You probably know the feeling: baby has arrived, time is tight, but your longing for a proper break is bigger than ever. Parental leave is the perfect opportunity for your very first family adventure – if you plan it right. But where to go? Holiday home, campervan, or would a hotel be the better choice? Let me share with you why an all-inclusive hotel with a focus on families and little ones is the most relaxing option for your time off as new parents! ☀️
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What is the best way to travel with a baby?
Household chores are exhausting enough as it is – and in a holiday home or campervan, you never truly escape the daily grind. Changing nappies, preparing bottles, cooking, cleaning – does that really sound like a holiday? Not quite!
The most relaxing alternative: A hotel with all-inclusive options or apartments with kitchen facilities plus hotel service. Here, you can sit back and let yourself be looked after, while still having the flexibility to quickly warm up some baby food whenever you need to. The beauty of it? You have the freedom to choose between self-catering and dining in the restaurant – depending on what suits your baby and your family best at the moment.
When is the best time to travel during parental leave?
Here’s where it gets interesting: UK parents can be paid for overlapping leave periods, as long as the total paid leave does not exceed 37 weeks – unless you add some holiday on top. Whether you’re travelling with older children or your little one isn’t crawling yet, each stage brings its own unique needs.
With a newborn (0–6 months): Many families find the early months to be ideal for travel, especially while the baby is exclusively breastfed or bottle-fed and not yet mobile. This is a period when babies tend to sleep more and are easier to transport. Breastfeeding provides added immunity for the baby, making travel less stressful health-wise.
For parents, nothing beats the ease of being looked after – just like in a hotel. Here, you can free your mind for what truly matters: spending quality time together as a family! ?
Why choose a hotel over a campervan or holiday home?
Family hotel perks at a glance:
- Comfort when travelling with a baby: No need to worry about equipment; everything you need is right there
- Choice between hotels with apartments: Self-catering if you fancy, but with restaurants on hand as an option
- Facilities catering to little ones: From baby bathtubs to highchairs
- Childcare for older siblings: Giving mum and dad a chance to catch their breath
Take your time picking the right hotel – because the perfect family-friendly hotel really is the difference between stress and pure relaxation!
Which hotels are perfect for a trip during parental leave?
All the hotels featured here can be explored in detail through the BLUE App, where you can check the daily activity schedule, learn about all the amenities, and get in touch with the hotels directly. Each hotel offers an extensive leisure programme including sports, family entertainment, kids’ clubs, child-friendly dining, cosy nooks for babies, and baby equipment available to borrow.
Escape the winter in Thailand: TUI BLUE Mai Khao Lak
Thailand with a baby? It might sound a bit wild at first, but it’s simply brilliant! The TUI BLUE Mai Khao Lak is perfect for families with little ones: generous suites and villas with baby cots and often a kitchenette, professional baby care from birth, a baby lounge, and plenty of baby essentials on hand like bottle warmers and sterilizers.
You’ll find five family pools, two kids’ pools, a baby pool and a water park featuring a pirate ship, all set against a wide, gently sloping sandy beach for easy paddling. When it comes to meals, flexibility is key: options range from half board to all-inclusive, plus a children’s buffet if you’ve got older kids in tow. The Khao Lak region offers plenty of family-friendly day trips too.
TUI BLUE Palm Garden: A family oasis on the Turkish Riviera
My top pick on the Turkish Riviera! With a near-perfect recommendation rate, TUI BLUE Palm Garden is the first choice for families. Kids’ club, slides, children’s and baby pools, childcare and baby gear all ensure that even a long stay here is comfortable and fun. The extensive all-inclusive dining options even include delicious ice cream! I’ve visited several times and everyone falls head over heels for the hotel and its friendly staff.
The hotel is right on the beach and just a bus ride away from Side, where you can explore ancient ruins, go shopping or enjoy lovely restaurants. Right next to the hotel is a small shopping centre with a pharmacy and all the family essentials such as nappies.
TUI BLUE Atlantica Aeneas Resort: Enjoy perfect temperatures well into late autumn
At the TUI BLUE Atlantica Aeneas Resort on Cyprus, you’ll find modern, spacious family rooms – complete with space for a baby cot, an extra sofa bed, and if you wish, a swim-up pool or private whirlpool. The resort offers plenty of perks for families with babies and children: a lagoon-style pool area with several children’s and baby pools plus water slides guarantees fun from dawn to dusk. Beach lovers will adore the fine sandy Nissi Beach just steps away – perfect for gentle paddling.
