resort

I COULD feel my body softening with each wave of my masseuse’s hand.

She scrubbed in circular motions, massaging the salt into my skin until it sparkled like the sea just beyond the spa door.

Salt, it turns out, is so much more than just a seasoning to sprinkle on your food — especially here on this picturesque stretch of Majorca’s southern coast.

I was staying at recently-opened five-star hotel Iberostar Selection Es Trenc, in the town of Colonia de Sant Jordi, half an hour’s drive from Palma airport.

It oozes relaxation, with its seafront location, ocean-coloured decor and knock-out spa treatments.

The hotel is also big on using local produce — including the nearby salt flats’ Flor de Sal.

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This is used in massages and scrubs, as well as food served at the hotel and even cocktails.

Keep your eyes peeled for the picante salt, used to rim some of the hotel’s signature cocktails like mezcalitas and spicy margaritas.

Should you wish, you can visit the salt flats — a 20-minute cab ride from the hotel and home to fabulous wildlife.

You can even try harvesting some salt — it’s harder than it looks, but you’ll leave with your own jar of the flakes.

If that’s not enough physical exertion, the Iberostar Selection Es Trenc also offers rental bikes.

I weaved my way along the sun-drenched local roads for a gentle ten minutes toward the Far de la Colonia de Sant Jordi lighthouse.

The views from here are breathtaking and great for photos.

Those who prefer a more intense workout can pick from kickboxing, TRX gym work and Zumba classes.

I opted instead for a dip in the pool on the hotel’s rooftop terrace, also used for sunrise yoga classes.

I’m sadly not a very nimble yogi, but did join a session and felt serenely relaxed.

Not that I needed to unwind any more — the hotel is designed so every room has a sea view, and I opened my curtains each morning to soothing views of the waves.

Another treat is the hotel’s a la carte restaurant, Salvient, which has a homely feel.

It takes its name from the Spanish word for salt — sal — and you will not struggle to guess why.

If you’ve developed a taste for Es Trenc’s “white gold”, as the locals call it, make sure to order the dentex — a sea bream-style fish cooked whole and served on a huge bed of salt.

The large fish can be shared with family or friends, but was so light and flaky I reckon I could have eaten the entire thing by myself.

Or the hotel has a buffet-style restaurant — and there’s plenty of restaurants in town, too.

5Illes restaurant, by the town beach and about a 15-minute walk from the Iberostar, is well worth a visit.

It specialises in rice dishes and my paella was one of the best I’ve ever tasted, served sizzling in a large pan and stacked with seafood.

Tummy well and truly satisfied, I ended my Majorca getaway with a private boat trip around the island to soak up my final sunset.

I’m not sure what was better — the view from the Iberostar rooftop or this one from the sea.

As long as I have a salt-rimmed cocktail in hand, who cares?

A BEAUTIFUL countryside town is getting a luxury hotel and country club in a bespoke multi-million pound revamp.

The current site will be knocked down and replaced with a new hotel with a spa and restaurants.

Gatton Manor Hotel & Country Club, nestled in Ockley, near Dorking, Surrey, will demolish its closed hotel and golf course and replace them with a high-end luxury resort.

The new countryside retreat will include 81 guest rooms, two restaurants, a spa with both indoor and wild swimming pools, and a luxury gym with treatment and relaxation areas.

One restaurant will serve fine-dining food, a plan that is earmarked to be a highlight of the refurbishment.

Up to 100 memberships to the gym will be offered to residents within a 3km radius of the new site, given at a preferential rate.

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Keeping with the luxury fitness aspect of the resort, developers hope to make room for two tennis courts and three padel courts on the site.

This move comes after plans were made to permanently close the 18-hole golf course on-site, which had been running at a loss for a few years.

Spanning 6,629 yards and being operational for over 60 years, this stretch of greenery will be rewilded into a mixed wood pasture with a wildflower meadow and wetland habitats.

The 22-hectare site is located near Dorking, a historic market town in the heart of the Surrey Hills.

It is an affluent area, named one of the best places to live in the UK by The Sunday Times, with its leafy environment and charming villages hailing it as a “Hollywood” of country life.

The plans will also introduce 290 construction jobs in the area for the two-year building phase, as well as 145 positions once completed.

Cllr Roger Adams for Bookham West said: “With global warming and rising temperatures I suspect a lot of people seeking a holiday will no longer be heading to the Mediterranean but may well seek to have staycations, and where better to stay for a holiday than Surrey.

“We’ve got beautiful country here and we do need developments such as this. It will provide employment and enhance the visitor schemes.”

Cllr Monica Weller, also for Bookham West, said: “It really is quite fantastic as far as I’m concerned. A business like this has got to bring something really quite fantastic to our area and that is really to be welcomed.”

Glancing up from my chilli-prawn-laden pizza, I spot Declan Donnelly and his wife strolling into KOKO, our lunch spot in Portugal’s Quinta do Lago Resort.

It seems I’ve stumbled across people-watching heaven – this place is a playground for the rich and famous, with celebs including Niall Horan and Holly Willoughby also known to holiday here.

The setting is 15 minutes’ drive from Faro airport, where the landscape quickly transforms from rustic farmland to manicured streets, luxurious villas and luscious, green golf courses.

