Cribs and high chairs in vacation rentals: what to buy, where to place them, and how to attract families

Families with babies are one of the most profitable segments of vacation rentals. They book longer stays, cancel less often, and tend to be quiet guests. But many owners lose these bookings over a small detail: not having a crib or high chair. In this post, I tell you what to buy, how much it costs, where to place it, and how to turn this into a reservation magnet.

Why it’s worth offering a crib and high chair

A family with a baby under 2 years old has a problem: traveling with their own crib and high chair is a nightmare. They take up half the trunk, need to assemble and disassemble them, and often they don’t fit in the rental car.

When looking for accommodation, they filter by "baby-friendly" or "crib available". If you don’t check those boxes, you won’t appear in their results. It’s that simple.

And we’re talking about a large segment. On Airbnb, the "family-friendly" filter is one of the most used. Booking has a dedicated section for travel with children. If your apartment has 2 or 3 bedrooms and isn’t equipped for babies, you’re leaving money on the table.

Real numbers

A decent crib costs between 60 and 120 euros. A high chair, between 30 and 80 euros. Total: less than 200 euros of investment.

If that brings you 3 or 4 extra bookings per year from families who wouldn’t have booked otherwise, the investment pays off in the first month. And the equipment lasts for years.

Which crib to buy

Here, we need to distinguish between two things: travel cribs (foldable) and fixed cribs.

Foldable travel crib

This is the most practical option for 90% of vacation rentals. It folds, takes up little space, is taken out when needed, and stored when not.

Advantages:

• No permanent space occupation
• Easy to clean
• Reasonable price (60 to 100 euros)
• Fits any room

Disadvantages:

• The mattress is usually thinner and less comfortable
• Some families reject them for this reason

Models that work well: Chicco Next2Me, Hauck Dream N Play, Kinderkraft Sofi. All between 70 and 130 euros.

Fixed crib

Only makes sense if you have a dedicated children’s bedroom or a lot of space. They take up space, don’t fold, and not all families need them.

If you have a large room with plenty of space, it can set you apart. But for most apartments, the foldable is the better option.

What NOT to do

Don’t buy a second-hand crib without checking its condition. Safety standards have changed, and an old crib may have bars too far apart, lead paint, or loose parts.

European safety standard EN 716: all cribs sold in the EU must comply with this. Check that the crib has it on the label or instructions.

Which high chair to buy

For high chairs, the decision is simpler, but there are also options.

Foldable high chair

The practical choice. Costs between 30 and 60 euros, folds against the wall, and doesn’t bother when not in use.

Models that work: IKEA Antilop (25 euros, almost indestructible), Chicco Polly, Hauck Sit N Fold.

The IKEA Antilop is the queen of vacation rentals. Cheap, lightweight, washable with a hose, and durable. Buy it and forget about it.

Table booster seat

Attaches to a regular chair. Takes up zero space when not in use. Cost: 20 to 40 euros.

Problem: not all chairs support it well, and many parents are wary.

Recommendation

Buy an IKEA Antilop and that’s it. 25 euros, zero problems, lasts for years. If you want something more premium, a Chicco Polly.

Comparison table: what to buy based on your type of apartment

Apartment Type	Recommended Crib	Recommended High Chair	Total Investment
Studio or 1-bedroom	Basic foldable	IKEA Antilop	90 to 110 euros
2 bedrooms	Medium foldable (Hauck, Kinderkraft)	IKEA Antilop	100 to 130 euros
3+ bedrooms, family-oriented	Premium foldable (Chicco) or fixed	Chicco Polly	150 to 200 euros
Luxury apartment	Fixed + foldable crib	Stokke or similar	300+ euros

Where to store the crib and high chair when not in use

This is the most common mistake: leaving the crib assembled in a bedroom permanently. It takes up space, ages faster, and bothers guests who don’t need it.

Storage options

• Large hallway closet: ideal if you have one. The folded crib measures about 80x25x25 cm.
• Under the bed: if you have high beds or with a platform, it fits perfectly.
• Storage room: if your apartment has one, it’s the best.
• Top shelf of a wardrobe: if it’s a lightweight foldable crib.

The foldable high chair can be left in the kitchen or attached to a wall. It takes up little space.

