Travelling with kids: why aparthotels and serviced apartments work

Why apartment-style stays suit families

The main advantage is space that can be divided. In a one- or two-bedroom apartment, children can go to bed at their usual time with the door closed while adults stay up in the living room. One apartment can replace two hotel rooms, and keeps everyone together.

A kitchen changes how the day runs. You can serve breakfast before the hotel restaurant would open, keep milk, fruit and snacks in the fridge, and cook a familiar dinner when everyone is tired. Many apartment buildings also have laundry facilities, either in the apartment or shared, which makes a week away with small children much easier.

For a fuller comparison with a standard room, see aparthotel vs hotel; if you are weighing up a private holiday rental instead, read serviced apartments vs Airbnb.

Sleeping arrangements and cots

Check exactly how the beds are configured, not just how many people the apartment sleeps. A listing for four may mean two bedrooms, or one bedroom plus a sofa bed in the living room — which affects bedtime for everyone.

If you need a cot, ask whether one is available and request it when you book. The Lullaby Trust, the UK safer-sleep charity, says a cot, travel cot or Moses basket are all suitable and recommends calling ahead to see what accommodation offers. A travel cot mattress should be firm, flat, in good condition and fit without gaps; there is no need to add folded blankets or a quilt underneath. Babies should be placed on their back for every sleep, as at home, and the charity gives an ideal room temperature of 16–20°C.

• Bed layout: separate rooms, bunk beds or sofa bed?
• Cot availability, and whether it must be reserved
• High chair, bath seat or step stool on request
• Blackout blinds or curtains in the children's room

Safety checks on arrival

A rented apartment is not childproofed in the way your home is. The Child Accident Prevention Trust suggests a quick look round on arrival: move cleaning products out of reach, check window blind cords are secured and that window locks work, supervise young children on any balcony, check that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms work, and be alert to water nearby.

Blind cords are a particular risk. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advises that if you arrive at holiday accommodation without blind-cord safety devices, you report it to the owner, management company or booking site and keep cords out of reach in the meantime. Position cots and beds away from windows.

Kitchens bring their own hazards: keep hot drinks well away from small hands, turn pan handles inwards, and check where knives and the dishwasher tablets are stored.

Noise and location

Noise works both ways. A room above a late-night bar will keep children awake, and an early-rising toddler can disturb neighbours. Look at what is around the building on a map and in reviews, ask for a room away from the lift or street if you can, and check whether there is a lift at all if you are bringing a pushchair.

Location matters more with children than without. Being within a short walk of a park, a supermarket and a direct public transport line makes days simpler, and shortens the trip back for a nap or a change of clothes.

Booking tips for families

Book the apartment size that matches your evenings, not just your beds. With small children, a separate bedroom for them or for you usually matters more than an extra bathroom. With teenagers, two bedrooms and a sofa bed may be the difference between a calm trip and a crowded one.

Read the listing for anything that would be hard to manage with children: steep stairs, no lift, a mezzanine bed with a low rail, or a balcony that cannot be locked. If something is unclear, message the operator before booking and keep the reply.

Look at the arrival time too. A late flight with tired children is easier when someone is on hand to let you in or self check-in instructions are clear, and when you know the apartment will be ready. Ask whether an early check-in or a place to leave luggage is available if you arrive before the standard time.

Finally, check the cancellation terms. Children get ill at short notice, and a flexible rate may be worth more to a family than to other travellers.

Packing and food tips

With a kitchen and laundry, you can pack lighter than for a hotel stay. Focus on what is hard to replace locally or needed on the first night.

• Enough food, nappies and milk for the first evening and next morning, in case shops are shut on arrival
• A familiar sleep item, such as a sleeping bag or comforter
• A small first-aid kit and any regular medicines
• Socket covers and a few cable ties for blind cords, if you use them at home
• Plastic cups and bowls if the apartment only has glass and china
• A simple first-night meal plan using a single pan
• A night light for unfamiliar rooms