Especially handy for parents: Baby and child care across various age groups, a baby lounge for quiet moments, playrooms, spacious playgrounds, and family-friendly entertainment. Baby essentials such as bottle warmers, highchairs and buggies are available onsite. Dining options abound with all-inclusive, featuring flexible meal times, a kids’ buffet, and several restaurants serving international and local dishes.
Cyprus enjoys sunshine and warm water well into late autumn!
TUI BLUE Sensatori Samaya: Your winter escape
Wintertime in Egypt – now that sounds tempting! While one parent enjoys quality time with the baby, the other could go snorkelling or diving – and sunshine is guaranteed. The TUI BLUE Samaya in Marsa Alam is perfect for families with babies and toddlers: a generous pool area featuring separate kids’ and baby pools and direct access to a nearby aquapark with plenty of water slides. The modern family rooms (approx. 45 m²) come with two separate sleeping areas, a complimentary baby cot, plus handy extras like a fridge and kettle.
Professional, English-speaking childcare in the TUI KIDS CLUB from newborns upwards, animation programmes, and playgrounds give parents a well-earned break, while baby items such as highchairs and bottle warmers are provided on site. The all-inclusive concept with a children’s buffet, various restaurants, and flexible meal times ensures a stress-free family holiday during parental leave.
TUI BLUE Flamingo Beach: Apartment comfort meets hotel service
Lanzarote is a superb destination year-round for a parental leave getaway or longer stay. The TUI BLUE Flamingo Beach is a relaxed, family-friendly resort right by the sea boasting spacious apartments with kitchenettes and separate sleeping areas. You can choose to book without meals and dine spontaneously in one of the hotel’s restaurants, or opt for half board or all-inclusive.
A generous pool area with children’s and baby pools, plus a varied leisure programme and facilities, makes for a stress-free and fun parental leave. There’s plenty to discover on Lanzarote, including diving! Practical services for babies and toddlers include highchairs, cots and family-friendly buffets. The babylounge offers a calm, sheltered spot for feeding, nappy changes, and playtime – a wonderful retreat for parents and babies alike.
Hotels as an alternative?
My answer is a clear yes. Not every family wants to – or can – spend months travelling around Australia in a campervan; some prefer a relaxing long-term hotel break without compromising on comfort. In the low season and for extended stays, you can snap up a bargain – and usually, your baby travels free.
Book your baby-friendly hotel now for your parental leave trip
FAQs About Travelling During Parental Leave
Can I travel during parental leave?
Yes, you can travel during parental leave in the UK. Whether you are on unpaid parental leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, or shared parental leave, there is no legal restriction that prevents you from travelling within or outside of the UK while on leave.
Can I combine parental leave with paid days off?
Yes, in the UK, you can combine parental leave with paid days off under certain conditions:
Parental leave itself is generally unpaid, but it is separate from other types of leave such as maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared parental leave, which can be paid depending on eligibility and contracts:
– You are allowed to work up to 10 “keeping in touch” (KIT) days during maternity or adoption leave without ending the leave or pay. These are paid days you can work if you and your employer agree
– For Shared Parental Leave (SPL), you can work up to 20 “shared parental leave in touch” (SPLIT) days similarly, with pay agreed beforehand
– You continue to accrue holiday entitlement while on parental leave, so you can use accrued paid holiday before or after parental leave if you choose
Some employers may offer additional paid parental leave beyond the statutory unpaid parental leave, but this depends on the employment contract or employer policies
You can also take annual paid leave alongside parental leave, but this must be arranged with your employer. Parental leave must be taken in blocks of whole weeks (usually max 4 weeks per year per child), while paid leave can be taken in days
When is the cheapest time to travel during parental leave?
Outside school holidays and peak seasons (avoid summer, Christmas, Easter, and half-terms)
Midweek travel (Monday to Thursday)
Before your child turns two (infants under two often fly cheaper)
Off-peak destinations and low seasons (e.g., autumn or early spring)
Booking last-minute deals if flexible
Late September to November and late January to March tend to offer the best travel bargains for families on parental leave