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.

I make a not-an-itinerary beforehand, by compiling a list of family-friendly, budget-friendly things to do and researching nearby restaurants/cafes with good reviews so every activity has a corresponding eatery.

We can then still wake up and have the freedom to discuss what we shall do on the day over breakfast, without having to do any last minute manic research or worry about where we can find lunch!

We do self catering cottages/villas abroad, always for two weeks. I only pack about 5 days worth of clothes for each person and just make sure there's a washing machine where we stay. I'd rather do the occasional load of washing on holiday than stress about taking two weeks of clothes for everybody and trying to fit it all in the suitcase. Easier to unpack when you get home too. I've even been known to wash everything the day before we leave so I have a suitcase full of clean washing to put away when we get home, instead of loads of washing...

My tips for an easy and relaxing holiday is:
Plan your whole week, outings and sand also days relaxing by the pool and the beach.
I always book all inclusive so that we have food available for us.
Make sure i take new activity books and a games console for the flight for the kids.
I take a capsule wardrobe for myself and the kids so we don't have to carry too much luggage.

No electronic gadgets. Lots of card games. Swimming and wine!

Decide on budget for while away and give DC spending money when we arrive, they can spend it on whatever they like, waste it all on the first day or come home with some left and put it in their piggy banks (keeping any change means they all had the same amount regardless of whether they spend it all or not, and means they don't waste it on the last day just so they've had the full amount).

This means that I can say "yes" to all of the "can I have...." without thinking about budget, meaning there is a much happier atmosphere all round, I may say something like "of course, I'll get your purse out, don't forget we are going to X tomorrow and you might want to save some money for there, but it's up to you". They ask for a lot less, or change their mind when I hand their purse over, when they know it's coming out of their money!

I still treat them to an ice cream or souvenir but it's when I want to, have enough money etc rather than the constant requests for things, and they are all the more grateful when I do rather than just expecting it or being disappointed/upset when I don't

We plan lots of down time in between activities.
We do a mix of lie-ins with a later in the day activity and early start activities to be back in time to relax before dinner.
We protect family time from screen time but realise the screen time is an important part for us all to relax too.
We all take time out to read or listen to audiobooks.

put the kids in separate rooms. otherwise its hell on earth

Involving an element of taking turns to make choices about what to do each day - making sure something for everyone!

My tip for holidaying with a baby is to go with the flow and accept it won't be like pre-kids holidays. You might not get a lie in but you can still have loads of fun!

I like a mixture of relaxing days by the seaside, and activities. So I'll research an area to see what activities or attractions are nearby before booking a break away.

It helps to have a loose structure to the day, and to remove the time pressure. Having very strict timetable on holidays just is another extension of rushing around at home every day.

No bedtime!! It’s the best!

Pick a location with lots of outdoor space and no WIFI. Give older children leaflets on things to do in the area so they can choose possible activities. The lack of WIFI encourages parents and older siblings to get outdoors with our crawling little one, and means we tend to read more and sleep better.

I hate to say I'm a terrible planner, so I plan for the fact that I know I will have forgotten things

I do try to make a list of the essential things. I tend to think that so long as you have the bare essentials than anything else you can either do without or can replace (if necessary) as and when you need it

Self catering with another family- either cousins or family friends. Means the kids entertain each other and the adults get to relax. Bliss!

Stress free holidays start with a hearty breakfast and either a planning session to decide the days events or a decision to just go with the flow. Weather doesn't bother us we are there to relax and enjoy. Same with transport, we either drive, use public transport or shanks pony. Just go with the flow and leave the stresses and strains at home

We try and make sure that we alternate doing days with down days. We also tend to head out later in the day for a more relaxed stroll when the sun isn’t as strong. It means there isn’t that frantic packing up of the car in the heat of the morning when someone is always wanting to lie in. We don’t ban gadgets but make sure we have lunch and dinner together when phones/gadgets go away. We also take it in turns to pick a film or a game that we watch/play together so that everyone gets a turn and we don’t waste hours decide whose choice is the best!

Our top tips are ensuring that we have researched the place before we go so we know what we’re going to be doing. I always take my pillow with me so I can sleep well!

Don't take many toys. They're stressful to keep track of and they don't get played with anyway.

when mine where little and we had to fly I would pack a back of treats and give them a new 'treat' every time they got a bit fractious

These where really little things from Poundland, 25p packs of crayons from Asda etc - IE all stuff that didn't matter if it was dropped, lost, broken . Kept them entertained through out the flight and through the holiday

I also liked the little suitcase packs of Playmobile that they could carry on.

Top tips include:

Packing pods - have transformed packing & Keep beach stuff in packing pods in the car for beach days so have everything with us that we may need.

Get older kids involved in planning/budget etc -

Keep bedtime for tired toddlers, but more relaxed for older ones.

Have a balance of screens to make it more relaxing for you - so yes in the morning & late afternoon but not in the day etc -

Pack medicines like Calpol and know nearest A&E!

I research as much as possible and try and do one full on day followed by a more chill day.
If cooking I do as much ready down stuff as possible so no faffing around and making lasagne etc

1. Enjoy your food. Trying out new restaurants to eat.
2. Have an afternoon nap so we are ready for the evening.
3. Do only selected activities in a day so as to not get over tired.
4. Keep a good mood. Important to have a positive mind set.

I always make sure we take easy to cook food so that I am not doing the same as I would be doing at home. And we eat out as much as we can afford which isn't usually very much with 3 dc! Also take plenty back up entertainment for the dc in case the weather let's us down.

Our own holiday cottage with a garden, plenty of nature for the kids and wine and a newspaper in the evening.

My main tip is to take the grandparents too, extra hands are always useful with 2 preschoolers and means we can have a "date night" away from the kids!