Family vacations are the best opportunity for you to spend some quality time with your spouse and kids. While the thought of being together as a family can be both exciting and inviting, it can also be exhausting. It cannot be denied that being on top of your travel plans can stress you out.
It can also be overwhelming, especially with a lot of options when it comes to the places you can go to and the mode of transportation you need to take. Add to this the accommodation you need to arrange when you get to your destination.
Your hotel choice for a family vacation can make or break your trip. This is why it is essential to pay special attention when selecting hotels or apartments for your holiday. Don’t worry. We’ve done all the research and compiled some valuable tips. In this blog post, we will give you some tips on how to choose the right hotel for your next family getaway.
1. Assess the location of the family hotel
The first factor to consider while selecting the best family hotel is its location. If you’re going to the beach, think about whether you want to stay close or a few blocks away. If you are travelling to a new location, decide whether you want to stay in the city centre or on the outskirts.
Apart from that, you might want to check whether the family hotel you’re considering is close to the airport, to avoid the stress of organising a last-minute airport shuttle. This can be stressful, especially if you have little children with you. If you’re looking for family accommodation in Parramatta, you might want to check out Holiday Inn hotel.
2. Make a firm budget
It’s all too tempting to go overboard with spending, especially on a holiday. This is also true when it comes to reserving your accommodations. Hence, when selecting the best family hotel, keep your budget in mind and stick to it as much as possible.
Before you start looking at vacation websites, decide how much you’re willing to spend. These websites often compare the pricing of several hotels, as well as the deals and promotions provided by each. Still, assess the benefits and drawbacks of a less-priced family hotel vs a more expensive one.
There is a good chance that more expensive hotels will offer all-inclusive packages that will be more cost-effective in the long term.
In addition, the ideal hotel room will be in line with the money you have set down in your budget. Of course, family suites are more expensive than normal deluxe accommodations, but a travel site coupon code can get you upgraded for free.
3. Choose the most appropriate hotel room
The amenities provided by various family hotels that may be good for your family may not be suitable for another family. As a result, it is critical to prioritise which hotel services are absolutely necessary and which may be skipped.
Depending on your children’s ages, you can remain altogether in a single-family room or choose an adjoining room if you already have teens. Similarly, a bathtub may be at the top of your room amenities list because it is much easier to rinse the sand of a child in a tub rather than in a shower.
A view deck or balcony may not be a necessity in terms of room amenities, especially if you have little children, but it may be a nice spot for you and your spouse to spend some alone time together after the kids have gone to bed.
Consider the childproofing in the room as well, if necessary because you are travelling with a toddler. Aside from that, find out if they can give you a cot or a bed cot complete with a mattress and blankets.
3. Hotels near parks, museums, and zoos
Choose nearby family-friendly activities such as museums, parks, or zoos. If you expect to spend most of your time at the hotel, seek for activities that will keep everyone entertained because lying about may bore children with high activity levels.
Check to see if the family hotel has a kids’ club and what activities are included in the kids’ programme, as well as where the activities take place. It is advisable to enquire about specifics such as the club’s charges and fees, the age minimum, and the experience of the club counsellors.
This is to guarantee that your children are occupied with age-appropriate activities in the club while you and your partner relax poolside.
4. Kiddie pool
Speaking of pools, the pool at your family hotel can make or break your family holiday, especially if you plan to spend more time at the hotel for rest and relaxation. Look to see if the family hotel offers a pool, especially one for children.
While other hotels may provide the comfort of an indoor pool, some hotels go above and above by providing an entire waterpark to the delight of your children.
5. Childcare
To think about it, there may be times when you wish to take a break from your break. If you want to enjoy an uninterrupted supper under a velvet sky or a romantic stroll down the beach, now is the time to look into family hotel childcare alternatives.
If they offer daycare, you should enquire about how long the babysitters have been hired and whether they have first aid and CPR certifications. You should also look into their service fees and the schedule they provide.
While some may provide overnight babysitting, others may only provide daytime childcare. Several family hotels do not provide on-site babysitters but do recommend local childcare services.
6. Essential services
Travelling with a large group may make it tough to pack light. This problem is simply remedied by the family hotel’s effective laundry service. Some hotels will pick up your laundry and do it for you, while others feature coin-operated self-service machines.
Furthermore, depending on the room you choose, some hotels provide gratis laundry services, while others may charge a fee. Aside from laundry services, you might want to look at their room service offerings. Do they provide 24-hour service? Is it restricted to certain service hours?
You should also double-check Wi-Fi connections because while most hotels provide in-room and complimentary Wi-Fi, others confine it to common areas such as the lobby or the restaurant. Check the hotel’s services because it might be frustrating to arrive at a hotel that only offers the kid’s club during peak season, or a hotel with a pool that is closed and under construction.
7. Choices for Dining
It is preferable if the family room you are considering has an on-site restaurant because it is very appealing to simply go ahead and check out the menu after a long and exhausting day. The majority of restaurants at family hotels already have kid-friendly menus.
And though family hotels that offer buffets are also a good option because it allows finicky eaters to have something to eat. It’s even better if the restaurant’s kitchen can accommodate specific requests, especially from your child, or dietary restrictions from any member of your family.
While most hotels provide complimentary breakfast for two, family hotels provide breakfast for the entire family. While this is usually dependent on the room booked, it can also be a benefit of booking with special discount deals and promotions.
Finally, enquire about unusual dining hours if an early supper or late lunch is required. Most family hotels also have room service so that you can eat in the comfort of your own room, but it is preferable if the hotel room has an in-room fridge, coffee machine, or microwave.
This will allow you to prepare your own food, particularly simple foods like snack pieces, in the comfort of your own room.