Family Hotel or Villa? Pros and Cons for Families

One of the first decisions when planning a family holiday is where you'll stay. Hotels and villas are the two most popular choices, and each suits different families, ages and budgets. The right answer depends on what you want from your holiday, so here are the main pros and cons of each to help you decide.

Villa holidays

The advantages

• Space. Separate bedrooms, a living area and outdoor space mean nobody is on top of each other.
• Easy evenings and naps. You can put the children to bed and still enjoy the evening together, and daytime naps are simple when there's a quiet bedroom.
• Your own kitchen. Ideal for weaning babies, fussy eaters and children who thrive on routine.
• Privacy. A private pool or garden is yours alone, which many families value highly.
• Value for groups. For large families or two families travelling together, a villa can work out cheaper per person than several hotel rooms.
• Your own timetable. No breakfast cut-off, no queue for dinner.
• A taste of local life. Villas outside the main resorts can give a more authentic feel for the area.

The drawbacks

• Cooking and cleaning. Unless you eat out every night, someone is still making meals and tidying up.
• Fewer facilities. There's usually no kids' club, childcare, spa or entertainment on site.
• Food costs. Groceries and eating out can add up, especially where local prices are high or the exchange rate is poor.
• Location. Villas can be remote, so you may need to hire a car, which adds cost and the question of car seats.
• Harder to research. Fewer reviews can make choosing take longer.
• Fixed changeover days. Many villas only let from a set day of the week, limiting your choice of flights.
• Safety checks. Unfenced pools, steep steps and balconies need careful thought with young children. Our guide on baby-proofing your holiday accommodation can help.

Hotel holidays

The advantages

• No cooking. Meals are taken care of, and room service is a welcome treat.
• No cleaning. Beds made, towels changed, everything tidied for you.
• Facilities. Many family hotels offer pools, kids' clubs, childcare, entertainment, gyms or spas.
• Flexibility. Arrival days and length of stay are usually more flexible.
• Value for smaller families. For a family of three or four, a hotel can be cheaper than a villa, especially where food is expensive.
• Budget control. All-inclusive deals mean you know most of your costs before you go.

The drawbacks

• Sharing a room. Family suites or rooms with a separate bedroom cost more, and sharing one room can mean sitting in the dark after bedtime.
• The hotel's routine, not yours. Restaurant times don't always suit young children's meals and bedtimes.
• Shared facilities. Pools and play areas can be busy, especially in the school holidays.

The middle ground: aparthotels

If you can't decide, an aparthotel or apartment within a hotel complex offers a bit of both: a kitchen and more space, with the pool, restaurants and sometimes kids' clubs of a hotel. Some hotels also offer apartments on a half-board basis, so you can cook breakfast and lunch yourself and eat out in the evening.

Making your choice

As a rough guide, villas suit larger groups, babies and toddlers who nap, and families who prefer independence. Hotels suit those who want a proper break from chores, value on-site activities and childcare, or prefer flexible dates. Whichever you choose, our hotel checklist for travelling with a baby will help you ask the right questions before booking.