Let’s be honest, where you stay on a family holiday can either make everything feel easy, or turn the whole thing into a bit of a mission. We’ve all stayed in places that looked great online but didn’t come close in real life. Since then, we’ve all got a bit of a checklist. Nothing fancy, just a few things we always look out for that tend to make the difference between a good trip and a stressful one.
Here’s what we’ve learned.
1. Check what “free” actually covers
Free kids places can be a great deal, but it’s always worth checking what’s included. In many cases it means the child stays in the room with two paying adults and the main parts of the holiday are covered.
Flights, transfers and the hotel stay are often included, which can make a noticeable difference to the overall cost of the trip.
2. Look at the room setup
When a child stays for free, it usually means sharing a family room. That can work perfectly well, but it’s worth checking what the sleeping arrangement actually looks like.
Some hotels offer proper family rooms with sofa beds or separate sleeping areas, while others may simply add an extra bed into the room. A quick look at the room photos usually tells you what to expect.
3. See what the hotel offers for kids
If a child is travelling for free, you still want them to have a great holiday. That means checking the hotel has things that keep them entertained.
Pools, playgrounds, kids clubs or even just space to run around can make a big difference. When the kids are happy, the whole holiday runs more smoothly.
4. Check the availability early
Free kids places are often limited. Hotels usually have a set number available for each room type or travel date.
That means they can disappear quickly once families start booking, especially during school holidays. If you know roughly when you want to travel, it can be worth looking sooner rather than later.
5. Think about the overall value
Even when a child stays for free, the rest of the holiday still matters. Location, facilities and the overall feel of the hotel are just as important.
A good deal should still feel like the right place for your family, not just the cheapest option on the list.
Worth getting right
At the end of the day, family holidays are about making things easy. If you can find a deal that helps stretch the budget while still giving everyone a great place to stay, it makes the whole trip feel that bit more relaxed.
TUI’s got loads of hotels with free kids places available, so it’s always worth having a scroll if you’re planning a family break and want something that works for both the kids and the grown ups. It just takes one thing off your plate.
