Guests with young children in your holiday home: how to prepare and earn more family bookings

Families with young children are one of the best segments in vacation rentals: they book in advance, stay longer, cause less fuss than groups of friends, and return if the experience is good. But there's a problem: most holiday apartments are designed for couples or groups without kids, and parents know this. If you prepare your home for them, you'll stand out from the average street. Here's how to do it without spending a fortune and what common mistakes owners make when trying without proper planning.

Why families with children are a top segment

Let's look at the numbers. A family with a young child:

• Books an average of 5-7 nights (compared to 2-3 for couples on a getaway).
• Usually books 2-3 months in advance (fewer cancellations).
• Is willing to pay more for specific amenities (crib, high chair, bathtub).
• Does less nightlife, less risk of neighbor complaints.
• If they like your apartment, they return year after year.

And the best part: there is little real supply. Many people mark "family-friendly" on Airbnb and then don’t even have a sad high chair. Parents arrive exhausted and mention it in their review.

Important: accepting children is not the same as accepting pets. You cannot legally discriminate against reservations because of children. But you can (and should) clearly communicate what equipment you offer so families know if your apartment suits them.

What you really need to host families

You don’t have to set up a daycare. But there is a minimum that makes a difference.

Basic equipment

Element	Approx. Cost	Essential?
Travel cot	€60-120	Yes, if you accept babies
High chair (fixed or table)	€30-80	Yes
Waterproof mattress protector	€15-25	Yes
Baby bathtub or non-slip mat	€15-30	Recommended
Outlet protectors	€5	Yes
Stair gate (if applicable)	€25-40	Depends on the apartment
Potty or toilet reducer	€10-15	Recommended
Basic bottle warmer	€20-30	Optional but valued

With €150-250, you can set up a complete family kit. You recover the investment in 2-3 bookings if you increase the price by €10-15/night or if you get higher occupancy.

I discussed this more in cribs and high chairs in holiday homes, check it out if you plan to invest.

Safety: what really matters

This is where most go wrong. A 2-year-old finds the only unprotected outlet in the house in 30 seconds. Check:

• Outlets: all protected, especially those less than 1 meter from the ground.
• Glass table edges: rubber protectors (€2 pack).
• Cleaning products: out of reach, ideally locked away.
• Windows and balconies: safety locks if you are on a higher floor.
• Kitchen: knives in high drawers, not on the countertop.
• Medications: none accessible.
• Loose cables: tied with cable ties.

If you have a pool, the rules change. Review what I say in pool in holiday home, there are specific regulations.

How to communicate this in your listing

This is where many owners mess up. Mark "family-friendly" and that's it. Wrong. Parents look for concrete information. Include:

• Minimum recommended age (if safety requires).
• Exact list of included child equipment.
• Photos of the equipment set up (high chair at the table, crib in the room).
• Distance to playground, supermarket, pharmacy.
• If there are stairs, height, unprotected balconies.

A photo of the crib set up is worth more than ten checkboxes. Parents filter visually.

Example of a description that works

"Ideal apartment for families with babies and young children. We provide a travel cot with clean sheets, a high chair, outlet protectors at all accessible points, a baby bathtub, and a toilet reducer. Supermarket 2 minutes away, pharmacy 5 minutes, and a children’s park 100 meters. Washing machine available 24/7."

This converts better. Abstract descriptions do not.

Price: should I charge more for families?

It depends on how you approach it. There are two schools:

Option A: same price, inclusive equipment. You attract more bookings, repeat clients, and build a reputation as "family-friendly."

Option B: surcharge for crib/high chair use (€5-10 per stay). You compensate for wear and extra cleaning.

My opinion: if your apartment is designed for families, include it. If it’s occasional, charge extra. You cannot promise equipment and then not have it or surprise charge at check-in.

Extra cleaning: what they don’t tell you

Families with young children tend to make more mess. It’s not malice, it’s physics. Expect:

• Food stains on chairs, table, and floor.
• Milk teeth on sheets (literally).
• Dry baby food in unlikely places.
• Toys forgotten under the sofa.
• Diapers in the trash (make sure you have enough bags).

Consider if your cleaning fee covers this. If you charge €40 for cleaning a 2-bedroom apartment, with a family you might need €60. Talk to your cleaner and adjust. I explain more in cleaning in holiday homes.

Registering minors: don’t forget

This is important and many overlook it. Minors are also registered in SES Hospedajes, although not all data are mandatory in the same way as adults.

It’s well explained in registering minors in tourist rentals. Read it before your first family stay. Mistakes here can cost a fine.

Common mistakes owners make

1. Marking "family-friendly" without having anything: almost guaranteed negative review.
2. Buying a cheap IKEA crib and leaving it assembled: takes space, wears out quickly. Better a foldable travel crib.
3. Not having a mattress protector: a night accident and you lose the mattress.
4. Fragile decor objects at low height: vases at 50 cm, ceramics on accessible shelves.
5. Not leaving instructions for the crib: parents arrive at night, baby crying, and don’t know how to set it up. Leave a step-by-step video or photo.
6. Forgetting the trash can with lid in the bathroom: for diapers. Seems trivial, but changes the experience.
7. Not warning about dangerous stairs or balconies: if something happens, you’re responsible.

An extra that sets you apart (and costs little)

Things that boost reviews and cost a few euros:

• Child welcome pack: a sugar-free cookie, a coloring sheet with 4 crayons.
• List of nearby pediatricians and emergency pharmacies.
• Easy-to-remember WiFi name so kids can watch Peppa Pig without drama.
• A couple of children’s books on the table.
• Basic bath toys (rubber duck, stacking cups). €5 at the dollar store.

All this is included in the welcome manual. Use it.

FAQ

Can I refuse bookings from families with children?

Legally, it’s a gray area. You cannot discriminate based on having children. But you can honestly describe your apartment’s limitations (dangerous stairs, fragile decor, adult-only loft) and let families decide if it suits them.

Do I need to register babies in SES Hospedajes?

Yes. All guests, including minors, must be registered. The required data vary by age. It’s explained in detail in the post about registering minors.

How much can I increase the price for being family-friendly?

Realistically: €5-15 per night if your equipment is complete and well communicated. More important than increasing price is increasing occupancy: families book in low season (school bridges, holidays) when other apartments are empty.

What if the child breaks something?

Platforms usually cover it if you document well. Make an inventory with photos before and after. For major damages, use home insurance with vacation rental coverage. I explain this more in how to manage damages and deposits.

Is it worth having a child kit if I only host occasional families?

Yes, even a basic kit. For €100 on Amazon, you get a foldable travel cot and high chair. If you get 2-3 extra family bookings per year that you wouldn’t have otherwise, you recover the cost. And you store the cot folded in a closet when not in use.

How Autoregistro fits in

When a family arrives, you must register everyone: adults and children. Doing it manually with the parent’s ID, mother’s passport, and eye-sketched baby data is a hassle. Autoregistro sends a form to guests before check-in, they fill in their data (theirs and minors’), and everything is sent automatically to SES Hospedajes. You don’t touch anything. It costs €1 per month per property, less than a coffee. It saves you the typical "wait, how old is the little one?" moment while they try to put the child in the crib.