What to look for in a resort when travelling with baby

Just because your newest travel companion has a cumbersome habit of spitting up or making loud noises, doesn’t mean you are relegated to resorts that resemble characterless compounds, but you may have to make some concessions when traveling with baby if your pre-baby travel style involved hostels that hopped until the wee hours or chic boutique hotels teeming with sharp edges.

Whether you decide to go the all-inclusive route, or opt for self-catering, there are a few considerations you should make when choosing a resort for travel with baby…

Family Friendly:

You don’ t have to go the route of resorts that offer child care or baby clubs, but you should look for those that market themselves as family friendly. A hotel doesn’t have to be labelled as adult-only for you to get the distinct impression that baby isn’t welcome. So long as the resort offers cribs in their guestrooms and high chairs in their restaurants, you can be fairly sure that your little one is a valued guest. Baby toiletries and toy-lending programs are nice touches, but certainly not necessary for accommodations catering to families; clean and safe are your main priorities.

Accessibility:

If a resort advertises that it’s barrier-free, or that it is wheelchair accessible, chances are you’ll be able to navigate it with a stroller. You may also want to research the type of accommodation offered and the surrounding area. High rise hotels with balconies may cause a bit of angst if you’re assigned a high floor. Contact the hotel in advance to request a ground or lower floor (consider that you may be lugging your stroller up stairs otherwise) and ensure the terrace or balcony doors lock properly. A villa high on a cliff may make for spectacular sunsets, but could also cause high blood pressure if you have a toddler in tow. Maybe look for accommodation that lies on lower ground – for now, anyway.

Location:

If you know you want to spend most of your time on the beach, it might be worth the extra expense to choose a beachfront resort. Same goes for the proximity to things like grocery stores and restaurants if you’ll be self-catering. The whole idea behind a family vacation is to relax and spend time together, not to spend most of it in a car or public transportation running errands. Besides, a well-located resort could mean not having to rent a car, or fewer taxi rides. Use the extra money to upgrade your room instead!

Corinne McDermott is the founder of www.havebabywilltravel.com – your guide for family travel with babies, toddlers & young children. Connect with her on Twitter: @hvbabywilltrvl and on Facebook: Have Baby Will Travel.