What makes a great adults-only holiday?

No children's clubs. No mini discos. And hopefully no inflatables appearing in the pool just as you've settled onto your sun lounger.

It's easy to see why adults-only holidays have become so popular.

But choosing a great adults-only holiday involves more than simply ticking an "adults only" box when you search.

One hotel might be a peaceful couples' retreat centred around relaxation and great food.

Another could have DJs around the pool and a lively social scene. You can even take an entire cruise where everyone on board is an adult.

The secret is finding the right kind of adults-only, and that starts with deciding what you actually want from your holiday.

Adults-only doesn't necessarily mean quiet

This is probably the biggest misconception.

An adults-only hotel simply has a minimum guest age. Depending on the property, that could be 16+, 18+ or another age restriction. The exact policy should always be checked for the hotel you're considering.

What it doesn't automatically tell you is what the atmosphere will be like.

Some adults-only resorts are designed around peace, wellness and relaxation. Others have music around the pool, entertainment into the evening and a much livelier atmosphere. Neither is better. They're simply designed for different travellers.

That's why we'd always look beyond the adults-only label and consider what the hotel is actually like.

Decide what grown-up means to you

For some people, the perfect adults-only holiday means barely leaving a sun lounger for a week.

For others, it's cocktails around the pool, great restaurants and somewhere lively enough that there's always something happening.

Relaxed and peaceful

Look for smaller resorts, good spa facilities, plenty of space around the pool and reviews that consistently mention a relaxed atmosphere.

Luxury and indulgence

If this is a special trip, you might prioritise exceptional restaurants, premium drinks, swim-up rooms, private pools or suites.

Social and lively

Adults-only certainly doesn't have to mean silent. There are plenty of resorts aimed at travellers who want music, entertainment, bars and a more sociable atmosphere.

Active and adventurous

You might want the benefits of an adults-only hotel but spend most of your holiday outside it, exploring the destination, taking excursions or trying different activities.

Knowing which of these sounds most like you makes narrowing down the options considerably easier.

Think about the destination as much as the hotel

You could find what looks like the perfect adults-only hotel, but it still needs to be in the right place.

Do you want to walk out of your hotel and find restaurants and bars?

Would you rather be somewhere secluded where there's very little reason to leave the resort? Are beaches important? Do you want somewhere with sightseeing and culture nearby? Or is your priority simply reliable sunshine?

For a shorter adults-only escape, destinations around Spain, Greece and the Canary Islands can work particularly well. If you're prepared to travel further, Mexico and the Caribbean open up a huge range of resort options.

If escaping the colder months is the priority, take a look at our guide to where to find winter sun.

The hotel and destination need to work together.

All-inclusive or room only?

Adults-only and all-inclusive often go hand in hand, but that doesn't mean all-inclusive is automatically the best choice.

If you've chosen a beautiful resort with several restaurants, good bars and plenty to do, having everything included can make for an incredibly relaxing holiday.

There's no mental tally every time you order another drink or decide where to eat.

But if your hotel is in the middle of a fantastic town packed with independent restaurants and bars, paying for all-inclusive might actually discourage you from experiencing what's outside.

All-inclusive could work particularly well if:

• You plan to spend most of your time at the resort
• Drinks and dining are a big part of your holiday
• You like knowing most costs before you travel
• The resort has a genuinely good choice of restaurants

Consider another board basis if:

• You love eating in local restaurants
• You'll spend most days exploring
• Your hotel is centrally located
• You don't expect to use many of the included facilities

It's about value for the way you holiday, rather than simply how much is included.

Sometimes the room is worth upgrading

An adults-only escape can be exactly the sort of trip where spending a little more on the room makes sense.

If you're planning to relax rather than spend every day sightseeing, you may actually use the extra space and facilities.

Swim-up rooms, private pools, hot tubs and sea-view balconies are all widely available within the adults-only market.

That doesn't mean we'd automatically recommend an upgrade.

Compare the price difference with what you're actually getting. A fantastic standard room in a better hotel can be a much wiser choice than a private pool in a resort that doesn't otherwise suit you.

Don't forget adults-only cruises

If you like the idea of a child-free environment but don't necessarily want to stay in the same resort for a week, an adults-only cruise is worth considering.

There are ships and cruise lines specifically restricted to adult guests, as well as mainstream ships offering dedicated adults-only areas. The experiences can be very different, so choosing the right cruise style matters just as much as choosing the right hotel.

You can combine multiple destinations with restaurants, entertainment and activities onboard, while unpacking only once.

And adults-only cruising doesn't have to mean one particular style. There are options ranging from contemporary and lively to more traditional or luxury-focused experiences.

If you've never cruised before, our first cruise guide is a good place to start.

Travelling without children doesn't mean you have to be a couple

Adults-only hotels are often marketed with images of couples enjoying romantic dinners and infinity pools.

But they aren't necessarily just for couples.

Depending on the individual hotel's policy, they can be equally suitable for groups of friends, solo travellers, siblings or anyone else who simply prefers an adult environment.

If you're travelling solo or as a group, we'd pay particular attention to the hotel's atmosphere. A heavily couples-focused honeymoon resort might technically accept your booking but still not be the experience you're looking for.

Again, the label only tells us so much.

When you travel can make a difference too

If peace and quiet are priorities, think about when you're travelling as well as where you're staying.

Travelling outside the busiest school holiday periods can mean quieter airports, destinations and attractions, even when your hotel itself is adults-only. Shoulder-season travel can therefore work particularly well for this kind of holiday.

It can also give you a very different experience of the destination.

So, what makes the perfect adults-only holiday?

For us, it's not simply the absence of children.

It's finding somewhere where the atmosphere, destination, hotel, dining and experience all match the kind of holiday you want.

That might be seven nights of complete relaxation in an all-inclusive resort.

It could be a boutique hotel where you spend your evenings exploring local restaurants. Or it might be an adults-only cruise where you wake up somewhere different almost every morning.

The important thing is not choosing an adults-only holiday simply because it says "adults only".

Choose one because it's right for you.

Let us find your grown-up escape

Tell us what your ideal adults-only holiday looks like, whether that's peaceful and luxurious, lively and social, all-inclusive or something completely different.

We'll help narrow down the options and find a trip that fits how you actually want to travel.

Travel, Personally Planned.