Family Vacation Accommodation Options
Your family vacation accommodation options will depend on what you have set for your budget. You may find free accommodation at some camping spots or spend hundreds of dollars per night at a resort or motel. Have a look at the list of advantages and disadvantages in the tables below to find out what family vacation accommodation options will suit you best. Campgrounds If you're looking for super cheap accommodation then this is the cheapest. You should be able to find free camping accommodation somewhere in the vicinity of where you wish to take your family vacation.
| Advantages of campgrounds | Disadvantages of campgrounds |
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- Often big, grassy sites
- Usually near woods and lakes or creek
- Ideal for a large family
- Many activities without having to leave campground like fishing, hiking, bushwalking, canoeing, swimming, bird watching
- Often have picnic areas and barbecue facilities
- Affordable for large families
| - Limited facilities
- Lack of decent toilets and drinking water
- Generally no shelter from wet weather
- Lack of privacy
- May not have electrical power
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Caravan Parks/Holiday Parks Sometimes caravan parks can offer that extra sense of security over camping grounds. When we stay in a caravan park we always choose one with a swimming pool and children's playground. | Advantages of Caravan/Holiday Parks | Disadvantages of Caravan/Holiday Parks |
|---|
- An amenities block
- Often has a children's playground and swimming pool
- Camp kitchen
- Powered sites
- Sense of security
- Cabins with ensuite and kitchen facilities
| - Small sites for tents or caravans
- No privacy
- Often becomes very expensive for a large family
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Vacation Rental Apartments Apart from free camping areas, renting a vacation house or apartment is just about the next cheapest accommodation option for our large family. This is especially true if we are planning an extended vacation for a week or so. Vacation rental apartments or houses can usually be accessed through the local real estate agents or specialised accommodation providers. They can range from budget apartments, beachside units, country cottages and cabins, vacation homes as well as luxury villas. | Advantages of Vacation Rental Apartments | Disadvantages of Vacation Rental Apartments |
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- Privacy
- Self-catering facilities (full kitchen/barbecues)
- Charge a flat fee for entire apartment instead of per person
- Family friendly with a homelike atmosphere
- Plenty of space and room
- Fully furnished
- May be pet friendly
- Plenty of options for size and location
- Ideal for long vacations of a week or more
| - You are expected to clean the apartment when you have finished using it
- Generally you have to provide your own linen, towels, etc.
- Some apartments or houses may be an older style or run down
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Hotel/Motel Accommodation Hotels/Motels are the next step up in luxury and price. They often have good facilities for a family, such as a pool and/or children's playground. | Advantages of Hotel/Motel Accommodation | Disadvantages of Hotel/Motel Accommodation |
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- Linen, towels, etc. are all provided
- Room service provided
- All beds and cots provided
- Ensuite facilities
- Usually has a restaurant attached
| - Can't self-cater which means eating out
- Rooms can be quite small
- Can be expensive for larger families
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Backpacker/Hostel Accommodation Although this is budget accommodation it is more suited to individual tourists rather than families. | Advantages of Backpacker/Hostel Accommodation | Disadvantages of Backpacker/Hostel Accommodation |
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- Communal kitchen and common room
- Laundry facilities
| - Not really suited to the family situation
- May be a lockdown/curfew time
- Possibly a noisy/party atmosphere
- Shared bathroom facilities
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Bed and Breakfast Bed and Breakfast accommodation offers a friendly, welcoming atmosphere which may be just what you're looking for. | Advantages of Bed and Breakfast Accommodation | Disadvantages of Bed and Breakfast Accommodation |
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- Personalised service
- Courteous hosts
- Individually owned and operated
- Home cooked meals
- Well kept rooms
- Home-style atmosphere
- Small number of guests
- Social hour to get to know other guests
| - May have shared bathroom facilities
- May not be suitable for families
- Will not have the same kind of facilities as a hotel e.g. no night manager
- May be quite expensive for larger families
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Farmstay This would be the perfect accommodation option for the family who wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life and who want to experience what life is like in the country for a while. | Advantages of Farmstay Accommodation | Disadvantages of Farmstay Accommodation |
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- Suitable for families
- Personalised service
- Individually owned and operated
- Home-cooked meals
- Home-style, relaxed atmosphere
- Small number of guests
- Plenty of activities and entertainment around the farm
| - May have shared bathroom facilities
- May be expensive for larger families
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Resorts Resorts provide the ultimate in family vacations with excellent facilities and luxury. However, the expense may prove to be too great for many families to indulge as a regular vacation option. | Advantages of Resort Accommodation | Disadvantages of Resort Accommodation |
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- Relaxation
- On-site recreation and activities
- Cost of food, activities and entertainment may be included in overall price
- Luxury accommodation
| - Probably too expensive for larger families
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As you can see there are many family vacation accommodation options. I hope there is one which is just right for you and your family. Return to top
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