Read Mumsnetter reviews of Tots to Travel resorts

[EllieMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the users that tested out the Tots Exclusive Experience resorts for a week. This was open to all UK MNers with children under the age of 5.

Non-testers in order to be entered into a prize draw, where one MNer will win a £200 voucher, please answer this question: Share your golden tip for going away with babies or toddlers!

Here is what Tots to Travel have to say: “At Tots to Travel we believe that every family with children under five should be able to holiday wherever they want, in the style they choose and in locations they love. It’s why we’ve developed our own Tots Exclusive Experience resorts. To give you those little extras that go a long way to address the specific needs that only parents of babies and toddlers face when going on holiday. With locations ranging from idyllic countryside retreats to blissful beachside escapes, there are plenty of places to choose from.

We are committed to giving every parent the confidence to go anywhere with their little ones, by providing everything you need for a seamless and stress-free travel experience. Tots Exclusive Experience resorts combine a whole lot of holiday know-how with a sense of fun, plenty of play, essential baby and toddler equipment, safety and a level of care that you won’t find anywhere else.

Each of the seven Tots Exclusive Experience resorts comes with the same Tots quality and family focus to make sure your holiday really is one to remember.”

Testers please answer the following questions:
- Which resort did you attend?
- Did you have all the Tots Essential Kit that you requested in your accommodation?
- Did your accommodation suit the specific needs of a family with children under five?
- Did you find the in accommodation play corner age appropriate and engaging?
- Did you find the Tots Play Zones age appropriate and engaging?
- Did you find the Playmaker activities age appropriate, varied and engaging? (Green Garden, Villacana Resort & Vale da Ribeira only)
- Did the Tots Guarantee of the Essential Kit and accommodation safety checks make you feel more at ease about holidaying with young children?
- Were you able to relax, recharge and reconnect as a family?

Selected testers will be required to leave their feedback on a thread on Mumsnet and fill in a short survey. Everyone who leaves the required feedback will be entered into a prize draw where 1 MNer will win £100 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

Non tester. Get a good sling or baby backpack. It frees you up to explore without a mound of clutter and a stroller.

Non tester
Share your golden tip for going away with babies or toddlers!
I found it helpful to remember that locals also have toddlers so I usually packed a few nappies etc for the first few days. Then bought the rest there. That way I saved luggage space.

Didn’t try the holidays, but my top tips are go during term time if the kids are not yet in school (I can’t do this as I’m a teacher) and take a sept of grandparents with you! My mum and dad are amazing and have made our (uk only) holidays so much more fun and relaxing

Non - tester.

A lightweight buggy with a basket underneath - great for toddlers and carrying your essentials.

Non-tester,

My tip is keep an eye on what they are drinking and eating, it's easy to forget when you are busy to to get out of their routine, take frubes, fruit, raisins and juice, they will become over hungry and 'hangry' before you know it - your day becomes super stressful and no-one enjoys it.

NON TESTER

CHECK YOUR CHANGING BAG FOR NAPPIES, WIPES, SOOTHERS, AND YOUR 'USUAL' MEDICINE YOU MAY NEED. FROM EXPERIENCE BEING ON HOLIDAY WITH AN INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY - AND NO SHOPS (SO DO YOUR PACKING CAREFULLY)

Non tester. My tip is to not make too many hard deadlines for yourselves, pre booked activities will be stressful if everything isnt going to plan.

non tester- plan plan and plan

make lists
remake lists
organise yourselves- research the area beforehand

Non-tester.

Unpack (a bit at least) and set yourself up for bedtime as soon as you get there. It’s easy to just get carried away and stuck straight into your holiday the minute you arrive (opening that bottle of wine/jumping in the swimming pool - not at the same!) and then suddenly find yourself with an exhausted toddler who desperately needs to be put to bed. This is not a good time to be starting to set up a travel cot, finding pyjamas, finding toothbrushes etc

My golden trip for travelling with toddlers is You can do it! So many people worry about travelling with small children and often don't travel at all. Travelling is totally do able with little people you just have to go for it! Half the battle is being confident that everything is going to be fine!

This is well timed as we are thinking of booking the TTT resort in Tenerife!

My tip for travelling with toddlers is to stock up on cheap toys/tat from the pound shop before you go - we find that ‘new toys’ often makes the flight go faster!

NON TESTER

Share your golden tip for going away with babies or toddlers!

Have a bag with 'one of everything' with you, spare T shirt and pants, nappy, biscuits, carton of juice, sachet of calpol, and keep it in your changing bag or travel bag, you can solve many a tired and hangry moment with this as you can have a solution/distraction.

NON TESTER

Share your golden tip for going away with babies or toddlers.

My tip is if going abroad, pay a little extra for a daytime flight so your toddler is not overtired, there is nothing worse for you or the fellow passengers to have a crying toddler who you cannot settle because they are overtired. For the UK look in your cupboards and think about the items you may need when you are out - medical, snack and drink. Finally stay calm and enjoy the experience, if you can do this - they will too.

non tester. My tip is to check what facilities are available to you at your destination- and any reviews of previous visitors as they often give good insight into what you can expect, so what you cannot buy there you can take with you (medicines, pram hire, sun cream - the essentials really)

NON TESTER

Share your golden tip for going away with babies or toddlers!

My tip is develop thick skin - so when your toddlers - are doing what toddlers do - ignore the looks tuts and glances from those without children - I used to care too much about what other people thought of my sons behaviour (he has ASD) - and it used to spoil my days out - then I thought - it's there problem - not mine - so what if they cry, yell and tantrum, ignore and smile at the tutters. it won't last forever, and I want to enjoy my holiday, and ignore those with no empathy for your situation.

non tester
I always take a small amount of washing powder and hand soap with me in a Tupperware, because my DDs have very sensitive skin, and anything new brings them out in a rash!

Non tester here.
I swear by lists for everything. I also like to spread everyone's stuff between suitcases, in case one goes missing (from experience).

A little notebook and a pencil so they can draw and use their imagination. Sometimes great as they want you to draw them all sorts of wacky things. Not crayons as they can melt and make a lot of mess.
If not available a 'magic' writer as they'll still be able to do patterns etc.

Non tester

My top tip for travelling with toddlers is to relax. Let them change things up a bit. Let them explore. Let them stay up a little bit later and sit with you at dinner. Don’t stress about nap times and bedtimes - unless you want to - have fun!

Non-Tester here!
Golden tip for going away with babies & toddlers is to commit to early nights for everyone!
The change of routine, the excitement - it's bound to leave everyone exhausted. By ensuring everyone gets a decent kip each night - it allows for more fun & less grumpiness the next day. Also, let's face it - a 5am wake up is much more bearable if you've gone to bed at 8pm the previous night rather than midnight!!

Plenty of snacks, comics, downloaded programmes on iPads and some new small toys for the plane. And be flexible on bedtimes so you aren't stressed out!

Tip for going away with children - get a room with a balcony if staying in a hotel so you don't have to sit in silence in the dark after the kids' bedtime.

Non tester tips - little ones can be happy and find fun wherever you are. Even opening the cupboards to see what's inside in the accommodation, helping unpack etc. can be a great game for an hour! Follow their lead and they might surprise you in a good way.

Non-tester: when travelling with very young baby, just remember they won't remember it so take a good sling and do/see things you want to. Once they're older, it's not really a holiday for you anymore.

non-tester

Pack lots of small toys, wrap them and give them out during the journey.