From family fun & foodie feasts to mountain adventures & brilliant beaches – we’ve tested five all-inclusive getaways
AFTER some stress-free holiday inspo? You’re in the right place.
Whether you’re looking for family fun or foodie feasts, a mountain adventure or brilliant beaches – we’ve tested five all-inclusive getaways you’ll love.
Turkish Delight
Adrenalin kicks and magic margaritas make writer Beth Neil’s family trip to the Rixos Premium in Belek a winner.
As the rollercoaster train hurtles around the track at breakneck speeds of up to 70mph, my heart is in my mouth.
Not because I’m on it.
But because my thrill-seeking 10-year-old son Roddy is, and he’s currently doing 360-degree loops more than 62m above the ground.
This is the terrifying Hyper Coaster at The Land of Legends Theme Park in the Turkish resort of Belek – AKA the longest three minutes of my life.
And, of course, once it’s finished, he immediately wants another turn.
The park itself is a must-visit in Belek.
And while Roddy repeatedly drags my husband Brian on to the stomach-churning Hyper and Typhoon Coasters, my seven-year-old daughter Robyn and I stick to the slightly tamer Sky Fighter swings and Flying Carpet.
Turtle-y awesome
We’re here on a Sunday and although fairly busy, the longest wait in the Aqua Land water park is 15 minutes.
And that’s for the fabulous Turtle Coaster, which we all agree is worth the wait.
Most attractions have no queues and the kids are able to go on their favourites again and again.
The Magicone slide – where we are all sent bombing down a tunnel in a rubber ring to emerge spinning around a giant conical structure – is another huge hit.
Robyn chickens out at first, then screams the loudest during our descent, but she is utterly delighted with herself for plucking up the courage.
A daily shuttle and unlimited entry to The Land of Legends is included in our five-night stay at the Rixos Premium Belek, just a 30-minute drive from Antalya airport.
The immaculate resort is vast and we’re staying in a fantastically spacious Superior Suite with two bedrooms (one twin, one king-size) separated by a living room, as well as a balcony running the length of the suite.
The kids are (more than) alright
At the Rixy Kids Club, for ages four to 12, Roddy especially loves the boxing, darts and daily football sessions.
Robyn is front and centre at the nightly kids’ disco (where the staff lead choreo to Shakira’s Waka Waka and the obligatory Barbie Girl) and enjoys craft activities such as glass painting and the slide-tastic children’s pool.
There’s also a Teen Zone, complete with PlayStation, pool, darts and chess, as well as a games room with retro arcade games and a bowling alley that are all free to use.
Robyn and Roddy have great fun here while Brian and I get embarrassingly competitive at the basketball hoops.
I like staying active, so I’m happy to find indoor and outdoor gyms, as well as morning yoga, cycle classes, aqua fitness and CrossFit.
Poolside, there are more than enough sunloungers, and bar staff on rollerskates bring drinks to loungers.
There’s also a stunning 1km-long private stretch of sandy beach.
Margs o’clock
The Beach Bar becomes our favourite place to start the evening with margaritas and mocktails.
We mostly eat at Turquoise Restaurant where the buffet choice is incredible, but there are also four à la carte eateries to book via the hotel app each day – although the slots go within seconds of being released.
On check-in, we got three dedicated on-site “agents” who WhatsApp each day’s schedule and will sort out any issues.
So we message them and thankfully they sort a table for the Asian restaurant Z’Asya where the food – from the mountain of sushi and the smoked, spicy lamb shank to the Cantonese-style aubergine – is faultless.
The end of our holiday comes too soon but I’m sure we’ll be back – there’s a spot in the sun and a margarita with my name on it – and a seat on the Hyper Coaster with Roddy’s.
FYI
A five-night all-inclusive stay at Rixos Premium Belek costs from £1,750 for a family of four (Rixos.com).
Flights from the UK to Antalya cost from £137 per person.
Jammin’ in Jamaica
Writer Nana Acheampong finds Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort & Spa a pretty Caribbean spot for chilling with the girls.
