We don’t exactly have a checklist for our choice of hotel on holiday. We’re not that organised, or anal depending on your outlook. However were we to sit down and think about it (which frankly is what we’ve done for the purposes of this post) this is what it would look like.
Unsurprisingly as parents our top priority for all we do these days is how it will impact on our toddler. Gone are the days of roughing it in the jungles of South America or sleeping under the stars in elephant camps in the hills of Northern Thailand. These days we require accommodation that provides at the very least sanitary and user friendly bathroom facilities and mosquito and giant frog-free sleeping arrangements.
Family Friendly
Anyone wishing to enjoy a relaxed and hassle free holiday will look to stay in a hotel that’s geared up to cater for their offspring. With notable adult only exceptions, most hotels will probably find a way to accommodate you at a push. However if you’d rather avoid the disapproving looks over breakfast as your youngster redecorates the table or decides to throw a wobbler in the hotel foyer, it’s best to seek out hotels that are inherently family friendly. Then you can look smug when someone else’s child plays up.
The Ocean Hotel, Butlin’s Bognor Regis
Butlin’s is positioned as a provider of quality family holiday experiences so you’d expect their hotels to deliver. The Ocean at Butlin’s Bognor Regis doesn’t disappoint. The moment we checked in POD was welcomed and we felt relaxed that she was expected to be seen and heard. She’s not shy at coming forward and will introduce herself to anyone hoping for an answer back.
This began with the Butlin’s Butler who was happy to have a conversation with her about Peppa Pig. (There was a leaflet in the foyer for Peppa Pig world which prompted debate.) He also made her a heart-shaped balloon which she carried around with pride.
This approach continued throughout our three day stay notably before breakfast and dinner at Kaleidoscope the hotel restaurant, where she was greeted by the staff and offered a colouring sheet and pencils to keep her occupied.
In fact all the staff we dealt with in the hotel were happy to interact with POD, from those manning the front desk when we borrowed a Donald Duck DVD to the maid who came to clean our room.
Clean and Comfortable
On the rare occasions we’ve pushed the boat out and paid top whack for a hotel room we’ve enjoyed the luxury. However the majority of the time we’re happy with a hotel room without the knobs and whistles but also minus any unwanted hair in the bathroom, stains on the sheets or uninvited guests lurking in the corners.
The PODFather once stayed in a hotel in Damascus that outdid itself in providing all three. In addition to the bucket sized hole in the floor of the bathroom that served as the toilet. Luckily he and the friend who’d joined him on the trip were able to fall asleep with the help of a soothing bedtime drink. (Bottle of gin.)
The Ocean Hotel, Butlin’s Bognor
Our home for our three days at the end of April at The Ocean Hotel was a Neptune Room which sleeps two to four, has a King size bed in the main room, twin beds in the children’s den and a balcony with a sea view.
First impressions were very good. The beds looked comfortable, the sheets clean and we even had a towel Swan to greet us. . There was plenty of hanging and drawer space, fluffy towels in the bathroom
along with free toiletries, tea and coffee making facilities and a TV in both rooms, so we could catch up on current affairs while POD conducted further research for her thesis on Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom.
Lack of sleep is the enemy of most parents with small children so as inviting as our King size bed looked the proof was to be in the sleeping. Happily we dozed like the proverbial logs before being rudely awakened by the Hello Kitty pyjamed banshee who usually appears around 0700.
Having left the previously cosy calm of the bed to complete my morning ablutions the bathroom delivered a hot shower with good water pressure (if you’ve ever tried to wash long hair under a dripping shower head you’ll appreciate this.) A cup of coffee usually kick starts my day and as there was the opportunity to make one immediately I indulged. Nice clean cups and an equally clean teaspoon.
During our stay the weather was decidedly changeable, we arrived in torrential rain and got sunburned the next day. As a result of this on our first night the pre-set air conditioning was a little bit cold for us and as we were unable to adjust it in the room we asked at reception about upping the temperature. This was done without question or fuss and with a quick and useful explanation that it was indeed pre-set on each floor. From then on we were snug as bugs.
Location
For a short break or even a week away we prefer to have all our destination has to offer within close proximity. In times past this meant choosing a hotel that was ideally located for the Wobbly boot on the homeward leg in the evening. . There are times however when you can be too close to the action as our holiday to La Santa Sports Resort in Lanzarote one Christmas demonstrated. Ever wonder how many Christmas songs there are? You’d know the answer if you’d heard the same festive CD for 6 nights on the trot.
These days our very active but impatient toddler is best served by having activities available almost immediately,
but equally needs to be able to get a good night’s sleep.
The Ocean Hotel, Butlin’s Bognor
The Butlin’s experience is designed to offer accessibility to all activities. The Ocean Hotel is ideally located to allow for swift access to the outdoor fun including the Helter Skelter,
Carousel, Trampolines, and Go Karting
with the restaurants and Skyline Pavilion just behind.
Indeed everything is within a 10 minute walk. However should you wish to chill out on your balcony or have a siesta this is eminently possible without distraction. And if you do wish to venture a little farther you have the added bonus of Bognor’s beach less than a 20 minute walk away.
Disclaimer: As a brand ambassador to Butlin’s, we received a complementary 3 night stay at their Bognor Regis resort. Opinions are our own. For further information about Butlin’s, please visit their website. You can also read the ‘What families can expect from today’s Butlin’s’ post here on PODcast.
