Holiday suggestions for 3yr old and 9mth old..

vidapura

Hello,
Just wondering if anyone out there might be able to suggest some good places to go on holiday with a 3 yr old.

We had been all gung-ho to go and book the centreparc thing in longford there.. but people we know suggested that it might not really be the break we are looking for. Most of the activities are for slightly older kids and the wee fella wouldn't be catered for at all..

We have two great boys, 3 yrs old and 9 months old. They are brilliant, we love them to bits, but they are a handful. And I'm almost embarrassed to admit that we do really enjoy it when our families take em off our hands for a few hours the odd time. Those breaks are rare tho..

So for a holiday to be a holiday we would kinda like to have a bit of US time too.

My sister laughed at the idea of us going to a self catering spot like centreparcs. Cooking and cleaning is not her idea of a holiday, she wants her breakfast handed up to her. And shur isn't it doing the same thing you do every day just in a different house?.. is her take on it..
She may have a point, and other friends were of similar mind.

We seem to be kinda too early (young) for a lot of the family breaks we hear about. Like there are hotels that have kids clubs and take the kids off your hands for a few hours so you can chill for a bit.. but the clubs seem to start at 5 or 6 yrs old. Our guys are too young for all of the ones we have heard about, Kellys, Castlecourt in Westport.. etc etc.

At this stage we're thinkin we might do a staycation and spend the money on babysitters...
Maybe use some of the days of the two weeks to take the lads on day trips and then for a coupla days send the 3yr old to creche as normal (seeing as we're paying hard for it..) and just lol around at home..
Then maybe get a babysitter for a couple of the nights and get out to a restaurant.
We'd get a lot of babysitting for the 500 - 600 we'd spend on centreparcs like...
( ok, well, at 10 euro an hour.. humm)

Anyway.. just throwing it out there.. anyone think of a better approach ?
Or a vacation spot that might have facilities for minding both of the boys including the youngest lad?

whiskeyman

I wouldn't recommend Centreparcs on those ages.
You mention Kelly's, but your guys are *perfect* for it.
Not sure why you heard or assumed otherwise.
It's very dear, but you get so much in return.
Plenty of 'us' time as there's a fantastic minded play centre where you can drop the kids and reliable local babysitters available.
Food is great and very family friendly - has a baby room with milk on tap, steralisers, microwave.
All found during the day handed to you. Lots and lots of variety.
You can just ask the staff for anything.

vidapura

whiskeyman wrote: »

I wouldn't recommend Centreparcs on those ages.
You mention Kelly's, but your guys are *perfect* for it.
Not sure why you heard or assumed otherwise.
It's very dear, but you get so much in return.
Plenty of 'us' time as there's a fantastic minded play centre where you can drop the kids and reliable local babysitters available.
Food is great and very family friendly - has a baby room with milk on tap, steralisers, microwave.
All found during the day handed to you. Lots and lots of variety.
You can just ask the staff for anything.

Thanks very much @whiskeyman.
I got the age thing from this on Kellys website...

"The "Pirates Club" at Kelly’s Hotel Rosslare runs an extensive daily programme for children aged 4 and over from 9.30am to 9.00pm "

and after that I stopped reading....
But thanks to you I had another look and they DO have ways to help us get a rest...

"Alternatively, for younger children, we have a small playroom "Starfish Club" which is supervised daily from 9.00am to 5.15pm for a nominal fee of €3.00 per hour."

and this...

"Dine in Peace - Complimentary child-minding for children in the children’s playroom each evening from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, this gives mum and dad the opportunity to enjoy their meal! Or alternatively, babysitting can be arranged through Reception in advance, there is an hourly fee of €10.00 for a minimum of 2 hours."

So, again, thanks for that cos I just hadn't done my homework properly...

jlm29

To be honest, I’ve put holidays on the back burner for a Couple of years while my kids are small, in favour of day trips, going away Is a bit too much hassle at the min.
The quality in clonakilty (it’s not called that any more, but I can’t think of the new name) has a lovely little crèche as well as an indoor play centre.
But, I’d recommend booking an apartment if you can get it. Four people in one hotel room Is a bit nightmarish imo. Lots of hotels also have family suites where there’s two bedrooms, but it makes things very expensive!

vidapura

jlm29 wrote: »

To be honest, I’ve put holidays on the back burner for a Couple of years while my kids are small, in favour of day trips, going away Is a bit too much hassle at the min.
The quality in clonakilty (it’s not called that any more, but I can’t think of the new name) has a lovely little crèche as well as an indoor play centre.
But, I’d recommend booking an apartment if you can get it. Four people in one hotel room Is a bit nightmarish imo. Lots of hotels also have family suites where there’s two bedrooms, but it makes things very expensive!

