Traveling with Kids: Family-friendly hotel alternatives – Where to stay

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. That means that if you go through one of our affiliate links to make a purchase (each is marked below with two asterisks**), we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support! All opinions and reviews here on Grow Adventures are independent and reflective of our own personal use and belief in the quality and usefulness of the products and services we recommend. Please read our disclosure for more information.

Ok, so you’ve already made the plunge and booked flights for your upcoming family holiday and now you’re overwhelmed with all the accommodation options that pop up in your hotel search.

Gone are the days where hotels in big cities or beach resorts were your only option. Now you have all kinds of possibilities: aparthotels, apartments, hostels, guesthouses, vacation homes, campgrounds, farmstays, unique homestays, etc and they can be located anywhere – in cities, on the outskirts, in smaller towns, on the beach, in the mountains…the possibilities are endless (you could even stay in a real treehouse or an ice hotel!).

You’ve heard of or may have even booked a stay through booking.com or airbnb but are seeking some guidance on the different accommodation options that exist and could help make your trip more enjoyable. You’re in the right place!

Our general recommendation for young families traveling with kids

In general, we recommend individually owned apartments and vacation homes as a home base, primarily due to budget and the amount of space available so that the kids can roam around (we all know how kids can get when they’re cooped up!), though this can vary depending on what country we’re visiting and the location of the attractions, landmarks and areas we want to visit. 

We try our best to spend our time outside enjoying the places we visit but when traveling with little ones, we have found that if we aren’t traveling from place to place in transportation (e.g. bus, train, car, etc) during the day, we need some space to come home to for resting. Check out our general guide and recommendations for traveling with children here.

If you’re adventurous and would like to experience local culture firsthand, we highly suggest trying a homestay at least for a night or two on your trip, especially when visiting more remote areas. We give a brief overview of homestays below. (Our guide to homestays is in the works. Join our GrowAdventures community  here to be the first to know when we publish it).

What types of accommodations exist?

Regardless of where you book (e.g. booking.com, airbnb, etc), and beyond the specific pros and cons of individual accommodations, we’ve described the differences between common types of accommodations and the general advantages and disadvantages of each when considering them for families. 

Aparthotels 

Apartments owned and managed by a hotel. 

Pros: We love staying in entire apartments or homes because generally, there is more space than just a couple beds in a hotel room. You’ll likely get a small kitchenette (with cooking utensils and fridge) and a common living space so the kids can roam and play. 

One of the great things about an apartment managed by a hotel is you get the best of both worlds – you get the space, kitchen and the service of a hotel. If you need anything, most of the time, they have someone in reception or on-call to help. 

Generally, you’ll find these apartments are more updated and modern, but often are more basic with the amenities they provide (for example, 4 sets of utensils/cups/plates, one pan and one pot and not much else).

Cons: Since they are managed by a hotel, it may feel less personal and/or less local. This could be manifested by the people who work there and/or the decor, but your budget could also play a large factor in the service or amenities available to you.

Apartments

Apartments owned and managed by the owner. 

Pros: As we mentioned above with aparthotels, we love renting apartments or homes because generally, there is more space than just a couple beds in a hotel room + kitchen + a common living space so the kids can roam and play. 

With apartments, they could be more well equipped with a full kitchen, laundry machine and possibly even a private parking spot though in a city center or popular tourist area, you could also end up with a smaller unit with a kitchenette.

With apartments owned by the owner, you usually get a more homey feel with decor and amenities that show the home has been loved. We especially love homes that include books and games for children. 

Often owners or previous renters will even leave behind basics for the next like salt, pepper, olive oil, shampoo, soap, sponge and dishwashing liquid. I do want to stress that this is NOT ALWAYS the case. 

Cons: If it’s an apartment the owners never live in, and they only rent it out, they are generally more basic with minimal amenities. This is why it’s important that you find out before heading there, if something is important to you and you don’t want to be surprised or disappointed (e.g. blow dryer, tea kettle, air conditioning, heating). This way you can prepare by asking the right questions, bringing your own supplies (when possible), and/or stopping by the store before arriving.

Sometimes an owner may not be available when needed. We’ve been quite fortunate and we’ve almost always have been able to reach owners via airbnb or booking.com chat app or through Whatsapp (one owner was awake and went at 5:30am to retrieve a trunkie, a child’s ride-on suitcase, we had left behind in a public mailroom in their apartment building!). 

