FA MILY HOLIDAY GUIDEYO U R CO M PL E T E G U ID E TO PL A NNIN G T H E PERF EC T LU XU RY FA M ILY H O L IDAY
Top tips on everything
from travel to kids’ clubs
KIDS’ CLUBS PERFECT PADS FINE DINING FLIGHT TIPS BEST TIME TO GO
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Welcome!Welcome to our Family Holiday Guide – a one-stop shop to help you start planning the perfect family holiday. You’ll find these pages packed with tips and advice, from explaining the different room options available, to looking at childcare facilities and the pros and cons of taking little ones long haul.
Family holidays are something we take seriously at Sovereign. We have a whole collection of luxury hotels that we’ve earmarked as being the very best for parents and children. We go out and see them first-hand, too, so we can find out all those need-to-know details, like the distance from the pool to the beach, or where the nearest shop is for stocking up on nappies.
We hope you find this guide useful. Have a read, and start planning your next family holiday!
The Sovereign Family Team
Ikos Oceania, Halkidiki
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Why Sovereign?We’ve been doing this for 45 years, so we know family holidays inside out.
We’ve handpicked all of our family hotels to make sure they meet the Sovereign standard.
We can find flights to suit you, with departures from a range of UK airports.
Complimentary lounge access at UK airports means you can skip noisy, busy terminals.
Private hotel transfers do away with lengthy coach journeys.
Children stay for free on many of our holidays, giving families extra value for money.
Contents4 Calendar checkYour month-by-month destination guide
6 Introducing our Family Travel ExpertsThe perfect people to help you plan your trip
7 Sovereign Family CollectionHow we select our family-friendly hotels
10 Word of mouthFamilies share their Sovereign stories
12 Hotel helpWhat to think about when choosing your hotel
16 Room to breatheFamily-friendly accommodation options
20 Join our clubFinding the right kids’ club
24 Tropical adventuresLong haul with the kids: what you need to know
26 Packing checklistAll the essentials (and a few extras) to pop in your case
27 Tackling the terminals Family-friendly facilities to help you through the airport
30 Flight of fancyTop tips and advice for flying with kids
31 Games timeFun games and activities for little travellers
32 A helping handHow our concierges can help your holiday go smoothly
33 Let’s talk transportYour options for car hire and airport transfers
Visit blog.sovereign.com for more family travel tips
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Where to go when Flight time: Under three hours
3-5 hours Over 5 hours
Average daily temperature
JanuaryMaldives 27°CExpect a different kind of January blues in the Maldives, with turquoise lagoons and cloudless skies. The calm, clear waters make it a great place to teach pre-schoolers to swim.
FebruaryThailand 28°CPhuket is ideal for bit of winter sun – February is one of the driest, sunniest months of the year there.
Lanzarote 18°CCloser to home, you’ve got Lanzarote – temperatures climb to the early 20s in February.
MarchCaribbean 25°CFamily-orientated hotels and clean sandy beaches make the Caribbean isles a top choice for an early spring getaway.
AprilCrete 17°CThe southern Med starts opening its doors in April. Crete is one of the first to warm up, creeping up to the early 20s by the end of the month.
Bali 27°CBali’s dry season begins in April, so the famously green interior will be at its lush best after the winter rain.
MayTurkey 20°CIt’s already beach weather in Belek, on Turkey’s Mediterranean Coast – great for a half-term getaway.
Gran Canaria 20°CGran Canaria’s a safe bet for sunshine in May, with highs in the mid-20s and next to no chance of rain.
JuneSardinia 21°CA fantastic option if you’ve got younger kids – soft sands, calm seas and not-too-hot temperatures.
JulyGreece 26°CWhether you opt for the mainland or the islands, Greece is a classic family favourite.
AugustMajorca 25°CBeautiful beaches, a short flight time and tons to do make Majorca a winner with kids and parents.
The Algarve 24°CBigger families take note – all of our family hotels on the Algarve offer roomy suites and villas.