Thanks Jim, yah I'm with you on the one room thing..
Don't ever see why I should pay money to be in less comfort than we have at home

.. which sounds like we have loads of money.. :rolleyes: but we don't..

jlm29

vidapura wrote: »

Thanks Jim, yah I'm with you on the one room thing..
Don't ever see why I should pay money to be in less comfort than we have at home

.. which sounds like we have loads of money.. :rolleyes: but we don't..

I know exactly where you’re coming from, I don’t like shelling out for misery either! We stayed in the on-site apartments in clon a few years ago and they were great. Had the hotel breakfast, swimming pool, play area and other facilities, but didn’t have to sit in the bathroom if we wanted to talk after 8 o clock!
The crèche was great too, but it booked up way in advance, just something to be aware of, it’s probably an issue in other places too

CheerLouth

We've done hotel breaks before with small kids and IMO, unless you are getting a family room/suite with two bedrooms, it's not worth it. The kids are asleep early & the aduits are left sitting in the dark trying to be quiet, watching TV through headphones.

Ours are a little older than yours, but last year we went to the apartments at the Gleneagle in Killarney and it was the best of both worlds! You can use all the facilities of the hotel plus you've the self catering element. We brought dinner with us for two nights, ate in the restaurant one night & did the same for breakfast. You've the pool, they've a play centre which was never busy when we were there and lots of kids entertainment in the evening for them. Plus the National Park is on your doorstep.

Millem

If it’s for 2-3 nights we stay in a hotel anything longer we rent a house.

We never use kids clubs etc. Kelly’s is great and there is a lovely playground nearby and crazy/mini golf. In the evening we bring the kids to Curracloe to the amusements.
We go a few times a year, the kids love it.

We are going to the Newpark hotel at Easter. But this is does not have a crèche. It is meant to be fab....really looking forward to it.

Look up the Dingle Skellig Hotel. This has a crèche etc. Never stayed there.

jlm29

Millem wrote: »

If it’s for 2-3 nights we stay in a hotel anything longer we rent a house.

We never use kids clubs etc. Kelly’s is great and there is a lovely playground nearby and crazy/mini golf. In the evening we bring the kids to Curracloe to the amusements.
We go a few times a year, the kids love it.

We are going to the Newpark hotel at Easter. But this is does not have a crèche. It is meant to be fab....really looking forward to it.

Look up the Dingle Skellig Hotel. This has a crèche etc. Never stayed there.

New park is great! We’ve never stayed there, but were at a family function there last year and the kids facilities were fab

Millem

jlm29 wrote: »

New park is great! We’ve never stayed there, but were at a family function there last year and the kids facilities were fab

I have heard great things about it.....can’t wait....we booked 3 nights. Plus it’s really not that long from Dublin!
We have been to Cork and Clare with kids and found the drive an absolute killer tbh!

vidapura

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Yah, sitting in the dark trying not to wake the kids doesn't appeal to me funny enough!!

We did the Quality in Youghal when we just had the one lad and twas good alright.
Nice leisure centre, bit of a playground and huge long beach if the weather is good. Stayed in the houses.. which are nice, clean, modern, but was bulling when we arrived and found a two story house with no feckin stairgate... If they had told us we'd have brought one like.. but anyway..
Youghal itself is a dead loss... main street is half closed or just charity shops...
We thought we'd get takeaway a couple of the nights but the choice isn't great and what we did get was awful..
There IS a big tesco tho and some nice butchers downtown so we did eat well enough in the house.
Ate in the hotel one night too and it was grand. They rolled out the highchair and all that so would say the staff were very nice.
It was just lackin the kids club dimension, we'd like a small bit of time off and would like the lads to meet other kids and have the craic.

I used to know Kilkenny pretty well.. the Castle is pretty spectacular if you've never visited... and there is St. Canice's roundtower which is an exciting climb for the kids who are able for it... These days the town has ballooned and there's all sorts of shopping and even michelin starred restaurants (if you get loose..).
Dunmore Caves just out the road from the Newpark are pretty good too.

