There’s still time to book all-inclusive family trips for Easter. Robin Murray and Adam Shaw round up three top options
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Whether they want an active escape whizzing down flumes in a waterpark by the Red Sea, a ‘Nemo-spotting’ adventure in the Indian Ocean, or a chance to rock out and learn to DJ in sun-soaked Tenerife – there’s an all-inclusive resort for every family.
And with more people thinking about costs when booking their trips away this Easter, all-inclusives are a strong sell: parents can relax knowing everything’s paid for upfront, while their kids get stuck into the ice cream.
So, with that in mind, here are three all-inclusive packages for families looking for fun in the sun this Easter – with a handy breakdown of what’s included.
Rixos Premium Seagate
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
What’s the vibe?
The resort is big on water-based activities, with its Rixos Aquaventure Park boasting 16 rides. Here you can shoot down flumes, try the racing slides or enjoy classic family favourites such as a wave pool and lazy river.
The location, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea, also means guests have access to a vibrant coral reef brimming with colourful fish and elegant rays – making it a hit with divers and snorkellers (snorkel equipment is free to use).
And post-dive, parents can unwind in one of the largest spas in Egypt, with a Turkish bath sitting alongside a steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi.
Best bits for families: As well as the impressive on-site water park, kids and parents alike will enjoy the resort’s very own funfair (pictured), which includes a carousel, Ferris wheel, climbing wall and go-kart track.
Rixy’s Kids Club, for children aged four to 17, has two swimming pools, a playground, a cinema and its own restaurant, while there’s also a Teens Club for those aged 13-17, where they can battle it out playing computer games, pool, table football and air hockey, or take a seat at the exclusive Teens Sports Bar.
Guests aged six to 14 can take part in football training sessions, with regular tournaments, at no extra cost, plus tennis and basketball academies. Besides sports, there are a number of other workshops available, spanning music, dance, painting, cooking and science classes.
What’s included?
All-inclusive packages at Rixos Premium Seagate include access to breakfast, lunch and dinner at the resort’s buffet restaurant, with breakfast and à la carte dinner at the People’s International Restaurant available with a reservation.
Meals can also be booked at the country-themed restaurants – Asian, Brazilian La Churrascaria, French Epicure, Turkish Lalezar, Italian L Olivo – as well as the specialist Salt Seafood Restaurant and Mangal BBQ Restaurant.
Snacks, such as fresh tropical fruits in the Detox Bar, are included, while guests can enjoy selected alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks on a 24-hour basis, and free minibars are restocked daily.
Meals can also be booked at the country-themed restaurants
For spa goers, use of the sauna, steam room, Turkish bath and Jacuzzi is included, but treatments cost extra. Over-18s can visit the nearby adult-only Rixos Sharm el-Sheikh, which offers romantic beach cabanas and pool bars, and hosts regular beach parties.
Regular shuttle buses run between the two resorts, and visiting Rixos guests can enjoy meals and alcoholic drinks at the Sharm el-Sheikh resort at no extra cost.
Book it: A seven-night all-inclusive stay at Rixos Premium Seagate starts at £2,974, for two adults and one free child place up to age 12. The price includes flights from Manchester on April 13 and transfers.
easyjet.com/en/holidays/trade-portal
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi
Noonu Atoll, Maldives
What’s the vibe?
Luxurious Iru Fushi retains a laid-back atmosphere that appeals to all ages, but is especially well-suited to couples and families – with plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained.
Best bits for families: The highlight for kids is arguably the island’s man-made reef, Nemo Bay. It features a rope that little ones can hold on to for guidance and security as they snorkel, making it a great place for them to have a go at the activity.
Kids will enjoy seeing how many clownfish – or ‘Nemos’ – they can spot. Younger children will love the Kids’ Club, which is free for children aged three and above, or £14 an hour for under-threes.
Older kids will find plenty to keep them occupied in the recreation zone, with air hockey, table football, a giant chess board, a ping-pong table and more. The swimming pool at family restaurant Fluid features a kids’ pool that can be seen from the alfresco dining terrace, meaning parents can keep an eye on their children as they enjoy their meal.
What’s included?
The all-inclusive package at Iru Fushi includes buffet breakfast at Iru Restaurant and a three-course dinner menu at either Trio, Flavours, Islander’s Grill, Taste of India or Bamboo, or buffet dinner at Iru Restaurant.
It also covers an extensive menu of alcoholic and soft drinks, including premium cocktails, in the bars and restaurants, snacks at Water’s Edge and Fluid Bar from 11am-5pm, lunch at one of five restaurants and daily ice cream at La Cremeria, which is unlimited for kids under 15.
All-inclusive guests can also enjoy a minibar stocked with wine, beers, soft drinks, water, tea and coffee.
In terms of activities, the all-inclusive package entitles guests to one hour of stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking equipment per day and one scheduled local island experience trip per person per stay.
Book it: A seven-night family package in a Water Villa on a full-board basis with If Only, including speedboat transfers and flights from Heathrow with Etihad Airways, is priced at £15,019 for two adults, with up to two children (under 15) staying and eating free. The price is based on an April 8 departure and must be booked by March 31.
ifonly.net/agents/login
Hard Rock Hotel
Playa Paraíso, Tenerife
What’s the vibe?
As you’d expect, it’s music, music and more music. Guests will find live performances, in-room playlists spanning a range of moods and genres, and a Rock Shop filled with Hard Rock merch.
The resort boasts a main pool, with an attached kids’ area; a freshwater adult-only pool; and a third pool located next to the beach.
Foodwise, there’s a buffet restaurant and specialist venues serving Italian and Asian fare, while five bars range from the happening Splash Bar by the pool to the laidback 3rd Half Sports Bar, which shows live matches.
Best bits for families: The Roxity Kids Club, for those aged four to nine, has all the classic team games, arts and crafts, and games consoles – plus a Hard Rock twist.
Music-themed characters lead interactive storytime sessions alongside singing and dancing classes. Older children, aged 10 to 16, can sign up to the Teen Spirit club where they can take part in hip-hop workshops and music-mixing classes to hone their DJ skills.
The club also hosts regular Xbox and board game tournaments. Elsewhere, kids will love the play area at the Splash Pool, with its water games, such as fountains and tipping buckets, and small slides, while the pool bar offers family favourites such as burgers and pizzas, as well as a dedicated children’s menu.
And those with a sweet tooth can make use of the daily ice cream service, which operates from 10am to 6pm.
What’s included?
In true Hard Rock Hotel style, vinyl players and Fender guitars are available on request at no extra cost. Guests staying all-inclusive start their morning at Sessions, a buffet-style restaurant offering international dishes.
Sandwiches, pastries and soft drinks are available at the Constant Grind Coffee Shop between 11am and 7pm daily, while lunch (starter, main and dessert) is available at both the Splash Pool Bar or the Beach Club.
For dinner, there’s à la carte at the Asian-inspired Narumi and Italian Capolavoro, a three-course option at the 3rd Half Sports Bar or a buffet at Sessions.
Selected alcoholic drinks, as well as soft drinks and hot drinks, are included from the bars – excluding the 16th Sky Lounge, Narumi’s Hall and the Rock Royalty Lounge.
Gym access, exercise classes (aqua aerobics, yoga, Pilates), football, basketball, mini-golf, table tennis and volleyball are included in the package, but the spa carries an additional charge.
Book it: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife costs from £2,778 in total based on two adults sharing, with one child (aged up to four) staying free. The price includes flights and transfers, departing from Stansted on April 8.
jet2holidays.com
PICTURES: RobertoLara Fotografia
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