Family holidays are exciting, but travelling with children also means thinking about room space, meal options, activities, transport, and everyone’s comfort. A hotel that works well for a business trip may not be the right choice for a family vacation.
That is why choosing the right hotel before travelling can make a big difference. With options ranging from regular family-friendly hotels to spacious suites and resorts, IHG Hotels & Resorts gives families different ways to plan a stay based on their destination, budget, and travel style.
This post contains an affiliate link. If you book through it, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Choose a Destination That Works for Everyone
The first step is deciding what kind of holiday your family actually wants. Some families prefer a beach destination where children can spend most of the day outdoors, while others may enjoy a city break with museums, shopping, parks, and sightseeing. With different hotel and resort options available, IHG Hotels & Resorts makes it easier to explore accommodation suited to different travel styles and family plans.
It is helpful to choose a destination with activities for different age groups. Younger children may prefer swimming pools and open spaces, while teenagers may enjoy nearby attractions, shopping areas, or adventure activities.
IHG offers hotels and resorts in different types of destinations, making it possible to look for a property that matches your family’s interests rather than choosing a hotel first and planning everything around it.
Think About Room Space Before Booking
Room size becomes much more important when travelling with children. A standard room may be fine for a short overnight stay, but families staying for several days may need extra space to move around, store luggage, and relax.
Depending on the property, families may be able to choose connecting rooms, family rooms, suites, or villa-style accommodation through IHG Hotels & Resorts. Separate sleeping areas can also make bedtime easier when parents and children follow different schedules.
Before booking, check the exact room description instead of relying only on photographs. Look at the number of beds, bathroom arrangement, living space, and whether a cot or extra bed is available.
Look for Family-Friendly Facilities
A hotel does not need to have a long list of facilities to be comfortable for families, but a few useful amenities can make the stay easier.
Swimming pools, children’s menus, on-site restaurants, activity areas, and spacious common areas can help keep children entertained during a family holiday. Families looking for these facilities can explore IHG Hotels & Resorts, where selected properties offer family-oriented features such as connecting rooms, family rooms, kids’ menus, swimming pools, and children’s activities. Availability depends on the individual hotel, so it is important to check the property’s facilities before booking.
If a particular facility is important to your trip, contact the hotel or check its official property page before confirming the booking.
Plan Meals in Advance
Food can become one of the biggest challenges during a family trip, especially when children have specific preferences or meal timings.
Before choosing a hotel, check whether it has an on-site restaurant, breakfast service, room service, or nearby dining options. If your child follows a particular diet, it is worth asking about suitable meal choices before arrival.
Some IHG brands and properties offer breakfast or family-friendly dining benefits, but these can vary by location and booking conditions. Always confirm what is included in your selected rate.
Pick a Hotel Near the Main Attractions
Staying close to the places you want to visit can save time and reduce stress. This is especially useful when travelling with young children who may need breaks during the day.
A hotel near a theme park, beach, museum, shopping district, or public transport connection may be more convenient than a property located far away. Even if the room rate is slightly higher, reduced transport costs and shorter journeys may make the overall trip easier.
Before booking IHG Hotels & Resorts, check the distance between the hotel and your main activities. Also look at parking, airport transfers, and local transport options if you are travelling without a car.
Consider a Resort for a Slower Holiday
If your main goal is to relax rather than visit several attractions every day, a resort may be a better fit for your family.
Resort properties can make the holiday feel more organised because dining, recreation, and relaxation may all be available within the same property. Families can spend time together without planning a separate activity for every part of the day.
Holiday Inn Resort and Holiday Inn Club Vacations properties offer different types of family travel experiences, including resort destinations, spacious accommodation, pools, and activities for different age groups.
Pack for the Hotel You Are Choosing
Your packing list should depend partly on the hotel facilities and the destination. If you are staying at a property from IHG Hotels & Resorts with a swimming pool, pack suitable swimwear, footwear, and any essentials your family may need by the pool. If the property offers a suite with a kitchen or laundry facilities, you may also be able to pack more practically for a longer trip by preparing simple meals or washing clothes during your stay.
Families travelling with babies or toddlers should also check whether the hotel can provide a cot, high chair, extra towels, or other essentials. These services are not always available at every property, so it is better to ask before arrival.
Keep the Daily Schedule Flexible
One of the easiest ways to make a family holiday stressful is to plan too many activities in one day. Children may need more rest than expected, and weather or travel delays can change the schedule.
Try to plan one or two main activities each day and leave some free time for meals, naps, swimming, or simply relaxing at the hotel. A flexible schedule gives everyone a chance to enjoy the trip without feeling rushed.
Check the Booking Conditions Carefully
Before confirming a family reservation, review the cancellation policy, payment terms, occupancy limits, and additional guest charges.
If you are travelling with children, make sure every guest is included correctly in the reservation when booking through IHG Hotels & Resorts. Check whether breakfast, extra beds, parking, and resort facilities are included in the selected rate or charged separately, as these details can vary by property and room type.
These details are easy to overlook when booking quickly, but checking them in advance can prevent surprises at check-in.
Make the Hotel Part of the Holiday
A good family hotel should do more than provide a place to sleep. It should make the trip easier by offering the space, facilities, location, and services your family needs.
Whether you are planning a short city break, a beach holiday, or a longer resort stay, IHG Hotels & Resorts gives you different accommodation styles to explore. By checking room space, family facilities, dining options, location, and booking conditions before travelling, you can create a holiday that feels more comfortable for everyone.