Neyite

Even before kids I remember OH and I on holiday and seeing a German family in the ground floor apartment of our hotel. We never saw the women, except when they came out to serve food or drinks to the husbands and kids. I said right there that I'd never have a holiday like that as it's no holiday for the women. I'm happy to pour cereal in the morning but no way am I spending my holiday in a tiny and under equipped kitchen cooking a family dinner on two crap rings.



We didn't do holidays until our lad was 5. We did a few weekends away or days out - with and without him. At the age of yours though, We did a weekend away in Lahinch which was lovely. They have apartments or adjoining rooms so you'd have space. Most hotels have a list of babysitters if you wanted to even just go to the bar downstairs in the evening. The pool was a big hit and there's walks or playing on the beach that might suit the little ones.



Fota is another great day out for that age group. The hotel itself is pricey but you could stay elsewhere cheaper as you'd have to drive to the park anyway. We did one day in the wildlife park and the other in Cobh.

Dingle has the aquarium. Actually so does Galway and might be quicker to get to depending on where you are coming from and would have other child-friendly events from time to time as well.

CheerLouth

Neyite wrote: »

I'm happy to pour cereal in the morning but no way am I spending my holiday in a tiny and under equipped kitchen cooking a family dinner on two crap rings.

That does sound awful We always make sure that we have a proper kitchen with a full cooker & oven. I normally bring spaghetti bolognese for the first night. I take the sauce out of the freezer on the morning that we go and let it defrost in the cooler box on the way (also keeps the milk & anything else cool) so the first meal is usually just a case of boiling pasta, reheating sauce & sticking a few garlic breads in the oven. We might get a few pizzas & chips for the second night to pop in the oven. I'm all about low effort meals when we are on holidays.

For breakfasts, I bring cereals & bread for toast. I might bring some flour or ready made pancake mix & do pancakes one morning as they are quick and easy. I also make sure to bring enough ham and bread etc to make some picnic lunches.

We are going to CentreParcs next weekend with a 5 year old and 3 year old - I can report back if anyone is interested

vidapura

Neyite wrote: »

Even before kids I remember OH and I on holiday and seeing a German family in the ground floor apartment of our hotel. We never saw the women, except when they came out to serve food or drinks to the husbands and kids. I said right there that I'd never have a holiday like that as it's no holiday for the women. I'm happy to pour cereal in the morning but no way am I spending my holiday in a tiny and under equipped kitchen cooking a family dinner on two crap rings.

Hear hear!!
I think most on this thread agree on that.

Neyite wrote: »

We didn't do holidays until our lad was 5. We did a few weekends away or days out - with and without him.

Yah, thats refreshingly straight. Fergeddit till 5. Again, others are saying the same.
Friends who went to Centreparcs said they were great with 10yr olds cos they just hung out around the pool area all day.
But I am wrecked with our 3yr old in the pool trying to keep a hold of him.
They reckoned I'd be driven nuts in centreparc cos he'd be contstantly tearing off into trouble...

I'm rapidly warming up to the idea of 2 weeks at home.
But my OH says I will have to turn a blind eye to all the jobs that need doing around the place. LOL.

Neyite wrote: »

Dingle has the aquarium. Actually so does Galway and might be quicker to get to depending on where you are coming from and would have other child-friendly events from time to time as well.

Yah, well thats it, we are actually close to a load of stuff really.. so maybe we just do the tourist in our own locality.
Great thing is we don't have to worry about on or off peak accomodation.. we already have the house.
And we could choose to do it during something cool like the arts festival when there is stuff on.

Thanks again to everyone for the straight talk.

Millem

CheerLouth wrote: »

That does sound awful We always make sure that we have a proper kitchen with a full cooker & oven. I normally bring spaghetti bolognese for the first night. I take the sauce out of the freezer on the morning that we go and let it defrost in the cooler box on the way (also keeps the milk & anything else cool) so the first meal is usually just a case of boiling pasta, reheating sauce & sticking a few garlic breads in the oven. We might get a few pizzas & chips for the second night to pop in the oven. I'm all about low effort meals when we are on holidays.

For breakfasts, I bring cereals & bread for toast. I might bring some flour or ready made pancake mix & do pancakes one morning as they are quick and easy. I also make sure to bring enough ham and bread etc to make some picnic lunches.

