The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Pick a family holiday where your children can stay for free
If you’re looking to cut travel costs, there are still great deals to be had this summer. Becky Lucas selects the best
Until you become a parent or guardian, it is unlikely you can understand the full power of those three little magic words: “Kids go free”. For travellers with small dependents, those words contain a whisper of freedom, an instant broadening of horizons as, suddenly, the holiday budget can spread a great deal further.
Capitalising on a kids-go-free offer is, perhaps, the number-one way to cut down family travel costs, making it possible to claw back some of the spending incurred later down the line, both upfront and less directly.
Families are far less likely to have the flexibility needed to bag any of the real bargain, spur-of-the-moment deals. While many airlines do not charge passengers under the age of two, costs can still quickly add up, particularly when families have no choice but to travel during peak school holiday dates. But even if you do manage to get away out of season, once you have established your children’s routines (and the trickle-down impact on your own),
Capitalising on a kids-gofree offer is, perhaps, the number-one way to cut down family travel costs
suddenly the thought of taking a cheaper, indirect or night-time flight is less appealing. You may even have to pay to have your additional luggage in the hold, thanks to all the parental paraphernalia. Clearly, savings count.
In the majority of cases, “kids go free” equates to “kids can stay in your room for no extra charge, and, a lot of the time, with no extra bedding”. It might be cosy, but it can save you plenty on extra linen, let alone the cost of booking another room. If that is out of the question, then the savviest way to grab a deal is to take a look at what is included in an offer, and figure out how much value for money you are getting. Some packages offer free children’s clubs, others complimentary in-room gifts and activities – a nice touch, indeed, but when some resorts throw in free dining and even entry passes to theme parks and attractions, the savings can be huge.
So, we have picked a sprinkling of some of the ultimate kids-go-free deals still available out there (at the time of publication) for summer 2023, across the UK and beyond.
Capital gains in London
As well as offering an extremely central location on the South Bank, Park Plaza Riverbank’s kids deal is particularly generous: up to two children under 11 with an adult both stay and eat for free, up to 25 per cent is taken off the best available room rate, and lots of other treats – including bunk beds, chalk boards and an actual treat trolley, no less – are thrown in as well. Plus, the deal is running until December 30 – perfect for either a summer city break or festive getaway.
Park Plaza London Riverbank (0333 400 6122; parkplazariverbank.com) has rooms from £243 per night, B&B
Channel-hopping in Guernsey
Check into the Duke of Richmond Hotel, a smart boutique retreat in the pretty seaside town of St Peter Port with dreamy views and award-winning locally-sourced food. Throughout the year, children under 12 are invited to stay for free in a room with their parents (an extra bed will be provided – a day bed, rollaway or sofa bed depending on the room category booked), as well as eat free of charge when ordering from the children’s menu.
Duke of Richmond Hotel (01481 726 221; dukeofrichmond.com) has rooms from £234 per night, B&B
A right royal stay
There are few more sophisticated stays for your little ones than overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. Kids aged 12 or under can stay and eat for free when sharing a room with an adult and ordering from the children’s menu at one of the hotel’s restaurants, and they will also receive a welcome pack with colouring or sticker books and pencils. Don’t miss the chance to join the Pastry Chef Experience, during which children can wear full chef’s whites, tour the hotel’s kitchen, learn how to decorate their own cupcakes, and, finally, receive a “master chef in the art of pastry” certificate.
