Now that we are finally in the autumn, it’s time to think about getting away for some late summer sunshine in the October half-term. We have picked the best hotels for the Halloween half-term!
Southern Spain would be our first recommendation. You remain far enough south to catch the late summer rays whilst not being too far from London in terms of flights.
This is one of the warmest spots in Europe in the October half term, but at this time of year, even the best hotels are pretty affordable, and if you have little ones, the best hotels have some great kids’ clubs. The kids club at the Marbella Club on the Costa Del Sol is pictured above, complete with scary activities for the younger members of your family.
1. The Marbella Club
At Luxury Travel Diary, we are big fans of The Marbella Club. It is just a few hour’s flight from London into Malaga, and yet this destination whisks you out of the English grey and into glorious heat and sunshine, more akin to the African continent than Europe. In fact, it is often wise to travel to Marbella out of the main season. In the summer, prices are at their peak, and the heat can be overwhelming.
Instead, try traveling to this gorgeous enclave in May, June, September, or October for the Halloween half-term and more-or-less guaranteed sunshine but fewer crowds and lower prices. If you are a gambler, you might even consider April and November, when the sky can still be blue and the days can still be warm enough to swim in your hotel’s outdoor pool. Of course, the weather can be a little rainier, but with hotel prices at half of their peak rates, we think it is worth a whirl!
And where to stay in and around Marbella? Our favorite, particularly if you have kids, is the famous Marbella Club, which was also a favorite of Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, and Sir Lawrence Olivier. The Marbella Club has two superb pools, probably the best kids club in the world, ultra-luxury rooms (we love the ones with patios where you can enjoy the evening sunshine), and lush tropical gardens.
Close behind comes the Puente Romano Beach Resort with a superb two Michelin Starred restaurant and a brilliant beach restaurant right on the edge of the beach. They also have unbelievable tennis facilities, winding tropical gardens, and a Six Senses Spa, which is one of the best I have ever been to. My final choice is the Finca Cortesin site in the hills behind Marbella, which offers a dreamy setting on a golf course with its own beach club a short drive away, in case you miss the sea.
2. Kempinski Hotel Bahía, Spain
The five-star Kempinski Hotel Bahía is based in Estepona to the west of Marbella and set on a stunning coastline. Embracing an Arabic-Andalusian design that distinguishes it from other hotels on the coast, it is surrounded by luscious subtropical gardens covering an extensive area of 45,000 sqm. The hotel’s exterior design is perfectly integrated into the surrounding nature.
The vegetation has a major role in providing color and freshness to the resort. The wonderful flora creates a microclimate and a paradise for both guests and birds. Kempinski Hotel Bahía also enjoys a beachfront position, with views of the sea and majestic horizons touching the coast of Africa, while Gibraltar serves as the backdrop.
All rooms at the Kempinski Hotel Bahía offer impressive terraces and gardens, many with sea views and all with warm and welcoming decor. You can waste hours every day watching the sunrise and sunsets from your terrace. The rooms are sorted into four different categories varying in view and ranging in size from 42 to 45 sqm. The hotel suites are even larger, with generous terraces and balconies with astonishing views.
Children aged 4 to 12 years can join the Kempinski Kid’s Club. Their team of professional entertainers are lots of fun, most of the activities taking place in the outdoors with visits to the vegetable garden and the beach and specially selected menus for them at lunch or dinner. And, of course, Halloween activities for the frightening night!
While your kids are having fun in the club, you must try the newly renovated spa or the Fitness Club with the most state-of-the-art machines, which are situated in front of large windows looking onto the gardens. Spa facilities include a Turkish bath, a Finnish sauna, and an ice fountain, as well as a relaxing room for resting with views of the garden. The Bastien Gonzalez foot treatment studio is worth a mention as it does so much more than your standard pedicure. They will literally fix your gnarly feet so that they don’t frighten your children on Halloween night.
3. Monte Carlo Bay Hotel, Monaco
Even at this time of year Monte Carlo Bay Hotel in Monaco is blissful when the sun shines, you can laze around the pool on a lounger. I write this from my enormous balcony while my son is down splashing in the azure blue indoor-outdoor pool, enjoying the sunshine. It could be Summer here, and yet it is almost November.
There’s always an event to enjoy, too – the decorations for Christmas and Valentine’s in all the luxury hotels are fantastic. Because it is so quiet at this time of year, you don’t have to wait for a seat at Cafe de Paris and can enjoy the best hotels at less expense. I’ll be enjoying Michelin star dining at the Hermitage Monte Carlo tonight.
4. InterContinental London Park Lane, London
Granted, you won’t get sun here, but you will enjoy autumn foliage and Halloween window decorations. The InterContinental London Park Lane is an elegant luxury hotel right in the heart of London. We think it is one of the best luxury hotels in London, and it definitely has the best club lounge in London for views.
It offers rooms of varying sizes with incredible views across Regents and Green Park, as well as the Hyde Park Corner roundabout. It also has a great gym, Elemis Spa, two excellent restaurants, and an unbeatable location just a short walk from Knightsbridge and its designer shops (is it too early for Christmas shopping?). In the other direction, you can stroll to Regent Street for the Apple Store, Hamley’s toy store, and Selfridges, as well as the lively bars and Michelin Star restaurants in Soho and W1.