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SeptemberCroatia 19°CCooler temperatures and fewer crowds make September a prime time to discover Dubrovnik’s pine-fringed beaches and UNESCO-listed old town.
OctoberCanary Islands 23°CThe Canaries are still warm enough for waterparks, whale watching and beach-hopping. That’s half term sorted!
NovemberCyprus 18°CTemperatures still hover around 20 degrees at the start of the month – perfect if you’re not up for a long-haul flight.
Mauritius 24°CIn November, the island’s not too hot and there’s a third less rain than in December. There’s no jet lag to worry about, either.
DecemberDubai 21°CAmazing kids’ clubs, one of the best waterparks in the world and an epic fireworks display for New Year’s Eve…
Mexico 24°CFor a white (sand) Christmas, it’s hard to beat Mexico. Trips to Mayan ruins make history fun, too.
Where to go when
Long-haul travel Turn to page 24 to find out more
about taking the kids long haul.
Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
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MEE T THE E XPERTS Our team of Travel Experts are champions of the family holiday. They know all there is to know about travelling with tots – the best destinations, the best hotels and those little extras you wouldn’t think of packing. They’ll be there every step of the way to help you plan, book and enjoy your family holiday.
Look out for expert tipsKeep an eye out for top tips and advice from the team throughout this guide.
Q&A WITH THE TEAM What is the first thing you’d suggest thinking about when deciding on a holiday destination?I think the first thing to think about is what you like to do on holiday – or at least what you’d like to do on this particular holiday. Do you like to do a bit of sightseeing? Is a sandy beach a must? Do you want to be able to walk into town each evening? This will help you start to narrow down your choices. Clare Mardell (mum of two)
Why is it so important for you to visit hotels in person?Seeing the hotels first-hand is invaluable because it means we can talk about them from a family view point – we’ll make notes on things we liked and things that would help us on our own family holidays. These little details are so important. Louise Burling (mum of one)
Tell us one of your top travel tips…If you’ve got younger kids, always ask about equipment for hire at your hotel. Lots can offer things like baby baths, nappies and bottle sterilisers – it saves having to carry everything but the kitchen sink with you! Helen Lippe (mum of three)
Is there anything else you can help people with?If you have any special requests, just ask and we’ll see what we can do. If one of your children will be celebrating a birthday while you’re away, let us know and we can help plan something special. We might even throw in a surprise or two, as well – just recently, Reshmi arranged for a personalised poster to be sent to a family as a lovely memory of their holiday. Lindsay Barnes (mum of three)
Royal Kiko Family Suite at Princesa Yaiza, Lanzarote
Princesa Yaiza, Lanzarote
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I N T RO D U C I N G
THE SOVEREIGN FAMILY COLLECTION
Every hotel in our portfolio is handpicked to make sure it meets our (very) high standards. But when it comes to family hotels, we take things an extra step further – which is where the Sovereign Family Collection comes in.
What is the Sovereign Family Collection? In a nutshell, our Family Collection is a selection of hotels that we’ve deemed to be the very best for those travelling with children.
How are the hotels chosen? To make it into our Family Collection, a hotel will need to be personally viewed and approved by us, as well as meeting our 10 key family-friendly criteria. These include having family-sized rooms on offer, having a children’s pool and playground, and offering a fantastic (and flexible) kids’ club with English-speaking staff.
We also have an additional checklist of requirements, which the majority of our Family Collection hotels fulfil.
Are any better for particular age groups? Yes – some hotels have brilliant teen facilities, while others go above and beyond to cater for those bringing babies. We’ve highlighted these to make it easy for you to find the right hotel; within our Family Collection you’ll have the option to search by baby-friendly, toddler-friendly, child-friendly (or school age) and teen-friendly filters.
