It’s back-to-school season (yippie)!
Don’t judge — it’s been a long summer entertaining my two beautiful children that I love and adore… but mummy needs some space and my brood need to get back into a routine.
In our house, back-to-school season also means one thing: October half term holiday planning.
Thankfully October is far enough away for us to forget what going on a family holiday actually means — chaos.
This is why the hotel matters. Pick the right one and you might actually come home feeling like you’ve had a holiday. I think of a good hotel as my travel buddy — there to make family life easier, not harder.
The question is: where can we get a Vitamin D top-up in October without flying halfway around the world?
These are five places I’d genuinely consider.
1. Tenerife
If warmth is the priority, Tenerife is probably the safest bet.
Late October temperatures are usually in the mid-20s and the Canary Islands tend to be more reliable than much of the Mediterranean.
Stay in the south and you’ve got beaches, family resorts and Siam Park for when everyone has had enough of sitting beside a pool.
Where we’d stay: Gran Meliá Palacio de Isora
Condé Nast Traveller rates it as one of the best family hotels in the Canaries.
There’s a huge pool, pirate-ship splash park, baby club and kids’ club — but it still feels like a proper five-star hotel for the adults.
Why we’d go: Sunshine + easy family holiday.
Watch out for: Check which pools are heated. 25°C outside doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll happily jump into freezing water.
2. Cyprus
Cyprus is one of those places that doesn’t seem ready to admit summer is over — exactly what I’m looking for.
Paphos can still reach the mid-20s in October and the sea has had all summer to warm up.
You’ve also got beaches, boats, restaurants and enough sightseeing to make you feel vaguely cultural between pool days.
Where we’d stay: Almyra, Paphos
Almyra comes up again and again as a great family hotel, including in Condé Nast Traveller’s review.
There’s a children’s pool, kids’ club and babysitting, but my favourite part is their Baby Go Lightly service, where you can order things like buggies and baby essentials before arriving.
Anyone who has packed for a baby knows this is genius.
It also looks like somewhere adults would actually choose to stay — always important.
Why we’d go: Warm, easy and very parent-friendly.
Watch out for: Late October weather becomes slightly less predictable.
3. Malta
Full disclosure: I’m Maltese, so I’m probably not the most impartial person to ask. But if you can’t sneak your own country into your holiday list, what’s the point?
October can still be gorgeous, usually somewhere in the low-to-mid 20s.
And if the weather misbehaves, there’s Valletta, Mdina, the Three Cities, boat trips, Popeye Village, beaches and plenty of food to distract everyone.
Malta is small — something us Maltese complain about until we remember how useful it is with children.
Where we’d stay: The Westin Dragonara or Golden Sands
I love The Westin Dragonara. St Julian’s itself? Slightly less so.
But the hotel is excellent for families: loads of space, pools, direct sea access and a location that makes exploring the island pretty easy.
If I wanted somewhere quieter, I’d choose Radisson Blu Golden Sands instead. You’re right above one of Malta’s loveliest sandy beaches, with a kids’ club and indoor pool for those less cooperative October days.
The catch? I’d hire a car. To be fair, I’d probably hire one at the Westin too, but at Golden Sands it becomes much more of a necessity. It’s beautifully tucked away, which is part of the appeal, but you’ll want the freedom to get out and explore.
Why we’d go: Because I’m Maltese and contractually obliged to tell you Malta is wonderful. But also because it genuinely works really well with kids.
Watch out for: This is Malta, not the Maldives. Pack something with sleeves and don’t blame me for one rainy afternoon.
4. Costa del Sol, Spain
This one is slightly more about the hotel than guaranteed sunshine.
Southern Spain can still be lovely in October, and you’ve got beaches, Marbella, Estepona and plenty of restaurants nearby.
But really, my reason for putting it on the list is Ikos.
Where we’d stay: Ikos Andalusia
I am a sucker for Ikos.
There, I’ve said it.
It’s all-inclusive without feeling like traditional all-inclusive — great restaurants, good drinks and someone else has basically thought about everything for you. Condé Nast Traveller’s family hotel guide to Spain is similarly enthusiastic.
For the kids there are clubs, football, tennis, activities and pools. Babies are well catered for too.
You can even borrow one of the hotel’s cars for a day and disappear off to Marbella or Estepona.
Why we’d go: Because sometimes I want somebody else to organise my life for a week.
Watch out for: Book it for Ikos, not guaranteed October heat. If you get both, you’ve won half term.
5. Madeira
Madeira feels like a much more grown-up version of a family sunshine holiday.
It’s warm rather than scorching in October, ridiculously beautiful and there’s enough to actually do that nobody needs to spend seven days circling a swimming pool.
You can explore Funchal, take cable cars, swim in natural pools, wander the levadas and generally convince yourself you’re having a cultured adventure while still getting some much-needed sunshine.
Where we’d stay: Reid’s Palace
This is one I’d happily book before having children — which is generally my test of a good family hotel.
Condé Nast Traveller currently names Reid’s Palace its best hotel in Madeira for families. It’s an old-school grand hotel sitting above the Atlantic, with gorgeous gardens, pools and easy access to Funchal.
So you’re getting somewhere genuinely special rather than somewhere designed entirely around keeping children occupied.
Which is much more my kind of family holiday.
Why we’d go: Beautiful hotel, beautiful island and enough exploring to stop everyone getting bored.
Watch out for: Madeira isn’t a classic sandy-beach holiday and October isn’t guaranteed baking heat. Come for sunshine and adventure rather than seven days on a lounger.
So where would I actually go?
For the best chance of sunshine: Tenerife.
For Mediterranean warmth: Cyprus.
For exploring as well as pool time: Malta.
For parents wanting an easy life: Ikos Andalusia.
For beautiful scenery and a bit more adventure: Madeira.
The biggest thing I’ve learnt about travelling with kids is that the hotel matters almost as much as the destination.
A heated pool, good kids’ club, decent food and something to do when the weather isn’t perfect can be the difference between coming home refreshed… and needing another holiday to recover from your holiday.
We’ve all been there.
