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Parents with babies and young children REALLY need a break. Time to relax, enjoy un-interrupted adult conversation with one another, sit down to a meal without having to cut up someone else's meat, some alone time, even enough time to take a shower! Vacationkids
understands! Time and again we receive requests from parent with young infants and toddlers. They want to stay at a resort that offers child care for young children. Most family resorts have kids clubs for children age 4-12. But what if you have a baby or toddler? Vacationkids has compiled a list of resorts that offer child care for the wee ones. We've also included some tips for parents planning a vacation with babies and toddlers...
Airfare is usually the first step in vacation planning and their are decisions that parents with small children need to consider. Most airlines will allow children UNDER the age of 2 to fly for a small fee or a cost of 10% of their parent's ticket if they are seated in their parent's lap. With domestic flights, lapchildren are either free or pay a small service fee. With international flights, the cost is generally 10 percent of their parent's ticket and they must pay international air taxes. This rule can save your family several hundred dollars in airfares. Here at Vacationkids we understand budget is a primary concern but we suggest all children, regardless of age have their own airline seat because safety should be your number one priority. We recommend babies and small children fly belted into airline approved car seats secured into their own airline seat. This scenario is the safest and most comfortable for children, parents and surrounding passengers. For more points to consider in making your decisions about an airline ticket for baby, check out our Vacationkids article Should You Buy Your Baby and Airline Seat? If Vacationkids will be arranging your flights, PLEASE NOTE ON YOUR REQUEST whether you want an airline seat for your little one or whether they will be flying as a lap child. Even if you're arranging your own flights using frequent flyer miles, you'll need to tell the airline how your child will be traveling so it's a good idea for parents to discuss this issue and decide ahead of time.
The resorts listed here by Vacationkids offer organized child care for infants and toddlers. Most of these resorts, with the exception of Club Med, include infant care as part of their all inclusive price. They offer specially trained staff to care for your young ones. Each resort has it's own rules, regulations and hours of operation.
Please know almost any family friendly resort or hotel can help parents arrange for child or infant care. Families with infants and toddlers are not limited to the choices on this page. Just know that other resorts may require you to arrange child care in advance with the concierge and it may not be as convenient as with one of these resorts offering organized programs. Extra babysitting fees will also increase the overall cost of your vacation.
Private hotel babysitting generally runs approximately $10 - 15 per hour. Even with the resort suggestions we've listed here, you may want after hours babysitting or individualized care for your child.
Timing is something else parents should consider. Most of the resorts that do offer infant care tend to be the full service, more expensive resorts. BUT...many of our parents with young families don't have to worry yet about traveling during school holidays. If you're flexible with your travel dates, we suggest you plan a baby vacation during the months of May, September and October to get the very best prices. Great deals during these slower travel times means expensive resorts become far more affordable. Resorts are also less crowded so you don't have to wait in line at the buffet, fight for lounge chairs by the pool and the staff can offer you and your little ones more individualized attention. Obviously some families will have older siblings along and will have to work around school calendars. Plan ahead and plan your vacation as soon as you get your school calendars. If possible avoid the most expensive weeks to travel like Christmas/New Years, President's week or Spring breaks. Your kids may have a couple days of teacher's meetings in October or perhaps you can sneak an extra day or two off around Martin Luther King's day and take advantage of better rates.
So with all these tips in mind, here is our Vacationkids top picks for baby Friendly resorts...
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