Designer-clad joggers take to the flower-lined paths, and sports cars meander down to the ocean.

If you didn’t know better, you could be driving through Palm Springs, not the Algarve.

My husband Grant and I have picked one of the more affordable stays – The Magnolia Hotel, a white villa designed like a ’50s motel, complete with illuminated sign and a kitsch, pastel interior.

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Our favourite spot here soon becomes the sparkling pool, surrounded by bird of paradise plants, and boasting cabanas and a Balearic beats soundtrack.

Each morning, we find an abundant buffet, including top-notch ingredients for a full English, plus fruit, yoghurts, pastries and cheeses.

But the pièce de résistance are the cooked-to-order banana and toffee pancakes. Double rooms here cost from £124 B&B (Themagnoliahotelqdl.com).

Quinta do Lago itself is more like a town, so we hop on the hotel’s complimentary bikes to The Campus, a 15-minute ride away, to meet Luke, our calm and collected padel coach.

By the end of our hour’s lesson, £70, we’ve mastered both a rebound backhand and a volley (Thecampusqdl.com).

The next morning, we hire mountain bikes from The Bike Shed, £45 per day, to explore the boardwalks lining the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Reserve, and spy a purple heron and Eurasian oystercatchers on our ride down to the white-sand beaches.

Quinto do Lago Lake sits nearby with seafood eatery Casa do Lago and trendy tiki bar The Shack either side of the crystal-clear water.

After paddling around in kayaks, lapping up views of the mansions lining the lake, £18 for 30 minutes (Arturwatersports academy.pt), we head to the latter and gorge on zesty prawn tacos, £17.50, washed down with frozen margaritas, £12.

All of the resort’s restaurants are overseen by British executive chef Gareth Billington.

At Casa Velha, we share beef pica pau, a traditional Portuguese dish served in garlic gravy, £16.50, while the delicate sole at Casa do Lago, £37, paired with tomato salad and roasted potatoes, both £4.50, is a real treat and prepared at our table.

I head back to The Campus to work off some of our feasts at a Q Reformer Pilates 1-1 session, £48 for one hour, where instructor Pedro really challenges my strength and agility, before I’m tempted again at boutique cafe Pure.

Sipping on prosecco in the sun, with an afternoon tea spread of coronation chicken wraps, smoked salmon on toast, quiche and an array of home-made cakes, £33, I resolve to book a Reformer class back home.

Still, what’s life without a little cake?

AN EERIE silence hangs over the sleepy Majorcan town where Towie star Jake Hall tragically died this week. 

The picturesque streets of Santa Margalida, a peaceful holiday retreat, appear unusually subdued following the 35-year-old’s death in a rented villa.

Investigators believe Jake died from a chest injury caused by a shard of glass.

Initial reports suggested that the reality TV star suffered devastating head injuries after he reportedly “turned aggressive,” police sources claimed. 

Now, the £200-a-night luxury villa where he was staying sits sealed off behind police tape, casting a chilling presence over the rustic neighbourhood.

The Sun visited the scene to find a noticeably quiet atmosphere – with empty restaurants, hushed streets and locals speaking in low tones.

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Staff at nearby eateries appeared muted, some barely present, as news of the Brit’s death rippled through the community.

A neighbour living right next door to the property appeared visibly shaken.

He glanced nervously towards the cordoned-off home before abruptly refusing to say a word.

One of the few locals out on the streets said: “It definitely feels quieter. I’m not sure if it’s because of his death but it could be.” 

WASHINGTON — Before being deployed to Los Angeles during anti-ICE protests last summer, U.S. Marines were given 12 rules for engaging with protesters, and Rule 1 was clear: Force “of any kind” was allowed only as a last resort.

If force were used, the rule stated, it “should be the minimum necessary to accomplish the mission.”

That detail is among 178 pages of federal documents released by the Marine Corps to the nonprofit watchdog group American Oversight through the Freedom of Information Act and shared exclusively with The Times.

The documents paint a thorough picture of how Marines prepared to deploy in Southern California, where they stood alongside National Guard members and agents with the Department of Homeland Security.

The documents also illuminate a glaring contrast between the training of Marines and that of immigration agents, who have been accused repeatedly of using unnecessary force against peaceful protesters, bystanders and immigrants during enforcement operations.

“Ironically, I would’ve felt much safer with Marine engagement than with DHS because of the depth of training,” said Ryan Schwank, a former instructor for Immigration and Customs Enforcement recruits at the ICE Academy within the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia.

Schwank is a whistleblower who resigned in February after revealing that the Trump administration had slashed immigration officer training. After reviewing the documents obtained by American Oversight, he said the training given to Marines on crowd control was “significantly more in-depth and longer than training given to an ICE officer, even under the best of circumstances.”

An ICE agent walks through tear gas that was fired to push protesters back during a raid on Atlantic Boulevard in the city of Bell on June 20, 2025.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to questions and instead pointed to a February news release that said training has not been cut back and that new hires receive additional training after leaving the academy.

“ICE law enforcement officers are trained to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve dangerous situations to prioritize the safety of the public and our officers,” said Lauren Bis, a department spokesperson. “Officers are highly trained in de-escalation tactics and regularly receive ongoing use of force training.”

