flights have child reductions ( also note : XL.Com only charge £20 to carry under 2year olds).

This year we went to Florida DIY for 14 days ;
- fly drive £1210 (Travel City Direct)
- 10 nights in fantastic villa £550 (booked direct with owner)
- 4 night Disney cruise £911 (booked with specialist US website)
and this was all booked a year in advance so we are not talking last minute prices !

We are off to the Iberostar Grand Azur in Turkey this year - doing DIY is the only way we can afford 4*-5* hotels and we love the flexibility and choice it gives us too.

My final tip would be to book your flights at least as early as possible as on the whole they do tend to increase quite rapidly soon after release (unless they have a really bad year - and there is no guarentee of that ). I have just booked my flights for Turkey for October 2007 !! I cannot book accommodation yet (too early) but I already have an idea of where I'm going to be staying and which site to get the best prices from. The important thing is to book flights first with DIY - you can always get accommodation sorted out after - you would never end up sleeping on the beach I promise you ! But don't forget to look up the hotel reviews on here and Trip Advisor before you book !

Do have a look - I promise you won't regret it, and you will have many more years of great savings ahead of you with such young children.
Hope this is of some help to you, and other HT members
Judy

Judy,

Many thanks for your excellent tips. Me and my husband have done DIY before, going to USA and it did cost a lot less but not thought about it for holidays with the kids. Will look into it.

Cheers again for your replies everyone.