Holiday in the Canary Islands, suggestions please! Post Reply

[Battersea Mummy]

We're thinking about doing a winter sun holiday in February/March next year with our son who will be a bit over two. Have any of you been to a great place in the Canary Islands with your little ones?

The thinking behind the Canary Islands is that it is about the nearest place you can go for some warm winter sun, and having just about survived a four hour flight with our son to Turkey last month we're not sure we can handle long haul just yet! Ideally we'd like a bit of a Mark Warner style holiday with some sort of daytime children's club and evening child care as our son won't tolerate coming out to dinner with us! I'm not sure that the Mark Warner style thing exists at that time of year though.

[Goldhawk]

Not been myself but heard lots of positive stories of the Princess Yaiza on Lanzarote

[jessicarees]

I have been to each one of the canary islands and my favourite is Tenerife.

Last time we stayed at the Hotel Gran Tenerife near Costa Adeje, it was five star all inclusive.

j

[nooze2010]

Hi, we go to Lanzarote frequently and would agree that the Princess Yaiza is lovely. V unLanzarote...! Hotel Volcan, a short stroll away (down at the Rubicon Marina) is lovely too. Both feel 5 star...but without the bling.

[secondtimer]

Ive been to the Yaiza twice and it is lovely, but be warned the pools are very cold in Feb!

[mgb]

We are considering a winter sun break as well. We have not been to the Canaries but based on the posts we are now considering Lanzarote. What are the nicer areas for villas? Does anyone recommend a specific website for villa rental? Thanks x

[cocopops]

http://thetrunkifiles.wordpress.com/

check out this blog, Mr Turnki is a big lanzarote fan and having read this i am off there next month for a few days of child free sunshine!

[Southfieldsmummy]

We are also thinking of going to the Canaries but are looking for self-catering. Which are the less touristy bits of the islands and where are the nicest beaches?

[NYE31]

Try the Hotel San Blas in Tenerife. 5* & v.child friendly.

[MGMidget]

Princess Yaiza in Lanzarote is great. The family pool next to the family block (royal kiko suites) is not so cold, especially the little children's pool which is quite warm. The hotel has a kids club, nursery, soft play and kids disco in the evening. The beach in front of the hotel is lovely and there is a nice marina a short walk away. Quite an upmarket hotel, food, service and rooms are good (officially 5 star).

[CMDS]

Hey, before I was a mum we won a holiday to Sol Melia Palacio d'Isodora in Tenerife (it was brand new in 2010, so they wanted to promote, thus the free stay we had). Absolutely loooovvvvveeeddd it. They have a large section for kids and the premises are so big, there is lot's to explore. Every evening sound and light show in the magnificent entrance hall. Loved it.

http://www.melia.com/hotels/spain/tener ... index.html

No experience going with children so far, if anyone has, let me know how it went as I would Love to go back!

[hl2012]

We've recently come back from a week at the Sandos San Blas resort in Tenerife, which we went for after searching for recommendations on this site. It was great - v easy, relaxing hol with a 9 month old baby. I don't have much to compare it with as never done an all inclusive 5 star resort type thing before, but resort was beautiful, everyone v helpful, v child-friendly and just 15 mins from airport. Would happily go again!

[shafeenan]

I've just come back from a week in Lanzagrotte. I'd say Playa Blanca would be an ideal place with a youngster - lovely walks on a properly made path all the way along the seafront - you can walk for miles even with a buggy! (we were there originally when mine were 4 & 18m).
There is always a wind blowing (as with all the Canaries) so your little one won't get too hot and there are so many flights now. Iberostar is a nice middle of the road hotel right by the sea with a pool and the most fantastic lunch deal (eat as much as you like) and even evening 'entertainment' but there are loads of good hotels and all within easy walking distance of the sea even if not right beside it.
There's also a massive choice in self catering which I reckon from past experience is the best way to travel with a tot.
If you want the club style holiday, though, I think there is a club of some sort on the north coast, but you'd have to google to find it. Sorry.
You can hire a car at the airport for peanuts or the bus if you can stomach it takes you on a roundabout route but costs little more than a fiver!
Just to give you the heads up: the Canaries are still 4 hours away, so if you want a shorter flight you need to look at North Africa (maybe Club Med?) For Lanza, most tour operators run thursday to thursday so the airport is manic. if you are travelling on your own opt for a Saturday or Sunday - easyjet does sundays (as well as other days) and BA is about to start a Sunday run too. I believe Monarch does saturdays. Book early and you can get the most amazing deals
Have fun!