In the many years we have traveled, there’s only been one time we booked a house with an owner through booking.com who was difficult to reach (he himself was on vacation) and was unaccommodating even with elderly people (95 year old grandmother!) and young children (age 3 and 5) traveling with us. I believe this was one of the few accommodations we ended up selecting without any previous reviews (hence why one of the criteria we recommend for selecting an accommodation is reading reviews – both positive and critical ones – to get a better picture of what you’re getting into).

Hotels

These are the traditional hotels we’re all accustomed to, though they can vary based on budget.

Pros: Like Aparthotels, if you need anything, most of the time, they have someone in reception or on-call to help. Generally, you’ll find these are more updated and modern, but not always. 

Amenities generally depend on budget, though you could get lucky. Though we prefer full homes or apartments for the space, we usually try to stay flexible and have scored some great deals (often just outside city centers or in less popular neighborhoods) that include a pool, free breakfast and free parking.

Cons: may feel less personal, less local. This could be manifested by the people who work there, the decor, but often depends on your budget. A high-end hotel or boutique hotel could make a hotel stay really special, though it often costs more.

Resorts

A great option for those who may only have a few days and don’t have the time or energy to plan anything and just want to get away. Often you don’t need to plan anything in advance. 

You can speak to concierge when you arrive and let them know what you’d like to do and they’ll work with their on-staff and/or partners to arrange activities for you. You can choose to stay on the resort the whole time or to venture out on excursions. 

Remember, not all resorts are created equal. If you plan on staying in the resort the whole time, check the amenities to ensure they have everything you’re looking for.

Pros: Care-free, stress-free way to get away. Concierge can take care of organizing all activities and excursions upon arrival and catered to your interests. 

If you have the budget, I’d highly recommend a personalized private day excursion so that you can take advantage of being away from the resort and seeing as much as possible. That way, you can also enjoy all the amenities of the resort you’re paying for. 

Also, if you’re looking for some relaxing adult alone time, make sure there is a child zone/day care area to entertain your little ones!

Cons: Can get very costly, depending on the resort, its amenities and the activities and excursions you select. But it may be worth it if budget isn’t an issue and you’re looking for care-free travel where everything is taken care of. 

You may find it harder to immerse yourself in the culture and get a real feel for the destination, unless you find a good excursion with this in mind.

Hostels / guesthouses

Ok, so hostels generally have a bad rap and are generally geared toward young people. I am definitely not going to vouch for all, nor most, of them but there are a few gems out there (especially in countries where the cleaning standards are high e.g. we’ve had a lot of luck in Thailand and Vietnam). 

We’ve discovered that many higher end hostels have a “family room” option with larger rooms, a private bathroom and other amenities like a fridge and have been great on the budget!

We typically look at these options when we want to stay right in the city center and we can’t find large enough accommodation for the family that doesn’t break the bank. If you go this route, make sure to check reviews and/or contact them in advance to ensure they’ll have what you need.

Pros: We generally meet a wide range of warm travellers with open minds in hostels. There is almost always a common area and maybe even a kitchen to share and in these congregating areas, it’s fun to converse with others and hear about their adventures and get ideas of where to go next (or what to add to our bucket list). 

If you like joining group trips and prefer to book and pay upon arrival (even for same day or next day departure), hostels are great places that can connect you with an affordable tour group.

If you’re interested in learning how we identify and hire private local guides and often pay less than joining a group tour, join our GrowAdventures community here and be the first to know when we publish our guide!

Cons: Hostels are typically geared towards a younger crowd (willing to sacrifice privacy to stretch their money in their destination) and may not be the vibe you’re going for with kids around. Cleaning standards are generally not as good, though we’ve done our research and have ended up in very good ones that aren’t focused on attracting the young 20 something crowds.

Guesthouses

Guesthouses can vary depending on where you’re going and how people define it. It can be a lower-end style hostel or bed and breakfast, or can be more like an airbnb rental where you can rent out a room or a whole home. We aren’t going to list pros and cons here because the definition encompasses the other types of accommodation we’ve described here on this post. When you see “guesthouse”, make sure you confirm the style of accommodation and what it entails so there are no surprises.

Vacation homes 

Vacation homes are entire home rentals. You can book directly with owners on sites like vrbo, craigslist, airbnb and even sites like booking.com as renting a whole home is becoming more popular. Though we’ve successfully rented through vrbo, craigslist and similar websites in Europe, we highly recommend airbnb and booking for their guarantees, cancellation policies and service.

Pros: We generally go for a whole home wherever possible, whether it be a spacious apartment in the city, or a bigger home more on the outskirts. This allows our kids to establish somewhat of a base while we explore the area we are in and have space to roam around in while we’re resting (you all know how cooped up kids can be!). 

Vacation homes will almost always come equipped with a full kitchen and supplies, laundry machine, Some even offer cooking or other concierge services for an additional fee.

