family holiday in the sun

gifted

Hiya,

Can anyone recommend a holiday resort, 3/4 star for two adults and three kids ( 7,5 and 4 ) Planning on going end of June next year. Sunny weather and good food. Tried travel agencys but limited to a few places because of the three kids.

Thanks.

naughtysmurf

gifted wrote: »

Hiya,

Can anyone recommend a holiday resort, 3/4 star for two adults and three kids ( 7,5 and 4 ) Planning on going end of June next year. Sunny weather and good food. Tried travel agencys but limited to a few places because of the three kids.

Thanks.

Costa Sal in Matagorda, Lanzarote, 10 mins from the airport in a taxi, it's a nice apartment complex, easy walk to beach, the food onsite is very good if you want to go half or full board & good value price wise or €6/€7 for a taxi into the old town of Puerto del Carmen but there are a small number of bars & restaurants within a few mins walk, we were there last July after a ten year break from Lanzarote & would recommend, ideal taking into account the kids ages, book your own flights with AL or Ryan & direct with Costa Sal, plenty of reviews on tripadvisor

JCX BXC

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Costa Sal in Matagorda, Lanzarote, 10 mins from the airport in a taxi, it's a nice apartment complex, easy walk to beach, the food onsite is very good if you want to go half or full board & good value price wise or €6/€7 for a taxi into the old town of Puerto del Carmen but there are a small number of bars & restaurants within a few mins walk, we were there last July after a ten year break from Lanzarote & would recommend, ideal taking into account the kids ages, book your own flights with AL or Ryan & direct with Costa Sal, plenty of reviews on tripadvisor

Have to agree, stayed there in 2014, loved it. It's a bit on the quiet side in Matagorda, but not exactly dead either. Some lovely walks around Matagorda, took a walk down to Playa Honda which includes walking right under the approach path of the airport. The aircraft land straight over your head, a big favourite of mine being somewhat of an aviation enthusiast.

Ryan Mac Sweeney

Hi there
I have read your OP about a sun holiday for you and your family next summer. Yes Lanzarote sounds very good as its very family orientated and it is always warm and sunny there. Also the Algarve is a great place to go with a young family as its very child friendly and the people over there love children. It is also only a 2/12 hour flight which is handy if you are travelling with young children. If the travel agents arent much help you can always book online. You can fly direct with either Aer Lingus or Ryanair. Also Majorca is very popular with families especially Alcudia. It is also only a 2/12 hour flight from Ireland.

Eponymous

Another vote for the Costa Sal. It's perfect for families. We've been three times in the last four years, something I never thought I'd be inclined to do.

They have two bed apartments and bungalows as well as a couple of deluxe villas sporting their own whirlpools on their private terraces.

The bungalows are ideal, very well equipped and are all situated around the lower pool area. That time of year there'll be loads of other families in them, so your kids will be well entertained.

If you want something a little more central in the main resort of Puerto del Carmen, there is loads of choice too, but nothing is as nice as the Costa Sal, it just ticks all the boxes for a young family.

If you're planning on hiring a car let me know and I'll give you some recommendations and tell you who to avoid!

Baggy Trousers

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Costa Sal in Matagorda, Lanzarote, 10 mins from the airport in a taxi, it's a nice apartment complex, easy walk to beach, the food onsite is very good if you want to go half or full board & good value price wise or €6/€7 for a taxi into the old town of Puerto del Carmen but there are a small number of bars & restaurants within a few mins walk, we were there last July after a ten year break from Lanzarote & would recommend, ideal taking into account the kids ages, book your own flights with AL or Ryan & direct with Costa Sal, plenty of reviews on tripadvisor

Is this the place? http://www.costasal.com/eng/index.php?id=IN

It's hard to see what the apartments/villas are like.

naughtysmurf

Yeah, that's it, can only comment on the apartments with the hot tubs as that's what we had, they were very nice with good wifi,

south

Eponymous wrote: »

Another vote for the Costa Sal. It's perfect for families. We've been three times in the last four years, something I never thought I'd be inclined to do.

They have two bed apartments and bungalows as well as a couple of deluxe villas sporting their own whirlpools on their private terraces.

The bungalows are ideal, very well equipped and are all situated around the lower pool area. That time of year there'll be loads of other families in them, so your kids will be well entertained.

If you want something a little more central in the main resort of Puerto del Carmen, there is loads of choice too, but nothing is as nice as the Costa Sal, it just ticks all the boxes for a young family.

If you're planning on hiring a car let me know and I'll give you some recommendations and tell you who to avoid!