The Rubens at The Palace (020 7 834 6600; rubenshotel.com) has rooms from £345 per night, B&B
Glamp it up in Wales
Escape to Cwtch Camping and its three stylish timber cabins, situated in private woodland outside Pembroke, close to the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Additional camp beds for up to three children are provided free of charge, along with children’s books, games and toys, plus a cool box filled with local artisan products. The three cabins, which can only be booked as a family group, have a rainforest shower – with hot running water – large camp kitchen and fire pit. Ideal for embracing a little wilderness, with a guaranteed warm, soft bed. Cwtch Camping (weekendcandy.com) has cabins from £90 per night, B&B. Minimum two-night stay
Thrifty thrills in Abu Dhabi
Thanks to the support of Hollywood actor Jason Momoa (who is Yas Island resort’s charismatic new “chief island officer”), this is perhaps the most eye-catching of all the kid-friendly deals out there this year. The Emirati capital is offering not just complimentary hotel stays for children across the city (aged 11 or under when with an adult, in the same room, for stays booked between June 1 and September 30) but also free access to any three of the participating theme parks at its £32 billion man-made leisure playground, including Warner Bros World, Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld – a saving of more than £157 per junior ticket. Hotels to choose from include the “all-inclusive, all-exclusive” Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island Hotel and lower-priced Park Rotana Abu Dhabi. The City Seasons Al Hamra (00971 2672 5000; cityseasonshotels.com) offers a week in September for a family of four in a Premium room from £666, including unlimited theme park access. Flights are not included. To book through the Kids Go Free scheme, and for terms and conditions, see visitabudhabi.ae/en/ campaign/summer/kids-go-free
Luxury for less in Greece
The large, luxurious Sani resort just south of Thessaloniki prides itself on its bespoke family-friendly experiences and its sustainability ethos. Three of its hotels – Sani Beach, Sani Club and Porto Sani – allow children under 12 to stay for free, while the other two, Sani Dunes and Sani Asterias, offer a generous 75 per cent discount for children. Expect child-friendly menus, an expert kids’ club, heated pools and well-equipped family suites throughout, all fringed by soft, white-sand beaches.
Sani Resort (0030 23741 10700; sani-resort.com) has rooms from around £129 per night, on a half-board basis
An artsy escape in Barcelona
For families who love a city break, few destinations can beat fun, family-friendly Barcelona. The modern, grand Hotel Arts Barcelona is a beachside spot that is also in the heart of the cultural action, with its two-Michelinstar restaurant Enoteca, spa and collection of Spanish and Catalan contemporary art. While the parents can unwind beside the adults-only pool, the children can let off steam at the kids’ club, which hosts daily supervised activities such as cookie-making and treasure hunts. With the special offer, a maximum of two children up to age 12 can stay with two adults in a luxury room or suite (using existing beds) and have complimentary lunch or dinner from the children’s menu at three of its (non-Michelin-star) restaurants.
Hotel Arts Barcelona (0034 932 211 000; hotelartsbarcelona.com) has rooms from around £345 per night, B&B
Great value on Gran Canaria
Children under 23 months stay for free at this beachfront, classically Canarian hotel on the island’s south coast, located a short distance from the nearest shops and restaurants in Meloneras. Take it in turns to parent by the children’s pool as you each relax with steam and some hydrotherapy at its Thalasso Spa. TravelSupermarket (travelsuper market.com) has seven-night packages to Lopesan Villa del Conde Resort and Thalasso from £560pp, including return flights from Birmingham,
25kg luggage allowance, complimentary drinks, priority lane security pass, £10 on-board vouchers, transfers and breakfast
A walk on the wild side
For a totally different family excursion, book into an African Bush Camp safari. After all, there can be few greater
memories for a family than seeing one (or more) of the Big Five saunter across the savannah. Thankfully, given the more mature activity, this free-stay deal extends to children up to 15, per paying adult, in stylish lodges out in the wilderness, such as Linyanti Ebony in Botswana or Somalisa Camp in Zimbabwe. If you are flexible with dates this summer, book before June 30 and travel before July 31 to save up to £4,000 on regular rates.
African Bush Camps (0800 041 8187) has packages to various camps from £4,020pp, including accommodation, meals and activities. Flights are not included. For more information, see africanbushcamps.com/specials/ kids-stay-free-safari-special
Europe-wide bargains
Summer hotel and resort group IDILIQ is inviting up to two children aged 12 or under to stay and eat for nothing when booked in with an accompanying adult on a B&B or half-board basis this summer, up until August 31. Participating locations include the Costa del Sol, Cornwall, Kusadasi (Turkey), Scotland and Austria, but the best-value option is at the Ramada Residences by Wyndham Costa Adeje in Tenerife.
