The kids are back at school, the weather has taken a turn for the chillier… summer is definitely over, although given how wet August was you’d be forgiven for having missed it altogether. Certainly, given the travel chaos that kept many on home soil over the school holidays, there are plenty who feel ready for a real holiday: somewhere hot and sunny, beside the sea, perhaps with a cocktail bar nearby. Thankfully there are places in Europe where that is still very much the case, even as late as October. Here, we give you four of our favourites.
Villa Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Best for… Bond lair vibes
Built into a cliff side, with jaw-dropping views of the Adriatic from every room, this place oozes Bond movie elegance. The building dates back to the 1960s, though it was fully modernised a decade ago (the contemporary design is all glass and clean lines). It’s located within easy reach of Dubrovnik: the walls of the ancient city are a short walk or free shuttle ride away – though sunny days are best spent sunbathing at the hotel’s private rocky beach or using the spa. The hospitality is world-class and the intimate, fine-dining restaurant, Pjerin, is a standout for romantic suppers. We also loved lunch on the terrace at Al Fresco Bar Giardino, where the air is thick with the scent of pine and seasalt.
Stella loves: Watching the sun set over the old town from the rooftop prosciutto and wine bar.
Out and about: Take the boat to Lokrum, a wild and unspoilt island and nature reserve, 600m from Dubrovnik – it was used as a location for Game Of Thrones. It’s home to rabbits and peacocks, and the views from the top of the fort are worth the boat ride. The hotel can also offer excursions, including vineyard trips along the Peljesac Peninsula, oyster farm visits and horse riding trips through local villages.
Rooms from £403 a night; villa-dubrovnik.hr
Read the full expert review: Villa Dubrovnik
Villa Dubrovnik is built into a cliff, overlooking the turquoise Adriatic towards the city’s medieval walls
JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
Isola delle Rose, Veneto
Best for… a pool with a view
Arriving here is an experience in itself: a speedboat takes guests from the city to a leafy island in the lagoon, which spans 40 acres and has superb views of Venice, whilst being blissfully removed from the crowds. The hotel, a sizable property with 266 rooms, looks more like a seaside resort than classic Venetian building and it’s very much family-friendly, with cooking and mask-making courses and plenty of sporting activities. A highlight is the rooftop infinity pool. (It’s adults-only but there’s also a very good child-friendly pool area for families). There are four restaurants, two bars and a deli, though our pick is the ‘chic-nic’ spot, where you can lay out a picnic blanket and enjoy Italian sandwiches and salads under a shady olive tree.
Stella loves: The poolside daybeds on the roof – the afternoon-nap-spot of dreams.
Out and about: There’s plenty to do at the resort, including yoga and meditation sessions in the landscaped gardens as well as cooking classes. Bicycles are available for hire – there are grounds to cycle around. Book in for a cooking workshop at the hotel’s Sapori Cooking Academy, where you can learn the art of rolling pizza dough and whipping up authentic pasta from scratch (children are welcome). And if you’re hankering after the crowds of Venice, St Mark’s Square is only a 20-minute boat ride away.
Rooms from £430 a night, b&b; jwvenice.com
Read the full expert review: JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
The JW Marriott occupies its own 40-acre island in the Venice lagoon
Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites and Spa
Santorini, Greece
Best for… pure hygge
The beautiful coastal town of Oia is incredibly popular with visitors, but this tranquil boho-chic hotel, a five-minute walk from the bustle, is another world, and utterly peaceful. There are 65 suites and villas – ours was all-white and airy, with a vast living area, kitchenette and furniture sleekly built into the walls. But the standout was the view of the Aegean Sea. These are best enjoyed with a sea-view morning yoga class, or from the hotel’s award-winning Alios Ilios al fresco restaurant, which looks out over the main pool. Dining here is pure romance – and the local wines (try Assyrtiko) and contemporary mezze (try the celeriac ravioli stuffed with fasolada cream) are superb.
Stella loves: The private hot tub built on the balcony – cleverly angled so that it’s fully obscured and completely private.
Out and about: Charter a catamaran to sail around Nea Kameni, a volcanic island in the Santorini caldera – we loved snorkeling in the crystal clear Aegean. Santo Maris can arrange visits to local wineries and a cooking class.
Suites from £384 a night (over-12s only); santomaris.gr
Read the full expert review: Santo Maris Oia Luxury Suites & Spa
Santo Maris is right in the heart of bustling Oia – yet it feels worlds away
Almyra
Paphos, Cyprus
Best for… laid-back family time
If you’re after a family holiday without compromises for either parents or children, the Almyra is just the ticket. A modern, whitewashed all-inclusive that’s both stylish and easy, it has dining options that will please everyone, from the authentic seafront taverna Ouzeri to the uber-relaxed child-friendly buffet at Mosaics. Grab a double sunbed by the family pool or book the children into the kids’ club and yourself into the spa, where there’s a peaceful adults-only pool. Rooms are bright, comfy and sleekly decorated – we loved the seafront Kyma suite – you can watch the waves from your lawnside terrace or take in the view from the rooftop above, shaded by palm trees.
Stella loves: The unique Light Your Fire Ritual at the spa – a 90-minute treatment combining meditation, sage-smudging, a scrub and massage.
Out and about: It’s a short amble from Paphos Harbour, where you’ll find buzzy tavernas and plenty of life. Stock up on hand-made leather sandals in the town, then stop for an excellent moussaka on the terrace at the unassuming looking Harbour Cafe Restaurant (Poseidonos Ave). History buffs will find plenty of nearby sites to explore, like the Kato Paphos Archaeological Park. Appease the kids with a trip to the nearby Paphos Aphrodite Water Park – but beware: when we went, the water was unheated, so it’s perhaps best saved for high summer.
Rooms from £185 a night, b&b; almyra.com
Read the full expert review: Almyra
Almyra is a crowd-pleasing option for a family holiday with style
Edited by: Laura Powell. Reviews by: Kate Bussmann, Chloe Lambert, Eilidh Hargreaves and Rosie Boydell
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