From the rum punch on welcome to the Junior Suites that sleep three adults and are the size of a small apartment, this place isn’t too shabby for a girls’ getaway.
Newly refurbed rooms are kitted out with TVs, and the bathrooms have a large bath and separate shower.
Like many Caribbean all-inclusives, this hotel is big.
We’re talking 537 rooms, four beaches and 11 restaurants serving up everything from Italian to Indian and Japanese to Mexican.
The main infinity pool, one of Jamaica’s largest, has a DJ playing pop and R&B – making it the liveliest.
Elsewhere, an entire day can easily be spent at the Zentropia spa.
The hydrotherapy area has an indoor and outdoor pool, and an ice-plunge pool if you’re feeling brave, plus a Jacuzzi, all surrounded by palm trees.
But my favourite place to hang out soon becomes Sunset Cove, with its super-chill, private-beach-club vibes and stunning sunsets.
The sea is warm and free watersports such as kayaking and paddle boarding are on tap.
Plus, its Jerk Hut beats the other eateries hands-down (Palladiumhotelgroup.com).
One day we book an excursion and hop on a 30ft bamboo raft to sail down the Martha Brae River.
It takes about an hour to travel three miles, and tipples and souvenirs are sold from riverbank stalls as you go.
If you’re brave enough to stand up, the captain may even let you steer! Rafting excursions cost from £60 per person (Jamaicarafting.com).
Another Jamaican institution is Rick’s Cafe in Negril, a 45-minute drive from the hotel.
On top of West Cliffs, which is famous for cliff-jumping, we spy pros hitting the water from 40ft while tourists jump in from 10ft, as we tuck into a lunch of blackened mahi mahi fillet, £26, and moist traditional rum cake, £10 (Rickscafejamaica.com).
Here, rum’s definitely the word!
FYI
Seven-night all-inclusive stays at Grand Palladium Jamaica, including flights and transfers cost from £1,275 per person (Tui.co.uk).
Plan your trip at Visitjamaica.com.
Norway? Yes, way!
Assistant Editor Claire Frost and partner Steve step aboard a foodie cruise among Scandinavia’s stunning fjords.
Feeling the sun on my bobble-hatted head and the wind on my cheeks, I feel so alive as I gaze in wonder at the scene around me.
Beyond the banks of the calm fjord water are small rocky islands dotted with tall trees and cute red buildings.
I’m on a boat trip through Norway’s Lysefjord to Pulpit Rock – a 25m x 25m plateau that hangs over the water, where legend says that when seven sisters marry seven brothers from the same district, the rock will fall.
However, it’s still standing today, as we turn back towards our starting point, Stavanger on Norway’s south-western coast – the first port of call for the huge cruise ship that we left Southampton on two days before.
Getting ship-shape
P&O’s Iona can carry 5,200 guests, as well as a crew of 1,800.
It has 18 decks, 18 whirlpools, 15 restaurants, 13 bars, four pools and a cinema.
It may not be warm enough to relax on a sunlounger as we cross the North Sea, but my partner Steve and I spend a few bracing minutes watching the sunset from our balcony on our first evening aboard.
We’re staying in a Conservatory Mini-suite, which, as well as a compact bathroom with White Company goodies, queen-sized bed, a sofa and a large TV, has an extra “conservatory” area to watch the waves from – and sip a glass of fizz while enjoying the fruit our lovely cabin steward has brought us.
One of the first things we do is to log into the My Holiday site, P&O’s onboard planner to see a timetable of our trips and spa treatments, as well as book dinner and entertainment (such as live bands, comedians and acrobatic shows).
It pays to be organised when it comes to the restaurants.
There are four “main dining rooms”, which are included in the price – just join the virtual queue via My Holiday when you want to eat, and your table will be ready within 15-30 minutes.
Or book ahead for the chargeable speciality restaurants.
Alternatively, you can dine at Horizon, the huge buffet, plus there are fast-food outlets in The Quays area, which open all day.
