Win a two-night bed and breakfast stay at a Luxury Family Hotel

[HannahGMumsnet]

Hello folks - we've got another competition for you!

Luxury Family Hotels are famed for providing families with stress-free and relaxing UK breaks which are fully focused on spending quality time together and taking some time out to relax.

With multiple locations across the south of the UK and prices starting from £329 for two-night stays including breakfast and dinner, it's the ideal time to book your break - and you can find out more here.

This year they're celebrating their 30th birthday, and to celebrate they're giving one lucky Mumsnetter the chance to win a two-night bed and breakfast stay at a Luxury Family Hotel of their choice.

To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is let us know your top tips and tricks to ensure you and your family unwind properly on holiday. Whether that's making sure you turn off notifications for work emails, or getting out and exploring nature or simply remembering to pack the tablet charging cable, we want to hear it.

We will be picking a winner at random on Monday 22 July 2019 - good luck!

The prize is valid for redemption until 28 March 2020 (excluding school holidays and Bank Holiday weekends). The prize is valid for two adults and up to three children. The prize is subject to availability at time of booking.

[bluebeck]

I am a planner so for me the top tip is to do my research and plan some days out somewhere interesting.

Also, use the kids clubs if they exist! My DC even cried when we left one holiday because they loved the kids club entertainers so much!!

[erniewise]

My first rule for a relaxed holiday is no driving....especially if it's on the other side of the road!! That removes a major stress for us. Second is to ensure that, if we go somewhere that sunny days are not guaranteed, to plan excursions that aren't weather dependent.

[RockyRolly]

Put the phones/iPads etc away and spend 99% of the time outside! Dont do any cooking and just seize the day each day. Life is too short!

[Gizlotsmum]

Planning a mix of busy days and down days to make sure we all chill. Works phones off and limited access to tech. Giving the kids a choice of activities so they choose a day each, even if that is just crazy golf and the pool

[jollygoose]

We always choose a holiday we know the children will enjoy -a few simple ingredients such as a heated swimming pool and any other activities such as nearby beach with rockpools to explore or adventure playground. Last year the hotel we stayed in had a billiards table we played every evening and they loved it.

[HelloDoris]

I make sure that before we go we all get a chance to say what we want to do whilst on holiday, we then plan the time to ensure everyone gets their activity/visit included.

My husband and I also make sure we carve a little time away from family fun (he likes to watch sport/ I like to bimble round charity shops), this gives us chance to re-charge and re-join the fun later.

Ice cream - lots and lots of ice cream..

[Baboutheocelot]

My top tip is to try not to pack too much in. Our holiday is about relaxing and not rushing about all over. I like leisurely day trips but we head home when we start feeling tired, which is sooner than normal in the heat.
We tend to have a walk in the morning then relax by the pool after lunch.

[mumof2oneofeach]

Sticker books for my two! Gives them something to do in the hotel room when we need time to unwind.

[SharonBotts]

Choose a hotel with black out curtains - nothing worse than struggling to get kids to sleep when on a holiday. No gadgets for quality family time together. Lots of outdoor activities before indulging in good food and wine!

[doctorboo]

My boy’s are 4,5 and 8. I know that wherever we are we’ll have early starts and might need chilled evenings, especially after busy days out.
To keep things me chilled, I go shopping a few days before we head off and stock up on things I know go down well with all of them and can be used to keep the peace whilst out and about too:

• Activity Packs (the type with stickers, colouring book and pencils in them)
• New book for each of them
• Interesting snacks
• Favourite board games or a new one for the collection
• Print out info on the area we’re staying in so they can see the fun things we’ll be doing and make a list of their top 10.

The boy’s can choose postcards to send to grandparents and one for their collection too.

[CadburysTastesVileNow]

Look for somewhere that offers separate 'kid high tea / supper' and a sitter service or who can put you in touch with trusted local sitters.

It made ALL the difference to us when the kids were young to have them eat first, uproariously and happily in a relaxed environment with simple food they actually fancied - not in a staid restaurant where they had to mind their ps and qs. Conversely, we got a proper adult meal out while they slept - we didn't have to eat at 6pm in a 'family friendly' restaurant and stay in the room with the light off afterwards.

[jackstini]

Rooms with a separate bedroom for the DC
Black out blinds in case there is a smidgen of a chance of a lie in
A selection of board game and outdoor games to borrow
Outdoor space
Within walking distance of somewhere family friendly to eat
Lots of leaflets showing places of interest
Maps of walks to borrow
Buckets and spades to borrow if near a beach
Balcony for whoever is up first/up last to use to avoid disturbing others

[IWouldBeSuperb]

Planning a wide range of activities and days out - means there's something to do whatever the weather and I find that the more we pack in the longer the holiday feels!