Schwank noted that the Marines and ICE officers came to Southern California with different objectives: As protectors of people and property, the Marines had a more limited, reactive mission, while ICE officers were charged with making arrests, a confrontational role.

“We’re giving [ICE officers] less training on it and fewer refreshers than the Marines are getting and yet we’re putting them in a situation where they’re taking the more confrontational actions to where they’re more likely to have to make split-second decisions,” Schwank said.

For most of history, he added, ICE agents detained people who were already in the custody of another law enforcement agency. He said ICE was never meant to act as riot police.

“The real fundamental problem isn’t ICE agents using force,” Schwank said. “It’s ICE agents using force in an environment they are not trained for.”

The training of Marines, and the lead-up to their deployment, is outlined in the documents reviewed by The Times.

On June 6, a commanding general emailed other generals to say that “national-level leadership” had directed Marines to assume an “alert posture” and be ready to support the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and ICE officers who were already responding to civil unrest in downtown Los Angeles.

The Marines would safeguard federal facilities and thus “protect lives and property through the restoration of civil order,” the email said.

The Trump administration directed 4,200 California National Guard soldiers and 700 Marines to Southern California starting June 7.

Marines push back anti-ICE protesters in front of the Federal Building during a “No Kings Day” in downtown Los Angeles last June.

(Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times)

First, though, they needed to be trained.

The five-day course reviewed use-of-force policies, less-lethal weapons and handling of civil disturbances.

Overall, the 12 rules emphasized safety, urging Marines to be reasonable, to de-escalate tensions and to avoid confrontations with individuals who posed no threat.

Marines could use non-deadly force, if necessary, to control a situation or protect themselves or other federal personnel, and deadly force “only when all lesser means have failed.”

“Exercise due regard for the safety of innocent bystanders when using any type of force,” the rules state.

Schwank said there is no equivalent to the Marines course at Homeland Security. When he left the academy in February, he said, “there was no crowd control training, period.”

Crowd control was briefly added to the curriculum in 2021 for experienced law enforcement officers, he said, but it was later removed. ICE recruits may also have gotten lessons on crowd control after leaving the academy and joining their respective field offices, he said.

When Schwank left the agency, a six-hour class called “Public Order Public Safety” was in development for the 2026 curriculum, according to documents he provided to Congress. Homeland Security did not respond when asked if the class had started.

“I wouldn’t assume that any of the ICE officers on scene in L.A. had received any sort of actual crowd control class,” Schwank said. “They might have gotten a one-to-two-hour PowerPoint slideshow, but that would’ve been it.”

Marine Col. Beth R. Smith confirmed that the entire 2nd Battalion 7th Marines received academic and practical training before deploying to Los Angeles.

Managing civil disturbances has been an issue for Homeland Security since at least 2021, according to an audit conducted by the agency’s internal watchdog review of a 2020 deployment to Portland, Ore.

That year, President Trump mobilized federal power against the protests that spilled into Portland streets after the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Trump sent 755 Homeland Security agents to defend federal property in what would come to be seen as a dry run for much larger operations of his second term.

A protester damages a Waymo vehicle at Los Angeles Street and Arcadia Street in L.A. on June 8, 2025.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Nested on rooftops, agents launched chemical weapons against protesters. Ground forces fired less-lethal rounds at point-blank range and forced participants into unmarked vans without explanation.

The audit by the Homeland Security inspector general found that only seven of 63 officers reviewed had received any level of riot and crowd control training. Some officers told investigators that they needed additional training, and many “questioned their involvement in the operation” due to the lack of preparation.

”Without the necessary policies, training, and equipment, DHS will continue to face challenges securing Federal facilities during periods of civil disturbance that could result in injury, death, and liability,” the audit concluded.

As of spring 2025, Homeland Security records show, the department had not corrected the training failures flagged in the audit years earlier.

Schwank agreed that the concerns raised in the inspector general’s report were never addressed.

Liz Hempowicz, deputy executive director of American Oversight, said the Marine Corps’ emphasis on de-escalation and on using force only as a last resort stands in stark contrast to what happened on the ground in Los Angeles with immigration agents.

The practices outlined in the documents “differ from positions taken by senior DHS leadership, whose separate internal communications revealed a mindset that appeared far more encouraging of violence,” she said.

Internal Homeland Security emails also obtained by American Oversight revealed that the agency’s lead attorney said federal agents in Los Angeles should have “just started hitting the rioters and arresting everyone that couldn’t get away.”

“These records underscore that the difference between disciplined restraint and unnecessary harm can come down to the tone set at the top — and when that tone shifts toward hostility, the human cost can be devastating,” Hempowicz said.

Jennifer Kavanagh, director of military analysis at Defense Priorities, a military research group, said that for Homeland Security, the issue is partly a training deficiency and partly a cultural shift against agent accountability.

“Trump talks about ‘the enemy within’ — this is what he’s talking about,” she said. “To some at DHS, the enemy within is all immigrants, it’s cartels — it’s also groups that are protesting the government.”

Conversely, the Marines’ documents emphasized personal liability and responsibility. For example, one page said that “if you either use more force than is necessary, or respond with DEADLY-force to a NON-deadly threat — You will likely lose your right to self-defense, and you will be viewed, under the law, as the ‘Aggressor.’”