View all of our Family Collection hotels at sovereign.com/familiesSee individual hotel pages for a family-friendly checklist with full facility details
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“The great thing about our Family Collection is that there’s something for every type of family, whether you’re looking
for an all-singing, all-dancing hotel, or
something a bit more low-key.” Helen
Cookery classes at Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Bali
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When it comes to family holidays, there’s nothing better than hearing from someone who’s experienced it themselves… What our customers say“One of the best family holidays we have ever had. Faultless service from beginning to end.” Dr Elsdon, travelled to Halkidiki
“Nothing was too much trouble. If we needed something it was sorted out instantly. Even providing a child car seat for the transfers when I had forgotten to ask for one.” Mrs Bradley, travelled to Rhodes
“We had an amazing holiday, from being picked up by our private transfer where my seven-year-old was given an iPad mini to use, to our arrival.
The hotel was beautiful, the beaches, pools, the staff… everything was fantastic! All in all, amazing holiday.” Mrs Edwards, travelled to Halkidiki
We’re incredibly proud to have a 4.8 out of 5 satisfaction rating on Feefo, an independent reviews site. You’ll find even more reviews from our customers there.
Loved by parents, approved by kidsWe like to make sure our hotels tick all the boxes not just for parents, but for children, too. So we sent Content Editor Clive and Travel Expert Helen to the Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel in Crete. Clive took his son, Jackson, and niece, Sophia; Helen travelled with her nine-year-old daughter, Kira. We asked Clive to give us a parent’s perspective, while Kira let us know what she thought of the holiday…
HAPPY FA MILIE SSani Resort, Halkidiki, Greece
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Clive“The hotel is an architecturally pleasing collection of white-washed villas – it felt a little as though we’d alighted upon a quiet Cretan village. I was a sceptic of kids’ clubs, it must be said, yet I hold my hand aloft and freely admit I do not have the energy to deal with my children 24/7. The kids’ club was a blessing in disguise – I had my own time to relax by the pool and soak up some rays; to people-watch or to pamper myself in the Jacuzzi in my villa. Meanwhile, my children were safe and socialising, sun-creamed and entirely satisfied. Deprived of having to supervise my brood’s every whim, I had time to act like a normal adult.”
Kira“When I walked through the door it was amazing, all I could say was ‘wow’. We were staying in the Presidential Suite and the best bit about it was having our own pool and a large balcony. The next morning we were taken by golf buggy to the Kids Arc. The staff were amazing and we spent ages on the water slides in the pool. That night we went for dinner with the kids’ club leader and had a movie night so the adults could have dinner on their own.
The next day in the kids’ club we had a spa treatment in the special room they have there. I had a massage and a skin rub with olive oil and sugar. I was quite sad to leave and hope my Mum will take me there again. For me it was a great place and I loved everything about it.”
Happy families
97% Service Ratingbased on 939 reviews
Presidential Suite at Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Crete
Kids’ Arc at Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Crete
The Spa at Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Crete
Elounda Peninsula All Suite Hotel, Crete
THE RIGHT FITWhen it comes to choosing a hotel, it’s definitely not
a case of one size fits all. Some families will want a beach and town centre close by, some might put the
emphasis on facilities within the hotel. This guide should give you an idea of what you might like to
consider – if you’re still a bit unsure, our Family Travel Experts can help you narrow it down.
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Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
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The right fit
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATIONLocation can make or break a holiday. If you like exploring or eating out at local restaurants, you’ll want to be in easy walking distance of the town centre; if you’re not so bothered, you might prefer a resort hotel that’s further from town, but offers everything you’ll need in one place.
If the beach is important to you, you’ll want it close by and easy to access. You won’t want to lug all your gear down a long flight of steps or across a busy road every day, but if you’re only planning on going once or twice, it won’t be as much of an issue.
And bear in mind, if you’re going to have a buggy with you, a town that’s hilly or has a lot of cobbled streets will be tricky to get around.
“Being able to go out and see our family hotels means we can let you know where the nearest supermarket is, or the closest chemist should nappies be forgotten or little ones become unwell.” Reshmi
FINE DININGFood is always a big factor in choosing a hotel, and usually even more so when you’ve got kids in tow. Buffets are ideal, as little ones can pick and choose what they fancy. All of our Family Collection hotels will have a special kids’ section of the buffet, or a dedicated kids’ menu in their à la carte restaurants.
