Carla Gee has discovered a trick to actually relaxing holidays with your children.

Grab a cocktail and don your craziest kaftan, because ladies and gentlemen, I have discovered the secret to having a relaxing holiday with kids. Yes: it’s actually possible. I have done it and lived to tell the tale. Cue the ukulele!

Getting out of the house and into the big, wide world isn’t easy, especially when I’ve got a toddler, baby and a husband in tow. Add in a long car trip, planes and tons of luggage, and I’m already daydreaming about hiding under my doona and never leaving the house.

Seeing as I like to indulge in a tropical vacation at least once a year, I have been determined to unlock the secret to happy family holidays.

And now, I think I’ve got it figured out. Are you ready?

Repeat after me: accommodation, accommodation, accommodation.

Easy, right? Once you’re staying at the right sort of accommodation, your holiday will be a breeze. Here’s how to put your new holiday mantra into action.  

Keep it close.

When travelling with kids, it’s more about the quality time you spend with them, rather than the number of tourist sites you can cram into one day. This is especially the case with little kids like mine, because you can only get so far before someone needs a breastfeed, toilet break or crackers. Collecting all the tiny rocks on the footpath also seems like a holiday essential for toddlers.

This is why a hotel or resort that is a one-stop shop bursting with activities and facilities is a must. And an exotic location is the cherry on top… I mean, the novelty umbrella in your daiquiri. Do Thailand, the Maldives, Vietnam or Sri Lanka tempt you?

Centara Hotels and Resorts are based in these gorgeous tropical destinations, and have everything to make your holiday fun and relaxing. Delicious food, pools, excellent service and kids’ clubs (more on that later!) mean that you won’t need to do any stressing, commuting or planning on your holiday. Ahhh, I’m feeling calmer already.

Look for delicious food, pools, excellent service and kids’ clubs. Image: supplied.

Be neighbours, not roommates.

If you do one thing for yourself on your next holiday, this is it. Having a separate bed or room for the kids makes a huge difference. Trust me, I’ve already made all the mistakes so you don’t have to.

The first few times we travelled with my daughter, my husband and I kept her in the same studio room as us, in a little cot next to our bed. This meant that once she was asleep, we couldn’t do ANYTHING. No TV, no crunchy snacks, no lights. Just sitting in the dark and whispering. That is not fun. Only one of us could leave at a time, so we had to have solo adventures at night. It was weird and annoying.

Imagine this instead: a bed for you, and a bed for your kids. Or a room for you, and a room with bunk beds for your kids. Who am I kidding, I would totally take the top bunk and make my kids sleep in the boring grown-up bed.    

Here’s all the things you can do in your very own room, while your kids snooze away in the other: have an impromptu disco using a smartphone torch and your thumb as a strobe light, talk loudly while watching a movie, put several potato chips in your mouth and chew them as loudly as you want.

Centara Hotels and Resorts have a variety of room options for you and your family, such as suites, two double beds in rooms and family rooms with bunk beds. Up to two children can stay free, too. Anyone else want to come to the disco in my room to celebrate?

Together time is great, but separate rooms are key. Image: supplied.

Spread the fun, spread the love.

The perfect family holiday is one where both the adults and kids feel like they’ve gotten the best deal. I love shopping when I go on holidays, but my kids hate it, because they’re squished into strollers and told not to touch anything.

It’s torture for them! With an exciting kids’ club program and incredible water parks, Centara Hotels and Resorts make sure that everyone in the family is having a blast. While your kids are off doing treasure hunts and beach games with professional supervisors, you can take some time to unwind in peace, and actually enjoy your holiday.

Well, I don’t know about you, but I know where I want to go on holiday next. So, meet you at the pool bar?

Have you taken your kid/s on holiday? 

This post was brought to you with thanks to Centara Hotels & Resorts.