- Holiday ideas
Self-catering is generally far less expensive than staying in a hotel and offers greater flexibility and freedom. Even if you want to spend minimal time in the kitchen on family holidays, self-catering facilities will prove useful for the odd meal, especially breakfast, and for heating bottles and making baby food, snacks and picnics. Self-catering accommodation also allows you to take advantage of local produce you’ll see in markets and shops, and is especially useful if you’re holidaying with picky children in an area when familiar favourites are not readily available in restaurants.
Villas, cottages and gites generally also offer families far more space than one or even two hotel rooms. Another increasingly popular self-catering option is ‘apart-hotels’, where you’ll get the added space and kitchen facilities, plus some of the facilities of a hotel – perhaps a pool, a restaurant, a launderette, maid service, a kids’ club, and other amenities.
But self-catering is not limited to the above – other options worth checking out are farm-stays (whether in cottages in converted farm buildings or in pre-erected tents), camping (in your own tent or in ready set-up yurts, safari tents and the like) or in mobile homes in holiday parks. And then there are home-swaps, where you get to live in someone’s home and take advantage of their kitchen, toys, and so on.
Self-catering also offers benefits for those wishing to holiday with extended family or another family or families – you can club together for greater space and better facilities than you might afford individually, and can take turns sharing the chores and giving one another a break.
Scroll down for our tips for self-catering family holidays.
Offers
Cottages4YouPlus £25 deposit with Cottages4You
Villa SelectFamily-friendly villas in a variety of summer destinations
As you’ll often be dealing with independent providers when booking a self-catering holiday, do your research throughly. How far is the property from local shops and restaurants, from the beach or the ski slopes, for instance? Check for what websites might not be telling you, and make sure to ask the right questions before signing on the dotted line. Google Streetview is a good way of checking out your local surroundings in advance and making sure that a neighbourhood is well suited to you.
Find out if a property can provide all the equipment you need – these days, highchairs, travelcots and other equipment come as pretty standard, but do check. Similarly, some budget accommodation will expect you to bring your own towels and perhaps also your own bedlinen, although some will offer it for hire at extra charge.
If you’re self-catering in the UK or driving to the Continent, bear in mind that some properties, particularly those at the budget end of the spectrum, may not have some of the kit you take for granted at home, such as cafetières and corkscrews. It’s a good idea to make room in your car for a small box of such ‘essentials’, as well as items that you will need but might not have chance to get hold of before arriving – matches, loo roll, real coffee, and so on.
Find out if the owner can offer babysitting or can recommend a local firm or person who will, if this is something you’ll require.
Check whether any swimming pools on-site meet safety requirements in terms of self-locking gates and so on, should this be a concern.
Key:
Self-catering
Hotel
Editors favourite
Kids Club
El Delfin Verde, Costa Brava
A top holiday park and camping choice for all the family on the Costa Brava, even more so for the little ones with loads of fun going on.
Les Deux Fontaines, Brittany
A relaxing holiday park by the Brittany coast, especially great with toddlers and grandparents (who stay for free).
Les Aulnes Cottages, Corsica
A collection of cottages in a secluded spot on Corsica, but ideal for family holidays if you want to be away from the crowds.
Cala di Falco, Sardinia
A family favourite offering hotel or self catering holidays, plus activities for young and older kids, in north-east Sardinia.
Villa Pia, Tuscany
A stunning manor in rural Tuscany with self-catering apartments, but home-cooked communal meals are available, making meal times what they used to be.
Martinhal Beach Hotel & Resort, Algarve
Super-stylish accommodation on the Algarve, with childcare for all ages and often offering discounts for grandparents.
Periyali Villas, Zakynthos
Attractive family villas in Zakynthos, in a quieter resort on this lively island with outdoor pools and close to the beach.
Pierre & Vacances Premium Les Fermes du Soleil, Haute Savoie
Luxury self-catering apartments with indoor pool and sauna, walking distance to amenities in the ski resort of Haute Savoie.
The Rosevine, Cornwall
Luxury family holidays and breaks in Cornwall with a flexible twist – stay on a B&B basis, self-cater, or do a bit of both.
The Athenaeum Hotel, London
A 5-star hotel with luxury family apartments, just a 10-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus.
Country Kids, Languedoc-Roussillon
A family-friendly country estate in Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France, with wonderful facilities for under-5s.
Center Parcs Whinfell Forest, Cumbria
Set in lovely woodland on the edge of the Lake District, popular for activity-based, weatherproof family holidays or breaks.
Hotel Snowflake and Apartments, Lapland
Family-orientated hotel in Lapland with plenty of indoor and outdoor activities.
Imagine Roussillon, Languedoc-Roussillon
Luxury family-friendly self-catering villa and apartments with pool, inclusive kids club and much more, near the coast in Languedoc-Roussillon region.
Lipley Farm, Shropshire
A peaceful haven where you can relax and enjoy a luxury family camping holiday or break in the Shropshire countryside.
