You’ve decided it’s time to treat the whole family to a holiday, so you’ve made a note to cancel the milk, take the dog to kennels and leave a spare key with the neighbour. But that’s where things get tricky. With hundreds of hotels all claiming to be the one you want to go to, how do you decide which is best for you and your brood?

Assuming you know which area you wish to visit, you need to prioritise what’s important to you and your family. It’s pointless opting for a hotel with fabulous sports facilities – if you and the kids like spending all your spare time hiking in the hills – unless of course you’re hoping they’ll be inspired by their surroundings.

Cost is a major holiday implication – and there’s nothing costlier than kids! So make sure you check out family friendly hotel offers before you check in anywhere. Many hotels offer discounted – or even free – kids rooms and meals. You’ll need to make sure the discounts are recorded when you make your initial booking, but huge savings can be made if you can take advantage of offers like these. On the subject of location, it’s worth doing some homework on the surrounding area. Is your chosen hotel near a beach or close to visitor attractions? Are there any specific local days out you and your family are keen to go on?

Beware of hotels that state ‘well behaved children are welcome’ unless you want to spend your well deserved break tensing up nervously as other guests glare contemptuously at your children when they dare open their mouths. Better to opt for hotels that offer children little extras to show they’re really welcome – many give younger guests goody bags or colouring sets to keep them entertained. Some even provide complimentary milk and cookies at bedtime. They’re small gestures – but they show the hotel has a commitment to its younger guests (and you could always wait ’til they’re asleep and eat them yourselves…)

Many hotels are so well equipped to cater for children that it’s a wonder they don’t rename them theme parks, with adventure playgrounds, mini gyms, cr