Planning and preparation are crucial steps to achieving a perfect vacation. This is especially true for those who travel with kids, who need to be more equipped for the health and safety of the little ones. Regardless of the accommodation type you choose to stay in, it is important to ask the service providers questions about the kids’ facilities.
If you choose to stay at a private luxury villa rental ideal for big groups of friends and families, here are the five questions you should ask to determine whether the villa or holiday home you dream of staying in is child-friendly.
1. Is the villa safe for kids?
The first and most crucial question parents should be asking the villa is whether it is safe for kids to stay in. When talking about the word safety, in this scenario, it means the safety of the property’s location. This is because some luxury villas are located in areas that can be hazardous for kids to play around. Remember, there are villas situated right on the cliff, which may not be suitable for the active young ones who love to run around.
This is not to say that all hillside and villas by the cliff are inherently unsafe. Villa owners can take other precautions, like fences and walls, to provide a safer environment for everyone. You may also read the pros and cons of choosing between hilltops and beachfront villas.
2. Can staff help take care of the children?
Some parents would want alone time together and might seek assistance in taking care of the kids. In this case, ask the villa if they provide any kind of babysitting service. This service is not commonly available in ordinary villas, especially with limited villa staff. Fret not because some private villas now offer a service by either outsourcing from their affiliate companies or they might have an in-house service that would cost a little extra charge.
3. Is there a kid’s menu?
Another important thing guests should not forget to ask is about the food. Traveling to a new place comes with pros and cons—you get to see and try new things. However, it is never easy for some to adjust their preferences, particularly for the kids. Some children do not want spicy food, or some just don’t eat vegetables, so that’s why one must always request options for the kid’s menu.
Normally, private villa accommodation includes a chef. Whether the chef is an on-site staff or an outsourced one, make sure that he or she can prepare meals for the little ones. Make sure to specify what children can or cannot eat and consult with the service provider to arrange all the things needed. You may also want to know how the food & meals are prepared at the villa.
4. Is there a kid’s pool?
Most villas have an elegant infinity-edge swimming pool as their centerpiece. However, not every holiday home has a proper kid’s pool; typically, a shallow area should allow kids to enjoy the pool with their parents. Learn more about other facilities that a luxury villa should have.
5. Are there any other kid’s facilities available?
Some villas will provide standard facilities for babies or kids, such as a high chair and a baby cot. However, if you plan to travel in a big group with more than one kid, make sure to be specific about the requests to be prepared. It is also good to know if the villa provides other amenities for kids, such as a playground or playroom. Some villas even have a game room equipped with a Play Station or Xbox with an over-the-top sound system.
Explore The Luxury Signature‘s collections of luxury villas and enjoy dedicated access to our Guest Experience concierge service to help you plan out the most authentic private villa experiences.
Sylvain is the Managing Director at The Luxury Signature and oversees the bookings/reservations department. He often travels around Asia, mainly in the islands of Phuket, Koh Samui, and Bali, inspecting luxury villas, connecting with villa owners, partners, and guests.