IDILIQ Hotels & Resorts (0800 031 9066; idiliqhotels.com) has seven-night stays at the Ramada Residences by Wyndham Costa Adeje from £599pp, B&B
Child-friendly chic on Crete
Not only does Daios Cove resort on Crete’s sunny north-east coast manage to pull off chic Mediterranean getaways, but it also excels as a family-friendly option, thanks to its creches, kids’ and teens’ clubs. Stay in a suite or villa and all children can check in for free; stay in a deluxe room and the first child aged between two and 12 staying with their parents pays nothing, while all children under two go free.
Daios Cove (020 3936 1218; daioscovecrete.com) has suites from around £600, B&B
Turkish delight
Up to two children under the age of two can stay for free at Alp Pasa Hotel in the heart of buzzy Antalya, a short distance from the beaches, as long as they use no extra bedding in the parents’ bedroom. Rooms are bright, fresh and highceilinged, with a classic design, and there is a pool and library to help keep the younger ones busy.
On the Beach (0871 474 3000; onthebeach.co.uk) is offering seven-night packages to Alp Pasa Hotel from £1,158 for two and an infant, including return flights, transfers, breakfast and hotel entertainment. Departs Birmingham on July 10
Go Dutch
Why not visit Amsterdam’s cooler, edgier little sister, Rotterdam, as part of a three-night mini break? Rates for the trip with MSC Cruises are full board, and so include full use of the buffet and main restaurant, the ship’s gyms, pools, arcade games and West End-style theatre shows, as well as even more children’s clubs and activities. The kids-go-free deal applies to those under 18 where the child is a third or fourth guest staying in a cabin with their parent, on selected sailings during the offer period (taxes and port fees must be paid on all fares).
MSC Cruises (0203 426 3010; msccruises.co.uk) has three-night packages to Rotterdam from £369pp, B&B. Departs September 23 from Southampton
Stellar savings in Dubai
Dubai is also tempting families with its own kids-go-free scheme; the deals include the chance for children to stay (when accompanied by the same number of adults), eat and play for nothing, and are available in a raft of hotels across the city until August 31. They also extend to key tourist attractions, such as the At the Top viewing platform inside the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. Of the many hotels on the list, the Park Hyatt Dubai, located on the peaceful Creek, is a highlight, while JA The Resort and Atlantis The Palm are two of the city’s most-loved family stays.
Atlantis The Palm (00971 4426 0000; atlantis.com) has rooms from £496 per night, including all meals, some activities and complimentary access to Atlantis Aquaventure. Flights are not included. For more information on the Kids Go Free scheme, see visitdubai.com/ en/deals-and-offers
Money-saving musts
Head to the Free Child Place Finder page on the Jet2holidays website, fill in your details and it will reveal how many free holiday places there are for children in your chosen destination on any given day – or you can choose to be led by price instead of location. Here are the details of just one sample trip found in moments using the tool, including a free child and infant place.
Jet2holidays (0800 408 0778; jet2holidays.com) has nine-night packages to Efe Horizon Hotel in Bodrum, Turkey, from around £908pp, including return flights from London Stansted, transfers and a family room
Family luxury in Mallorca
A leader in all-inclusive family luxury, the Ikos brand is fast-expanding into every sun-dappled corner of the Mediterranean, with the latest outpost near the quiet and pretty Porto Petro Marina on Mallorca. It is a splurge, but the premium price tag can be offset by the fact that at least one child, up to 11, can go free if you book on the hotel’s website.
Ikos Porto Petro (0030 23741 10750; ikosresorts.com) has suites from around £570 per night, including breakfast and private airport transfers worth up to about £233
When some resorts throw in free dining and even entry passes to theme parks and attractions, the savings can be huge
Faraway fun in Fiji
If you are planning to travel further afield this year, Fiji’s hotel scene seems to be more generous than most with its family-friendly offerings, with the kids-go-free deal offered right across the islands. The Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort stands out, however, for allowing teenagers up to 16 to be included in the deal (when staying in a room with their adult). What’s more, children aged between three and 12 can now eat for free as well as attend the complimentary kids’ and teens’ clubs. Book this all-encompassing package with travelonline.com before June 15.
TravelOnline (00617 3804 8411; travelonline.com) has six-night packages to Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort from £1,348pp, including free stays, activities, meals and transfer for children; all flights and transfers