I'm going to be honest with you — our first vacation with a baby was a disaster. We booked a regular hotel room, packed way too much stuff, and spent the entire trip tiptoeing around during nap time while staring at each other in the dark. Never again. Since then we've figured out the system, and now vacationing with little ones is actually... fun? Mostly?
The secret is choosing the right type of accomodation and the right destination. Not every place works with a baby or toddler in tow, but the ones that do work really, really well. And the vacation deals available through timeshare resorts are honestly perfect for families with littles because they give you actual space — like a real living room and kitchen and seperate bedrooms.
Why Timeshare Resorts Are Perfect for Babies and Toddlers
Regular hotel rooms are a nightmare with small children. One room means when the baby sleeps, everyone sleeps (or sits in the dark scrolling their phone). Timeshare resort suites solve this problem completely because they're designed like apartments — separate bedrooms, a living area, and a full kitchen.
This means baby goes down for a nap in the bedroom while you and your partner hang out in the living room watching TV, having a glass of wine, or just having an actual conversation like adults. It sounds simple but its absolutely life-changing when you're traveling with a 14-month-old who naps twice a day.
| Feature | Regular Hotel | Timeshare Resort Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Separate bedroom | No | Yes (1-2 bedrooms) |
| Full kitchen | No (maybe microwave) | Yes — full fridge, stove, dishwasher |
| Living room | No | Yes with sofa and TV |
| Washer/dryer | Shared laundry room | Often in-unit |
| Crib available | Sometimes (pack-n-play) | Yes, on request |
| Space to crawl/play | Minimal | Lots of floor space |
| Price (3-4 nights) | $400-$800 | $59-$199 (preview deal) |
Best Destinations for Families with Babies
The number one rule for traveling with babies: minimize travel time. A 6-hour flight with a screaming infant is not a vacation — it's a hostage situation at 35,000 feet. Stick to destinations within driving distance or a short flight away.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is the undisputed champion for family travel, and it works even with babies. Skip the theme parks (they're a waste of money with a kid under 3) and focus on the resort itself. Westgate Orlando properties have amazing pool complexes with zero-entry pools perfect for toddlers, and the resort activities keep older babies entertained. Deals start at just $59 for 4 nights. See all our Orlando vacation deals here.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Babies love the beach. Like, they're obsessed with sand and water and seagulls. Myrtle Beach is ideal because the waves are gentle, the beach is wide and flat (easy for strollers), and the resorts are right on the sand. Westgate has oceanfront properties from $89 for 4 nights with full kitchens for warming bottles and making baby food.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
The Smoky Mountains are surprisingly baby-friendly. The scenic drives mean baby can nap in the car while you enjoy mountain views. The town is stroller-accessible, and Westgate's resort has indoor pools for rainy days. Packages start at $79 for 3 nights.
Pro Tip:
Call the resort before your trip and request a crib, high chair, and baby-proofing kit. Most timeshare resorts provide these free of charge but they have limited inventory. Requesting a week ahead garentees you'll have what you need on arrival.
The Kitchen Is Everything
I cannot overstate how important a kitchen is when traveling with babies and toddlers. You need to warm bottles at 2 AM. You need to make scrambled eggs that meet your toddler's impossibly specific texture requirements. You need to store milk and snacks and those weird puree pouches that somehow end up everywhere.
This is why timeshare resort suites demolish regular hotels for baby travel. A full kitchen with a fridge, microwave, stove, and dishwasher means you're not scrambling to find a restaurant that can accomodate a highchair at 5:15 PM because that's apparently when toddlers eat dinner now.
Managing Nap Schedules on Vacation
The biggest challenge with baby travel is the nap schedule. Here's what works for us:
- Morning activity (pool, beach, walk) from 9-11 AM
- Back to the suite for lunch and first nap (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM)
- Afternoon activity from 2-4 PM
- Second nap if needed, or early dinner in the suite
- Evening walk around the resort grounds
- Baby bedtime at 7 PM, then parents enjoy the living room
The separate bedroom situation means your vacation doesn't end at 7 PM. This alone is worth the price of a resort suite over a hotel room.
Fun Fact:
According to a 2025 family travel survey, 73% of parents with children under 3 said suite-style accommodations were more important than destination when choosing a vacation. The remaining 27% had clearly never tried putting a toddler to bed in the same room where they wanted to watch Netflix.
What to Pack (and What to Skip)
We used to pack like we were relocating permanently. Now we've got it down to a science:
Bring: Car seat, stroller, white noise machine, favorite sleep sack, medicine kit, a few favorite toys, and way more diapers than you think you need.
Skip: Pack-n-play (resort provides crib), high chair (resort provides), toys that make noise (your sanity will thank you), and that massive baby bathtub (the suite has a real bathtub).
Request from resort: Crib, high chair, baby-proofing kit, extra towels, and a room on a lower floor (for stroller access and noise courtesy to neighbors).
Budget Breakdown for a Baby-Friendly Resort Vacation
| Expense | Hotel Route | Resort Deal Route |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (4 nights) | $500-$900 | $59-$149 |
| Dining out (4 days) | $300-$500 | $100-$200 (kitchen!) |
| Activities | $100-$300 | $50-$100 (resort pools are free) |
| Total | $900-$1,700 | $209-$449 |
The Timeshare Presentation With a Baby
Quick note about the presentation: most resorts require both parents to attend together. Some properties offer childcare during the presentation, but not all. Call ahead to confirm. If childcare isn't available, bring a grandparent or sitter, or plan to bring baby along with plenty of snacks and a tablet loaded with Bluey episodes. The presentation typically runs 90-120 minutes.
Browse all our family vacation deals for current baby-friendly resort options.