If you have younger children, you might want to look at hotels with flexible meal times, so kids can eat at the same time they would at home.
In terms of facilities, all of our Family Collection hotels have highchairs in the restaurants, and lots of them can also offer microwaves for heating milk (some even have in-room bottle warming facilities – helpful for late night or early morning bottles).
Top tip: Hotels with all-inclusive or full board plus packages are great for families, as there’s no worry about paying for that extra ice-cream or round of drinks at the pool.
POOL SCENEIf you’ve got a baby or toddler, a small splash pool will probably be sufficient (and they can easily splash about in the main pool with a swim seat or baby float). But if your kids are older and love playing in the water, you might want to look at hotels with more than one pool, or even a mini-waterpark with slides and chutes.
ROOM FOR EVERYONEFrom interconnecting rooms to palatial villas with private pools: find out more about family-sized accommodation
on page 16.
Kids’ clubs Turn to page 20 to see the different
options available for kids’ clubs.
Lopesan Baobab Resort, Gran Canaria
The Ritz-Carlton, Abama, Tenerife
“My children are toddlers and they love nothing more than playing in the pool. Anywhere that’s got things to do – water jetting up and down, slides, inflatables – they absolutely love.” Reshmi
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PERFECT FOR WATER BABIES
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Paradisus Playa del Carmen
La Esmeralda
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PERFEC T PADSBooking the right kind of room for your family is high up on the holiday checklist. There’s a lot to think about, and which one you go for depends on factors like the size of your brood, their ages and your budget. You might want special extras like a private pool, or maybe your own bathroom is high on your list. We’ve broken it down for you…
For great value and extra space,
try interconnecting rooms.
Sani Resort, Halkidiki
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Perfect pads
YOUR OPTIONS There are a few main family room types to consider.
Interconnecting roomsMany hotels offer interconnecting rooms, and they’re a brilliant way of giving everyone a little extra space. It means privacy for teens, or somewhere to relax once your little one’s tucked in. They’re often good value, too – most places will offer you a reduction if a second room is just for children.
Family suitesSuites go one step further. There’s living space to play with, with some offering lovely terraces for al fresco family time. You can choose multiple bedrooms, or else sofa beds in the living area for the kids.
VillasFor a real home-from-home, villas provide buckets of space and plenty come with extra perks like their own pools, multiple bedrooms, and outdoor space like gardens and barbeque areas.
We love: The Royal Kiko Family Suites at the Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort feature fully stocked kids’ bedrooms they’ll never want to leave, plus kitted-out bathrooms and plenty of separate space for grown-ups.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT • Travelling with tiny tots? Ask us if your
private pool has a safety fence – many hotels can put one up for you.
• Depending on your child’s age, you might want to consider which type of bed you need; speak to us if you want to request a cot or bed guard.
• If you’d love some private outdoor space for relaxing on hot afternoons, consider a villa or ground-floor suites with shady terraces.
• Avoid post-beach rush hour by choosing a room with extra bathrooms.
“I’d recommend having a think about the sleeping arrangements you need. Do you want a separate bedroom for the kids or is a sofa bed OK? We can also look at floor plans if you want to see how the layout would work for your family.” Lindsay
Royal Kiko Family Suite at Princesa Yaiza, Lanzarote
Family Suite at Marbella Corfu Hotel, Corfu
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Family suite at Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Activity packs, cartoons and
games consoles keep kids happy
while you’re getting ready.
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Spacious balconies offer
parents a place to relax once the kids have gone to bed.
Dedicated slippers, towels and dressing
gowns make kids feel extra special.
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CLUB RULE SThese days, you can find kids’ clubs to suit any age or interest, and they’re flexible enough to fit in with your holiday – rather than the other way around. Here’s our quick guide to finding the right one for your family…
Things to think about• Flexibility. Some kids’ clubs let you drop
the kids in when they fancy it, others allow you to pre-book sessions to secure certain days and times.