Cons: Cost can vary widely, depending on what country/city you are in and what amenities are included. Make sure to check inclusions as they may be included in the price (e.g. airport pickups, breakfast, etc) or may be add-ons. It’s hard to

Campgrounds

Ok, so normally this would go under camping, but have you ever glamped before? Many campgrounds have great family cabins with private bathrooms and since they are out in nature, have plenty of space, are often close to trails for hiking and filled with many playmates for your children 🙂

Pros: Usually great pricing (but not always), when compared to other accommodation options. Lots of outdoor space, could also have a lot of amenities available onsite like park, pool, restaurant, shop, etc. We definitely recommend checking this out if you are spending time near natural attractions like national parks or beaches, etc and are looking for something different.

Cons: Often are not located close to major cities or attractions (unless you’re going to a national park or beach, etc). Accommodation and amenities are often more basic and rustic. We haven’t found beds in this type of accommodation very comfortable but doable for a day or two (we rather just camp in our own tent! Sign up here to be notified when we publish our camping guide.)

Homestays 

Homestays are a unique family accommodation option but can vary widely. You’ll see they range from higher-end farmstays (more like a bed n breakfast + experience), to more remote local homestays where you sleep, live and eat in a local family’s home and anywhere in between. There are often opportunities to help or see the inner workings of their daily life (e.g. cooking, harvesting food, caring for animals, etc). 

In more remote homestays, amenities may be lacking and are often quite rustic. They may not even have spare bedrooms for guests. We’ve discovered over the years that we often displace the family and sleep in their beds while they sleep on the ground! 

Once we even slept in a cave home of a nomadic family in Morocco while they slept outside in the cold under the stars – a truly humbling realization and unforgettable experience. 

With homestays, you get to learn more about the people and their culture. This is one of our favorite ways to travel and is often the highlight(s) of our trip. It’s extremely rewarding but is also not for the faint of heart as many of our day to day amenities that we take for granted (e.g. warm running water, heat or A/C) may not be available so when coordinating this type of stay, make sure you know what you’re getting into, especially if you have special needs.

Pros: Ability to experience firsthand the life of locals, what they eat, how they live. Our children have loved the homestays we’ve experienced, and still talk about the people they met (especially the kids). 

Our children generously shared toys with the child living in the home we stayed at. Since part of our family values we practice with the children is generosity and compassion, this kind of travel and experiences help reinforce that and expose them to life beyond our everyday comforts. To be honest, I don’t think our kids even notice the lack of amenities as much as adults! 

If you’re interested in learning more about homestays, join our GrowAdventures community here and be the first to know when we publish our guide!)

Cons: If you do a true homestay in less developed countries, make sure you do your research and are prepared. There could be a lack of luxuries that we often take for granted like air conditioning, proper flooring, ceilings, windows, running (hot) water, etc. This is not always a bad thing as you may be seeking an opportunity to disconnect, but it is something to be aware of. 

My brother and his girlfriend joined our trip to Borneo and I had let them know in advance that we’d be doing a homestay. In retrospect, they shared that they had no idea what that meant. They were very positive the whole time and did not complain or anything. They had a rough first night, but got into the groove and enjoyed the rest of the time. It’s all about managing expectations! Sign up here to be the first to know when we publish our post on our incredible trip to Borneo.

How do I know what is right for my family?

I wish I could say that based on the descriptions above, you’d know what would work best for your family. But that is just not reality! 

Just like one person’s experience at a restaurant may differ from others, that is the case when traveling as well. 

The above serves as a guideline to help you narrow down and hopefully find the right base(s) for your family, but as you may know if you’ve been following us, our biggest motto is “Go with the flow and have fun!”. Try different types in different locations and find what best for your family. You may find you value location much more than space or amenities and are willing to give up one thing for another. 

Remember to be flexible and don’t let one not-so-perfect stay ruin your whole day or trip.