All dolled up
One of our favourite speciality restaurants is Sindhu, which serves Indian-fusion dishes, such as tender tandoori lamb cutlets, £7, and sweet and spicy lobster cooked with ginger, chilli and coriander, £15.
It’s also Celebration Night this evening, which means we all don suits or dinner jackets and posh frocks, and it’s lovely seeing everyone dressed up.
On other evenings, we enjoy juicy fillet steak, £15.50, at meatlovers’ dream The Keel & Cow, and the fun beer can chicken sharer, £40 for two, at The Beach House.
Despite the thousands of people onboard, Iona never feels too crowded, but we’re still glad when we wake up on our third day to find we’ve docked at Stavanger.
Before our boat trip along the Lysefjord, which costs £95 per person, we mooch around the town, with its cool street art and shops including Nordic fave Fjällräven.
Snow much fun
The next day, the ship stops in Olden, and although the clouds have rolled in, it’s the most picturesque of the ports we visit, as it’s surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
We make for Briksdal Glacier, taking a coach to the lodge cafe and then setting off on the undulating 45-minute hike to reach the lake at the foot of the glacier.
Although it has receded over the last 2,500 years, it’s still a breathtaking sight – and when it starts snowing, it’s magical.
The trip costs £69 per person.
When we arrive into Ålesund the following day, the cold and rain has set in, so after a wander around the town to check out its impressive art nouveau architecture, we warm up in the sauna and steam rooms in Iona’s thermal suite, £49 per person for two hours.
Suitably chilled out, we head to our favourite bar, the Crow’s Nest, right at the front of the ship for the best views of leaving port.
As we sit back with a gin and tonic, £7.10, the sun finally comes out and we drink in the picture-perfect vista.
We splash out on dinner in Epicurean (Iona’s poshest restaurant), £30 each, which tonight is cooked by Norwegian MasterChef judge Kjartan Skjelde.
As we enjoy smoked mountain trout, succulent lamb and cloudberry sorbet, Kjartan tells us the ingredients are sourced within a few miles of his hometown of Stavanger.
Our final stop is Haugesund, where we let off steam on an adrenalin-packed RIB ride around the tiny islands off the mainland, reaching up to 45mph.
When we slow down, our skipper guides us through the narrow waterways connecting the islands, and Steve and I dream of buying a pretty holiday home there, before tucking into sweet and sharp Norwegian waffles smothered in fruit and sour cream, £4.75, at Carlos’ Bistro in Haugesund (Carlosbistro.no).
RIB tours cost £109 per person.
Our bellies – and spirits – full, we head back to the ship for one last bit of vitamin sea as we sail home.
FYI
A seven-night Norwegian Fjords P&O Cruise on Iona from Southampton costs from £645 per person full board, based on two sharing an inside cabin (Pocruises.com).
Water, juice, tea and coffee is included – drinks packages are extra.
Mallorcan magic
Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley found beach bliss with her family at Viva Cala Mesquida Resort & Spa.
“Are you OK, Mummy?” my five-year-old daughter Poppy asks, concerned. I’m attempting a water aerobics class in the glorious heated pool at Viva Cala Mesquida Resort & Spa, while The Pussycat Dolls’ Don’t Cha blares out and Poppy and my son Raffy, two, float close to hand.
Although clearly out of breath and not looking Nicole-Scherzinger-style hot, I’m more than OK, even now I’ve left my sunbed, because this family-friendly hotel, an hour’s drive from Palma airport, is making us all happy.
Born to dune it
Pulling open the curtains to the view of Cala Mesquida’s golden sands, with its stunning dunes and mountain backdrop, never gets boring.
The town is all about the beach, which is steps from the hotel and has crystal-clear waters and rock pools to explore.
It may feel quiet for some – there aren’t buzzy restaurants and bars, just two supermarkets – but we find it blissful.
A splash park with pirate-ship slides and a lagoon-style pool are instant winners for the children, as is the outstanding kids’ club team, who I’d happily hang out with myself.
