The three-term schools are about to break up for that long-dreamed-of August holiday – the greatly anticipated break after the longest term of the year, and the one where everyone – parents and children – really do need to step away from the excitement of winter sports fixtures and the stress of mid-year exams, and take some time out together to reconnect.
“There are so many family holiday options available in South Africa, particularly now that the COVID-19 pandemic is waning and hotels and other accommodation types are reopening for business,” says Marc Wachsberger, managing director of The Capital Hotels and Apartments. “It could be tough to choose where to go, but there are some key things to consider when trying to avoid the stress of holiday planning – particularly if your family is too big for the standard accommodation offerings designed for traditional nuclear families.
Wachsberger adds that the best bet for exhausted parents who are planning a family getaway is to choose an accommodation provider that has an easy-to-navigate booking platform that gives them a range of options in South Africa’s most popular and easy-to-reach destinations, like Cape Town and the KwaZulu Natal Dolphin Coast.
“There are also benefits to booking directly, such as our La Famiglia discount programme, which offers beneficial rates to repeat visitors, right from your first booking with us” he adds.
Families intent on finding the perfect place to stay for the August holidays should bear these thoughts in mind:
• Meal times can get expensive – particularly with growing children on board! Look for a hotel that lets children eat for free for breakfast when they’re accompanied by an adult. Children love buffets as there’s always something that they love available – and parents love them too because there’s no reason to argue over who wants to eat what for breakfast!
• While we’re on the matter of food… choose an accommodation option that has a range of choices for meal times so that you can balance budgets and individual preferences too. Staying in an apartment hotel with a kitchen also gives you the option to cook family favourite meals, even though you’re away from home.
• Parents with younger children may want them to be sleep in the same room – so be sure to ask the hotel you’re considering whether they offer roll-away beds for the little ones to sleep on. Roll away beds are a great idea because they’re there when you need them at night time, but out of the way during the day.
• Parents of older children might prefer to not share with their teenagers – and the teenagers probably feel the same way! Choosing an apartment hotel with flexible room configurations means that families can still be holidaying in the same space with access to a shared kitchen and lounge area, but that everyone can have the night-time privacy that they’re used to, at home.
• Families with three or more children, or who are perhaps travelling with adult family members, often struggle to find accommodation options that fit with what they need. Most of the apartment hotels in The Capital Hotels and Apartments portfolio can be configured to offer four-bedroom apartments, with bed configurations to make sure that everyone’s comfortable – and together.
• If you’re considering an apartment hotel, check that the apartment’s kitchen is fully equipped – there’s no fun in going on holiday and wishing you’d brought half your kitchen from home along with you! Confirm that the apartment’s kitchen has all the crockery, cutlery, and cooking equipment that you’ll need, and that a dishwasher and washing machine are included in the deal too.
• While the beach may be the main attraction for your family holiday, there are going to be days when everyone wants to take a break from the sun. Choose an accommodation option that offers access to a range of popular attractions, whether it’s cultural or culinary experiences, or active adventures.
“When we’re planning them, we all hope that our holidays are going to make fond memories that last a lifetime – especially when we’re travelling with extended family or even larger groups of friends,” Wachsberger says. “Choosing an apartment hotel that gives you the flexibility to close to the people you love but still have the space you need is a key ingredient in making those memories the kind that you cherish forever.
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