**Tips for Choosing Child-Friendly Lodging in Italy (Free Italy Travel Advice)**
Amie O'Shaughnessy, CiaoBambino.com
When parents start looking for places to stay in Italy or anywhere in Europe
that can accommodate the entire family, it doesn’t take long for them
to realize that hotel Web sites and villa brochures don’t provide the
details needed to make confident decisions.
There are some family-focused travel guides that do provide specific information,
and parents can always call the hotel, or apartment and villa managers, directly.
There are two things that make a property family-friendly – first, its
physical construction and amenities, and second, the attitude of the owners,
management and staff – so parents should be prepared to ask a lot of questions.
Physical property and amenities
To begin with the obvious, travel is highly personal and what works for one
family may not work for another, so it’s important to outline trip priorities
at the start of the process. The age of the children makes a real difference
in who will be happy doing what. What kind of experiences does the family as
a whole want? What would you like to do at each destination? The difference
between city and countryside accommodations can be substantial, not only because
of differing amenities and activities, but also because of transportation needs
like rental cars. Things for the family to consider:
Staying in the city
Hotel versus apartments: The upside of staying in a hotel
is the opportunity to enjoy the number of services available. For those travelers
who like to rely on the front desk or concierges for questions and advice, this
is a key advantage. And room service is one of the better inventions of mankind.
But the downside is the lack of privacy, space, and in many cases the cost of
even a moderately priced hotel is high for families of four or more. The good
news is that there are a growing number of properties that have the amenities
of an apartment, but the services of a hotel. This is a wonderful option for
families that want the best of both worlds, but they are still rare and have
to be looked for.
Connecting rooms and suites: Many hotels in historical city
centers in Europe do not have rooms large enough for four or more people. The
trick is to find hotels that have connecting rooms or suites that sleep four
people with a door between the living room and bedroom. This information is
rarely posted on a hotel website and usually requires an email or phone call.
Location (location, location): It is hard enough to get out
the door with the kids in tow without having to waste time on dealing with transportation.
A hotel or apartment in a location with things to do and see in the immediate
area is important. With young children, it is really nice to be within a five-minute
walk to a park or playground. Parents should make a list of desired activities
and confirm that they have fairly easy access to them.
Equipment: Many hotels offer cribs and high chairs. Some apartment
rental agencies provide cribs, but there are some that do not. If you need infant
or toddler equipment, ask at the time of the initial inquiry and make sure the
equipment is reserved as part of the confirmation.
Elevators: Many apartment buildings in Europe do not have
elevators. If you have young children and the unit is above the ground floor
(and remember that in Europe the “first floor” is often one flight
up) you may want to look for another option.
Supplies: Access to grocery stores, bakeries, and family-style
restaurants is essential when evaluating the location of an apartment. Ask the
rental agency if it can provide such information.
Staying in the country
Resorts versus apartments and villas: Complete resort properties
can have a large array of on-site amenities. Stand-alone apartments and villas
may have a swimming pool, but usually you have to leave the property for structured
entertainment. Resort properties not only have the convenience of onsite services,
but also have a social atmosphere where children and families can meet each
other around the pool or in public gathering areas. For those families that
want more privacy and independence, an apartment or small villa would be the
preferred choice. Larger villas are ideal for extended families or two families
traveling together. Amenities: Many rental or resort properties have swimming
pools, but the options grow smaller when family members add tennis, bikes and
playgrounds to the list. Have the family create an overall activity plan. Remember
that a long list of amenities may be irrelevant if you will be out sightseeing
every day.
Room plans: Some resorts have kitchens and living spaces while
other are just hotel rooms. Even if you don’t plan on cooking meals, it’s
nice to have more living space for weeklong stays.
Location: Make a list of the top sites you want to see and
select a property that is within a 1.5-hour drive.
Flat grass and safety: Many properties do not have adequate
flat grass and open spaces for young children to run around. (Some properties
have beautiful lawns that are made for viewing, not walking.) Stairs are unavoidable
in many cases, so it is essential to understand the room location within a property
if this is a concern. If photos or property layout is not available on the website,
ask for photos or brochures ahead of time.
Swimming pools: Pools may not be fenced. Find out ahead of
time and understand where your room will be relative to the pool area. For villas
you will need to know about door locks.
Attitude
The attitude of staff and management toward children is impossible to evaluate
online, but there are key things you can do to increase the odds that you end
up at a place that is comfortable with kids. The best options are recommendations
from a trusted source – another family or a family-oriented travel guide.
If such resources are not available you can ask the property to confirm that
it caters to families (although how many properties would actually say no, they
don’t like families). So look for caveats about have children at the pool
or in the restaurant. One online tool is Trip
Advisor to find out what other travelers are saying about a property. There
are also online guidebooks that have forums where users provide feedback.
Rarely does the prefect property exist that meets every requirement for children
of different ages. But when families take the time to figure out what is important
for the group as a whole, and then set priorities for a fun (and minimal parental
stress) trip, it helps them pick the best place to stay. The right property
can make or break a vacation.
Amie O’Shaughnessy is the founder of Ciao
Bambino! , the first-ever international association of vacation properties
for families. With a comprehensive and growing resource for parents featuring
hand-picked and thoroughly reviewed hotels, resorts and rental properties, the
website includes detailed information and advice for planning fun, safe and
memorable family vacation experiences.
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