We are going to CentreParcs next weekend with a 5 year old and 3 year old - I can report back if anyone is interested

Amazing would love to hear back on Centreparcs! We haven’t booked it yet.

CheerLouth

Millem wrote: »

Amazing would love to hear back on Centreparcs! We haven’t booked it yet.

No bother, I'd be happy too!

Cakerbaker

Self catering doesn’t have to mean you’re chained to the kitchen. Breakfast can be kept basic, lunch is a case of throwing a salad together and lounging on the sun lounger(with wine or beer) while my husband bbqs something, or else fresh bread and cured meats / cheese / olives etc. Dinner out or a takeaway.

Tbh I’d see a holiday where the mam is stuck in the kitchen as more of a relationship issue rather than a self catering issue.

shesty

Apparently the Clonakilty Park Hotel is brilliant for kids....play centre, cinema, playground, kids club etc.
Tbh we never bothered with availability of baby sitters or kid's clubs and that for that age group. They are a nice idea until you get there and realise that the kids won't settle.Maybe ok when one is small but with a toddler and a baby....I wouldn't get too hung up on it as a criteria.
I would try Centreparcs or similar but equally we have accepted that a night out for ourselves while away would not be happening unless extended family came with us!

Digs

CheerLouth wrote: »

No bother, I'd be happy too!

We were in CP in November. Our kids are 6, 3 and 1. Cannot recommend it highly enough. Exactly our type of holiday. Safe, secure for smallies and lots of places to explore. The pool if nothing else is worth the trip, couldn’t get them out of it!

Enjoy yourselves!

Neyite

Cakerbaker wrote: »

Self catering doesn’t have to mean you’re chained to the kitchen. Breakfast can be kept basic, lunch is a case of throwing a salad together and lounging on the sun lounger(with wine or beer) while my husband bbqs something, or else fresh bread and cured meats / cheese / olives etc. Dinner out or a takeaway.

Tbh I’d see a holiday where the mam is stuck in the kitchen as more of a relationship issue rather than a self catering issue.

I probably noticed it with that family because I do all the cooking at home. I do it though because I like to do it and because my OH hates cooking. He does other household stuff instead. When we are on holiday he's not doing the laundry or garden work so likewise I'd get a break from cooking and groceries too. On holiday I would normally give cereal to our child and we would just have coffee in the morning then we are out the door to the beach. We eat lunch and dinner out and really only have snacks and booze in the accommodation.



I think mammies in general do more on holidays. You see it when there's a family sitting there and the kids run up to their mother constantly to get dried/ fix their water wings/ have a drink /snack. It's only when the mammy is not at her spot do you see the chlid stop and think 'oh, I can get dad to do it' :pac:

jlm29

Neyite wrote: »

It's only when the mammy is not at her spot do you see the chlid stop and think 'oh, I can get dad to do it' :pac:

This is nonsense. Under no circumstances would my kids think “oh, I can get dad to do it”. They come and find me. Every time. No matter where I am. Calling me loudly. If i leave the premises, they seem to save all their needs up, until I come home, and bombard me with them as soon as I come back in the door.

zapper55

Nonsense is a bit harsh Jlm29.

Borzoi

vidapura wrote: »

Thanks Jim, yah I'm with you on the one room thing..
Don't ever see why I should pay money to be in less comfort than we have at home

.. which sounds like we have loads of money.. :rolleyes: but we don't..

Been there.. about 2 years ago. Still not fully out it it. But we have it figured....
2 bedroom apartment/cottage, part of a hotel complex with pool but walking distance to a town for dinners and quick pints. Easy travel to Dublin, which rules out some places in Kerry. Perfectly reasonable request, and as rare as hen's teeth. But will vouch for:

Castlemartyr hotel - courtyard lodges. Lovely hotel, 3 places to eat on the grounds and another in the village, a short walk, easy for buggy or small people. Pool is super. Grounds lovely. Easy reach of Fota, cobh, spike island and a few animal farms.

Talbot apartments in Wexford. Book a seafront view, the train runs in front, our 3 year old loved it. Pool in the Talbot hotel 150mtr away. In town, so choice of restaurants for dinner, all a walk away.

Amber Springs in Gorey, family suites have bunks in a nook, so you can watch telly etc and have lights on! 3 restaurants in the hotel, pool, kids club etc. Not self catering, but best kids set up I've seen.

