How to make travelling with kids bearable
Would you travel with your parents again if it meant your kids would be out of your hair? Well, according to new stats, over half of you would.
Babysitters are out, grandparents are in – a new survey of Australian parents revealed that one in two parents would pay their own parents or in-laws to travel with them on holidays in exchange for helping with the kids. Pretty sweet deal for all those grandmas out there!
The findings come from a survey of a nationally representative, independent panel of 1,076 Australian parents commissioned by HotelsCombined.com.au.
The results reveal that 59 per cent of parents with children under 4 years – and 44 per cent of all parents – would have their parents or parents-in-law accompany them on holiday to help with their kids.
48 per cent of all parents would pay some or all holiday cost for the grandparents’ trip – in exchange for babysitting help, of course. This contrasts with at-home babysitting by grandparents: a massive 89 per cent of respondents don’t pay for grandparents to babysit their children.
So do parents need more help whilst on holidays? Enough to hire a babysitter whilst on holiday? Apparently not.
The survey also asked parents in which countries or continents they would feel more and less comfortable hiring babysitters or nannies when on holidays. Respondents said they trusted babysitters most in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and USA.
The countries where they would trust babysitters least are Central America (over half agreed this was the least trustworthy travel destination for babysitters), followed by Turkey, India, Russia, South Africa and the UAE.
But overall, 39 per cent said they would not trust a babysitter in any destination.
So if you don’t want to travel with your parents, and don’t trust overseas babysitters – check out these top family-friendly accomodation options from Hotelscombined.
- Mantra French Quarter (Noosa, QLD) from $726 per night. These deluxe two-bedroom apartments are located in Noosa Heads and are a short drive away from Noosa National Park and Sunshine Beach. The apartments feature a kids’ pool and babysitting/child services for the children, and offers massage services for the adults. Each apartment includes a kitchenette, private balcony and movies-on-demand.
- Turtle Beach Resort (Gold Coast, QLD) from $405 per night. The apartments at Turtle Bay Resort caters for families, offering a waterpark, kids’ club, playground and mini golf. Famous attraction, Sea World, is an easy car ride away. The resort offers an on-site relaxed restaurant with a menu showcasing local cuisine.
- Whitsunday Apartments (Hamilton Island, QLD) from $491 per night. Boasting extensive views of the sea and garden, Whitsunday Apartments offer a pool for the kids as well as free shuttle services to transport your family with ease. For the adults, a spa and wellness centre promises complete relaxation, while its in-house restaurant is available for those who want to stay close by.
- Peppers Broadbeach (Broadbeach, QLD) from $623 per night. Treating guests to a private cinema, Peppers Broadbeach provides relaxed accommodation on the Gold Coast and is the ideal location to base your family for sightseeing. Its family-friendly amenities include babysitting/child services and a kids’ playground. A range of apartments are available for families of all sizes.
- Beachside Holiday Apartments (Port Macquarie, NSW). These apartments are perfect for families travelling with kids, with a range of outdoor activities available including rock climbing, horse riding and mini golf. There’s a rooftop terrace for the adults to enjoy, as well as a tour desk to book and organise activities in Port Macquarie.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
family friendly holidays hotelscombined.com.au overseas babysitters travelling grandparentsLatest News
The Walshe Group Announces Two Key Appointments
What we really want to know is whether they got joint or separate welcome parties.
FAMIL: Agents explore the delights of Mauritius on 7-day tour
Go green with envy as you read this fabulous itinerary! Time to book that second honeymoon.
Hamad International recognised as world’s best airport at 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards
Hamad airport is so good it is almost considered a destination in itself. Ballina, up your game.
Saudi Arabia highlights tourism investment opportunities at global investment event
Now is the time to start looking at Saudi Arabia if you are not already. There's big things to come.
“Rampant” – Aussies warned as dengue fever cases spike in Bali
Worried about Bali belly? Now you have something else to worry about.
TTC Tour Brand reveals slew of deals across operators including Trafalgar and Contiki
Everybody loves a bargain and you could do lot a lot worse than check out these deals from TTC!
Fiji Airways partners with Porter Airlines in US growth bid
Any initiative that gets more people visiting the delights of Fiji is a good initiative.
Flight Centre launches CruiseHQ – a marketplace exclusively for agents
The cruise industry has surpassed pre-Covid levels so this isn't one to miss!