Marines were told to immediately report anyone violating the 12 rules of engagement.

The high level of training for Marines shows that command considered the optics of military personnel harming or even killing civilians, Kavanagh said. But just because the deployment worked out last year doesn’t make it a good idea in the long run, she said.

Kavanagh, alongside Gov. Gavin Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass, and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, opposed the military deployments to Los Angeles last year, maintaining that Marines are trained for foreign combat, not domestic crowd control.

“I see these deployments as a recipe for disaster,” she said.

Schwank said ICE’s training touches on personal liability but not in as much depth. Last fall, Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, said ICE officers “have federal immunity in the conduct of your duties, and anybody who lays a hand on you or tries to stop you or tries to obstruct you is committing a felony.”

On the ground in Los Angeles, ICE agents and other local law enforcement fired a range of less-lethal weapons at protesters, such as pepper balls, hard foam rounds or canisters delivering flash-bang grenades and tear gas.

At a June 12 protest, a federal agent shoved freelance journalist Anna Sophia Moltke to the ground, causing sprains on her left arm and leg and deep scrapes to her hip and knee that have since scarred. She was carrying a camera, she said, and wore clear press credentials and a helmet that said “PRESS.”

“I remember distinctly there being no violence at all until police and ICE showed up,” she said. “We saw them firing rubber bullets into the crowd. People started running away. I was halfway turned around when they started rushing the crowd, and a tall, 6-foot-4 masked man used both hands to push me onto the concrete.”

Moltke said she recalled a large group of protesters gathered near the Marines stationed at the northern end of the detention center, just before police and ICE swept through and forced her to the ground. To her knowledge, she said the Marines remained at their post and didn’t participate in street skirmishes.

Primm Valley Resorts, the last full-time casino among a cluster of three off Interstate 15 in Primm, at the California-Nevada border, is permanently closing, according to a termination notice sent to employees on Tuesday.

The letter, posted by Las Vegas insider publication Las Vegas Locally, noted that employees who worked at Primm Valley would be let go by July 4. It’s not known if the casino will close that day or before.

An email to Primm Valley Resorts owner Affinity Gaming was not immediately returned.

Primm Valley was the last of three operating casino resorts in Primm, formerly known as State Line. The castle-shaped Whiskey Pete’s opened in 1977, followed by Primm Valley in 1990 and Buffalo Bill’s in 1994.

In a letter to the Clark County Board of Commissioners, Erin Barnett, Affinity’s vice president and general counsel, wrote in October 2024 that “traffic at the state line has proved to be heavily weighted towards weekend activity and is insufficient to support three full-time casino properties.”

Along with Primm Valley Resorts, Primadonna Co. LLC, owned by Affinity Gaming, is closing the Primm Center gas station and the Flying J truck stop located at Whiskey Pete’s; that casino closed in December 2024.

The termination notice comes nearly a year after Affinity Gaming ended 24/7 operations at Buffalo Bill’s Resort on July 6. The casino opened on days in which its concert venue, the Star of the Desert Arena, hosted special events.

Lights glow on the Buffalo Bill’s Resort and Casino sign on July 6, 2025, in Primm, Nev.

(Bridget Bennett / For The Times)

It’s unclear what happens to music and magic acts booked until July 25.

It’s not known how long other Affinity-owned properties in the area, such as the popular Lotto Store on the California side of the border, will continue to operate. Nevadans have been known to drive for several miles and wait in long lines to buy Powerball tickets, particularly when jackpots creep into 10 figures.

The notice informed employees “this action is expected to result in the permanent termination of employment for all employees at these locations.”

As late as September, Primm Valley Resorts emailed media members promoting renovated rooms and signature experiences at its final resort.

Primm once shined as one of Nevada’s more popular gambling resorts. The three-casino complex served as a less expensive, less flashy, slightly more kitschy alternative to Las Vegas that benefited from being a good 45 minutes closer to Los Angeles than Sin City.

Several factors have contributed to Primm’s slow decline, including the COVID pandemic and increased competition from casinos popping up on tribal lands in California.

Those newer casinos are easier to get to than Primm from key Southern California population centers, reducing the value proposition.

PEERING at Europe’s largest pleasure pier from high in the sky at the top of its big wheel, it’s easy to see why the Clacton crowds have been coming here for more than 150 years.

Sunny skies, sandy beaches, seaside snack stalls, circling seagulls and good old-fashioned family fairground fun – it’s the perfect coastal combo, just an hour and a half from the capital.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration @thesuntravel. 

Clacton hasn’t enjoyed the best reputation in recent years, even being crowned England’s worst seaside resort.

Telling friends we were off to the Essex coast for an Easter break drew either blank looks or bemusement.

But I found lots to love when I took my boys for a visit over the school holidays.

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Spring flowers bobbing in the sea breeze, we made our way past picturesque pleasure gardens and down to the pier, which is flanked by golden beaches on both sides.

Art deco signage and glistening white buildings welcome you in, with the Ferris Wheel standing proud by the pier entrance.

Stepping out of the sunshine and sea air into the noise and lights of the arcade can be a bit overwhelming.

So I recommend a stroll to the quieter end of the pier out to sea, where the Jolly Roger theatre still stands, to catch your breath before heading back to enjoy all the rides and attractions nearer to land.