Heading to Matagorda this coming Saturday, not sure if I'll hire a car yet but some advice would be welcome if I do decide to. Thanks

naughtysmurf

For car hire, I used Cabrera Medina, had the car delivered to apartment, full insurance no excess, paid cash to rep, no credit or debit card required, left key with hotel reception on last day

Eponymous

south wrote: »

Heading to Matagorda this coming Saturday, not sure if I'll hire a car yet but some advice would be welcome if I do decide to. Thanks

I used to always use Cabrera Medina, but this year used Omnicars instead.

It's run by a British couple and they'll meet you at the airport with your car or deliver it to your hotel.

They're very well recommended on the TripAdvisor forums and any Facebook Lanzarote related groups will sing their praises too.

We were met by them at the airport car park and had the car signed for, loaded and were on our way in about 5 minutes as a lot of the paperwork was done prior to departure, including passport details and licences. Seeing the queues at the car hire desks at arrivals, this was a much better process! We paid with a debit card on arrival, but cash is fine too. The price you pay covers everything and there are no hidden charges. We had a Qashqai for two weeks with two drivers, a baby seat and a booster seat for €280 all in. The car was practically brand new, had a very decent spec (Bluetooth, parking sensors, air con, USB ports etc). All they ask is that you bring the car back with the same amount of fuel as when it was picked up - usually about a half tank.

You can get a quote from them by e-mail info@omnicarslanzarote.com or send them a message on their FB page, do a search for Omnicars Lanzarote.

SEORG

OP - we went to Albufeira for the first time in May. Great for families.

We stayed in Alfagar II Aparthotel. It's a little out side the town but not too far. It has excellent facilities and a short walk to the beach.

gifted

naughtysmurf wrote: »

Costa Sal in Matagorda, Lanzarote, 10 mins from the airport in a taxi, it's a nice apartment complex, easy walk to beach, the food onsite is very good if you want to go half or full board & good value price wise or €6/€7 for a taxi into the old town of Puerto del Carmen but there are a small number of bars & restaurants within a few mins walk, we were there last July after a ten year break from Lanzarote & would recommend, ideal taking into account the kids ages, book your own flights with AL or Ryan & direct with Costa Sal, plenty of reviews on tripadvisor

Booked this place for July, got a load of great reviews, thank you for the recommendation, would not have found it otherwise

naughtysmurf

gifted wrote: »

Booked this place for July, got a load of great reviews, thank you for the recommendation, would not have found it otherwise

Enjoy, it was absolutely melting last July, there is a taxi rank within 100meters & a lot of the bus pick ups for excursions like the water park, catamaran go from the same spot, reception will call a cab for you if you wish, bicycle hire is cheap enough with cycle path along the coast, head towards the airport & beyond for more lovely beaches

JCX BXC

Hire a bike +1.
Took a cycle one day from the Costa Sal, all the way along past the airport through Playa Honda, in through the narrow winding streets of Arrecife, went up to this beautiful castle and then made our way out to Costa Teguise.

Tip: BRING SUNCREAM. In Lanzarote you fry by sitting at the pool, on a bike words cant explain how badly burnt you get if your not careful.

gifted

Can't wait now

gifted

Update on this place...here now 6 nights and have 3 more nights to go, this place is perfect in so many ways. Staying in a villa suite with hot tub and it is beautiful, apartment is cleaned every day, the food is fabulous, just had a barbecue night in the restaurant this evening and it was fab, 3 kids love the kids club and the pool is brilliant. Lovely atmosphere around the complex and the staff are really great anews good......don't want to go home, can't get a higher recommendation than that....

Eponymous

Delighted it's worked out for you. Love the Costa Sal!

killer007

So what are your thoughts after return. Thinking of booking for the same time next year. I've got 3 boys 12,12 and 14. Would it be suitable for that age group and any tips when booking.

naughtysmurf

killer007 wrote: »

So what are your thoughts after return. Thinking of booking for the same time next year. I've got 3 boys 12,12 and 14. Would it be suitable for that age group and any tips when booking.

We were at Costa Sal last year after a 10 year break from Lanzarote, over the last number of years we have tended to rent privately in stand alone villas or small complexes so Costa Sal wouldn't have ordinarily jumped out at me BUT, I couldn't fault the place, it's spotless, nice family vibe, good quality on site food, few minutes walk from really nice beaches, excursions by bus to many attractions & taxi rank from within 100mtrs

Airport within 15 minutes

Ideally however I would if at all possible book one of the villas with the hot tubs, they have good air conditioning the hot tubs can be used as cool tubs in the summer heat & offer more privacy, we'd stay there again for sure if going back to Lanzarote

We booked directly with Costa Sal , would be suitable for your kids age group I would have thought

gifted

naughtysmurf wrote: »