Poppy and Raffy dip into bracelet-making, face-painting, Lego-building and sports games, while we lunch on treats like red curry king prawn noodles.
They also adore the kids’ disco with mascot Bufo – a mouse pirate – come evening.
Entertainment like a Queen tribute act from Spain’s answer to Britain’s Got Talent captivates us all, as my husband Andy and I sip on Hugo cocktails – a mix of cava, lime, mint and soda.
Hot tub happy
We’ve booked a one-bed garden apartment with a hot tub, which the kids delight in returning to each evening.
While the buffet is extensive, a meal at each of the three à la carte restaurants is included when staying all-inclusive.
Italian La Terrazza serves knockout ocean views alongside dishes such as veal carpaccio with parmesan oil and lemon, plus huge lasagnes for the kids.
Mexican eatery La Guitarra has the usual faves from tacos to burritos, but we tuck into steak marinated with orange and spices, black rice and roasted sweet potato while the children enjoy chicken quesadillas.
Our fave feast comes at Mirablau, which is a hop and a skip from the sand, offering dishes such as baked feta with peppers and onions, a mixed grill of steak, pork, chicken, lamb and almond cake with almond ice cream to finish.
Dino days
Half an hour’s drive away, in Porto Cristo, we find the Hams’ Caves and Dinosaurland.
The huge stalactites, stalagmites and underwater lake fascinate the kids, before the dinos rock their world.
From the largest titanosaurus in the world to more than 100 other models, Poppy and Raffy are in heaven.
They scrape for bones, solve puzzles and pretend to drive a jeep.
The velociraptor show is brilliant, too.
Tickets cost £21 for adults, £15.50 for over-threes (Dinosaurland.es).
We dig into excellent smashburger meals at the DinoBurger eatery – the T-Rex creation is topped with pulled pork, £15, while the kids get dino toys with their mini meals, £9 each.
It’s fair to say that we’ve all had a roar-some trip.
FYI
Seven night all-inclusive holidays at Viva Cala Mesquida Resort & Spa cost from £696 per person, including flights and transfers (Jet2holidays.com).
Greece is the word
Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley checked into Grecotel Luxme Daphnila Bay Dassia, Corfu.
Looking for a fly and flop with the kids? This could be it.
The hotel is a 25-minute drive from the airport and 20 minutes from Corfu Old Town, where you can amble around pretty winding streets filled with boutiques.
Set on a hill with a private bay, we loved days at the beach, dinner at the hotel’s cute Greek Tavernaki restaurant, which sits right by the sea, and the sushi at Asia Oliva.
Loungers by the pool are hard fought over (you need to rise early to secure one) and bathrooms in the family bungalows are a little dated, so bear in mind if those things are important to you.
FYI
Five-night stays for a family of four cost from £1,364 all-inclusive (Grecotel.com/luxme-daphnilabay).
Return flights from the UK cost from £119 per person.
PACK IT
An underseat hero plus a matching kid’s trunk, these come in three colours.
Two-piece suitcase set, £50, Itluggage.com
Flattering and a fab price – don’t go back to black for swimwear this summer.
Swimsuit, £14, George at Asda
The moreish combo of tonka bean and pistachio will pair well with alfresco cocktails.
Discover Sunset, £10 for 100ml EDT, Marks & Spencer
A brand new adventure-ready waterproof tote?
Yes, please!
Bag, £114.95, Red-equipment.co.uk
A bucket hat that comes in five colourways – we love.
Hat, £17.50, M&S Collection at Marks & Spencer
Containing hydrating algae and smoothing safflower extract, this SPF is suitable for face and body.
Shiseido Expert Sun Protector Face And Body Lotion SPF50+, £19
Maximise the kids’ pool fun.
Swim mask, £24.99, Bling2o.co.uk
Listen to your fave tracks and podcasts via Bluetooth or MP3 while you get your lengths of the pool in.
Shokz OpenSwim Pro Headphones, £169
These skincare heroes are also cabin-bag friendly.
Necessaire The Body Essentials, £38, Space NK