You’ve just arrived at the hotel and the contents of your luggage lie derelict across the room. It’s been a long trip and all you want to do now is sprawl out on the gigantic crisp white bed and watch said luggage contents magically lift itself off the floor and pack itself away neatly in all the right places. But duty calls… the kids need attention, they’re whining and they’re restless, and “so, so, so hungry” on top of that. You came here to relax. Is that even possible?
The great news is, yes. There is a multitude of hotels worldwide with fabulous set-ups to ease the burden off weary parents. With fantastic facilities for children and loving child minders to boot, you can indeed relax and enjoy a carefree hotel stay.
Several web sites, guidebooks, magazines and travel agents supply a wealth of information on child-friendly hotels. Many brochures and websites, however, fail to provide all the information you need to make a proper decision. Here we give you ten things to consider when selecting the right accommodation for your next family holiday.
1. Children’s play area. Kids love to play. It’s what they do best. Choose a hotel that offers a play area with supervision. Many child-friendly hotels will have well-trained child minders to look after your brood while you relax.
2. Kids club. More than just a playground, a kids club offers plenty of entertainment for the hotel’s younger guests. Often divided into different age groups, these clubs cater for a variety of interests. Activities and outings are arranged for club members and carried out under the supervision of well-trained kid’s club staff members.
3. Babysitting. If your child is too young for an organised program, and you still want childcare, ask the reservations clerk or manager about babysitting services. Some hotels and resorts use employees such as housekeepers and recreation staff members as on-site babysitters. Be sure to ask about cost and whether or not after-hours babysitting is available.
4. Swimming Pool. If there is one thing that always delights children, it’s the sight of a swimming pool. This is very important in summer as we all tend to get a bit cranky when we’re hot. It also provides hours of fun and exercise for your kids while you are able to relax by the poolside. Some hotels have heated indoor pools, which gives you the same benefits even in winter. Do consider whether the pool is safe though. For example, is it covered with a net when not in use? Are there life guards at the pool?
5. Appropriate sleeping arrangements. If you are travelling with a baby you will naturally need a cot for him/her. If you have small children, the ideal would be to have a family suite. A double room for you and your spouse, and fold out beds for the kids in the lounge area. Interleading rooms are ideal if you have older children or teenagers. You get the best of both worlds as you are always close enough but can also have some time alone…and so can they.
6. Baby essentials. The last thing you want to do is have to cart around your bulky baby goods, such as camp cots and high chairs. Any hotel daring to call themselves child-friendly should have these available on request. That said, it is always a good idea to enquire about the availability of certain items beforehand and to arrange for them to be ready in your room when you arrive.
7. Dining. Apart from having high chairs, it is important to know beforehand whether the hotel has a child-friendly menu. Is there an in-house restaurant and/or do they offer room service? We all know too well that a hungry child is a crabby child and sometimes getting something suitable to eat or drink just cannot wait.
8. Room amenities. There are many things to consider when enquiring about room amenities. You will have to decide what is important to you. Some questions you may want answered include whether there is a refrigerator in the room. Does the room have a shower or bath? Having both is of course best. My husband prefers to shower and my kids are happiest in a toy-filled bath! Some hotels even have nightgowns and slippers in children’s sizes. Suites with a kitchenette offer more than extra room and they make it easy to feed kids when they’re hungry. Can you warm up your own milk or formula? If you are staying for a while, you may need to make use of the laundry service. Is the room safe? Have the power outlets been covered? Is there a television set in the room with appropriate viewing for little ones? Some hotels have DVD libraries with children’s movies available, which we love on rainy days.
9. Hotel amenities. When evaluating amenities, don’t stop with the jungle gym and swimming pool. An entrance ramp and elevator can make a big difference when travelling with babies and toddlers. Lifting or folding a stroller each and every time you enter and exit the hotel can quickly become a chore!
10. Rates. Many family-friendly hotels will offer appropriate rates and special family deals, such as kids stay free, or kids eat free, or kids stay at half price, etc. The best option I find is usually the all-inclusive kind. There are fewer surprises in the end.
The best source for recommendations is likely to be another family or a family-oriented travel guide. Posing questions on a travel forum and reading reviews on family travel sites will extend your reach beyond family and friends. Yet it is important to determine an author’s standards before you accept their review. Read what they have to say about places you have already visited or that friends and family with common interests have recommended.
The important thing to remember is that there are hotels that say they are child-friendly and there are hotels that really are child-friendly. More importantly, it is possible for you to have a wonderfully relaxing holiday, knowing that your kids are safe, looked after and having the time of their lives.
Obadia Erick says
Nice!
Illana Dillon says
Glad you like it Obadia, we agree 🙂