Finding a hotel for our family reunion

Posted on: 8 June 2016

If you're going on a family holiday to a beach resort, you'll need to take a few extra things into account in order to accommodate the needs of any elderly relatives. One misstep could see them finding the trip more of a trial than a treat, so make sure you follow these 5 tips before you make a booking.

1. Enquire About Outside Space

Elderly family members are unlikely to go into the sea due to the ocean's currents and their own poor footing, but nearly every hotel is going to have its own pool, so you need to make sure that the pool will suit. Try looking at pictures to make sure there are steps running down into the shallow end, not just a ladder, and ask one of the hotel's staff members if the path from hotel to pool is easy for elderly people to navigate.

2. Book on the Right Floor

Most people will automatically assume that it will be best to book on the ground floor, but this is not always the case. It may be that the ground floor is only convenient for the lobby, but that the beach, pools, and restaurant are more easy to access from the 1^st floor. Always call ahead to check which floor will be best.

3. Look for Carpets

Elderly people often suffer from mobility issues, and their bones are generally more brittle and easier to damage than those of younger people. This means that falls are both more likely and more serious, so look for rooms and corridors that are carpeted. Other materials, such as tile, will be easier to slip on and won't provide much in the way of cushioning.

4. Ask About Handicap-Accessible Rooms

Hotels will normally have a number of handicap-accessible rooms that offer larger entrance ways, emergency bathroom pull-cords and other features that make them ideal for elderly people, as well as the disabled. However, you might have to book early or pay a little extra in order to secure one, so keep this in mind.

5. Go for All-Inclusive

Elderly family members are less likely to want to venture away from the hotel each evening to get something to eat, so it's critical to pick a hotel with a restaurant. Make sure that they provide every meal of the day, not just breakfast and lunch, and try looking for a good selection of courses so nobody becomes bored.

All it takes is a little forward planning to make sure your elderly family members enjoy their beach holiday just as much as you do, so make sure you follow the advice provided above.