Readyfields Farm, Nottinghamshire
A Feather Down Farm Days site, surrounded by fields as far as the eye can see, whilst not being far from Sherwood Forest or Newark.
Upper Shadymoor Farm, Shropshire
An ideal location for large families, with all 6 tents face inwards, giving you a sense of community, and a barn on site which is great for social feasts and gatherings.
Lower Rodhuish Farm, Somerset
A family holiday and break with both rural and coastal benefits and surrounded by so many attractions and places to see, you may find yourself booking another stay here.
La Grange du Moulin, Poitou Charentes
Cosy gites offering all the facilities needed for you to enjoy a self-catering family holiday .
Rosliston Forest Lodges, Derbyshire
Furnished lodges sleeping up to 10, with outdoor space and fresh air on tap.
Beaver Village Condos, Winter Park Resort
Large condos, ideal for a laid-back self-catering family ski holiday in Winter Park, Colorado.
Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence L'Amara, Avoriaz
A great self-catering option for family skiing in the car-free resort of Avoriaz; catering well for the youngest of children.
Park Farm, Littleworth, The Cotswolds
Family holiday or break away from modern life and electricity.
New Barn Farm, North Bedfordshire Wolds, South East England
A great place to relax and toast marshmallows on warm summer evenings whilst the kids run free.
Ash Park, Dungiven, Northern Ireland
Kids will love a ferry crossing and the scenic journey into the heart of the Northern Irish countryside.
Mount Pleasant Farm, Woolland, Blandford Forum, Dorset
A family camping experience with home comforts thrown in.
Warren Farm, Cheddar Gorge, Somerset
Explore or relax - you can do as much or as little as you want at Warren Farm.
College Farm, Aldeby, Norfolk
Guests have access to a private lake shore - ideal for a warm sunny day.
Glanmor Isaf, Talybont, Bangor, Wales
A luxury home away from home - in the picturesque Welsh countryside.
Lunsford Farm, Pett, Hastings, Sussex
You are sure to experience a luxury glamping farm experience with the family.
Pant yr Hwch Farm, Lampeter, Cardiganshire
Family glamping par excellence: sleep in luxury but collect your own eggs.
East Shilvinghampton Farm, Portesham, Weymouth, Dorset
Cosy camping, with a wood-burning stove, comfy beds and eggs fresh from the coop.
Midgham Farm, Fordingbridge, New Forest
Funky family camping in the heart of the New Forest.
Sunninglye Farm, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Simple yet glam camping in the Garden of England.
Jasmin Beach Apartments, Bodrum Peninsula
Close to the beach and with three swimming pools, the Jasmin Beach Apartments are ideal for families.
Kefalos Beach Village, Paphos
With a fantastic pool scene just footsteps from the sand, the Kefalos Beach Village gets top marks on the swimming and sunbathing front .
Bali Hotel & Studios, Benalmadena
With great views and a sandy beach just metres away, the modern Bali Hotel and Studios has one of the best settings in Benalmadena.
Cala d'Or Playa Apartments, Mallorca
In a great location for family holidays in Mallorca, with kitchenettes in each room and supermarkets within a short walk.
Levante Beach Apartments, Benidorm
With Benidorm and the beach on their doorstep, the modern Levante Beach Apartments make a great budget base.
Vista Blanes Apartments, Menorca
There's plenty to keep everyone happy in this self-catering lively holiday hotspot in Menorca.
Mariners Club, Mallorca
With a jam-packed entertainment programme and a fantastic pool scene, this place goes all out to impress when it comes to family getaways.
Brilliant Apartments, Protaras
With one of the island’s finest beaches on their doorstep and the centre of Protaras just minutes away, these apartments really live up to their name.
Levante Lux Apartments, Benidorm
If you want to be in the heart of all the action, these self-catering apartments are perfectly placed.
Aparthotel Brisa Sol, Algarve
Whether you like your holiday laid back and chilled out, or packed full of activities and sights, the Aparthotel Brisa Sol offers something for everyone.
Planos Bay, Zakynthos
An awesome waterpark that's just a short walk from the hotel.
Club Turquoise, Marmaris
Set just outside the town centre and within walking distance of the beach, Club Turquoise is in a great spot.
Club Del Sol Aparthotel, Mallorca
Dotted with palm trees and two freeform pools, it’s got a bit of a paradise-like feel.
Aparthotel Sol de Alcudia, Mallorca
A great choice for families who want to be in the heart of the action.
Los Zocos Club Resort, Lanzarote
There’s all sorts going on in this 15-acre complex, from footie games on the Astroturf, to mini-golf.
Club Dorada Palace, Salou
The popular Club Dorada Palace is close to PortAventura and has plenty for kids and adults.
Key:
Self-catering
Hotel
Editors favourite
Kids Club
Active Family Abruzzo
Choose your own activities on this guided or independent family trip in Abruzzo, Italy.