Feeling festive? Wendy Wu tours unwraps Christmas collection
Get the Christmas hols booked now and avoid spending it with that elderly relative with dubious political views.
OPINION: In a world of screens, we crave experience
If you get feelings of deep shame and regret when you see your screen time, don't worry - you're not alone.
Sun Princess: High-end dining and world class entertainment awaits
If you are a foodie and you are not currently on the Sun Princess, we really have to ask - what are you doing?
YouGov: 2 in 5 Aussies would pay more for a sustainable hotel
If you want to be REALLY sustainable you can go camping. You just might lose the will to live.
“Can planes swim?” – Planes become boats as Dubai Airport is savaged by severe storm
Unfortunately, "can planes swim?" is a real life question and not an opener to a really bad joke...
Explora journeys reveals bespoke outdoor furniture designed by Matteo Nunziati
This is making your plastic table and chairs look really bad now, isn't it?
Bangkok Airways targets growth with renewed Sabre deal
Two stories abut Sabre's growth in one week and its only Wednesday! Watchout world.
PR agency Example wins pitch for InterContinental Sydney
We also went in for the contract but they said that a 'Be Our Guest'- themed TikTok was unoriginal! The cheek.
Norwegian Cruise Line reveals culinary experience aboard Norwegian Aqua
Once again, this TW journalist REALLY regrets writing this before getting lunch.
Signature Queensland hosts luxury tourism event
Known for its tropical beaches and unique wildlife, Queensland also offers luxury.
Capella Sydney recognised in prestigious Travel + Leisure’s 2024 ‘it list’ of best new hotels
You know that 'it girl' at school who everyone wanted to hang out with? Capella is the hotel version of that.
Rex launches 72-hour fare sale with NO school holiday blackout so you can take your kids (if you want to)
Sadly, leaving your children at home whilst you go on holiday is generally frowned upon.
Adventure World offers chance to connect with “heart and soul” of the US
I mean who hasn't dreamed of a road trip around the US?! Go with Adventure World and you're less likely to get lost.
Fiji’s family-owned luxury resort Likuliku Lagoon launches its own app
We were relieved to find out that having a "concierge in your pocket" referred to an app on your phone.
Hawaii: The US’ laid-back front door for Australians
If you needed another sign that you should definitely head to Hawaii - this is it!
Sabre targets Asia Pacific growth with latest hire
Call the Avengers! Sabre continues its bid for world domination with latest hire.
Air New Zealand signs its largest EVER deal for sustainable aviation fuel
Air New Zealand makes huge step towards sustainable travel. We bet it recycles its rubbish properly too.
IHG Hotels & Resorts continues regional growth with Sunshine Coast Holiday Inn
This Holiday Inn looks considerably flashier than some of the ones we have stayed at in our time.
Budget carrier Scoot welcomes first of 9 E190-E2 aircrafts
Here at TW we would like to offer Embraer E190-E2 a warm welcome! It's not easy being the first of the fleet.
Singapore Airlines grows group passenger traffic by 13.9% for March
This is one of the few situations where an increase in traffic is a good thing.
Number of Aussies going on cruises beats pre-pandemic levels
To be honest, if being stuck inside for two years doesn't give you the travel bug, then nothing will.
Vietjet slashes prices on flights across Vietnam, India & Australia
You can now fly to Vietnam for less money than a night out in Sydney or Melbourne. Time to reconsider the budget.
The Australian Hotels Association (WA) names accommodation excellence award winners
Think blowing up the airbed for your mate qualifies as accommodation excellence? Think again.
Abercrombie & Kent launches Peruvian riverboat tour
If you think being left at a port is scary? Imagine being stuck in the Amazon.
Club Med Bali reveals last-minute group travel deal
If you haven't frolicked across a beach in Bali with your colleagues have you even lived?
Regent Seven Seas Cruises grows sales team across Australia & New Zealand
It is only Monday and Regent Seven Seas Cruises is already announcing hires. Great stuff!
Out of the Ordinary Outback offers caravanners and campers a free night
It's the perfect getaway if your neighbours are starting to drive you a little insane.
Luxury Escapes reveals third signature series tour with Miguel Maestre
We would recommend reading this after lunch, otherwise you risk slobbering at your desk.