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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

First holiday with 7 month old - private pool vs shared pool.

15 replies

DearWilbur · 02/03/2022 06:16

Hi all,

We are looking to book to go away in September when our little girl will be 7 months old. It will be our first family holiday abroad. We haven't picked a location yet but won't be going anywhere too far away (around a 4.5 hour flight time max).

We like the idea of having a villa but are torn between having one with a shared pool (generally these seem to be closer to the beach and other local amenities) versus a villa with a private pool (which seem to be further away and would require us to hire a car to get everywhere unless we paid a fortune for one that was close to local amenities, which we aren't in a position to do).

Our families have recommended the private pool option and being further away from amenities, as they said it was 100% worth it when they went with their kids.

I'm just looking for other people's experiences please and to see what you recommended. At 7 months old, I wasnt sure if she'd be spending enough time in the pool to warrant having a private pool? Then there's also the additional cost of hiring a car - do they come with car seats? And the inconvenience of not being able to go for a stroll with her to local restaurants and shops etc

Any advice would be much appreciated 😊

Thanks!

OP posts:

Cakequeen1988 · 02/03/2022 06:20

There is absolutely zero reason to have a private pool!

Avacadoandtoast · 02/03/2022 06:24

When our boy was 9months old we got a villa with a private pool - it meant we could still have a swim / sunbathe during his nap time as the pool was right beside his bedroom. I’m sure you could get that with a shared pool too though!

Bawheed · 02/03/2022 06:25

I don't think a 7 month old would be in the pool enough to warrant a private one. I'd also personally prefer the option of being able to walk to local amenities rather than having to drive everywhere.

Hire cars don't come with car seats as standard. You can hire them but they come at an additional cost.

Go for the shared pool option in the more convenient location. It'll be less isolating (and expensive).

Woollystockings · 02/03/2022 06:25

I wouldn’t call a 4.5 hour plane trip not far! That’s quite a way.
Shared pool is fine.
Take your own car seat.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 02/03/2022 06:29

What are you wanting to do? Gonout for dinner each night... you will want to walk.
Explore the wider location... car
Pop to the beach daily... walk

Caspianberg · 02/03/2022 06:32

I wouldn’t go for private. At 7months many are crawling, so your will have to have eyes in the back of your head for safety. Also, they will probably only be going in for 5 mins at a time at that age. Shared you can always go for a walk for them to nap and park pram in shade near pool.

HarlowHenry · 02/03/2022 06:35

We went to Egypt with our eldest when he was 8 months old. We went to a hotel but the accommodation was in a villa. It was perfect as we didn’t have to cook and everything was within easy reach, the beach, pools, restaurants etc. All the staff made a big fuss of DS and it was much more relaxing than being on our own.

OverByYer · 02/03/2022 06:42

The amount of time that you will use a pool with a 7 month old is not worth the extra for a private one.
A 4.5 hr flight is quite long with a baby when you could get to Spain or Balearic island in 2.
We did an apartment in menorca when our baby was that little with a shared pool. Amenities in walking distance

Clymene · 02/03/2022 06:44

I'd go max 2 hours and shared pool. You will have a better holiday if you're close to amenities and you won't be spending that much time in the pool (or even in the sun) with a baby

Roselilly36 · 02/03/2022 06:52

Good age to take a first family holiday, once they are walking things get a bit trickier! I would book a villa with a private pool personally. Easier to stick to babies routine, more space etc.

Twizbe · 02/03/2022 06:57

With a 7 month old I'd stay in the UK.

Or go all inclusive so you can have a bit of a break / don't have to cook / leave the hotel.

No reason to get a private pool at all.

If you do want to go further afield, we went to Dubai when DS was 10 months old and that was fantastic.

Mindymomo · 02/03/2022 07:31

We went to Joinal Villas in Portugal, this had a small kiddies pool and a large swimming pool. There were restaurants within walking distance and the package included a car. It was lovely, we went back again when we had second child and in laws came too.

gogohm · 02/03/2022 07:32

At that age the most important thing is that it is heated, villa pools rarely are. Personally I would choose a hotel that will provide all meals and has a heated toddler pool and babysitting

Brycare · 02/03/2022 11:11

The only thing I would say with a child that age - is make sure that whatever pool you use is heated.
We went to France when our daughter was 10 months old and it's true we didn't use the pool that much with her (even though it was heated and private and we could even adjust the depth of it).

alrightfella · 02/03/2022 11:38

I doubt it's worth a private pool with a baby that age. I'd go for somewhere walkable distance to restaurants. Make the most of the baby sleeping in a pushchair whilst you eat/have a drink, it's a very short time frame that you can do this!

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