From airport transfers and fancy hotels, to lounge experiences and private jets, these experiences will make your family holiday extra luxurious.
I’m a firm believer that family holidays can feel special from the moment you leave home. However, travelling with two young children can make this a challenge! They have so many needs… food, sleep, clothing. It’s not just a case of packing some luggage, there are lots more bags, car seats and buggies. My mental load is huge!
However, I’ve learnt that removing as much stress from the start of the day can make the whole holiday more enjoyable. There are a few little luxury upgrades you can add to make the day run smoothly.
Luxury doesn’t necessarily mean spending a fortune. It could be as simple as booking a private taxi or upgrading your seats. Whether you’re planning a big family adventure or a relaxing beach escape, here are a few of my favourite ways to add a little luxury to the start of your holiday from London.
6 Ways To Upgrade Your Family Holiday
1. Arrange a private transfer to the airport
One of the easiest ways to make a family holiday feel more luxurious is to book a private chauffeur or taxi service to take you to the airport.
Getting two young children, several suitcases and all the extra bits and pieces into the car can be quite an operation! Add London traffic, airport parking and the pressure of making it to check-in on time, and the journey can feel like hard work before the holiday has even begun.
We’ve really enjoyed the days when we’ve had a driver collect us from home. They load the luggage and navigate to the airport, leaving us to look after our little ones in peace.
2. Book an airport hotel the night before
If you have an early morning flight, I’d recommend booking a hotel near the airport. I dread those 3am starts from home, when I have to wake the kids up and drive to the airport in the dark. It’s much more relaxing knowing you’re right by the airport and can roll out of the bed and into the terminal.
Staying somewhere different is exciting for the children, too. Some airport hotels offer family rooms, swimming pools and restaurants, so you can enjoy a proper evening together before flying.
3. Make the journey extra special with a private jet
Are you looking to upgrade your holiday experience to the max? How about booking a trip on a private jet? I won’t pretend this is the most affordable option, but it’s definitely the most memorable, so keep it in mind for a special occasion.
A private jet offers a very different way to travel compared with a traditional commercial flight. Rather than working around standard airline schedules, you’ll be able to plan what works for you. It can be great when you have young children, as there’s a lot less waiting around and you’ll have the flight to yourself.
If you’re departing from London, there are several airports to fly from including Farnborough, London Biggin Hill, London Luton and London City.
There are independent operators with luxury aircraft to book for private jet charters. While this isn’t something to do for every holiday, it’s great for a trip to remember.
4. Treat yourselves to an airport lounge
Airport lounges aren’t just for business travellers. They’re brilliant for families too! I’ve had quite a few London airport experiences with my two kids which are on the stressful end of the scale. At London Stansted during the holidays recently we couldn’t find a single place to sit.
Having access to a lounge is a great perk. You’ll have a safe space to relax before the flight, somewhere to grab a bite to eat, and not be in the hectic terminal. Some also offer children’s menus and have play areas, so it’s worth checking what’s available before booking. I love this holiday upgrade too, as it’s relatively affordable but makes the day feel ten times more special. Just make sure you get to the airport early enough to enjoy it!
5. Upgrade your airport parking
If you’re driving to the airport, we always look at premium parking options. You don’t have to pay much more than a standard car park fee to upgrade to a meet and greet option. These allow you to drive to a drop-off point right by the terminal where you unload your bags and hand over your keys. It cuts out time-consuming shuttle bus journeys and is a much easier option with young kids.
It’s also amazing when you return from your holiday, as your car is waiting for you. No long walks to the car park dragging a million bags (and tired kids!)
6. Make the flight itself more comfortable
The journey doesn’t end when you reach the departure gate, so it’s worth thinking about how to make the flight more enjoyable too. If your budget allows, you could upgrade your seats on the flight.
How about booking seats with extra legroom, or sitting in premium economy or business class? It definitely offers a more relaxing experience.
Even if you’re staying in economy, it’s worth coming up with a few fun activities for your kids. I often pack a couple of new items for flights, so there’s the element of excitement (e.g. sticker books or pens). Plus, lots of snacks to keep everyone happy throughout the travel day.
While most of the holiday planning goes into booking flights, hotels and activities, it’s important to think about the journey too. These little upgrades can help make your day more relaxed and comfortable, and lead to happier moods by the time you reach the destination.
Remember, you don’t need to do all of them! Just choosing one or two upgrades can transform the start of your holiday. After all, family holidays are all about making memories together, and there’s no reason those memories can’t start before you’ve even taken off!