After getting our Big Day Out Bands, we were soon whizzing down the vintage helter skelter, which has only just been rebuilt after a year-long refurb.

It’s an iconic attraction that visitors and locals look for on the pier, so the 75-year-old slide has enjoyed a warm welcome on its return.

Then it was on to the trampolines for a bounce with a beach view for my little boy and a go on the log flume for us all before heading indoors to take on the all-weather golf as a family. 

The clever thing about this course is that you start off indoors and then head outside for a few holes overlooking the sea and sand, so you can enjoy the sunshine on warm days.

There’s even a little lighthouse that makes foghorn noises about halfway around to complete the coastal vibe.

I was impressed by the sheer amount of attractions packed onto the pier, with dodgems, bowling, soft play and the Jurassic Pier dino experience inside and 16 rides including rollercoasters, water rides and a waltzer outside.

Every now and again, you get a glimpse between the planks of the boardwalk and realise that you’re strolling above the sea.

What a feat of engineering to build something that can support so many heavy rides and flocks of visitors while standing in sea water for more than a century and a half!

Our wristbands, which cost £22.50 in advance or £30 in person, covered unlimited rides, excluding the go-karts, the 18 holes of Skull Point adventure golf, a turn on the big wheel, a visit to the 4d show and dino models of Jurassic Pier and arcade credits.

You can also buy rechargeable fun cards which you top up and tap to pay for rides and arcade games. Entry to the pier is free, so you only need to pay for those who want to ride or play.

We were there on the warmest day of the year so far so strolling onto the beach just a few strides from the pier was a massive bonus.

We spent time digging in the sand, enjoying a picnic and paddling in the sea before giving the Ferris Wheel a go. It was lovely to look down on all the happy holidaymakers enjoying their day below us.

Of course, there’s more to Clacton than just the pier and nearby you’ll find the Pavilion Fun Park, which also has rides, bowling and a waterpark, the Upside Down House and even the town’s own Wetherspoons, the Moon and Starfish.

If the weather isn’t great, there’s two theatres and a cinema in the town centre to keep everyone entertained. The air show on the August bank holiday weekend is a highlight of Clacton’s summer season.

If you’re arriving by car, there’s free roadside parking along the front for up to three hours or the railway station is only a short walk inland, with trains out of London Liverpool Street taking 90 minutes.

Like many seaside towns, there’s parts of Clacton that are a bit rundown, including the High Street superstore that closed in 2021 and has not yet found a new lease of life. 

But with glorious gardens, a picture-perfect pier and beautiful beaches along its shoreline, Clacton certainly makes the most of its coast.

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WE’VE all been there, desperately trying to lure the kids away from their devices.

But I’ve found the solution — head to all-inclusive activity specialists Club Med and there will be so much for them to do, the problem will be fitting it all in.

There’s nowhere better to tempt the kids away from tech than the golden sands of France’s Atlantic coast.

Sat somewhere between a 20-mile stretch of rugged coastline and the lush La Coubre forest, the world-class Club Med La Palmyre Atlantique is pure “Ooh La La”.

The resort itself looks a little like a chic oyster-farming village, with colourful bungalows scattered between lush trees and distant views of an old lighthouse atop a cliff.

Whether you’re keen to hire bikes and explore the nearby World War II bunker, or just stroll the beach to watch the famous Atlantic rollers with a book, holidays here can be taken at your pace.

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I was visiting with my wife Emma and two children Corben, 11, and Piper, nine, and we switched instantly into holiday mode on arrival.

The whole vibe was uber laid-back, despite being an action-packed resort full of families with kids.

And this is where Club Med truly earns its stripes.

Kids’ clubs here cater to all ages, offering arts and crafts, archery and table tennis — although they should be prepared that the resort is heavily French-speaking.

But the perk means they may pick up some Franglais.

There’s also a professional circus school where little ones can channel their inner Greatest Showman, as well as off-site horse riding.

Piper loved taking her horse Jacques on a ride into the woods.

The G.O.s (Gentils Organisateurs — meaning Kind Organisers) took her and a group of others to the ocean for a beach walk and sailing experience.

Meanwhile, my son Corben headed to the resort pitch to join the football camp hosted by Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers, and exclusive to Club Med.

Each day, the Wolves coaches ran sessions on dribbling, passing, ball control and shooting, followed by a series of mini games.

The Wolves academy split into age groups from four to 17-years-old from all levels, and my football-mad son loved every minute.

The relaxed vibe meant it didn’t matter whether your child was destined to be the next João Gomes or just loved a kickabout.

And at the end of the week, the young players were congratulated with an awards ceremony.

Best of all, this was included in Club Med’s all-inclusive package and didn’t cost a penny extra.

While the kids are kept busy, adults can kick back by the pool or play a round at the Golf de Palmyre nine-hole course just next door to the resort.

The 2,992-metre course is set around 93 acres of pine wood with water obstacles, large bunkers and rolling fairways.

Some holes boast ocean views and the course is ideal for beginners, offering group or private lessons from age 11.

If you’d rather stick together as a family, however, there’s group tennis, archery, sailing and windsurfing, too.

Even the spa offers treatments you can enjoy with the children so we booked in for a family massage beside the beach.

After action-packed days, we would spend an hour or so relaxing ahead of dinner.

