Family hotels

Properties here report family rooms, children's facilities, or both. In practice that means rooms that sleep three or more without a folding bed jammed between the wardrobe and the door, and often a pool, a play area or a kids' club. The gap between a hotel that tolerates children and one that is built around them is wide, and the amenity list does not show it.

Before you book, check

• The actual bed configuration. "Family room" can mean a double plus a sofa bed, which is not the same as two proper beds.
• Whether cots and extra beds are free, and up to what age. Charges per night add up quickly.
• The child policy for meals: some properties feed under-sixes free, others charge adult rates from age six.
• Whether the pool has a shallow section and whether it is supervised.

Worth it for: Anyone travelling with children who would rather not spend the trip negotiating space.