• Activities. Take a good look at the sort of thing kids can do (we can help find out). Some clubs may be big on sports, while others can offer arts and crafts for creative kids.
• Your kids’ ages. You can find hotels with teen clubs, or crèches that will happily take babies from four months old. You
might also want to think about whether your kids would want to stay together.
• Meal times. If you fancy a quiet meal for grown-ups now and then, look out for a club where kids can stay and have lunch or tea with their friends.
• Evening activities. Do you want something for the kids to do once dinner’s out of the way? Some hotels will offer things like movie nights, beach bonfires and mini discos.
Beach bonfire at Resort Valle Dell’Erica Thalasso & Spa, Sardinia
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Babies and toddlersThere are lots of options for tots, with crèches catering for four months up to four years old. Since they’re so little, flexibility is key – you’ll likely want to find somewhere you can drop them off for an hour or two, while you take a break. Some are located beside pools or restaurants, so you can have a rest without being too far away.
School-age kidsThere’s a big choice of clubs for school-age kids. Activities range from arts and crafts to sports, with picnics, treasure hunts and beach days if they fancy. Many clubs have flexible programmes that depend on numbers and what the kids want to do.
TeensTeenagers can be tricky to please on family holidays; they might be too old (and too cool) for kids’ clubs, but still want to make friends their own age. Many of our hotels now offer teens’ clubs for ages 12 to 17. These super-cool hangouts feature video games, pool tables and musical instruments, with activities like watersports, mocktail-making classes and even spa treatments.
Babysitting Plenty of our hotels offer additional childcare services for when you need an extra pair of hands. We love Sani Club’s complimentary ‘Babewatch’ service, where their dedicated staff will take care of your kids on the beach for 30 minutes while you take some time to yourself. You can often pre-book babysitting before you leave – ideal if you want to plan a special dinner out.
Sports academiesIf your kids like to be active, ask us about sports academies. A number of hotels offer football training sessions run by Premier League clubs (Chelsea are at Sardinia’s Forte Village Resort, while Arsenal run a camp at Porto Elounda in Crete). Soccer aside, you can also find academies to develop children’s skills in tennis, basketball, swimming and more.
We loveMore than a dozen of our Family Collection hotels have kids’ clubs run by Worldwide Kids. Their staff all have City & Guilds childcare qualifications and paediatric first-aid training, plus they run their clubs to UK Ofsted guidelines, so you know your kids will be in good hands. They also make sure all of the hotel’s babysitters are police checked and fully trained by childcare managers.
“I think the best thing about our Family Collection hotels are the kids’ clubs – they’re absolutely wonderful and range from crèches for the very young, right up to teen clubs for older children.” Reshmi
Club rules
Arsenal camp at Porto Elounda, Crete
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Teen lounge at Gran Bahia Del Duque, Tenerife
Resort Valle Dell’Erica Thalasso & Spa, Sardinia
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
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Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda
Melissa Kids Club, Sani Resort, Halkidiki, Greece
Borgo Egnazia, Puglia
Sani Resort, Halkidiki, Greece
Resort Valle Dell’Erica Thalasso & Spa, Sardinia
Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, Lanzarote
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Going the distanceTravelling long haul with kids might seem daunting, but with a bit of preparation (and a few tips from those who’ve been there and done it), it can be a great adventure. “Going on a long-haul holiday with your family is brilliant because it gives you and your kids the most amazing memories. They’ll likely be talking about them for years to come!” Lindsay
Best for… babiesYou don’t have to run at the first mention of babies and long-haul holidays. In some ways, travelling with babies is actually easier than older children, as they’re not constantly running around needing activities and entertainment. Mauritius is an ideal destination – we love the Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort, which has a brilliant baby club with toys, play mats and baby equipment.
Best for… toddlers and pre-schoolersThe delights of Dubai are closer than you might think. Its special brand of skyscraper-meets-desert is yours in around six-and-a-half hours – and kids love it. Where else can they take a waterslide through a shark-filled lagoon and ride a camel (with a little help from mum or dad) on the same day? You could even make it a twin-centre holiday and team a few days in Dubai with a week in the Maldives. These paradise isles aren’t just for honeymooners – the soft sands are great for sandcastles, while the lagoons are perfect for paddling.