Communicate this in the welcome manual

Make clear where it is and how to assemble it. A 30-second video in the welcome manual saves messages at 11 pm.

How to advertise it to attract families

Having the equipment is useless if you don’t mention it in the listing.

On Airbnb

Mark all related amenities:

• Crib
• High chair
• Child-friendly
• Outlet protectors (if you have)
• Play corner (if you have)

In the title, if your apartment is clearly family-oriented, include the words "family" or "family-friendly".

On Booking

In the "Services" section, activate all related to families. Booking highly rewards these filters in search results when someone travels with children.

In photos

Include at least one photo with the crib assembled in a bedroom and one of the high chair in the kitchen. Families need to see that it exists, not just read about it.

Check our vacation rental photography guide for more tips.

Safety: what you cannot overlook

An accident with a baby in your apartment is the worst thing that can happen. Besides the human tragedy, civil liability can be severe.

Safety checklist

• Crib with EN 716 certification
• Well-fitting mattress (no gaps where the baby can get trapped)
• No cords, ribbons, or hanging toys
• High chair with harnesses in good condition
• Protected outlets in rooms where the baby goes (optional but valued)
• Windows with locks or limiters (mandatory in some communities for vacation rentals)

Regular review

Check the crib and high chair every 6 months. Loose screws, broken plastics, worn straps. If anything is doubtful, replace it.

And keep the original instructions. If a guest doesn’t know how to assemble the crib and there’s an accident, having the instructions on hand protects everyone.

Should you charge for the crib or include it for free?

Eternal debate. My opinion: include it for free.

Charging 5 or 10 euros per night for a crib:

• Creates friction with the guest
• Reduces your conversion rate
• Doesn’t compensate for what you gain

If you include it for free, slightly increase the base price and that’s it. The guest perceives added value, and you don’t lose reservations over a 30-euro supplement.

Exception: if it’s a premium crib (like Stokke, over 500 euros), it makes sense to charge a symbolic fee to cover wear and tear.

Extras that families love

If you want to go a step further and become the preferred apartment for families with babies:

• Foldable changing table (15 euros)
• Foldable baby bathtub (20 euros)
• Child tableware (5 euros)
• Basic toy set in a box (10 to 20 euros)
• Bottle warmer (15 euros, optional)
• Children’s books in Spanish and English
• Corner protectors on furniture
• Outlet covers

Total extra investment: less than 100 euros. Return: 5-star reviews and repeat bookings.

Common mistakes

1. Crib stored in the storage room without informing: if the guest doesn’t know it exists, they won’t ask for it.
2. Dirty high chair: old food residues are pure disgust. Deep clean between bookings.
3. Crib mattress without waterproof cover: babies vomit and pee. Without a cover, the mattress gets ruined in 3 bookings.
4. Not testing assembly: when a guest asks how to assemble it at 10 pm, you want to know the answer.
5. Old "that’s good enough" crib: if your own daughter slept there 15 years ago, replace it. Standards have changed.

How Autoregistro fits in

When you accept families with young children, the traveler registration gets a bit complicated. Minors must also be registered in SES Hospedajes, with their details and relationship to the responsible adult.

Autoregistro makes this automatic. Send a link to the family, they fill out a form with all data (adults and minors included), and the data goes directly to SES without you doing anything.

It costs 1 euro per month per property, less than a coffee. And you forget about the paperwork, which can be a hassle with large families. If you want to deepen, check our guide on minor registration in vacation rentals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it mandatory to have a crib in a vacation rental?

No, it’s not legally required. But if you advertise your apartment as "child-friendly" or check the "crib available" box, you are obliged to have one in good condition.

Can I charge for the use of the crib?

Yes, it’s legal to charge a supplement. But I recommend not doing so: you lose more reservations than you gain.

What is the maximum age a travel crib covers?

Most are approved up to 15 kg or about 3 years old. After that, the child needs a regular bed.

What if the baby pees on the crib mattress?

That’s why you put a waterproof cover. It costs 10 euros and saves the mattress. After each stay with a baby, wash the sheets and check the mattress.

Is a Chicco Next2Me co-sleeper worth it?

Only if your target audience is families with very young babies (under 6 months). They are more expensive (150 to 250 euros) but highly valued by that segment. For general use, a standard foldable is enough.