Finding a Place to Stay on Your Family Vacation

Family vacations are all about being with, you guessed it, your family. Choosing the right place to stay can help set the tone for the trip, and with the emergence of businesses like Airbnb and VRBO your options for family vacation accommodations are nearly endless. So let’s jump into the world of family vacation accommodations and help you in finding a place to stay on your next trip.

Disclaimer: By clicking my links and making purchases, I may make a small commission with no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Rest assured, all opinions expressed are my own.

Finding Your Options

When finding a place to stay for our family vacations, I use a variety of sites to get a feel for prices and availability in the neighborhoods I’m interested in. Booking sites like Expedia, Booking.com, and Hotels.com are great resources to help you find just the right place for your family to land at the right price.

These are the filters I use most often:

• Price per night- Having a budget for your family vacation is critical. I recommend going a little under your max price point at first. Oftentimes the final price per night is a little (or a lot) more due to taxes and fees. If you need help with figuring out a budget for your family vacation check out my Ultimate Guide to Planning a Family Vacation Budget Part One and Part Two posts.
• Free Cancellation – This gives me a lot of peace of mind. But carefully look at their cancellation policy. It may be free cancellation, but only up to a certain date.
• Breakfast Included – Some sites list rooms with breakfast included, but many offer it for an additional charge. Think about the cost vs. benefit and research if there is a hearty breakfast, or simply a grab-and-go muffin.

I’d start with your ideal hotel in the filters and see what’s available. If there aren’t a lot of options, reduce your filters one by one. My ideal room usually includes the following filters as well as those above:

• Review Score: Very Good (8+)
• Kitchenette: If not many options, try for a fridge and/or microwave
• Location: close to public transportation or major sites
• Parking: (if bringing a car) make sure to check if it is free or if there is a nightly charge

Filtering for the best accommodations can help you narrow down your results and the areas you are likely to consider. Read reviews of some of the options to get a feel for the area’s transportation options and safety. Even if you can’t find a place in your initial search that fits your budget or other needs, you now know where in the city you want to focus your search.

Booking at the Right Price

If you find a location that meets your needs, I’d wait just a minute before clicking “book”. If it is a standard hotel, search the actual site to confirm you are getting the best deal. Usually, rewards credits are not given if booked through a third party, so if you’re working your way up to free stays, make sure you book directly through the hotel. Also, other online travel agencies may somehow have a better offer than the one you originally searched for. Give a few other sites a try to make sure you have the best deal out there.

Furthermore, some employers have discount codes you may be able to use, so check with your HR department to see if you can use any offers. Corporate discounts often give a slightly lower rate and more flexible cancellation options. This is a great benefit to consider when finding a place to stay.

Traditional Hotels

Growing up, family vacations did not have nearly as many options for accommodations as they do now. But there is a reason the traditional hotel room remains a top choice for travelers. Name recognition, a rating system (1 star, 2 stars, 3 stars…), and credit card/reward offers help keep the traditional hotel room alive.  Use the pros and cons list below when considering a traditional hotel room:

Pros:

• Brand families you trust
• Reward clubs
• No additional cleaning on your part
• Front desk help (often 24/7)

Cons:

• Gets pricey once your group is larger than four
• May not have in-room microwave or fridge for meal supplies

Vacation Rentals

When a traditional hotel isn’t going to cut it, consider a vacation rental property. When finding a place to stay search Airbnb, VRBO, or booking.com to help you see where rentals are available, prices, and what amenities. are offered. You can filter by property type and read reviews from those who have stayed at the location. We almost always choose a vacation rental when staying with extended family or friends. With multiple families pitching in for payment, this is often the best value for your money.

Pros:

• Can fit larger groups in a central location
• Unique options like tree houses, glamping, cabins, etc.
• May have outdoor space and amenities
• Locations where there may not be hotels
• Can find locations with full kitchens and laundry

Cons:

• Cleaning fees on top of the base price
• Can be dated, no standard for beds, equipment, etc.
• The checkout task list can be significant
• May be difficult to find a satisfactory listing in busy, downtown locations

All-Suites Hotels

Hotels that offer family suites are hands-down our favorite when finding a place to stay for our family of five. Usually, there are two queens ,a pullout couch, mini fridge, and a microwave. Several locations also offer complimentary breakfast, which helps us start our morning off on the right foot.

Pros:

• Some offer a completely separate bedroom from the living area. Great for families with different bedtimes.
• Can feel more like an apartment than a hotel
• One suite is usually cheaper than two traditional rooms

Cons:

• Limited availability sometimes
• Can feel cramped in some suite rooms
• Typically fits 5-6 max.

Accommodation Pro Tips

Reviews – Read reviews for any accommodation you are considering. There will almost always be some one-star horror reviews, so pay attention but take those in stride. Pay attention to the most recent reviews and if there are more 4 and 5-star reviews than 1 and 2-star. Reviews will give some great insights that pictures alone cannot.

Hidden Fees – Everyone loves a good fee, right? Well, everyone trying to get your booking does. Oftentimes the price you first see is just the base price. There can be added taxes, resort fees, cleaning fees, and so on. So when you see that hard-to-believe price, do some double-checking. Sometimes you have to add the booking to your cart and go to checkout to see the total price. Just don’t give out payment information until you are certain you want to book.

Cancellation Policies – Always check out the cancellation policy for each accommodation. Sometimes you can choose which level of protection you want and pay a slightly higher fee.  Check your credit cards as well and see if there is travel protection included.  We like to use the Chase Sapphire Preferred when making major travel purchases because the cancellation protection is pretty extensive. Check out the benefits of the card, including travel and purchase benefits, here.

Go Get Some Sleep!

While finding accommodations for your family vacation can feel intimidating at first, utilize search engines, filters, and reviews to find the right spot for your trip. Nothing replaces the feeling of home, but you can successfully find many great options to rest your head while traveling.

What are some of the best places you have stayed while traveling?