Planning Accomodations

Accodomations make up one of the largest chunk of the budget, particularly with kids. We have found several hacks over the years to make it a bit cheaper and more manageable.

First, book early. This is especially important during high season or in popular sights. The travel demand is back post Covid, aided by pent up demand and postponed trips. And because some hotels were forced to closed, available space is down a bit, too. To add a bit of complexity, the type of accomodation that you require as a family simply isn't as readily available as the standard double occupancy room. Where I would sometimes wait until a week before or even the day of to book a room when traveling as a couple, I wouldn't risk it now. I want to make sure that we have a room or home that will accomodate our needs. Sleep is important at every age, but never so important as with little ones. A bad night of sleep for a toddler typically means a disastrous day ahead with meltdowns, tears, and grumpiness. As soon as I have flights in place, accomodations are next on the planning list.

While tons of travelers swear by AirBnB or VRBO, they really aren't always my favorite platform for several reasons. The cleaning and service fees can really add up for short stays. If you are staying a week or longer, going through AirBnB or VRBO makes a bit more financial sense. You often have to prepay a sizeable portion of the rental cost if not all which can be tough when you are booking six months out. And many of the properties offer little in the way of flexibility or generous cancellation options although this has been improving. Rentals do make sense for large groups, having the flexibility of a kitchen, and for longer stays. But it pays to do the math on the extra fees and if the savings will pay off.

My favorite accomodation site has been Booking.com for a long time, both as a young traveler and as a family. Their free loyalty program often includes perks like free breakfast or discounts and even credits for future stays. Plus they host a wide variety of accomodations, from traditional hotels to apartment lets to bed and breakfasts. Having lots of different options benefits family travel and helps independent hotels compete with the big names.

What I look for in an accomodation depends on what my goals are in that city or area. Is it a quick overnight to fly out in the morning? Large double with a rollaway for my toddler. Three day jaunt into a new city where I don't plan to cook? Triple room with a terrace or a suite with a bedroom and living area, enough beds for everyone and a separate space for the parents to hang out. Longer stays where I need meals? Kitchenette or kitchen and an extra bedroom for the kids. One thing I don't recommend is adjoining rooms with young children. Too many factors like and exterior door, en suite bathroom (if they aren't used to one at home) and the potential of balcony access. Even the possibility of accidentally closing the door between the rooms. If they are a bit older, the concerns change, but with toddlers, its not an option we consider.

Likewise, how location specific do I need to be for an area? Staying smack in the middle of Florence is going to be a bit more expensive that staying on the outskirts of the historic core. Am I am planning frequent day trips from my base? If so, which town is most central? Do I need to stay in the town or in the general area? A great example is in Southern France or Tuscany - picking a bed or breakfast or agriturismo (partically with self-catering options) can save a significant amount of money, be more relaxing, and allow you to still access your desired itinerary.

Hotels vary on what age is considered an adult so its important to read all the details to find out. We've also found that many hotels and home rentals will happily provide a crib for free or a nominal fee (if you aren't traveling with your own). Rollaways are sometimes offered for free or for a small fee for children as well. This allows you to be creative with rooms and pick a space that works best for your family and sitaution. For example, one stay we have booked this summer offered either a triple room or an apartment with a queen bed and terrace. The latter option was only $5 more a night, but provided significantly more space and comfort to the whole family. Yet another perk of Booking.com is that all room choices at a property are listed together with amenities and pictures so it makes it easier to evaluate these options. You can even filter reviews by room type and season.

Don't rely solely on guidebook suggestions or reviews. Some of the worst accomodations that we've ever stayed in were recommended from a book. Its the opinion of one or a few writers, not the opinion of the masses. Plus ownership and management change, which is something that won't be readily updated in a guidebook. When I do see interesting accomodations in the guide book, I always check for the newest reviews. I like to look at negative reviews - its easy to spot a one off bad experience (the guest was clearly demanding) or a cultural difference (yes, rooms in Paris are small), but it also gives you an idea if something this consistent like poor wi-fi or in a quiet neighborhood away from nightlife. A negative for one guest might not be a negative for you.

While time consuming, it pays to shop around. I often see properties listed on multiple sites, occasionally with variations in pricing (to do with extra fees and commission takes by the aggregators). Occasionally, booking direct can save even more once you've identified a property that you are interested. However, don't spend an absurd amount of time on locating a spot. If you have looked enough to get a feel for pricing in the area, found a property that meets your needs, and has positive reviews, move forward and book it!