Best for… kids aged five and upFor a real dose of culture, the Far East is brilliant. Thailand and Bali both offer up plenty of culture alongside their sandy beaches. Some of our favourites here include the Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay in Bali, where kids can try their
hand at coconut bowling and crab hunting, and the Centara Grand Beach Resort in Phuket, where yoga and fun Thai language classes are on the kids’ club activities list.
“What better way to educate your children than being able to show them different cultures and countries?” Clare
Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
Four Seasons at Jimbaran Bay, Bali
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Best for… teensHead to the Dominican Republic for a beach-going, scuba-diving, whale-watching kind of a trip – one that’s well worth nine hours on a plane. The Hard Rock Hotel here is a teens’ paradise, with guitars to borrow, music videos to shoot and a rock climbing wall to scale. There’s also a Hard Rock outpost in Mexico – the country’s Mayan ruins and palm-fringed beaches are ideal Instagram material.
Staying healthy For some long-haul destinations, you’ll need jabs before you go. Speak to your GP to find out what might be needed. Depending on the age of your children, it might be the immunisations that make the final decision for you.
Going the distance
Beat the jet lag Long-haul destinations don’t have as many sleepless nights in store as you might think. Destinations like Dubai and Mauritius are only a few hours ahead of the UK, so the effects of jet lag are minimal. Depending on your child’s sleep pattern, it’s sometimes worth coinciding your flight with your child’s bedtime.
10-year-old Mia Hamilton recently returned from a family trip to the
Caribbean – here’s what she thought of travelling long haul…
“The flight was fun and relaxing. I watched a few films, as there were lots of good ones
to choose from. If I went again, though, I think I would take my reading book. I had never travelled that far on a plane before,
but I was fine. I was a bit dozy after we arrived, but I was also bright and happy – I
was on holiday! The jet lag was a bit of a bonus anyway as it meant we were up
early and ready to have fun.”
Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai
The Cavern Teen Lounge at Hard Rock Hotel, Cancun, Mexico
Hard Rock Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
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Get packingMake sure you’ve got everything covered with our packing checklist.
The essentials• Holiday confirmation documents• Passports for everyone • Travel insurance• Currency/credit cards• Plug adaptors• Phone and iPad chargersIn your hand luggage• Nappies for the flight• Nappy bags and tissues• Travel-size changing pad• Hand sanitiser• Change of clothes (as many as
you can pack!)• Bottles/baby food (enough for the flight)• Sachets of baby paracetamol• Snacks• A sippy cup• Baby-size cutlery and bibs• A couple of small toys• Activities• Fully charged iPad/portable DVD player• HeadphonesIn your suitcase• Small toys• Couple of cups/bottles• Baby food/formula
• Nappies & nappy cream for first few days• Wipes• Nappy bags (also useful for
wet swimming gear)• Dummies• Lightweight pushchairFor the beach and pool• Sun cream and after sun• Sunglasses • Sunhats (and spares!)• Sunshade• Swimming goggles• ArmbandsDon’t forget…• Basic medical kit• Shampoo, conditioner and body wash• Toothbrushes and toothpaste• Insect repellent
“Lots of our family hotels can provide you with gear like baby monitors, changing mats and bottle warmers – it’s really handy for saving space in your case.” Louise
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AT THE AIRPORTAvoid terminal tantrums with our guide to the family-friendly facilities at Gatwick, Heathrow, Manchester and Bristol.
GATWICKOnce you’ve checked in, we’ll sort you out with complimentary access to the fast-track security lane, so you won’t need to wait with everyone else. You can bring enough baby milk and food for the flight through in your hand luggage, but you can also pre-order formula milk, wipes and ready-sterilised disposable bottles to pick up at Boots in the departure lounge (just order on the Boots website at least five days before you fly). Once you’ve got everything, check out the play areas or set up camp in the No1 Lounge (we’ll arrange free passes). There are changing facilities in both terminals, and when you fly back, there are free buggies to use until you’ve picked yours up from the baggage carousel (you’ll spot these soon after exiting your gate).