My favorite thing about this hotel is that it has the best Club Lounge in London. Check it out in our video tour. This assessment is based on the luxury of the lounge and also takes into account the hotel price.
The view from this Club Lounge is out of this world, the staff are unbeatable and full of personality, the food and drinks array is excellent, and it really is a great place to spend the entire day. Read about all the benefits of this lounge in my more detailed review of the InterContinental Club Lounge.
The InterContinental London offers my favorite views, the best pasta, a great Spa, an increasing number of newly refurbished rooms, and my favorite Executive Lounge in London, which is free if you book your stay via our own luxury travel concierge. This is the hotel you have been looking for in Central London!
5.One & Only Royal Mirage, Dubai
This artificial oasis in the desert has a million things to amuse. Water parks include Atlantis The Palm Marine World with a dedicated area for young kids, desert safaris, the snow dome, plus shopping and fine dining for mum and dad. The massive Mall of the Emirates offers Magic Planet, Dubai’s largest indoor family entertainment center, as well as Ski Dubai.
In fact, why leave? For a surreal but fun experience, why not try the Kempinski ski chalet with views over the slopes of Ski Dubai.
You are simply a bad parent if you miss KidZania indoor play area built to resemble a small town. Fake narrow streets lined with fake businesses are lit by an eery twilight. No doubt they have Halloween activities for kid fun.
An excellent luxury hotel choice is the One & Only Royal Mirage with a super beach and kids club for ages 4 to 11.
6. Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Orlando has just gone upmarket! The opening of the brand new Four Seasons Resort Orlando has now made this destination hugely tempting for a half-term break!
Located within the 47 square miles that is Walt Disney World, in woodland and with its own golf course, this hotel offers a Spanish-style exterior with a sleek and modern finish inside. The grounds are beautifully manicured, as you would expect, with loads of greenery, palms, and grasses. There are two pools, one adult only and the other is “Explorer Island” a family playground with two water slides, a splash pad, a rock climbing wall, sand volleyball, and more. There is also a rooftop steakhouse, a golf course clubhouse, and the main bar, as well as a poolside bar and grill.
And, of course, Four Seasons Resort Orlando, along with Disney itself, will celebrate Halloween in style.
7. Four Seasons Resort Marrakech
Morocco is warmer and drier than most destinations in Europe and is also a great choice. Four Seasons Resort Marrakech is located outside the city itself and near the airport, which means that it is super convenient to get to, and it is, without a doubt, the cheapest ultra-luxury hotel in the area.
When you compare the prices of the Four Seasons Marrakech to the Mandarin Oriental in Marrakech, you will see the difference in pricing. Four Seasons offers much cheaper rooms whilst still maintaining that Four Seasons level of luxury. You will get sunshine and warmth even in late October, making it ideal for a Halloween half-term holiday.
8. Sheraton Dubrovnik
If you want to go somewhere a little bit out of the ordinary for the Halloween half-term, a holiday destination growing in popularity is the Adriatic coast. Some of the former Yugoslav states like Croatia, Montenegro, and Albania are still places many holidaymakers are skeptical about, but they really shouldn’t be.
The city of Dubrovnik in Croatia is a place brought back into popularity recently for being recommended on many hidden gem travel lists and for even being the filming location for Game of Thrones.
This spot is superb for getting the sun and for swimming in some of the most crystal-clear waters in Europe without any of the choppiness of the Mediterranean, thanks to it being among a cluster of islands that shield it from the higher tides. The only thing to note here is that the beaches are a little rockier, but you want to know where to go in October half term, and you like the idea of a boat trip out into deeper waters for a snorkeling trip, perhaps, then making Dubrovnik your destination.
We love the Sheraton Dubrovnik, a modern hotel with 251 elegant rooms and suites, all with floor-to-ceiling doors leading to a balcony.
9. JW Marriott Venice
Is there ever a bad time to visit Venice? I don’t think so, and for your Halloween half-term, this city is running at a fraction of the summer prices. The JW Marriott Venice Resort which sits on its own private island and is ideal for children with loads of outdoor lawns and more than one pool. If your budget stretches, try the Aman Canal Grande Venice, one of the most high-end and best hotels in Venice.
10. Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro
And finally, here is our “distant shores” recommendation. Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro in Brazil is an affordable hotel option in an iconic city. If you have the time to travel further, or you reside in the Western Hemisphere, this is a great destination. It’s superb for three reasons. One, it is consistently hot all year round. Two, it has some of the best beaches with almost no choppy seas, thanks to it being inside a protective bay. And three, it’s in the Southern Hemisphere, so it means that it’s warmer in the winter than in the spring, making it the perfect autumn or winter retreat.
If you are asking the question, where is hot in October Halloween half term? Then here’s your answer. This is the ultimate destination for swimwear fashion lovers, too. The beaches are chock full of people showing off the best fashion from Italy, Paris, Miami, New York, and London. It’s known for its beach culture, and if you want a tan, some sun, and a few cocktails, this is the absolute best destination.
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