I haven't read this whole thread but I'd just like to recommend 2 places. Sea World Nara Resort is the most kid friendly place that I have ever stayed at yet had fun myself...eg a nice meal with my DH while the kids were at a Kid's Club. Secondly, we have just returned from The Heritage Sebel in Victoria's Yarra Valley. This surprised me... at first it didn't look child friendly at all.... but they were very accomodating and my children were more than welcome to use the facilities such as the indoor pool (floaties/pool toys included). The reason I mention the Sebel is because their Retreat has a full on Day Spa with every pampering treatment you could imagine. Admittedly my DH and I tended to "take turns" looking after the kids in the room and venturing out... but our room, a suite was huge, more like an apartment.... and had two TVs and 2 toilets which is always a good thing with a family! Also, nearby you have Healesville Sanctuary which is wonderful to do as a family.... and the Yarra Valley Dairy which is a foodies paradise and interesting for the kids as the calves are very friendly and you can get a nice close up experience... we plan to return to the Yarra Valley within 6 months to do it all again... such an easy short revitalising holiday if you live in Melbourne.
I'm thinking of going to the US and Canada (and possibly Ireland) next year with my son. He'll be one and a bit... I'm just wondering about things like catching a cab from the airport to my hotel with no car seat and how to safeguard hotel room powerpoints etc. I also hadn't thought about how I'm going to "baby proof" other places we are staying, like friends houses etc.
Hi Billy Ocean,
I took my DS to London when he was 18 months old. We decided to split the trip, and stopped in KL on the way, and Tokyo on the way back. That was one of the best things that we could have done, as it broke up the trip. As far as car seat goes, we planned (and did) hire a car while in the UK, so I took an old carseat with me from home, and then donated it in Scotland before coming home. We knew that we didn't need it for Japan as we caught the subway to our accom. Also we bought a portable DVD player. It was great on the long haul flights. If you are not buying your child a seat, then when you get on the plane, have a chat with the air hostess and ask them if they can move you so that you can have a spare seat. We managed to have a spare seat on all 4 of the long haul flights, and that made a great difference. This was even on full flights!
All in all, we did 9 flights, and I must say, J was an angel. The only flight he was upset on was the Syd/Melb flight of the way home.
I never even thought about pawer points in the hotels. It was a non issue though, as most of them are fairly well covered. You could always shove a chair in front if you needed. It is good to try and get a place that either has a seperate bedroom, or a partitioned area, as it might mean that you have to hang in the dark at baby bed time. In Japan and KL we didn't have a sep area. Dh and I ended up going out seperately for dinner while the other sat in the room listening to the ipod until J fell asleep. Anyway i was tired from the flight, so didn't mind the early night anyway.
The best advice that I have to give is relax about it. So many people said that I was mad to take an 18 month old on such a big trip, but he LOVED it. He liked the planes, he loved sight seeing, and was generally a pleasure.
Good luck.
Coffs Harbour is great. We have been going there about every second year for about 15 years.
Sandcastles is a great place to stay. They have two bedroom apartments. You can cook some meals if u like or just a few doors away you can eat out. It is across the Rd from the beach. Sandcastles has heated pool (toddler pool) spa and BBQ area. We will going there last week feb early march. DD will be two 8/3. Can't wait. Big banana is good fun and there is lots to do that is fun for kids.
You're right, so many people say I'm crazy to even think about it but I don't see the problem, really. Just relax, exactly! I may hire a car in LA but will see. Will have to do some research.
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Big banana is good fun and there is lots to do that is fun for kids.
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