MANCHESTERIf you’ve got a child in a pushchair, you can use the free families fast-track security lane, where you’ll have that bit more room to manoeuvre the buggy. There are changing facilities in all three terminals, either in or close to the ladies’ toilets. As well as changing tables, they have chairs to make breastfeeding mums a bit more comfortable. As at Gatwick, you can pre-order baby milk and food to pick up at Boots, and a number of restaurants will warm baby milk for you free of charge. If you’re flying from T2, you’ll find a soft play area (including a special zone just for under threes).
BRISTOLBristol Airport’s Aspire Lounge has a dedicated zone for families – little ones can play while parents relax with complimentary magazines and newspapers. There are also drinks and snacks to help yourself to, including pastries and hot bacon rolls. For an extra charge, you can order meals from Dexters Restaurant next door – they’ve got a special kids’ menu with favourites like pasta and ice-cream sundaes. You can pre-order various items to pick up at the departure lounge Superdrug, and there are baby changing facilities in or close to the ladies’ toilets.
HEATHROW Heathrow’s pre-flight entertainment is brilliant. ‘Mr Adventure’ play areas in Terminals 2, 4 and 5 boast slides, soft play areas and separate sections for the littlest kids. Terminal 3 does one better with its free Family Lounge, featuring areas for kids, teens and adults. Look out for ‘Kids Eat Free with Mr Adventure’ signs at various restaurants across Heathrow. It does exactly what it says on the tin – kids eat for free with an adult. For really little ones, formula and baby food can be pre-ordered to pick up at Boots.
“Pushchairs, prams and buggies can all be taken through security and right up to the departure gate – but bear in mind there’s sometimes a bit of a walk to baggage reclaim to pick them up at the other end.” Reshmi
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“The Infinite Lifestyle set-up at the Ikos Oceania is really great for families. It’s one of the best
all-inclusive packages on offer – there’s a fantastic choice of restaurants, plus complimentary ice-cream all day (which kids love)!” Clare
Ikos Oceania, Halkidiki, Greece
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TAKE FLIGHTWhen it comes to flying with kids, the Cub Scouts have it right: always be prepared. It’s best to over-pack rather than be caught without – snacks, entertainment and an extra t-shirt for spills are all helpful, as are puzzles and games so you’re not reliant on in-flight movies or gadgets with limited battery life.
Flying long haul? Try wrapping up small gifts and games and letting them unwrap one every so often. Some airlines will provide activity packs to help keep boredom at bay. British Airways’ ‘Skyflyers’ packs provide crayons, games and books in a swimming bag they can use on holiday, while children flying with Emirates can look forward to a travel-themed bag with a journal and Lonely Planet-designed books.
If you know your children can be fussy with food, ask ahead – many airlines can provide special kids’ meals and snack boxes. You could also pack a round of their favourite sandwiches if you have time – that way, if they don’t like the plane food, you’ll avoid an empty-tummy tantrum!
Most airlines will seat families first so you can get the kids settled – although with toddlers, it’s sometimes a better idea to let them run around a little longer before they’re strapped in.
“We can advise you on flying with toddlers – for example, easyJet will allow you to take up to two things free of charge, so your pushchair, car or booster seat won’t need to be included in your allowance.” Helen
TOP TIPSHand luggage
“Baby milk, formula and baby food are all allowed in your hand luggage, even if they’re more than 100ml. Just be aware
that you might be asked to open the bottles or containers at security for staff to check
them.” Louise
Together time “If you’ve got two children but only one iPad, buy a headphone splitter. They’re
inexpensive and allow you to plug two sets of headphones in, so they can watch films
together.” Clare
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Kids’ cornerStory starters
It’s time to start getting excited about your holiday! Finish these sentences to start your own holiday diary. Why not ask mum and dad to do it too and see what they are looking forward to?
