Florida Guide > Accommodation
Travelling with a toddler - villa accommodation.
When considering accommodation for families with young children I would recommend a villa every time. As a villa owner I may be accused of a certain degree of bias, but let me assure you that in the last 20 years of travelling to Florida whilst I have stayed in some excellent hotels and motels there are so many points in favour of villa accommodation that for me it’s a “no brainer”
First of all there is the space. Even a modestly sized villa will provide a separate bedroom for mum and dad – no having to sit in silence in the evenings when the children have needed an early night. You can put the children to bed and sit in the family room watching the TV or a DVD, or retire to your own bedroom and do the same! Better still take a drink out on to the pool deck and enjoy the warm Florida evening or take a moonlight dip in the pool. Many villa owners provide baby monitors for just such an occasion, allowing you to relax and yet still hear the children should they need you. Check the floor plan and the bedroom configuration with your villa owner before you travel.
If you have a 2 storey villa you may wish to ask the owner if they provide a stair gate. If the answer is no and you feel it essential for your child’s safety and for your peace of mind, your villa owner should be able to hire one for you at a reasonable rate.
Most Villa owners provide cots, and if you wish to have your child in the same room as yourself that is rarely a problem and is easily arranged.
Ask your villa owner what they provide for children and toddlers as many have toys, games and family orientated DVD’s to name but a few things.
One of the biggest attractions of a villa for families is the pool. Children of all ages love having the facility on the doorstep and many visitors to Florida report having to drag their children reluctantly from the pool in order to visit the theme parks! There are usually loads of pool toys available with which your children can amuse themselves, and toys and inflatables are inexpensive and readily available in Wal-Mart, Publix and Target etc,
For those of you concerned about safety, rest assured that Florida law is stringent when it comes to swimming pools and rented homes, and all villa rentals must have either a pool fence or a pool alarm, and whilst theses safety measures are no substitute for common sense and vigilance, they do give additional peace of mind.
The convenience of the villa and usually it’s close proximity to the parks, means that it is easy to pop “home” for the little ones to have an afternoon nap or to cool in the pool in the afternoon heat, leaving them refreshed to return for the evening parades and fireworks.
Finally on the plus points for villa accommodation is dining! If you are on a budget you can eat inexpensively and well by doing your own shopping and cooking and that huge restaurant meal or pizza that you can’t finish can be boxed and taken home for lunch next day! The pickiest of children can easily be satisfied, and no having to wait in lines at restaurants or sit still at the table for longer than their concentration or weary eyes can take.
Take time to choose the villa that is right for you and your family, make a wish list and see how many villas make your short list. Don’t be frightened to ask questions of the villa owner, the majority love talking about their homes and about Florida in general, half the fun of the holiday is in the planning……. enjoy!
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