Big respect, teachers. Going away during the school holidays is a struggle for everyone, but it’s especially annoying if you don’t have kids but are still restricted to peak-season trips. It’s only fair that after weeks of being the nation’s heroes, you’d want to spend your off-duty time putting as much distance as possible between you and anyone under the age of 18. But that can be tricky when it’s also the most popular time for families to go on holiday…
Lucky for you, we’ve matched every school holiday with a dreamy adults-only hotel in a destination that’s ideal for that time of year. So, whether it’s Christmas, half term or summer, all you’ve got to do is lock it in and live your best child-free life.
Best for February half term
Vanilla Garden Boutique Hotel, Tenerife
February half term calls for warmth, sea and a big mood lift to swerve the winter blues. Tenerife hovers around 22°C in Feb – perf for easing back into the sun without melting after a cold winter.
Vanilla Garden Boutique Hotel’s child free and chilled out. Think modern rooms with clean lines, calming colours and the option to upgrade to a hot tub or spa bath – you know you’ve earnt it. The heated outdoor pool sits in lush tropical gardens, with Balinese beds and quiet zones that couldn’t feel further away from the playground chaos.
Location-wise, you’re sorted. Playa de las Americas’ beaches, nightlife and Siam Park’s epic waterslides are all a short walk away, so you can easily venture out then retreat back to your grown-ups-only bubble. Start each morning with a buffet breakfast, spend the afternoon drifting between the pool and the spa, and finish the day with cocktails then dinner at the French à la carte spot.
Best for Easter holidays
Riu Cancun, Mexico
Two weeks off calls for rest and a reset – and Mexico’s Caribbean Coast meets the brief. Cancun comes through with temps around 25°C at this time of year and serious sunshine reliability. Riu Cancun is adults-only, right on the beachfront and All Inclusive – a proper stress-free zone. Around now is when party lovers head here for Spring Break, so swap marking for margs and let your hair down. This pick has a rep for being lively, too – as well as five bars, there’s a full-on Pacha nightclub in the resort, and you’re only a 15-minute walk from Cancun’s legendary nightlife.
When you’re not partying, you’ve got four pools including an infinity situation, plus you’re only steps from a white-sand sweep. And those school dinners you’re used to have nothing on the food here – a main buffet with live cooking is backed up by themed à la carte restaurants serving Italian, Japanese, steakhouse, Asian and Mexican dishes. And did we mention there are 24-hour snacks?
Best for May half term
Caramelo Calvia Beach, Majorca
The end of the school year’s so close you can almost taste it, but there’s still time to warm up for the main event with a trip to Majorca. With average temps sitting at a comfy 24°C, the island’s back in business but not busy yet – ideal for an early summer escape minus the crowds.
Caramelo Calvia Beach keeps things firmly adults-only, with a strictly over-21s rule – even A-Level teachers are safe here. Set between Magaluf and Palma Nova, the hotel’s a short walk from the beach, shops and bars, but the vibe inside is sleek and relaxed rather than rowdy. Two outdoor pools – including an infinity-style one – are paired with a sun terrace, loungers and a gym. Food focuses on an all-day buffet breakfast, then shifts into a food-market style setup later on, backed up by a poolside bar for cocktails and light bites.
Best for summer holidays
Atalanti Boutique Hotel, Rhodes
Hello, freedom. You made it through the school year and the final term chaos, and your reward is an adults-only holiday to Rhodes. This Greek island is giving Euro summer energy – we’re talking temps in the 30s and long days made for soaking up the sun.
Backed by a peaceful wood, Atalanti Boutique Hotel offers the perfect setting for decompressing. There’s an exclusive vibe here – it feels compact but still spacious. There’s a huge outdoor pool for lazy afternoons, as well as an infinity pool with bay views. You’ve also got a restaurant serving up fresh Greek food and a bar for sunset cocktails. Plus, lively Faliraki is just a five-minute drive away if you’re keen for beaches and nightlife. You get the best of both worlds – a calm base with a buzzy town nearby.
Best for October half term
King Jason, Paphos
Let’s face it – you’ve been counting down the days ‘til half term since your first day back in September. Lucky for you, October is a seriously underrated month for holidays. Most people think summer’s over in September, but lots of places in Europe are still enjoying the sunshine. Cyprus stays warm, with temps sticking around a steamy 28°C – and the award-winning King Jason hotel in Paphos is the place to make the most of it.
This stylish stay has four chic pools, a mega spa, two bars and plenty of aesthetic spots for lounging. A buffet restaurant covers all your fave foods, or you can switch things up in the Peruvian à la carte. Paphos’s harbour, old town and beaches are within walking distance, but there’s also a free shuttle bus if you’d rather take it easy.
Best for Christmas holidays
Rixos Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Swap the gloomy December commutes for a real change of scenery. Egypt’s a strong pick for the Christmas break – expect temps in the mid-20s, 10 hours of light per day and boujie All Inclusive resorts that go big on the festive feels.
Perfectly placed on Nabq Bay, Rixos Sharm El Sheikh’s mantra is ‘more is more’. 10 restaurants take care of your meals, from banquet-level buffets to Japanese, Indian and Brazilian à la cartes. There are also eight bars ft. two beachfront spots with live DJ sets and unreal sunset views. The sea is right there, or you can pick one of the seven pools when you fancy a swim. On top of all that, there’s a state-of-the-art spa and a long list of activities to get stuck into, so you can do as much or as little as you like – no timetables here.
Ready to switch off teacher mode? Check out our adults-only deals.
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Author and pronouns: Daisy Colley (she/her)
Last updated:05/01/2026
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