The best thing about a holiday is………………………….
What I am looking forward to the most is………………………………
The first thing I will do when I get there is……………………………
Find your way through the mazeLittle Dolly Duck is a bit lost – can you help her find her way back home to the middle of the maze?
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In many of our destinations, you’ll get a dedicated Sovereign concierge service. Our concierges are there to make your holiday run as smoothly as possible. You can get in touch with them anytime, anywhere (no need to wait for a set time to see them – you can call them from the poolside or even ask them to meet you on the beach), plus they’re chock-full of local knowledge, recommendations and expert advice. They’ll first contact you before you leave the UK, so if you’d rather get all your info before you leave, you can do that too.
What our concierges can do for you • Personal recommendations. Our
concierges they can let you know the best family-friendly restaurant or waterpark nearby.
• Help plan your holiday. Your concierge will be in touch before you jet off, so they’re on hand for any last-minute questions.
• Help you out with essentials. Let your concierge know if you’re travelling with a tiny tot – they’ll find the nearest shops for emergency nappies or formula.
• Give you peace of mind. It can be stressful travelling with kids, so it’s good to know there’s someone at the end of the phone who’s there if you need them.
“We can deal with special requests or enquiries before you arrive. We can let you know cot sizes, sort out rails for the side of the beds, get you details of baby food available in the restaurant and help with special dietary needs such as nut allergies, gluten-free food, and even non-dairy milk. Just ask!”Keith, Halkidiki concierge
The best family destination? Ask the experts…“The Algarve is fabulous for families. As well as great beaches, we have several waterparks. Some have big slides that suit teenagers, others feature bird and animal shows that little ones love.” Sandra, Algarve concierge
“Majorca has some amazing family hotels, and in total on the island we have four waterparks. We also have the newly opened and ever-expanding Katmandu Park, which includes Katlantis soft play – one of the largest soft play areas in the world, built on five levels!” Grahame, Majorca concierge
“We have loads of families in Halkidiki over the summer, especially at the Sani, which is in the top 10 family hotels in Europe. All the hotels here have kids’ clubs which are really good and well-run, and there are 54 Blue Flag beaches if families want to get out and about.” Keith, Halkidiki concierge
Call the concierge
Having a concierge
eliminates stress and will help you
to truly relax
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ON THE ROAD
DON’T FORGETStick-on window shades take up hardly any space in your case, but are great for keeping kids cool in the back of the car (plus, they’ll help them to nod off if it’s
nap time).
Every Sovereign holiday comes with private transfers included. You’ll be picked up from the airport and driven straight to your hotel, and when it’s time to go home, we’ll sort you out another private transfer back to the airport. As it’s just your family in the vehicle, you won’t have to hang around waiting for a coach to fill up, or have the frustration of being the very last hotel on a long list of drop-offs (ideal when the kids are itching to just get there and jump in the pool).
If you need a child car seat or booster seat, we would recommend bringing your own from home. Most airlines (including easyJet and British Airways) will let you bring child car seats for free, and it means you can be assured of the right fit and safety specifications. If you would rather hire one, ask us – we can’t guarantee them in every destination, but we can look into it for you.
Top tip: The Sani and Ikos hotels in Greece offer child car seats– if you’re staying there, we can arrange one for you.
Thinking of hiring a car? If you fancy hiring a car while you’re away, just let us know and we can sort it out. Having your own set of wheels is brilliant if you do like to get out and explore beyond your resort – and it allows you to fill the boot with as much gear as you like. The majority of car hire companies can provide child car seats, but again, we’d always recommend bringing your own if possible for peace of mind.
Call our Family Travel Experts on 01293 765004*Or visit sovereign.com/families to start planning your family holiday.
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High-end hotels, airport lounge access
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*Calls from UK landlines cost the standard rate, but calls from mobiles may be higher. Check with your network provider. Specialist Holidays (Travel) Ltd T/A Sovereign. ATOL protected 0285. Calls from UK landlines cost the standard rate, but calls from mobiles may be higher. Check with your network provider.