Our rooms were in The Dunes area, an upscale space for those who want a bit of extra luxury, and came with a small lounge area and pine forest views.

Then it was time to feast.

The main restaurant, L’Atlantique, offers an impressive buffet which includes fresh seafood, local oysters, steaks, salads and a huge dessert table.

The kids were horrified when I explained what escargot is and how foie gras is made but at least it wasn’t nuggets and chips.

For something a bit more upmarket, The Belle Époque speciality restaurant is perfect for a “date night” while the kids are at a supervised pyjama party.

This gourmet lounge serves up local Charentais wines and seafood with a view of the lighthouse.

And because it’s Club Med, the “all-inclusive” tag means exactly that.

Premium booze, cocktails, and snacks are all included.

Most nights a band played in the main bar and music went on ’til late but like most holidays with kids, Mum and Dad were shattered by 10pm.

Outside of the resort there’s plenty to do if you fancy exploring the region.

From the Île de Ré to the Île d’Oléron, from La Rochelle to Royan, the Atlantic coastline has tons to offer.

Book your family a ticket on “Le Train des Mouettes”, the 19th-century steam train, or climb to the top of the Phare de Cordouan, the lighthouse listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

It’s rare to find a resort that genuinely caters to every generation without feeling like a theme park.

But La Palmyre Atlantique manages to stay stylish and very French.

We returned home with a suntan, a slightly tighter waistband and kids who, for a second, forgot what an iPad is.

THINK crystal clear waters, dolphin spotting and independent boutiques – well, the UK’s best seaside destination has all of this.

Less than three miles from its popular and busier neighbour – Tenby – you’ll find Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

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Named the best seaside spot in the UK by Time Out, it said: “Saundersfoot is one of Pembrokeshire’s most energetic spots” adding that it has a “lively spirit”.

One of the top things to do in the village is of course heading to the beach, which stretches more than half a mile long.

The Blue Flag beach is a popular spot for families as it has shallow water and boasts a lot of fun activities such as canoeing, windsurfing and swimming.

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The beach has also previously been named as one of the cleanest beaches in the world by TripAdvisor.

You might even be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of dolphins or a grey seal from the beach.

At one end of the beach you’ll find the harbour, which dates back to 1829 and was built as an industrial port to export coal from local mines.

Today, the harbour is a tourist hub for Saundersfoot, with a number of places to grab a bite to eat as well as a ship you can play crazy golf on.

If you like history, make sure to walk around the entire harbour, as at the end you’ll see Saundersfoot Lighthouse, which was built in 1848 to mark the entrance to the harbour.

From the harbour you can also hop on a boat trip with Saundersfoot Sealife Adventures to see local wildlife and Caldey Island for an hour and a half.

Each trip costs around £25 per adult and £20 per child.

Just steps away from both the beach and the harbour, you’ll find Hwyl Outdoor Sauna where you can enjoy a sauna session from just £9 per person.

Spread across a couple of roads, again just steps from the beach, there’s also the high street with independent boutiques, cafes and art studios.

Back in 2024, The Telegraph even noted how Saundersfoot is a “little-known hip town” that is the “perfect bolthole for those who want to see West Wales’s sights and lively towns but also enjoy quiet, sunset-watching downtime in the evening”.

From the village, you can head on a number of walks as well along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path, where you will see amazing views of the coastline.

And just outside of the village, you can visit Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo which is home to a number of animals, rides and a recently updated play area.

The Pirate Adventure has a castle and a number of accessible play areas, including low level options for wheelchair users.

You can also opt to stay at the holiday park onsite, which in November was named one of the best family campsites in South Wales by the Campsites.co.uk awards.

There are other places to stay in and around Saundersfoot though, including Sunnyvale Holiday Park.

The holiday park has 53 caravans ideal for families and is less than a mile from Saundersfoot Beach.

Facilities at the park include a games room, kids play area, hot tubs, pet-friendly options and an indoor pool.

A two-night stay in August costs from £300.

For more ideas on UK staycations, here are some cheap last-minute UK holidays still available for the May bank holiday weekends.

Plus, UK staycations are set for record high in 2026 – here’s our top holiday wish list from trendy beach resorts to historic cities.

HOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned not to do one common activity at the beach.

Beach days are always fun, especially in the summer with the family – but the public are being warned to never dig a large hole in the sand in one part of the UK.

This is because a large hole can collapse in on itself and could pose the risk of trapping someone, including kids and pets.

The fresh warning comes from the coastguard at Cleethorpes, a popular seaside town destination with a four-mile beach, traditional pier and family-friendly activities, making it the ideal day out.

According to the BBC, Cleethorpes Coastguard deputy station manager Shaun Lee said: “It’s like an avalanche effect, where the sand just keeps collapsing and collapsing, and then people just get completely buried in it.

He explained that when a hole is dug with steep sides, the wet sand will dry out and make it looser and as a result, more prone to collapsing.

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He added: “We don’t want to be the fun police – just be aware of what you are doing if you are digging holes.”

Also in Lincolnshire, last year coastguards filled a hole in Sandilands Beach that was nearly two metres deep.

At the time, the coastguards said they filled the hole “for safety reasons”.

Last June, the coastguard filled a hole on Weymouth Beach as well, which was around 1.5metres deep.

