The idea is wonderful: two or three friendly families renting a large holiday home in Spain together. The children entertain each other, the parents take turns cooking and hanging out by the pool, and in the evening you drink wine together under the stars. But to be fair, such a group holiday can also be rather nerve-wracking. Because how do you ensure that everyone genuinely enjoys it?
Dorien van Nieukerken runs Mas Corazón, a holiday home on a two-hectare estate on the Costa Brava. She regularly hosts groups of families and has seen a lot over the years. “The difference between a successful and a difficult group holiday often lies in the preparation,” she says. “And in the right accommodation.”
Here are nine tips that really make a difference.
1. Choose a holiday home with enough privacy
This is the single most important tip and yet it is the one most frequently overlooked. Going on holiday together does not mean you have to be in each other's company twenty-four hours a day. Look for a holiday home in Spain that is large enough to retreat to when necessary. Multiple terraces, a large garden, various seating areas both inside and out. The more places there are to spend a little time alone or with your own immediate family, the more relaxed the atmosphere.
At Mas Corazón, as many different little corners as possible have deliberately been created on the estate. From the circular terrace with mountain views to the shady spot beneath the 150-year-old tree, there is always a place where you can catch your breath.
2. Divide the bedrooms fairly (and do this in advance)
Nothing is as annoying as arguing upon arrival about who gets which room. Discuss this at home beforehand. Does a family have a baby? Then a room with an en-suite bathroom is handy. Are there teenagers? They will probably want to sleep as far away from the parents as possible. Also consider practical matters: who needs air conditioning, who prefers to sleep with the window open?
When looking at a good holiday home for large groups, the rooms are diverse enough to find a suitable space for every family. Pay attention to this when booking.
3. Agree on a cooking schedule (but keep it light-hearted)
Cooking three times a day for ten to fifteen people is no holiday. Make a simple schedule in advance: which family is cooking when? The others clear up. Or better yet, make a game of it. One evening Spanish paella, the next evening a barbecue, then tapas altogether. Cooking thus becomes part of the holiday instead of a chore.
Tip from Dorien: “Head to the local market together on the first evening. In Catalonia, you’ll find the most fantastic fresh produce. Olive oil, tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes, fresh fish from that morning. When you go shopping together, the holiday starts right there at the market.”
4. Don't overplan
The temptation is strong to plan a trip every day. Barcelona on Tuesday, Girona on Wednesday, a beach day on Thursday. But one of the best things about a group holiday in a large holiday home is precisely doing nothing. Children playing in the pool all morning. Parents lying in the shade with a book. Spontaneous games of table tennis or tennis.
Plan no more than two or three trips a week and let the rest happen organically. Often the best holiday moments are the unplanned ones.
5. Ensure the site is child-safe
With multiple families and multiple children, organisation becomes crucial. Choose a holiday home with fenced grounds so that the children can run around freely without you constantly worrying. Also pay attention to the swimming pool: is there a shallow area? Are there fences or barriers?
A large estate might sound overwhelming, but the exact opposite is true. When the grounds are completely enclosed and traffic-free, children can play safely while you relax. That feeling of freedom, for the children as well as the parents, is priceless.
6. Agree on joint expenses
Money is a subject that nobody likes, but it prevents irritation if you discuss it in advance. Do you share all the groceries? How do you divide the rent if one family has a larger room than the other? Does everyone pay the same amount for trips, even if not everyone goes along?
The simplest solution: create a joint pot for groceries and daily expenses. You divide the rent in advance based on room size and number of people. And each family pays for their own outings. Clarity beforehand is the key.
Respect each other's rhythm
One family gets up at seven o'clock, while the other likes to lie in until nine. One child goes to bed at seven, whereas the teenager wants to stay up until midnight. This doesn't have to be a problem, as long as you take it into account.
Discuss the overall daily schedule in advance. When is breakfast, when are we eating in the evening? The rest is free. And be gentle with each other. On holiday, everything can be a bit more relaxed than at home.
8. Choose a location with enough to do on-site
A swimming pool is actually a must when renting a holiday home in Spain with multiple families. But also think of a tennis court, table tennis, an outdoor kitchen with barbecue, and plenty of shaded spots. The more there is to do on the estate itself, the less you have to travel and the more relaxing the holiday will be.
Especially on hot afternoons, when it can reach forty degrees outside, you want to have plenty to do without having to get in the car.
Leave room for spontaneity
The fondest memory of a group holiday is rarely the planned museum visit. It is the evenings around the barbecue when the children suddenly started singing together. The game of tennis that turned into a family tournament. The moment everyone fell silent because the sunset was so beautiful.
“The heart of a holiday does not beat in the itinerary,” says Dorien. “It beats in the space you leave for the unexpected. When you find a place where you truly feel at home, you don’t have to force anything. Then it happens naturally.”
The right place makes all the difference
A successful group holiday starts with the right accommodation. Find a holiday home in Spain that is large enough for privacy, offers enough facilities to stay on the grounds for days, and is safe for children. The location on the Costa Brava is a huge bonus: you combine the quiet outdoor life with the possibility of being at the beach within half an hour or strolling through Barcelona within an hour.
View the bedrooms of Mas Corazón or get in touch to discuss the options for your group.
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