When thinking about accommodation for your trip, starting the research can be the most difficult step. If you are at a loss and need some advice, then follow our dos and don’ts guide to help you choose the right hotel for your family trip.

Do:

Establish a budget

The first, and perhaps most important, thing to do when searching for the right hotel is to set yourself a budget. It is important to set a budget when you are on holiday but also when booking your hotel, so you know exactly what you are looking for. This will take some research, so you don’t set your expectations too high and to ensure you are paying the right price for the area.

Think about location

Next, be sure to consider exactly where you want to go on holiday but also what you want to be located in your chosen destination. A hotel out of the centre and away from attractions will be cheaper, but if you have smaller children the commute every day might not be worth it for you.

Consider everyone’s needs

When considering a hotel, make sure to take into account the whole family’s needs. Do you want to be near nightlife or do you want a quieter area with a good kids club? Be sure the hotel is family friendly, to ensure you feel comfortable and can meet other families. Choose a hotel that offers the right atmosphere for the whole family.

Think about room type

Are you looking for a hotel that can it offer a child’s camp bed? Or if within your budget, do you want a hotel that offers adjoining rooms?

Consider the food options

Make sure you decide if you want half board or full board. Full board can be easier with smaller children and means you don’t have to worry about finding a restaurant. However, half board allows you to explore the area and embrace local culture.

Book well in advance

Once you’ve considered all these options, make sure to book as early as you can to make sure there are still lots of places for you to choose from. Prices will increase nearer the time, and many hotels will be booked up.

Don’t:

Be disheartened

Make sure you are aware how much research you need to do to find the perfect hotel and don’t be discouraged if you can’t find the right one straight away. Using a site like Toprooms allows you to compare a range of different staycation locations, helping you find the best hotel at the best price.

Think expensive is best

The most expensive hotels don’t always offer you the most for your money. Look at exactly what each hotel is offering you and avoid being drawn in.

Most importantly, don’t stress! It won’t be long before you have found the perfect hotel if you follow our dos and don’ts guide and before you know it you will be jetting off to enjoy quality family time together.

I have a daughter in reception at school, which utlimately means a seemingly endless round of parties. Every. Single. Weekend. 

There is a running joke amongst our friends that I go to every event I am invited to because I love to socialise and I have the feeling that I have passed this onto my daughters too. As a result there is never any question as to whether or not they will be going to the superhero / swimming / farm / soft play *delete as applicable* party each weekend. On a personal level, I love that they are socialising with their friends and not watching other children playing on Youtube but weekly birthday parties can get expensive, so here are my top tips on not letting it get out of control.

1. Be organised. Yes I know this is an age old piece of advice but it is true. There is nothing more stressful (and usually expensive) than trying to find the "right" present the day before a birthday party.

2. Don't spend money on expensive character based wrapping paper. Get a gift bag from the poundshop (they usually have the more popular characters on anyway) and cover with tissue paper. Kids do not care how much the wrapping paper cost. AND THEY RIP IT UP ANYWAY!! Cheap paper is definitely the way to go as it is easier to rip up!

3. Buy in the sales. I do this ALOT! When there are sales on, I tend to stock up on age appropriate gifts or buy presents that would normally be more than my budget but it means that the recipiant gets a more expensive gift and I have stayed within the budget. Only this week I have ordered some gorgeous baby gifts in the Joules sale because I am quite sure that the new born babies are not going to care whether the design was last seasons and mum gets great quality bibs and clothes.

4. Use delivery passes or click and collect. Being able to shop online means that you can check which stores have the best prices but sometimes the delivery charges can offset the savings. It is worth checking which stores have delivery pass options if it is somewhere you shop often or seeing if there is a free click and collect option. 

5. Sign up to newsletters for your favourite stores. I know that this is the equivalent of junk mail circa 1995 but many outlets send out discount codes, free delivery passes or first notifications of the sale to their subscribers. Well worth it when you are buying for half the class!

Do you have any other top tips?

As always on a Friday I’m linking up with Cass, Emma and Becky  in this week’s ‘Five Fabulously Frugal things I’ve done this week linky

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• Me Before You, JoJo Moyes
• Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn
• Perfect People, Peter James
• Shutter Island, Dennis Lehane
• One Day, David Nicholls

Oh, but if you love a classic, Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Dickens’ Great Expectations, should be top of your list.

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The summer holidays are nearly upon us. We know not because of the warmer weather or crosses on the kitchen calendar. No. We know end of term is nigh as the days merge into one and descend into chaos.

Typical classroom teaching winds down, making way for school trips, sports days, and outdoor lessons. And so, as soon as our children step through our front door, they bounce off the walls in free-spirited unison, as we battle the bake for tomorrow’s school fund cake sale. Beyond the endless non-uniform days that are begging to be forgotten, what else can we expect from the end of summer term?

1. Summer fayre fiascos

It’s school fayre time! Oh yes. You know it is, because every week for the last month you have been asked to donate an item for each of the featuring stalls. You’ve sent bottles, brick-a-brac, toys, chocolate… your soul.

And the best bit is, after so willingly donating out of the goodness of your heart, you then make an appearance at the event, solely to win or buy back every item you sent in. The joy.

2. Shrinking school shoes

You bought a sturdy set of school shoes in January, and your child is a hero. They haven’t grown out of them all year, or so you thought. Of course, the first week of July hits, with three weeks left to go, and your child comes home with crippled arches and heel blisters. 

Do you go all out and hope your Big Foot keeps things under control until September, or do you resolve the issue with a cheap pair that will likely fall to pieces before the three weeks are through? Decisions, decisions.

3. Not-so-sunny school trips

What glorious weather we have had. Beautiful weekends filled with barbeques, paddling pools, outdoor day trips. It’s fantastic. We’ve experienced a British heatwave, in fact. Temperatures soared up to 30 degrees. Balmy.

Oh, you’re too hot? Don’t worry because my child has a seaside school trip planned for Tuesday next week, so torrential downpours and gale-force winds are guaranteed across the country. It’s the way it goes.

4. Crammed school bags

The teachers are clearing out their classrooms, and it is just a delight. Be prepared for book bags brimming with extraordinary pieces of art, workbooks, and display-worthy crafts, all created by your dear offspring.

All ten months’ worth of work. You are truly blessed. And so is your fridge.

5. Manic school play prep

You thought you’d done your bit at Christmas. Well, be prepared. It’s the summer school play, and these costumes can’t be found in the fancy dress aisle in Asda. So long trusty tea towel, there are no shepherds this term.

Yes, things are about to get really fantastical. Summer plays are creative, vibrant, colourful. And wow, get ready to throw all that into a last minute costume because it’s on tomorrow. You forgot. You forgot like the rest of us.

Who else is ready for the end of term?

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