It took the coastguard three people and 30 minutes to fill.

Senior Coastal Operations Officer Allan Norman, at HM Coastguard, said: “Buckets and spades are a lot of fun – but most of us wouldn’t dream of digging a 5ft deep hole at a park where youngsters are running about and people walk in the evening.

“It’s the same at busy beaches: deep holes can be hard to spot in the sand and pose the risk of someone falling in and being injured, particularly little children and older people.

“There’s also the danger of the sand collapsing on top of you, causing injury and suffocation.

“These incidents require whole teams of rescuers.

“We’d just ask people to stay aware of who else is on the beach and the potential risks of digging too deep.”

Even though beachgoers are warned against creating large holes at the beach, it doesn’t mean you can’t dig them at all.

Allan advises to just not dig it deeper than waist height and to avoid digging tunnels, which are even more likely to collapse.

He added that you should fill the hole in before you leave the beach.

If you do happen to be caught in a situation where you get stuck in a large hole on the beach, GOV.UK recommends creating a circle of people around the hole, who dig with their hands to create an outer circle.

Then create another circle of people behind that circle, but they will be removing the sand dug from the first circle.

By creating multiple circles, it will make the original hole bigger and more shallow and as a result, it will be less likely to collapse.

In other beach news, here are our 26 must-visit UK beaches for 2026 – including tropical-feel spots and family-friendly finds.

Plus, here’s the UK’s warmest beach that’s also home to two of the ‘most idyllic holiday homes’ and you can stay from just £30pp a night.

SWEET stations in the lobby, statues of famous cartoon characters and a rip-roaring theme park right outside your bedroom window.  

This might just be the best family resort out there. 

The new Nickelodeon Hotel, which opened last year at the Land of Legends complex in Antalya, is bursting with fun. 

On top of character meet-and-greets at all times of day, there’s free gaming stations and an energetic kids’ club.  

And that’s before you even get to the splash park and heated pool, available for hotel guests only. 

My kids had watched Land of Legends being built on other family trips to Antalya over the years, and the excitement had grown on each visit. 

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But with Joshua and Jessica now 12 and nine, my partner Jo and I wondered if we’d missed the boat, or rollercoaster. 

We needn’t have worried, though.  

Land of Legends, which turns ten this summer, caters for all ages, tastes and daredevil levels. Designed to be a giant entertainment resort, visitors have access to hotels, shopping avenue, waterparks and, of course, a theme park in one place. 

Best of all, anyone staying in the onsite Nickelodeon Hotel can use a private entrance to access the theme park — meaning they can ride when they want, pop back for meals and drinks and then go again.  

Spongebob’s Bikini Bottom became a solid family favourite. The new indoor addition to the park features rides for all ages, including an interactive coaster where you shoot targets as you go. 

Young kids will also love the Star Trek simulator, Family Coaster and the crazy Typhoon Coaster where you go up in a lift before splashing down log flume-style. 

And once me and Josh got our big-boy pants on, we were ready for Hyper Coaster — a ride that rollercoaster enthusiasts travel across Europe to try. 

Trust me, it’s not for the faint-hearted, but I had to at least pretend I was being brave by laughing when Josh was next to me on the ascent, saying: “Dad, I think I’m going to pass out.” 

I couldn’t really hear him over my screams after that, as we plummeted, looped, corkscrewed and flew our way across the park. 

I’m not ashamed to say it took me a good 15 to 20 minutes to be able to feel my knees again. 

For a little less speed, there’s a neat Paw Patrol section of the park and Masha and the Bear area — a favourite of our children when they were toddlers so the boat ride was a lovely trip down memory lane for us all. 

On days when the Turkish heat gets too much, holidaymakers can get more thrills at the waterpark (open April to October). 

Dozens of flumes and the quite incredible Turtle Coaster, where you are propelled uphill in a boat by water jets at amazing speeds, were big hits. Although the group favourite was a rubber-ring ride — especially for Jess, as she found it hilarious that I seemed to go backwards the entire way down the steep slopes. 

As we went early in the season, it didn’t really matter what water attraction we went for first as there were no queues. 

You won’t need to splash out on food at the parks when you stay onsite, either. 

The Nickelodeon Hotel operates a “Full-Board+” concept, which means breakfast, lunch and dinner in La Spatula restaurant and all soft drinks are included.  

Alcohol is served at lunch and dinner times with meals, too. 

The food was tasty, fresh and plentiful — from the omelette station at breakfast to the grilled lamb kebabs in the evenings. 

Magic shows performed over breakfast added another element of fun and Jess was still trying to figure out just how the magician had done it by lunch. 

Most evenings, we were so tired that not even the multi-coloured, themed character rooms could have kept us awake.  

Rooms are spacious and our Dora the Explorer suite had a balcony overlooking the park, meaning the kids went to sleep dreaming of the next ride. You can request room types on different floors subject to availability, themed around Spongebob, Star Trek and Turtles. 

In-room fridges filled with glass bottles of pop, plus a pod-coffee machine and snacks in the drawer were a real bonus for the post-park chill before dinner. 

The “Club Nick” kids’ club was excellent, too, with art classes (we painted SpongeBob, obviously) and nightly dance and character shows. 

