How to choose a family-friendly holiday home: a parent's checklist

Booking a holiday home with young children is a different exercise to booking for two adults. A beautiful photo tells you nothing about whether the garden is enclosed, whether there's a stair gate at the top of an open staircase, or whether the cot advertised is actually a real travel cot. This checklist walks through what experienced family travellers look for before they book.

Before you book: the essentials

• An enclosed or gated garden if you have toddlers or a dog.
• Stair gates on any open or steep staircases.
• A genuine travel cot and high chair (ask for photos, not just a tick-box).
• Plug socket covers and blind-cord safety in bedrooms.
• Ground-floor bedrooms or a lift if anyone in your party has mobility needs.

Questions worth asking the host

A good host won't mind a few questions — and the answers tell you a lot. Ask how close the nearest road is, whether the pool (if there is one) has a fence or alarm, and whether the kitchen has a stair gate or way to keep little ones out while you cook.

On StayAnywhere, much of this is answered before you ask: every property carries a verified Family Safety Score and a clear list of family and accessibility features, so you can compare like for like.

Don't forget the practicalities

• Parking close to the door — invaluable when you're unloading a sleeping toddler.
• A washing machine for the inevitable accidents and muddy clothes.
• Blackout blinds for early-rising children.
• Proximity to a supermarket, pharmacy and, ideally, A&E.

The golden rule: if a detail matters to your family's safety or sanity, confirm it in writing before you pay. A two-line message now saves a stressful surprise on arrival.