Dungarvan park hotel. Nice plain lodges, good pool. 2 playground in walking distance. Loads of places to eat in town, 10min walk, plus 2 in the hotel.

Swimming really tired our lot out so ensured good naps etc back in that day. Simple brekkie and lunch. Afternoon activity. Dinner and drinks out, getting a babysitter once or twice if there's a nice restaurant and we want a break.

Always stayed a week so we were able to make the most of things. Kelly's never appealed because of the all inclusive

Millem

We have stayed in Kelly’s B and B. My kids wouldn’t eat all the food. They also don’t sell chips believe it or not! They are wedges which is a deal breaker for our gang!!!!!

cant26

jlm29 wrote: »

This is nonsense. Under no circumstances would my kids think “oh, I can get dad to do it”. They come and find me. Every time. No matter where I am. Calling me loudly. If i leave the premises, they seem to save all their needs up, until I come home, and bombard me with them as soon as I come back in the door.

Maybe nonsense for you but what you’ve just described is nonsense to me!!!

jlm29

zapper55 wrote: »

Nonsense is a bit harsh Jlm29.

Am... I was joking.

vidapura

Thanks @Borzoi, your post is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for, lots of interesting recommendations to take a look at.
I think @CheerLouth has the right idea for the old self-catering.. a bit of preparation goes a long way.
We used to do exactly that kind of thing on hillwalkin weekends or sailing trips. Pot of bolognaise and a some dried pasta.

S'amazin how I forget stuff when I'm sleep deprived.. like this morning .. yawn..

Gynoid

When you have a 3 year old and a 9 month old there is just no way to get out of the constant minding of them. Being knackered and unable to get a minute to yourself is par for the course, it only lasts about 20 years and then all is cool again We did not do holidays as such when the children were small, but did go places for brief sorties, like overnight or 2 nights max, just to see something we had a hankering to see. We used to take a big tent and all the camping gear but then we are mad (and did not have money). Always good fun but never a minute to yourself so to speak. If you expect this, the facts of life, it is fine. Maybe just do stuff you would like to do nearish to where you live, like cultural or historical places you want to see, or forests you want to walk in, or seashores you want to stroll along beside, but never take the time to do in a normal week, and just bring the bowsies along as per normal and mind them in the usual knackering way. At least you will have seen new places! And gone to the chippers on the way home where you can fall into your own bed knackered, repeat for years until they leave home....:D Kidding, you can go on more distant holidays when they are older. .

vidapura

Heh heh, yeah, thanks, you're right of course.
The sooner we get used to it the better off we'll be,..
Thanks
Vida

Gynoid wrote: »

When you have a 3 year old and a 9 month old there is just no way to get out of the constant minding of them. Being knackered and unable to get a minute to yourself is par for the course, it only lasts about 20 years and then all is cool again We did not do holidays as such when the children were small, but did go places for brief sorties, like overnight or 2 nights max, just to see something we had a hankering to see. We used to take a big tent and all the camping gear but then we are mad (and did not have money). Always good fun but never a minute to yourself so to speak. If you expect this, the facts of life, it is fine. Maybe just do stuff you would like to do nearish to where you live, like cultural or historical places you want to see, or forests you want to walk in, or seashores you want to stroll along beside, but never take the time to do in a normal week, and just bring the bowsies along as per normal and mind them in the usual knackering way. At least you will have seen new places! And gone to the chippers on the way home where you can fall into your own bed knackered, repeat for years until they leave home....:D Kidding, you can go on more distant holidays when they are older. .

fits

We are going to France with our 3 year old twins this summer. Ferry and mobile homes in 2 campsites plus an airbnb.
We might be completely mad. But I dont think its going to get much easier for us as they get older.

CheerLouth

We did France two years ago with a one year old and a three year old & had an absolute ball! It will be fab!

fatboy69

Amber springs in Gorey , Wexford is gorgeous. They have a soft play area inside. A petting zoo, pool and train on site. They also have babysitters you can book and child friendly restaurants on site

vidapura

"Winner of Ireland’s favourite family-friendly stay in the 2018 Reader Travel Awards of the Irish Independent"

Thanks, I will check that one out.

afkasurfjunkie

CheerLouth wrote: »

We did France two years ago with a one year old and a three year old & had an absolute ball! It will be fab!