Included in longer stays is an afternoon trip to sister hotel Rixos Premium Belek, with a minibus laid on. 

Lunch out was good and it meant we could get a drink by the sea.  

This was our fifth visit to Turkey in three years and the destination never fails to impress. The locals delight at welcoming tourists and showing off their country. 

Not everything is still “cheap” here, but this part of the world definitely knows how to do value for money. 

And if you did want to spend a few more lira, the front of the hotel opens out on to the Land of Legends shopping avenue — a Las Vegas-style strip with a canal, high-end stores and evening shows all centred around a Disney-like castle. 

For a slightly more chilled vibe, there are dancing fountains scattered around the shopping district, which Jo and I enjoyed while Josh and Jess played on the PS5s and arcade games. 

I tended to avoid those because, you know, it’s hard to keep letting them win every game . . .  

BRITS love an all-inclusive from the packed buffets to drinks offerings and having everything at your fingertips.

The tough part is actually exactly which all-inclusive you want to try and if it’s worth the money, well if that’s what you’re after, then this one on the Costa del Sol is top notch.

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Called Ikos Andalusia, the hotel has claimed number one spot on Time Out’s 2026 list of Europe’s top all-inclusive stays.

The resort has a whopping 451 rooms with nine swimming pools.

Expect great grub at the hotel’s nine restaurants, some of which even have Michelin-starred menus.

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Each serves up dishes from around the world, like traditional Spanish to Greek, French, Italian and Japanese food.

There’s also a classic all-inclusive buffet style restaurant, so you can’t go wrong.

They’re beautifully decorated too. Ouzo, which is its Greek restaurant, has little white pots on the ceiling and prints on the walls with views across the pool to the sea.

Chiringuito is another restaurant right on the beach and serves up traditional tapas and lots of seafood.

As for bars, there are eight including a cocktail bar and one at the side of the pool – it has an extensive wine list with over 100 local labels.

The hotel is even sat on a 420-metre beach with an adults-only section.

Other facilities include a splash pad area for younger children, football, basketball, volleyball, cycling, tennis courts and watersports.

There’s plenty for children to do at the kids’ club which is catered for children between 4-17.

The complimentary Heroes Crèche for children 6 months to three years old holds activities like games, face painting, art and dance.

There’s also Heroes Kids Club (4-11 years) and Just4Teens (12-17 years) which has lots of activities on offer from arts and crafts to sports.

There’s even a complimentary 30-minute beach childcare service for kids from four years old.

Activities for adults include wellness sessions and various fitness activities from yoga to Pilates and Zumba.

And access to watersports like canoeing, pedalos, and paddleboarding are included.

For more holidays, here are some of our favourites in Spain…

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Hotel Best Punta Dorada, Salou

The Spanish resort is a popular destination near PortAventura World, a theme park with over 40 attractions and huge rollercoasters. It’s also close to sandy beaches like Platja de Llevant, and the scenic Camí de Ronda coastal walk.The hotel itself has an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy, as well as two bars along with evening entertainment and shows.

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Sun Club El Dorado, Majorca

With its palm tree-lined pool and Mediterranean backdrop, it’s a miracle this Majorca resort is so affordable. Expect a classic family holiday feel – where days revolve around soaking up the Spanish sunshine, chilling by the spacious pool and sipping on frozen cocktails. Set away from the busier resorts, it’s a good option if you’re after a more out-of-the-way escape.

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Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, Benidorm

The Magic Aqua Rock Gardens Hotel is African-themed and less than a mile from the beach. It has two outdoor pools, including a children’s freshwater pool with a waterfall and a tipping water bucket for the little ones. There’s also an aquapark with slides, and a kids club for both younger children and teens.

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Globales Montemar, Ibiza

For a calmer side of Ibiza, this hillside resort has two pools, a kids’ splash zone, and an all-inclusive buffet with a poolside bar. It’s a 10-minute walk from Cala Llonga’s shallow turquoise bay, offering a scenic, family-friendly base away from the island’s main party zone.

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One rare all-inclusive perk is that all guests get a complimentary Mini Countryman to use for one day to drive out and explore the area.

When you’re out and about, make sure to use the Culture Pass provided by the hotel that gives complimentary tickets to the best local museums.

When it comes to the rooms, there is everything from garden, pool and sea views.

Or splash out on the resort’s biggest deluxe four bedroom villa, which has its own private swimming pool, garden and gym.

Guests who stay here even get a complimentary barbecue experience with a private chef.

From the hotel, guests can easily explore the bright lights of Marbella with its vibrant Puerto Banus marina, and the calmer town of Estepona.

You can book Ikos Andalusia with Jet2 Holidays as one of their ‘indulgent escapes’ – but being so indulgent, you might want to start saving now.

Its cheapest date is November 1, 2026, priced at £1,991pp for a seven-night stay – or £284.43pppn.

The hotel has top reviews though. One visitor wrote: “There is so much choice that you could visit a different pool each day if you really wanted to!”

Another said: “The meals were all incredible, as were the drinks. It truly is a magical place.”

For more on Spain, here is where you’ll find Costa del Sol’s biggest waterpark hotel with eight swimming pools.

And find out more about Estepona from A Place in the Sun’s Jasmine Harman who moved there with her family and spends evenings on the beach.