Travelling with a Baby: Hotel Checklist
A hotel that is perfect for a couple can be hard work with a baby. Small details, such as whether there is a bath, a kettle or a lift, make a big difference to daily life when you are juggling feeds, naps and nappies. Run through this checklist before you book and you'll avoid most of the common frustrations.
1. Is there a bath?
Many hotel rooms, especially in continental Europe, have a shower rather than a bath. Some babies are happy to be showered, but for many it turns bathtime into a nightly battle. If a bath matters to you, check the room description carefully or ask the hotel directly, as photos on booking sites don't always show the room type you'll get. An inflatable or foldable travel bath is a back-up if not.
2. Is there a kettle and a fridge?
If you are bottle-feeding, being able to boil water in your room is essential, and a fridge is useful for storing milk, baby food and drinks. Kettles are standard in UK hotels but often absent abroad. Self-catering apartments don't always have one either. Ask in advance, or pack a compact travel kettle, and check the plug type and voltage at your destination.
3. What cot is provided?
- Check that a cot is available for your dates, and whether there is a charge.
- Ask what type it is: a full-size wooden cot or a travel cot, and whether bedding is included.
- Inspect it on arrival to make sure it is complete, sturdy and has a firm, well-fitting mattress.
- Make sure there is room for it away from windows, blind cords and heaters.
Some parents prefer to bring their own lightweight travel cot, so their baby sleeps somewhere familiar. Our guide to travel cots explains what to look for.
4. How warm is the pool?
Even in a hot country, outdoor pools can feel cold to a baby or toddler, especially in spring and autumn. Ask whether the pool is heated, whether there is a separate shallow children's pool or splash area, and whether it is shaded. A baby wetsuit or thermal swimsuit helps little ones stay warm in the water for longer.
5. Is it buggy-friendly?
A flight of stairs between the lobby and your room quickly becomes exhausting with a buggy, a baby and the bags. Check that there is a lift, or request a ground-floor room. Look beyond the hotel too:
- Is the route to the pool, restaurant and beach step-free?
- Is "a ten-minute walk to town" up a steep hill or along a road without pavements?
- Are paths paved, or gravel and sand that a buggy will struggle with?
Resort maps and guest photos on review sites often reveal more than the hotel's own description.
6. Is it genuinely family-friendly?
Plenty of hotels describe themselves as "family-friendly". Look for evidence:
- family rooms or suites with a separate sleeping area, so you aren't sitting in the dark from 7pm;
- high chairs in the restaurant, and an early dinner sitting or children's menu;
- a crèche, kids' club or babysitting service, and the ages they accept;
- baby equipment on request, such as bottle sterilisers, bath seats or bed guards;
- a laundry service or guest washing machine.
It helps to know staff and other guests are used to babies when yours decides to test their lungs at dinner.
7. Will your baby sleep?
Ask about blackout curtains or blinds, as early sunrises and thin curtains can mean very early mornings. Check the room's position too: rooms above the bar, next to the lift or overlooking the evening entertainment can be noisy at bedtime.
How to find out
Brochures and hotel websites show the best angle. Dig deeper by reading recent reviews from other families, looking at guests' photos and emailing the hotel with specific questions before you book. A hotel that replies quickly and clearly is usually a good sign. Once you arrive, our guide to baby-proofing your holiday accommodation helps you make the room safe.
Ticking off these questions in advance means fewer surprises and more time enjoying the holiday. If you're still deciding between types of accommodation, read our guide to choosing a family hotel or villa.