[GreasyHairDoNotCare]

My top tip for staying relaxed, especially with toddlers, is to not set your expectations too high. Toddlers are unpredictable even on holiday so try not to get yourself worked up if plans have to change or meltdowns happen, you can still enjoy yourself. The highs will outweigh the difficulties

[ladyvimes]

I find just getting away from the house and staying somewhere new relaxing in itself. Suspending real-life for a week: no washing, ironing, etc, is just bliss. It helps us all remember what’s important in life and it’s heavenly just being together with no other influences.
And wine of course!

[sloaneBear]

I would love to win this. We went to Woolley Grange with the kids one year and it was HEAVEN. Set up so well for the kids and adults alike.

My tips for ensuring the family unwind on holiday:

• pack a travel bag of interesting things to distract kids on the journey there and back. If it’s a car journey download a good audio book that all will enjoy. That way you don’t arrive frazzled after bickering your way down the M4 (or wherever).
  
• early nights for the evening running up to going away so you don’t all start tired.
  
• no screens for journey or holiday. This goes for adults too. It’s so nice to connect properly and not all be staring at phones.
  
• don’t sweat the small stuff on holiday. If they won’t eat veggies just relax. Those are term time battles to fight.
  
• actually play with the kids rather than ignoring them and trying to relax. This is more relaxing than constantly being annoyed that they won’t amuse themselves. And if they feel you are there for them they often wonder off and amuse themselves rather than trying to interrupt you because you don’t seem available.
  
• take some games you all enjoy.

[Tentomidnight]

My tips are to make sure that each child has a bag in the car/on the journey with stuff to do, paper, pen, book, ipad, headphones.

I try to plan one activity each day so that we have some down time at the hotel at end of the day before dinner.

Avoiding self catering helps, too, so that I feel that it’s a break from shopping/cooking/sweeping/washing up.

[caffeinebuzz]

Have a good idea of what activities are available locally, but keep plans fluid and do try to pack too much in.

[Whyisitsodifficult]

We normally self cater as I quite like the flexibility but sometimes it’s a constant conveyor belt of supplying food! So we make sure everyone pulls their weight with getting food ready. Picnic by the pool or beach so we don’t have any restrictions.

We take small travel games, we live by the water so plenty of water based activities. Remind the kids that is a holiday for us as much as them therefore they need to help!

Best Buy was some great net bags that the kids could use to carry all their own beach paraphernalia which normally consists of a huge array of stuff.

[managedmis]

First rule of a good holiday is no cooking! Waking up to a lovely breakfast cooked by someone else is just bliss 🍳

[JC4PMPLZ]

Not sure we do! One of the places we go only has wifi for 2 hours a day if you crouch outside the tourist office in the village. Not sure that amounts to switching off though - more like more anxiety! Going out on long long walks helps, I guess.

[Flipsyflops]

I find the best way to unwind is to remove time pressures. Usually we're dashing to be at drop off on time, or dashing to work, or for the train, or to get back in time for x, y, z...

So on holiday nobody is allowed to pressure anyone (within reason ) kids are up a bit later at night? No stressing over bedtimes allowed. Sudden nappy disaster? Nevermind, we'll head out later, not panic and rush about.

Going much slower refreshes us all :)

[MsGee]

I am by nature a bit of a planner and DD has ASD, so I tend to be over organised about holidays.

Top tips that work for us...

In travelling I make sure:

• We have plenty of snacks for the car
  
• I pack a bag of activities for the car, plus comfort toy
  
• We are all clear on how long the journey will take, where we will stop etc.
  

In choosing somewhere, I look for

• Somewhere with a kids menu as DD doesn't like a lot of things
  
• Somewhere with a pool so we can swim as a family
  
• Somewhere with wifi
  

I do tend to plan too much, thinking of activities and food for every day of a break. We also have a mix of family time, and being able to do our own thing (read etc.) time every day. I used to live for holidays but with DD and animals, I find we have a lot less now, and tend to prefer shorter breaks as easier for us all (and to sort animal care out) - that said, I tend to appreciate them a lot more!

[Cloeycat]

I plant travel to a T. I don’t want any stress from travel to continue to my break so I make sure that the trip goes as smoothly as possible. Traveling at times the roads are quieter, planning travel so naps are taken in the car, having snacks etc on hand for stroppy moments. I always find a calm journey sets the tone for the break!