We were at Costa Sal last year after a 10 year break from Lanzarote, over the last number of years we have tended to rent privately in stand alone villas or small complexes so Costa Sal wouldn't have ordinarily jumped out at me BUT, I couldn't fault the place, it's spotless, nice family vibe, good quality on site food, few minutes walk from really nice beaches, excursions by bus to many attractions & taxi rank from within 100mtrs

Airport within 15 minutes

Ideally however I would if at all possible book one of the villas with the hot tubs, they have good air conditioning the hot tubs can be used as cool tubs in the summer heat & offer more privacy, we'd stay there again for sure if going back to Lanzarote

We booked directly with Costa Sal , would be suitable for your kids age group I would have thought

Have to agree completely with naughty smurf, we have booked to return next year for two weeks, we got a 15% discount because we booked before we left. We have asked for the same apartment ( hot tub, more privacy, air-conditioning, two bathrooms) a bit pricey but totally worth it, we have 11 months to save for it. Our three girl will be 8,6 and 5 by next year so till a great age.

gifted

Also wanted to thank naughtysmurf , carnacalla and eponynous who suggested this place for me when I asked for ideas. Would never have heard of it if it wasn't for ye.

naughtysmurf

Yeah agree, a little pricey but I like my privacy & quality when I'm on holiday so happy to pay the extra

Eponymous

We were supposed to head over again this summer, but by the time we got around to booking the flights they'd become prohibitively expensive and it was working out at silly money for a two week holiday which was hard to justify.

We had a really great holiday in Cornwall & London instead for less than half the price of the flights alone (including ferry, rental of a farmhouse, diesel) which put things into perspective.

However, we are definitely going to Costa Sal next summer! Just waiting for the flights to become available on Ryanair and Aer Lingus.

Juggler101

Just checked out prices for Costa sal for 2 weeks in July for 2 adults, 3 kids (ours will be 6, 4, 2). Haven't looked at flights yet.

The price was 2300 approx... is this good value for 2 weeks in the sun? I haven't done the Spanish resort thing with the full gang yet, but just wondering if this is the price I should realistically be looking at paying?

Eponymous

For the Costa Sal, that's about right (I presume you were looking at a Bungalow, given the rate you quote).

It's not a cheap place to stay, but it is definitely worth it I reckon. You can stay in other hotels or apartments for a lot less money, but accommodation can be very hit and miss. At least here everyone is catered for, you've got a great restaurant on site and it's reasonably priced, given the quality of the food and it's only a few minutes walk along the prom in either direction for a choice of bars and restaurants (and the beach is nice there too). You also have options for Breakfast or Half Board options. You can book it for the full two weeks when you book, or on arrival you can avail of a half-board for 3 or 6 nights option. I think if you take the 6 night option, you get the 7th night free. You also don't have to take them on consecutive nights, so it's a good option and you choose three courses from the full menu, not a set menu.

There's some entertainment for the kids and the highlight for the kids will probably be the proximity to the airport. Not so close that you'll be addled with the noise, but close enough to walk to the end of the runway and watch the planes come in right over your head. If you don't believe me, have a look on youtube for Arrecife Airport Landing videos...

I've stayed in other places on the island and none are a patch on the Costa Sal.

If you're looking for flights in July, they should appear on Aer Lingus website in the next week or so (first week of July is already up) and probably at the start of September for Ryanair.

naughtysmurf

Juggler101 wrote: »

Just checked out prices for Costa sal for 2 weeks in July for 2 adults, 3 kids (ours will be 6, 4, 2). Haven't looked at flights yet.

The price was 2300 approx... is this good value for 2 weeks in the sun? I haven't done the Spanish resort thing with the full gang yet, but just wondering if this is the price I should realistically be looking at paying?

I assume that's just accommodation at Costa Sal?

To answer your question, not necessarily, it depends on what your overall holiday budget is & what's important facilities wise, we usually budget 5k for the four of us, (three adults really & a tween), has to be a two bed place with air conditioning & good WiFi, good location & transport links, we eat out every night,I don't compromise anymore, I'm away for a week with the missus next month, we still rented a 2 bed villa even though a studio apartment would have done

At one point return flights with bags for all of us in July last year was 1k

I'm sure you could get accommodation in Lanzarote for two weeks in July for a chunk less than 2300 but you may have to compromise on quality & facilities , I haven't looked at private rentals there, maybe that's worth looking at, we were part of a wedding party last year so travelled as a large group but generally speaking I've found the best bang for your buck is a private rental

Juggler101

Thanks a million for the reply, it looks like great spot, especially for ease of travel, and getting around from day to day.

Eponymous

Juggler101 wrote: »

Thanks a million for the reply, it looks like great spot, especially for ease of travel, and getting around from day to day.

Not even 10 mins taxi ride from Arrivals to the front door! Brilliant!