Top tips for planning your dream Villacation with infants and toddlers

Large hotels might have been perfect for childfree adventures where every day was spent outside of the resort, but when babies’ bedtimes and mealtimes need to be obeyed – or if you just want the convenience of having all you need in one place with enough space and the added bonus of privacy – then a self-catering villa holiday, or Villacation, may be the right choice for you.

Villas offer a space that’s just for you, meaning holiday time is spent with just your family – not anyone else’s – and gives you the flexibility to holiday around a schedule that works for you. Two-hour nap time for your toddler at midday? No problem, you can keep the baby monitor with you whilst you lounge by the pool and catch up on that book you’ve been wanting to read all year. Dinner at 4pm? Fire up the BBQ and you’re set.

Of course, self-catering villa holidays come with their own unique set of challenges, especially for the uninitiated. Read on for the ultimate SPL Villas’ guide to planning your dream Villacation with infants and toddlers in tow.

How old is an infant?

For total clarity when booking a holiday, remember that an infant is anybody under the age of two years old on the day you return from holiday. Anyone aged between two and 16 is considered a child, with anyone aged 16 years and above being an adult.

How do you choose a villa suitable for infants and toddlers?

There are so many ways properties are designed with young families in mind.

We have single-storey villas so parents can sleep on the same floor as kids, or larger villas – some with separate annexes or properties on one lot – are ideal for multi-gen family holidays with Granny and Grandad.

Our website has lists of curated holiday villa collections includes Villas for Young Families and recommends only the best for families with infants in tow. These villas are carefully considered with family-friendliness in mind such as gated pools for peace of mind for parents, meaning adults can relax together without constantly needing to keep a beady eye on little ones in a garden or terrace area.

A considered location makes for happy families – so make sure to choose a location that works for you. Choosing a villa within a 30-minute drive from the airport means check-ins and check-outs are smooth sailing. Also, consider how important it is to be within walking distance from things like supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants and beaches. And just ask one of our team on the best pram-friendly destinations – we’ll be able to steer you away from towns with mainly cobbled streets.

We can also tell you which villas contain cots, blackout blinds, safety gates, and air conditioning, and more – but we can also ask property managers how they can family-proof your villa for your stay.

What safety features should I ask my travel agent/the property manager about?

About the villa itself, you should ask us to confirm how secure the pools and outdoor areas are, and the specific interior features that have children’s safety in mind. You should also ask how safe balconies are and how close the property is to the road before settling on a villa.

If you fancy, ask us about best toddler-friendly spaces in the local area, such as parks and beaches. This will help you to know whether the location you have in mind is right for your family.

What to pack for my infant or toddler on holiday?

The beauty of a Villacation package is that all flights are priced with checked baggage in mind, which means you can bring almost everything you would use at home on holiday.

Home comforts and favourite foods, formulas and snacks don’t need to be purchased at duty free or at a mark-up at overseas supermarkets (if you even find your favourite brand).

In addition to the everyday necessities like nappies, bibs, medicines and wipes – remember to pack a high factor children’s sun cream, a sunhat and sunglasses with proper UV protection that fit, non-complicated toys such as colouring-in or sticker books and cuddly toys, and breathable daytime clothing and pyjamas that are right for the heat.

We can confirm whether your chosen villa can be equipped with cots, highchairs, and even children’s toys like buckets and spades or pool inflatables, meaning you don’t use up valuable luggage space on bulky items that you don’t use at home.

And, if you don’t want to spend your holiday shopping in the supermarket, just let our concierge team know – we can arrange for groceries to be delivered right to your front door at any time.

How can I actually relax on holiday with my infant or toddler?

The key thing to remember is that your little one likely won’t remember too much of this when they’re older, so don’t feel pressured to overpack the itinerary with activities and days out.

In fact, under-twos cope a lot better on holiday when routines are kept in place – which is the perfect excuse for parents to relax at the villa and break away from their busy routine, and an ideal way for them to bond with each other and with their children.

You can ask your SPL Villas agent what conveniences you can book to ensure your holiday and transit experience runs smoothly. You’ll be able to book private transfers or airport assistance if travelling with a pushchair, and if you don’t want to eat at a restaurant every night – you can even organise a chef to come to your villa.

Babysitting and additional support can also be organised through trusted local partners, meaning parents can have some child-free time in the knowledge that little ones are in the safe hands of an SPL Villas partner.