Six of the best holiday packages this autumn
From sun-drenched coastal hideaways to tranquil retreats, escape to handpicked five-star resorts with total peace of mind and the ease of a direct British Airways flight
02/09/2026
Words: Harriet Cooper
Shhh… Want to know a secret? The smartest travellers are all booking package holidays this season to make sure everything is sorted, protected and stress-free before they jet off. But banish all thoughts of mass market, cookie-cutter destinations – these days you can expect customisation alongside convenience. From wellness-forward boutique hotels to ultra-sleek five-star resorts, here’s where to go next with British Airways Holidays.
The serene adults-only pool at Waves Resort & Spa in Barbados
1. THE WELLNESS DESTINATION
Waves Resort & Spa, An Autograph Collection Resort
Saint James, Barbados
Miles of golden shoreline, reef-protected waters, year-round sunshine… Barbados is a beauty. What if you were to combine all of this with a mind-body-soul reboot? At Waves Resort & Spa, the island’s first all-inclusive wellness boutique hotel, you can. It’s located on the Platinum Coast, so you can as easily lie on the secluded beach while staff bring bowls of iced melon to your lounger as you can indulge in the complimentary spa treatments and wellness activities. Start your day with circuit-training or meditating beneath palm fronds, followed by paddleboarding, a lime and ginger body scrub in the spa and sunset yoga. Though, in the spirit of self-care, the resort also does an excellent rum punch and spicy seafood curry.
Luxury beachfront resort Rixos Radamis, Sharm El Sheikh, overlooks the Red Sea
2. THE SPRAWLING FIVE-STAR
Rixos Radamis
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
As first impressions go, Rixos Radamis has it covered with its porticoed entrance, statues of horses prancing on the roof and double-height marble lobby. A grand greeting it may be, but this sunny all-inclusive resort, overlooking Nabq Bay, continues to charm after check-in, with intuitive service and impressive amenities. More than 1,650 rooms, suites and villas (the latter have private pools and butlers) fan out across the grounds, with the accommodation divided into sections: Blue Planet, Beachside and family-friendly Tirana, where interactive children’s club Rixy Kids’ Town has an organic farm. There are more pools than you can count, the spa is slick and the dining options are dazzling. A shining five-star that ticks all the boxes.
The outdoor pool deck faces the Gulf of Mexico at the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Suites
3. THE BEACHFRONT HEAD-TURNER
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Suites
Florida, USA
Nestled on Florida’s west coast, the resort of Clearwater Beach lives up to its name, overlooking bleach-white sand and translucent waves. The waterfront Hyatt Regency is set in a pink-hued building, which glows in the late afternoon sunshine, while rooms make the most of the Gulf of Mexico views with wall-to-wall windows and balconies. Super-size suites come with kitchenettes. There may be a beach right on the doorstep but, as dusk falls, you’ll want to be on the 8th floor in a cabana by the pool or at the bar ordering frozen margaritas. Here, you can also dine on Latin-inspired dishes – or book a beachside table at SHOR, a seafood grill serving the likes of conch chowder, garlic-baked shrimp and whole yellowtail snapper.
Grand Family Suite at XO Cape Arnna in Fethiye
4. THE STANDARD-SETTING ESCAPE
XO Cape Arnna
Fethiye, Turkey
The Turquoise Coast (aka the Turkish Riviera) lives up to its name, the sea a sparkling, near surreal bluey-green. Little wonder this stretch of coastline captivates holidaymakers, who also come for its bougainvillea-draped towns and high-luxury retreats. XO Cape Arnna, in the crystalline Fethiye bay, is a relative newcomer but already has a reputation as one of the best five-stars in the area. It’s built on a grand, stylish scale – with 527 rooms, 37 pools, multiple bars and restaurants, a kids’ club and adults-only zones, there is space for all. Wellness is front and centre, with a high-tech spa and gym, or download the app for the day’s activity programme. This all-inclusive feels ultra-exclusive.
The beachfront pool and palm-fringed coast at Dreams Flora Resort & Spa in Punta Cana (also opening image)
5. THE TROPICAL UTOPIA
Dreams Flora Resort & Spa
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Sometimes, only paradise will do and Dreams Flora delivers. Sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and coconut groves, this all-inclusive Dominican Republic retreat has 520 rooms and suites (24-hour room service and a concierge come as standard), with palm-edged pathways leading guests to cool pools and the powdery white-sand shore. Doers can beeline for the pickleball court, on-site aqua park, gym or water sports centre. Those looking to do not much at all will want to perch beneath a palapa-style parasol on the beach or wallow in the spa’s hydrotherapy pools. Everything is included in the price – from the attention-to-detail service to the à la carte restaurants.
Ocean view from The Reserve Premium Room at Paradisus by Meliá Gran Canaria
6. THE MULTI-GEN CROWD-PLEASER
Paradisus by Melia Gran Canaria
Gran Canaria, Spain
Gran Canaria in the autumn is balmy, as the temperature rarely dips below 22°C. And where better to go alfresco than Paradisus by Melia, an all-inclusive resort on peaceful San Agustín beach? Designed with the family in mind, this all-inclusive is a crowd-pleaser. There are clubs for the tots and teens so grownups can retire to the holistic spa, where treatments draw on Canary Island botanicals. Catch up on the day over wood-fired pizza in the trattoria or at the beach bar, though set aside an evening for the high-energy, Las Vegas-style dinner show at Sala Scala. Rooms (earthy palettes, biophilic accents) are well configured – upgrade to The Reserve for even larger accommodation and an adults-only pool.
Why book with British Airways Holidays?
The point of a trip away is to relax, right? That’s why it’s called an ‘escape’ – you want to leave behind your everyday. But what should be exciting can also feel overwhelming, what with the decision fatigue, the logistics, the budgeting… You can rest easy with British Airways Holidays.
Book a holiday with British Airways Holidays so that you can sort your flights and hotel in one booking. And no need to worry about hidden costs – secure your holiday with a low deposit and spread the cost with flexible payments.* Plus, you’ll have ATOL protection from the moment you book, giving you financial reassurance. More than 10,500 hotels, resorts and villas around the world have been carefully selected by the team, and there’s a dedicated 24-hour helpline, so you’ll be packing your peace of mind along with your passport.
Other reasons to book with British Airways Holidays? All packages include a generous checked baggage allowance and, if you’re looking to do a fly-drive, car hire comes with no hidden fees, 24-hour support and roadside assistance. And remember, you can upgrade to Club Europe/World (business class) for a host of additional benefits including lounge access,** increased checked baggage allowance, priority check-in and boarding and spacious seat that converts to a fully flat bed in Club World. Plus, members of The British Airways Club benefit from collecting Avios, earning tier points and spending Avios towards the cost of holiday packages.
Visit ba.com/holidays for full details and conditions
*Full balance due four weeks before departure for short-haul holidays and seven weeks before departure for long-haul holidays. Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
**Subject to availability. T&Cs apply.
