Staying in a hotel - Family of 5 with young kids.

Austinhead

Hi,

Just wondering if there are any families of 5 out there ?.

We have 3 young kids - 8, 6 and 2 and i'm finding that a lot of places only accomodate a family of 4, places like the travelodge e.t.c.

We don't go away very often, and when we do I tend to try to find a bargain hotel and then tesco vouchers e.t.c. to get tickets for places and food.

What i'm wondering is, can I get away with booking a family room, meant for 4, and then turning up as a 5 with a blow up bed, or where the 3 kids can happily share a double bed ?.

Apart from not being able to afford 2 rooms, I don't like the idea of us all being split up, and there is no way I would have the 3 kids in a room on their own and their age, even if there was a connecting door.

Any advice or suggestions you have would be great, it's only started being an issue since LO is now 2 as most don't mind if you have a baby and a travel cot. It's becoming a barrier to us affording anything other than the camping weekends.

Thanks.

greenface

We are a family of 5 (2 girls 1 boy) and found it very difficult esp as they got older you can still shop around a little with 3 sharing a double or small one in with you etc. Caravanning and camping was a good option as they grew up.(own space make a bit of noise around area and space to blow off some steam). With 3 kids your prob stuck to the kids hols too so all holidays are more expensive. Look to late deals on caravan statics sites or lodges. Where are you or where do you fancy going. Any pets etc. Good luck.

Austinhead

Thanks for your reply.

I am not too tied to school holidays, because to be honest whilst they are still young I don't have a problem taking them out of school for a week.

I was looking at the current travelodge offers and considering a trip to legoland or eureka, but it could mean doubling up on hotel costs. In your experience were you ever turned away from a hotel when a room was only meant for 4 people ?.

We love going camping, but sometimes it's nice to have a night away as a treat, or is for a wedding e.t.c. I'd also like to go abroad next year and keep the costs down - this might just be taking the trailer tent to Spain though..

greenface

Never turned away but never doesnt mean ever we have 2 kids similar ages and one 8 years younger so was a baby/toddler whilst others were 10ish . If you have doubts send in you or partner without kids to book in get keys and then check room is ok go 4 a meal then just wnader through at leasure . we just had a TL room 4 a wedding out of town and other family members also booked in. we had family room and had a early book in others didnt. one point there was 11 people in our room trying to get suited and booted not a question asked family members just walking through reception and up to our room.

lindseykim13

hey i've just booked travelodge for the 5 of us, kids around same age as yours. Before the yougest was born we went on a big road trip around loads of travelodges, we found that dh would go in and get the keys anyway while i unloaded the bags and then we'd find our own way to our room. Nobody was even on reception when we went back in nor would have taken notice of the kids if they were so i haven't hesitated to book just the one room for us. The little one sleeps in the big bed with us while the older 2 share the sofa bed.

Sugarhunny1

Hi AustinHead,

I was in the same situation as yourself, I have 3 girls and a partner and we have used Travelodges in the past.

Various things we have done:

Book a cheap room, we would then turn up and I would go in with two of the kids and arrive and go to the room, a very short while later go out and then back in with another child. OH would then wander in and come straight to the room. This worked as we didnt go in and out and in and out etc.

On other occasions I would phone and ask the receptionist if they had any problem with my girls sharing, if they said no then I would take their name and if any problems then say "Susie, said it would be fine when I enquired."

Good Luck with whatever you decide

Sugar xxx

storm000

Hi, we have a 6,5 and 1 year old. We've had no trouble at 7 Holiday Inns/Holiday Inn Expresses and Crowne Plazas we've stayed at over the past year, they give us a double and a sofa bed and make up a cot.
I've called each time to make sure its ok and they are very cool about it - with the big discounts on the HI chain from Obukit on this site, it makes it very worthwhile, mostly for less than £45 a night, max was £55 at Crowne Plaza Heathrow.
Went to Spain and had the same arrangement.
You should be fine if you're ok with your 2year old sleeping with you in the same bed.

greenface

That 2 year old could easily become 22 months too if asked. Quick shave and cover tattoos

susancs

If you are going to legoland you could look at the devere hotel at Ascot as they do adjoining rooms with a door in between you can prop back so you could book 2 rooms there. They only let families stay weekends as it is a training centre weekdays and Friday is the best day as the heated outdoor pool is open. It has nice grounds and kids ate breakfast free. Looking at sale rooms friday 19th aug has family rooms for £29
http://www.devere.co.uk/common/room.availability?venue=&arrival_date_day=11&arrival_date_month=7&arrival_date_year=2011&current_date_day=15&current_date_month=8&current_date_year=2011&nNights=1&rm=1&ad=2&ch=0

db4381

we are a family of five, and stumbled on a hotel in Torquay called The Ascot Hotel, it is a great hotel and will endeavour to accommodate your family, if they can,not sure where you are thinking of going, but worth a try if you want to go south west area. Look on expedia for their reviews.

hcb42

Many hotels can take three young children - some cannot due to shape/size restrictions

Don't whatever you do say there are only two children though, and sneak one in. Housecounts are very important to hotels for a very good reason..safety!