Our Top Destinations and Hotels for the October Half-Term Holidays

Looking to extend the summer without waiting for your next holiday? From the Mediterranean to the beaches of Brazil’s Nordeste region, via the winding streets of Marrakech, these five destinations will have you itching to pack your bags for the October half-term break. On the agenda: charming hotels, Relais & Châteaux properties, indulgent spas and restaurants worth travelling for. Nine charming hotels for a chic escape filled with sunshine, relaxation and a change of scenery.

This Balearic Islands gem is more secretive and unspoilt than its neighbours Mallorca and Ibiza. Just a short flight from France, it’s an ideal destination for a few days of relaxation and discovery during the October half-term holidays. Famous for its white-sand beaches, known as calas, the island also charms visitors with its rich architectural heritage. Just look at Ciutadella de Menorca, the island’s former capital, where you can wander through the historic centre and narrow streets lined with grand palaces. Food-wise, the island is brimming with specialities, including caldereta de llagosta, a traditional lobster stew, Queso Mahón-Menorca, a local cow’s-milk cheese, and formatjades and rubiols, small traditional pastries.

Torre Vella: Part of Fontenille Collection, Torre Vella, a member of Relais & Châteaux, describes itself as “an exceptional bohemian retreat between land and sea”. Combining the hospitality of a boutique hotel with the authenticity of a working farm, it strikes just the right balance. Its 17 rooms and suites are housed in the main building or in whitewashed farmhouses, while its cave suites are carved into the rock, some featuring private pools. Everything you need for a successful getaway is here. At the Siempreviva restaurant, the menu celebrates organic vegetables from the kitchen garden, house-made olive oil, wild herbs, tapas, grilled meats and fish. On Wednesdays and Fridays, guests can enjoy dinner among the vines, with a Menorcan barbecue menu. There’s no spa on site, but guests at Torre Vella can use the spa at Santa Ponsa, the group’s other hotel on the island, just 10 minutes away. Camí de Llucalari, 07730 Alaior (Menorca)

Divina Suites: In the heart of Ciutadella, Divina Suites, one of the most beautiful hotels in Menorca, occupies a former 17th-century palace whose renovation has carefully preserved the island’s most distinctive architectural features. The hotel has eight spacious suites, ranging from 40 to 50 sq m, each with its own character and elegant interiors designed by architect and interior designer Sebastià Pons. Good to know: Divina Suites has no communal areas and is exclusively for adults. Carrer Sant Sebastià 12-B, 07760 Ciutadella de Menorca, Spain

Located between Cannes and Nice on the French Riviera, Antibes takes pride in its old town, surrounded by 16th-century ramparts and home to Fort Carré. The town makes an ideal base for cultural excursions around the region. From the Picasso Museum, housed in the former Grimaldi Palace and home to around 245 works by Picasso, to the Matisse Chapel in Vence, designed by architect Auguste Perret and decorated by Henri Matisse before being consecrated in 1951, there’s plenty to explore. Other highlights include Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and the Maeght Foundation, home to one of Europe’s most important collections of 20th- and 21st-century art. And to top it all off, the weather is mild for much of the year…

Villa Fabulite: This 4-star boutique hotel on Cap d’Antibes, one of the few areas of the Riviera to have escaped overdevelopment, offers 12 rooms surrounded by Mediterranean gardens. The ground-floor rooms deserve a special mention, with their private terraces and lovely garden views: peace and quiet guaranteed! Ideally located just minutes from the beaches and the centre of Antibes, Villa Fabulite is the perfect place to recharge by the heated pool with a mojito or spritz in hand. There’s also a relaxation area with a sauna and hammam. At Le Fab restaurant, expect refined cuisine showcasing local, seasonal produce. 150 traverse des Nielles, 06160 Antibes (Cap d’Antibes)

Villa Miraé: This five-star Villa Miraé, a member of Relais & Châteaux, has 35 rooms, including eight suites with terraces overlooking the Mediterranean or the magnificent gardens. Designed by Oscar Lucien Ono, the interiors celebrate Provençal architecture and noble materials, including Burgundy stone, carved wood and linen. The standout feature is the gastronomic offering led by three-Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco. There are two restaurants, including a fine-dining venue where Mediterranean flavours take centre stage. A swimming pool and seafront solarium complete the glamorous atmosphere of this French Riviera hotel. 770 chemin de la Garoupe, 06160 Antibes (Cap d’Antibes)

Part of France since 1768, the island is about much more than dreamy coves lapped by a turquoise Mediterranean. Its landscapes are wonderfully varied, ranging from lively coastal towns to dense forests and rugged mountains, including Monte Cinto, the island’s highest peak. Almost half of Corsica’s territory is protected as a nature park, and hiking is hugely popular, particularly on the legendary GR20, known for its challenging terrain. Corsica is also home to some exceptional hotels, perfect for a few days away, complete with everything you could wish for: Michelin-starred dining, dreamy spas and postcard-worthy beaches…

