We all know the best time to book a holiday is when we get back from our summer break – before the polo necks come out, rain hammers the windows and partners insist that actually they really do have Sun Deficit Disorder. 

But lo! – we bring glad tidings of long-haul heat and sunshine, courtesy of The Turquoise Holiday Company, the brilliant, family-run business that today has just launched its exclusive Family Holiday sale – running for just two weeks, until Sat 30 Sept across its stunning locations including the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Middle East.

The sale is squarely aimed at parents who need to book their breaks during the school holidays (I mean, anyone up for risking a school fine these days? Nope, me neither). Either make like Muddy and skid in for a last-minute escape this coming October Half Term or Christmas with discounts of up to 60% along with added extras and incentives, or show you’re really organised by nailing your 2024 holidays with time to burn.

Whichever route you take, it’s worth knowing that kids stay and eat for free, plus there are upgrades, family experiences, free nights up for grabs and everyone who books during this period will also be given a £100 Uber voucher (Christmas party season or airport run taxis sorted right there).

I’ve picked a selection that have caught my beady eye but go to the Family Sale website for a more complete choice. Just so you know, all the prices below are per family of four (two adults, two kids under 12) for seven nights, include international flights and transfers. Room type and board basis vary from offer to offer. See you on the sun lounger!

Best for all the family: ANTIGUA

Located on the north-west coast of this beautiful Caribbean island, Blue Waters Resort & Spa is the only resort on Soldier’s Bay. Think paper white sands, crystal blue waters and a feeling of total escapism (it’s a spot much loved by celebs and royalty, just saying). The big draw is the ‘something for everyone’ family facilities. The young owners have children of their own, so the kids’ club game is strong (ages 5-12). There’s a crèche for littlies, watersports, mini bathrobes in the spa and non-toxic nail varnishes, so they can enjoy a manicure, plus kids’ menus in the restaurant (you can pre-order meals to avoid hangry outbursts) and the option to book a nanny or babysitter. You may actually get to relax and read a book, with zero chance of hearing the dreaded ‘I’m booooored’.

School hols deal: Seven nights, all-inclusive in a Cove Suite, 35% discount and $200 resort credit, from £9,932 per family, saving £3,500.

Best for turbo-charged kids club: MALDIVES

Often pigeon-holed as a honeymoon destination, don’t rule out the Maldives for a family holiday. The LUX* South Ari Atoll Resort & Villas, with its 187 villas strung along exquisite white sands or perched on stilts over the lagoon, is paradise for parents and their kids. If they don’t love the welcome ice cream (need we say more?) they’ll be in heaven at the stonking kids’ club ‘Play’ for ages 3-12 and ‘Studio 17’ for teens, running the usual array of sports, arts and crafts and treasure hunts but also fantastic activities that tap into the local environment like crab racing, snorkelling and planting coral. There are even small people spa treatments, in case you needed an excuse to book yourself a massage as their plus one. Bliss.

School Hols deal: Seven nights in a beach villa, includes 35% off and upgrade to all-inclusive basis – £11,699 per family, saving £4,000.

For culture vultures: ST LUCIA

Life is sweet at this stunning sugar plantation resort in St Lucia. Nestled between the Pitons, Sugar Beach is a luxurious hotel that delivers dreamy views and a sense of adventure. The white-on-white accommodation is beautiful but may freak out parents with younger kids (stay away from fruit and Nutella). Save your anxiety and head straight outside. The calm beach is great for littlies, there are plenty of watersports and an excellent kids’ club that explores local culture and creativity. If you’re not one to sun lounge all day, there’s an abundance of day trips from waterfall visits to making your own chocolate bar at a local cocoa plantation.

School Hols deal: Seven nights for the price of five in a Superior Luxury Villa, includes 15% of and kids stay free – £9,889 per family, saving £800.

Best for eco warriors: MALAYSIA

Living the eco dream! The Datai in Langkawi, Malaysia, is a tropical paradise that will meet the approval of nature lovers and hard-to-impress tweens and teens. The resort sits on a 46-acre site that stretches to a sheltered beach, enveloped by 10-million-year-old virgin rainforest. No kids’ club, so a bit more grown up, but it feels like Attenborough Live – flying lemurs, playful dusky leaf monkeys, great hornbill birds, to name a few. The Datai is a totally unique holiday, that may result in your grunting kids engaging in conversation and discovering there’s more to life than memes and TikTok.

School hols deal: Seven nights for the price of five in a Canopy Deluxe Room on a B&B basis, includes 10% discount on the first room and 50% off the second – £8,220 per family, saving £3,550.

Best for a little romance: KOH SAMUI, THAILAND

Think family holidays mean you have to forfeit romance? Not on our watch, lady. The Santiburi Resort in Koh Samui ticks all the boxes for an idyllic family holiday. Palm-fringed beach, large pool, you can kayak, paddle board and sail or make full use of the kids’ club which will wear them out doing everything from karaoke to Thai dance and yoga. The best bit? Thursday is a dedicated date night. Hand over the kids to the hotel babysitters and head straight for the bedroom. Or, you know, maybe just the bar.

School hols deal: Seven nights in a Deluxe Garden Villa on a B&B basis, includes 35% discount and a complimentary dinner – £6,455 per family, saving £1,090.

Best for older kids: BARBADOS

Barbados, playground of the rich and famous and *clang* the subtle sound of name-dropping tales from the Caribbean. The Fairmont Royal Pavilion is located in one of the best spots on the island, set right beside a gorgeous beach. No formal kids club, but there are plenty of activities laid on during the school hols. Teens and tweens will have a blast, with the opportunity to kayak, paddle board, play tennis or hit the gym in the sea-view fitness room. We’ll be swerving the treadmill for a Tequila Sunrise, thanks all the same. 

School hols deal: Seven nights for the price of five in an interconnecting Ocean Front Room on a B&B basis. Includes 70% discount (+additional 10% for Oct Half Term bookings) – £9,707 per family, saving £7,118.

Best for adventure: OMAN

Oman is topping the charts for family holiday bucket lists, offering both fly-and-flop, with Middle Eastern adventure thrown into the mix. Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Al Waha Hotel is situated on a headland with sensational views of ther mountains, desert and beach – the resort’s seclusion is one of its main attractions. The Cool Zone kids club is awesome for kids aged 4+, there is also a kids’ pool, ‘Lazy River’ and splash pad in a dedicated aquatic play area. It’s a resort that’s perfect for all ages. It’ll be a tantrum free zone (no promises, but our fingers are crossed).

School hols deal: Seven nights at Shangri La Barr Al Jissah, Al Waha over Christmas holidays from £11,999 per family staying in a Family Room on a half board basis – includes 35% discount and kids eat, stay and play for free, saving £3,000.

For help, advice or accurate pricing and availability, call the Turquoise team now on 01494 678400. They’ve actually been to all these hotels and are a font of knowledge on pretty much anything you can throw at them. 

See all the offers here– and don’t forget to send us a postcard.

The Turquoise Holiday Company