This article was written by Deborah Dickson-Smith and can be found at Ninemsn’s Travel Blog.
Lots of resorts and hotels claim to be family-friendly, but the key to a happy, stress-free family holiday lies in the detail.
There’s nothing worse than arriving at your hotel after a long flight to discover the kids’ club doesn’t accept kids under two years of age. Or your accommodation consists of one room that you have to whisper in and watch TV with the sound down while your kids get to sleep. The best advice for a holiday you can all enjoy is to prepare and do your research.
So, before you go, make sure you get these details right.
1. With or without kids?
Decide what kind of holiday you want with your kids. Do you want to laze by the pool with a big fat crime novel while your kids go wild at the kids’ club? Or do you want to play with your children and explore your chosen destination together? Or a combination of the two? Think about it.
2. Rooms
Check that the hotel offers suites or adjoining rooms, and what deals they offer for families. Sharing a standard hotel room with two kids is doable but not enjoyable — especially for a week. To test out your level of endurance, get the family to camp out in the living room for a night and see how much you enjoy it.
3. Cooking
It’s best to choose a room with a kitchenette, or at least a microwave, so you can prepare meals for the kids in your room and avoid eating out every day. It’s not just a matter of expense; the kids won’t want a full meal three times a day so it’s useful to be able to make them sandwiches or two-minute noodles on occasion.
4. Bottles and baby paraphernalia
If your baby is bottle-fed you’ll also need a microwave or a bottle warmer to warm bottles. Have a plan in place as well for sterilising bottles and dummies. Make sure you request a cot and it’s worth asking if the hotel has highchairs.
5. Nappies
If you don’t want to take supplies for the entire length of your stay then find out in advance if there’s somewhere nearby you can purchase them. I once spent an entire day in Bali searching the shelves of all the local mini-marts trying to find diapers … A diabolical waste of time.
6. Kids’ clubs
They may have one, but what ages does it cater for? Some kids’ clubs don’t cater for under-twos at all and it may be even harder with older kids. Ask about what activities they have planned for kids of different ages — especially older kids. Remember, they’re on holiday, too, and may not relish the idea of spending all day colouring-in. Some resorts will have two to three different clubs for different ages.
7. Babysitting
Ask how readily available babysitters are and how far in advance you have to book them. It’s also worth checking credentials — especially with younger kids so you can feel comfortable leaving your kids with a stranger and enjoy a night out.
8. Restaurants
Check out the kids menu and buffet options. Some resorts charge $1 for each year of your child’s age (which seems reasonable) and some provide free food for all kids under 12 years of age. It’s also worth checking if there are any family-friendly restaurants nearby so you’re not stuck at the resort buffet every night.
9. Activities and entertainment
Find out the range of activities available at the resort that you can all enjoy, whether that’s surfing, sailing, volleyball, kayaking or wet weather entertainment such as movies and video games. Some resorts will provide DVD players and even games consoles in your room, with a range of DVDs and games for hire at reception. A DVD player is a much better (and cheaper) choice than in-room movies — pack your kids’ own favourites before you leave home.
10. Health
Ask about the nearest medical facilities and how quickly you can access them in an emergency. Whether that’s a broken limb or Delhi belly, it’s comforting to know that there is a doctor available a quick phone call away. And make sure you choose the right travel insurance.
This article was written by Deborah Dickson-Smith and can be found at Ninemsn’s Travel Blog.