Domaine du Mouflon d’Or: This five-star hotel is tailor-made for anyone dreaming of a timeless retreat. Perched at an altitude of 950 metres at the entrance to Zonza, this Relais & Châteaux property reopened in May 2025 after six years of renovation work and was awarded two Michelin Keys this year. Its 20 rooms and suites, along with two traditional stone shepherd’s houses, have a relaxed yet chic feel, with immaculate drapes, antique furniture, sparkling chandeliers and gilded wooden mirrors. At A Nepita restaurant, chef Sébastien Chauchat serves refined cuisine that puts local produce in the spotlight. A 25-metre outdoor pool and a spa due to open in the coming months complete the offering. Pian di Santo, 20124 Zonza (Corsica)

La Villa Calvi: Set within a 3.5-hectare estate, this five-star hotel overlooking Calvi boasts incredible views of the bay and citadel. A member of Relais & Châteaux, this Corsican hotel has 48 rooms and suites, two apartments and two villas with private pools. Sports enthusiasts are spoilt for choice, with a tennis court, five swimming pools and aquagym and Pilates classes to keep them busy throughout the day. At La Villa Spa, a haven of peace featuring a heated indoor pool at 28°C and two hammams, guests can enjoy treatments by Alaena, a skincare brand committed to responsible beauty, as well as an essential fitness room. At La Table by La Villa, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, chef Fabio Volontè showcases contemporary Mediterranean cuisine. Over at La Terrasse, enjoy bistronomic dishes alongside breathtaking panoramic views. Chemin Notre-Dame-de-la-Serra, 20260 Calvi, France

This authentic fishing village lies in Brazil’s Nordeste region, 12 km from Jericoacoara, in the state of Ceará. It’s a kitesurfing paradise, with vast beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, warm waters and steady trade winds all year round, particularly between July and February. The natural, sporty atmosphere is enhanced by the absence of cars: only buggies make their way across the dunes.

Kabana Prea: Set right on the beach, between the dunes and the ocean and surrounded by landscaped grounds, this boutique hotel, built from whitewashed wood and thatch, enjoys an enviable location. Guests stay in one of six elegant suites with terraces and hammocks. Sizes range from 30 sq m, including the terrace, for the Suite Fortaleza, to 37 sq m, including a 16 sq m terrace, for the four Deluxe Suites, which can accommodate up to three people. The Master Suite offers up to 60 sq m, including a 20 sq m terrace, and a surprise in the bathroom: a double walk-in shower. Perched above the garden, the villa is ideal for families or groups of friends, with four bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen and breathtaking ocean views. And there’s more to do here than kitesurfing! Guests can unwind by the pool, enjoy yoga sessions or head out on buggy rides… Av. Beira Mar, Praia do Preá, 62595-000 Cruz - CE, Brazil

Just a three-hour flight from Paris, Marrakech is a firm favourite with French travellers. It’s easy to see why: the ochre city is ideal for a change of scenery, with time to relax, sunshine for much of the year, historic landmarks, countless shopping spots, dream hotels and a varied restaurant scene…

La Villa des Orangers: Just steps from Jemaa el-Fna square, this five-star property from the Akan group is one of the finest spa hotels in Marrakech, offering a peaceful retreat with understated luxury. Built in the 1930s, it features décor that celebrates local craftsmanship, from intricately carved plaster ceilings and tadelakt to moucharabieh screens and carved wood. These details can be found throughout the ground-floor patios and lounges, as well as in the 33 rooms and suites, which range from 20 to 100 sq m, some with terraces. Highlights include the large garden planted with fruit trees and the magnificent 18-metre swimming pool. At the restaurant, chef Ennirri Abdelilah focuses on seasonal ingredients, serving traditional dishes such as free-range chicken couscous, beef tanjia and line-caught fish, including sea bream, monkfish and sea bass from Agadir or Essaouira. Another plus: the cosy dining room and fireplace in winter, and the garden when the weather warms up. At the spa, don’t miss a session in the 60 sq m hammam and a black-soap scrub. 6 rue Sidi Mimoun, place Ben Tachfine, 40000 Marrakech

Les Deux Tours: Set across more than three hectares, this five-star hotel resembles an Arab-Andalusian village. Its name is a nod to the two towers at the entrance to the estate, and it offers 41 individually designed rooms and suites. It’s a pleasure to rediscover the tranquillity of the Palmeraie after the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. The décor by Mathieu Boccara has a strong Moroccan identity, with Berber rugs used as headboards, zellige tiles and more. The real highlight is the lush gardens, filled with palm trees, bougainvillea and olive trees, interspersed with ponds. For dining, Salammbô serves traditional Moroccan dishes with a subtle Asian twist in a colourful setting. By the long swimming pool, La Pergola offers a varied menu of classic favourites, while Yoshi Bar is a hit with sushi lovers. A fitness room and spa add the final touch of glamour to this hotel that’s well worth a visit. Douar Abiad, Circuit de la Palmeraie, 40000 Marrakech

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