Whereabouts did ye go? I’m half considering a trip this year or next. Have a baby and a 5 yo I can manage fine but also a very busy one year old hurricane boy child who is putting me off the idea of holidays this year altogether.

CheerLouth

afkasurfjunkie wrote: »

Whereabouts did ye go? I’m half considering a trip this year or next. Have a baby and a 5 yo I can manage fine but also a very busy one year old hurricane boy child who is putting me off the idea of holidays this year altogether.

We went to Domaine Des Ormes, it's not too far from Cherbourg...maybe two hours in the car I think. We chose it purposely because we didn't want to be travelling for hours in the car with two small ones. We also went in early June so it wasn't too busy! Kids had a ball, there were plenty of playgrounds for them, kids disco in the evening & the swimming pools were brilliant. They've done up the indoor one since we were there and it looks amazing!

Unshelved

When our little guy was younger we did a few hotel breaks - grand when he was in a buggy and could sleep while you had your evening meal - but now, sitting in a dark hotel room waiting for him to fall asleep at 9pm is just a pain. Some hotels offer family rooms with separate areas for children - Hodson Bay in Athlone springs to mind - but I prefer the space and freedom of an apartment or lodge. Fota was great, as was Centre Parcs - you can get up when you like and can wander around in your PJs after breakfast. Plus sometimes eating out with small kids just isn't worth the bother.

Loved the mobile home holidays in France - we went to Ile de Ré - out on the bikes all day and between that, the beach or the pool he was out like a light most nights. Plus there's always great, good-value takeaway options so you're not tied to the kitchen.

There is no getting around it though - holidaying with small children can be hard work. It's not a "get away from it all" in that some things just still have to be done no matter where you are. Some days it's not much of a break for the parents - but it's still worth it if you change your expectations!

PhoenixParker

I would definitely go for centerparcs.

Been there twice. Once with a 3 year old and once with a 3 year old and a 3 month old. Mid week during term time is generally very good value.

You need a kitchen with tinies so that you can keep food and make snacks easily. Everything from the houses to the restaurants is geared around kids.

If you can share with another family or bring grandparents. You can trade off parenting duty to get a small break for yourselves and bigger houses tend to be better value.

CheerLouth

Back from CentreParcs. It was just brilliant! We had a fantastic time, both our 3 year old and 5 year old had the time of their lives! Accommodation was perfect, beds comfortable. Kitchen was small but fully functional. I brought our Spag Bol with us for Friday night & if I was going again, I'd definitely bring another dinner with us for another night as we got a takeaway on Sunday night & it wasn't great given the price of it.

We arrived on Friday at about 11.30am. Would definitely recommend arriving early. There was no queue when we arrived, so we parked up, went and grabbed a bite to eat & then headed to the pool for a few hours. We walked over to the lodge then about 5ish & hubby went to get the car & he said there was a massive queue of cars trying to get in. We unpacked and he brought the car back to the carpark.

Activities wise, we only did one activity on Saturday morning - the Off Road Explorers (it was 12 euro a child I think) which they loved. And our girl got her hair braided which was 6euro. Other than that, we stuck to the pool which had so much to offer. The kids area is great, water is only ankle deep in one section & they've plenty of slides to keep them entertained. Our kids loved it. The big pool was also a great hit & the lazy river. We even went in the outdoor pool while it was snowing.

Things I would recommend if you are going:
- Bring your bikes
- Bring all the snacks (I thought I had brought lots but underestimated how hungry we all would be and we had to buy more bread and ham for sandwiches)
- Reusable Water Bottles - the pool is fierce warm but they fill up your water bottles at the bar
- Bring swim shoes as some of the kids areas are slippy & in spite of me yelling "walk" every 20 seconds, kids won't walk :P
- Go early on check in day & stay late on check out day if you can - we didn't leave until after 3.30 yesterday so between that & getting there early on Friday, we had four full days to enjoy it!

Also, there were so many people there with tiny babies & they looked like they were getting on grand. There are cots by the pool and the pool area is lovely and warm for them. The only thing I would say could be an issue is if you are in a lodge that is further from the village. We were lucky that we had a lodge that was only a 5 minute walk & even though our two are big enough, our youngest found the walk a challenge at the end of a day in the pool. I wouldn't like to have been further away & would definitely pay to be closer next time.