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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

villa company for kids

14 replies

beijingaling · 27/01/2011 11:04

I can't for the life of me find it on google but I have read about a company that specializes in villa rentals that have been checked to be safe for children ie the swimming pool is fenced in etc.

Does anyone know any companies like this?

OP posts:

jamaisjedors · 27/01/2011 13:46

tots to travel?

No, it's totstofrance and I think they do Italy too.

I've had a look at them before but they seem to get booked up very early.

Original poster

beijingaling · 27/01/2011 13:54

That's it! Thank you.

OP posts:

frenchfancy · 27/01/2011 18:30

Be careful. Almost all of the owners on Tots to france also advertise themselves, and tots to france take 10-20% commision. So if you can find the owners own website you can save yourself some money.

And make sure you check the things that are important to YOU. Just because they are on tots to france does not mean they are 100% safe for toddlers. Some properties have no stair gates for example.

Original poster

beijingaling · 28/01/2011 02:18

Ok thanks. Were not planning on going until 2012-2013 when DD will be 3 (and another dc?) but want to plan now.

OP posts:

joshandjamie · 30/01/2011 14:08

beijingaling - while not every Tots to Travel property will be suitable for everyone, the big difference is that they highlight any problem areas. So if the pool isn't fenced or the stairs don't have a stairgate, they will flag it, so you can make an informed choice about whether it's suitable for your family. And if you give them your list of criteria, they will create a shortlist of properties for you. I've not found another site that gives as much detailed info on the properties as they do

falsemessageoflethargy · 30/01/2011 14:12

We just use ownersdirect and then choose a villa with a fence and then email the owner for any other thing that needs discussion.

WotzNotNot · 30/01/2011 15:28

But if you look now for 2012-2013, the villa may have changed hands, or had major changes to it, or anything in fact may change from what is published now about it.

Of course do some research and plan now and look around, make a shortlist, but I wouldn't book now for that far in advance. It makes no sense to me. And do not book with a villa company for that far out. They may take your money and cease trading.

Original poster

beijingaling · 31/01/2011 18:37

Oh I've no intention of booking yet! Just more of a planning ahead, what's available, what is expected, approx costs type thing!

Thanks again for all your input.

OP posts:

Gingerbreadclaire · 02/02/2011 14:25

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet.

WotzNotNot · 02/02/2011 15:49

I see it's your first post Gingerbreadclaire
Funny what you can find on the web in less than 3 minutes isn't it? Of course you may have a more one sided view on the company when your own company markets them >>>
uk.linkedin.com/in/gingerbreadmarketing This is you isn't it Claire Hooper? Owner at Gingerbread Marketing - Marketing & Product Management at www.totxxxxxxtravel.co.uk

If you want a more unbiased view then leave it to someone else who has been. This makes you look foolish!

ChaosTrulyReigns · 02/02/2011 17:09

Nice one Wotz.

GnomeDePlume · 03/02/2011 22:54

I think that all pools in French holiday accomodation have to be fenced or have some other sort of child-proof security.

When DCs are small have you considered staying on a Eurocamp type place? We have stayed both in a villa with our own pool (in Spain), gites with shared pools and campsites. The prices are fairly similar. The family vote was to stay in campsites. You will get space round your mobile home for DCs to play in plus there will be other families and almost certain to have pool, shop, bar etc. The accomodation is family friendly and you can be confidant that you will get what you booked.

Oh, I dont work for any of the holiday companies I am just a frustrated travel agent!

Original poster

beijingaling · 04/02/2011 00:24

I have vey very fond memories of eurocamp as a child and certainly plan to go back with the dcs.

The thing is my step dcs live in Aus where the beaches and camping are brilliant so we want to go to Europe (probably Italy as DH and I have very fond memories and usually went twice a year pre bith of our dc) and do something a bit different. Well, different for sdc not different for ppl with access to Europe.

Dd1 is new born so we wouldn't go until she is about 2 but we would probably have another newborn dc by then so could even be 3 years at least from now.

OP posts:

frenchfancy · 04/02/2011 06:42

Pools in france do not have to be fenced. The have to have a security device in place which can be either a fence, an alarm, or a fitted locked cover.

The trouble is the majority of owners have gone for an alarm as it is the cheapest option, but in terms of child safety is effectively worthless. The alarms tend to go off in the wind, or if the cover slaps around a bit. So once it has gone off once or twice most people turn it off.

In any case if the alarm went off you have very little time to get to the child, so if you are in the house, on the toilet for example you probably wouldn't get there in time.

As totstofrance don't own the villas they are just passing on information, and taking a nice healthy cut in the process.

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