PARENTHOOD: 20 Tips for Staying in a Hotel with Children

Parenthood and hotels aren't two things that naturally go hand in hand, are they? The idea of squeezing the whole family into one hotel room can bring even the calmest parent out in a cold sweat. How will we all get any sleep? Will we have to spend the evening in the bathroom? etc. But it doesn't have to be out of the questions and since we've stayed in a few hotels recently I've learnt a few tips along the way. All of our hotel stays have been positive and a good nights sleep has been had all round. Mainly thanks to the following twenty tips, so I thought I'd share them with you...

TRAVEL: A Night of Family-Friendly Luxury at Calcot and Spa in the Cotswolds

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'Luxury' and 'Family-Friendly' are two words that don't usually appear in the same sentence, but just because you've had children doesn't mean you don't want a spot of luxury every now and again. Too often luxurious hotels aren't suitable for stays with children, which can be disappointing, especially if you're trying to celebrate a special occasion together as a family. However, Calcot & Spa has the perfect combination of being luxurious and family-friendly, making it the perfect place for celebrating special occasions altogether. As it was my birthday in March (the last one before hitting the big 3-0!) we took the incredible opportunity to stay at Calcot to celebrate. Since becoming a parent birthdays aren't quite the same; you have little people who desperately want to help open all of your presents, their needs don't go over yours (even if it is your birthday) and daily routines don't really change much either. So finding somewhere that allows you to feel treated, surrounded by extra special touches and still enjoy a peaceful meal in the evening is the answer for many parents.

TRAVEL: A Festive Family Weekend at Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market with Macdonald Hotels

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Christmas is well and truly coming and I for one am incredibly excited this year. Perhaps more so than previous years because it is our last Christmas that both Isabella and Poppy are at home on the run up to the big day. Next year Isabella will have started school, so our festivities will have to be kept to the weekend, but for now we are all about getting into the festive spirit every day of the week. Where better to do this than at a Christmas Market? There are many of them happening right now across the country with entertainment, stalls and an atmosphere filled with Christmas cheer. Our closest one is in Birmingham, which is exactly where we headed last weekend for a festive family getaway.

TRAVEL: Falling in love with the Capital of the Cotswolds

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When I was growing up I didn't live too far from the Cotswolds, so we would often spend days out at Cotswold Wildlife Park, exploring the little villages and going for walks. However, when I went to university up in Durham and then moved to the East Midlands I didn't visit the area as much anymore. That was until we had children and fell back in love with the Cotswolds for family walks, delicious pub lunches and all the beautiful places to visit. Somehow, despite living so close for so many years, I had never visited Cirencester which is considered the 'Capital of the Cotswolds'. It's quite a title and one I was intrigued by, so when the chance came up to visit we were all very excited to see what it had to offer.

TRAVEL: New York - CitizenM in Central Manhattan

If you're spending a few days in New York then staying in Central Manhattan is ideal, as you're close to many tourist attractions, incredible shopping, as well as the general hustle and bustle of the buzzing city. There's plenty to do within walking distance, so you can pack as much or as little as you want.

TRAVEL: New York - The Nolitan in Lower Manhattan

New York - Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, there's nothing you can't do now you're in New York (sang beautifully just like Alicia Keys). Personally, being in New York does give me a sense of 'anything can happen here'. Like most cities it's filled with endless adventures, opportunities and experiences but there's something extra when you're in New York. It's an incredible place to visit and if you ever get a chance to then I'd highly recommend grabbing it with both hands.

REVIEW: Red Letter Days Voucher - Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa

A while ago some of our friends kindly gave us a Red Letter Days voucher for a Two Night Hotel Escape for Two (£189), which we made the most of just before Isabella arrived last year. Back in March we took a weekend off renovating our house and enjoyed our last weekend away before having a baby. Now I know just how valuable this was because staying in a hotel with Isabella would be very challenging now. Oh how I miss hotel breakfasts!