Tips for booking accommodation when traveling as a family

1. Choose the neighborhood you want to be in. POP OUT BOX – Stop – if cost is a big factor, skip this step, knowing that you’re forgoing your top choice location, in exchange for cheaper accommodation and are willing to travel some distance to visit the area. Keep in mind that there may be transportation and parking costs involved that may outweigh any cost savings.
   • Times when you may want to prioritize location: You have very little time to explore an area and want to make the most of the day and not lose time traveling to get there (and possibly getting lost) and back. Trust me with kids, this can make or break your sightseeing day! 
   • If you’re visiting a very well-connected and/or walkable city – Depending on the season and how far advance you book, you can find a place in the city center but make sure to be flexible with the exact neighborhood so you can adjust pricing, identify proximity to car parks/garages and to landmarks and attractions you plan to visit.
2. Remember to add a filter for your budget in your search
3. You can also add a filter to show only the type of accommodation you are seeking 
4. Add additional filters for any non-negotiables + nice to haves for you and your family (AC, heater, parking, pool, etc) but be willing to drop one or more, if needed.
5. Check out the various results (often you can sort by a filter as well).
6. Remove filters one by one, if needed, to increase the number of options you can choose from.
7. Check different search engines to compare options. I usually focus on booking.com, airbnb, hotels.com since I can access them from my mobile, and they are reputable companies and I’ve had good experience with them.
8. Check the change / cancellation policy (read on below for what to look for)
9. Finally, read reviews – both positive and critical ones, if any – before you make a commitment.

AIRBNB VS BOOKING.COM VS HOTELS.COM

Read the fine print

Always read the entire description and make sure you understand everything before booking. Things to pay attention to: cancellation policy, what is included, service fees, if any.

Cancellation policy

With children in tow, I always prefer to book the free cancellation option even if it costs slightly more (I haven’t yet seen a deal so great that I’d forego this). 

This peace of mind buys me flexibility to change things up if and when needed (perhaps another property becomes available that was my first choice, you decide to change cities or stay longer somewhere else, or as we’ve seen this year, a pandemic happens…) 

For this reason, we love Booking.com for their clear and upfront cancellation policies (often 24 hours, and on the rare occasion it differs, it will indicate as such). You can clearly see what is listed as free cancellation, and what is not (you can even filter for this). They also make it extremely easy to track your bookings and cancel (with a warning reminding you of what the cancellation policy is). 

Booking.com also allows you to communicate directly with the host and request a cancellation waiver. 

They also offer a loyalty program (“genius”), where once you book a certain number of bookings, they begin to offer you progressively more discounts and other amenities (like free room upgrade and/or breakfast).

I’ve only booked on Hotels.com on occasion. They are pretty transparent with their cancellation policy like booking.com but it’s a bit more complicated cancelling (whereas booking.com makes it super easy even within the app). Hotels.com has a great rewards program where once you book 10 nights (it doesn’t matter if it’s all at the same hotel, or in different locations, or how much you spent), you can book a free hotel night at the over 500,000 properties on their site. We have yet to use this feature since we find booking.com more easy to use and it hasn’t yet failed us in pricing, nor variety in options.

Airbnb, for me, is more difficult on this front as you’re dealing with individual owners. You have to check the policy per listing and even when it says free cancellation, the fine print indicates that the Airbnb service fee is not refundable, if you cancel on your own accord. I’ve found that each listing’s specific cancellation policy varies this varies – it could be 30 days notice, 7 days notice, or 24-48 hours notice. You won’t know unless you check the listing.

Cost

Airbnb – Generally, I’ve found Airbnb to be more expensive than booking.com but sometimes with a better variety of options. If you check a rate on booking.com, it may be the same rate on airbnb but after clicking through airbnb to book, you’ll see they start tacking on fees like the 10% airbnb service fee and a cleaning fee, which if you’re only staying a night can kick it out of the budget. I prefer to see the all-in cost. Keep this in mind when searching properties on airbnb. 

That being said, the awesome thing about airbnb is you can connect directly with the airbnb host BEFORE booking and request a discount, especially if it’s a last minute booking and/or a long stay (I recommend always asking for a discount of multiple days (e.g. 4-5+ days). Oftentimes, you’ll also see that the airbnb host already has a pre-set discount for weekly or monthly rentals. If they do, this is a good sign that they might be open to negotiating a rate, or offering an additional discount on longer stays.

Booking.com – As I mentioned above, we’ve found Booking.com to be generally cheaper or the same on pricing as Airbnb (even on the same exact property and unit) and easier to use and cancel. 

The one downside I’ve found is if you choose a low cost hostel or guesthouse, especially in Europe, you need to make sure it includes bedding and amenities you require. If it doesn’t, you need to account for the cost to add it. It doesn’t always end up cheaper. This has only happened to us once or twice when I didn’t read the fine print and we’ve ended up being charged per towel or sheet set needed. With Airbnb, they set minimum standards that hosts need to comply with and this is one of them 🙂

Looking for more? Check out our in-depth guide to planning family travel abroad for more information on preparing to travel with kids.

If you want to read up on more tips about transportation options while traveling with children, check out this blog post.

What types of accommodations have you tried? What have you enjoyed the most, and least? Share your experience with us below in the comments. We love hearing from you!