“Cot available” is useful information, but it leaves several practical questions unanswered. Is one reserved for your room? What type is it? Will it already be assembled when you arrive late with a tired baby?
The Lullaby Trust’s holiday guidance recommends planning ahead and checking accommodation-provided cots. Its safer-sleep advice includes a separate sleep space with a firm, flat mattress and no loose extra items. Follow current guidance relevant to your baby and the cot manufacturer’s instructions.
Ask for details before arrival
Confirm availability in writing, including any charge and the baby’s age or other information the hotel needs to match the equipment. Ask which cot and mattress are supplied and whether suitable fitted bedding is included. If a photo is offered, use it to ask better questions, not as proof of the equipment’s current condition.
Check whether the room can accommodate the cot without blocking the door or creating other hazards. A request recorded on a booking is not always a guaranteed item; ask the hotel to make that distinction clear before relying on it.
Inspect the actual sleep space
On arrival, check the cot has been assembled correctly and the supplied mattress is in good condition. Do not add an extra mattress, folded quilt or pillow because the travel mattress appears thinner than the one at home. Follow the manufacturer’s requirements and ask staff to resolve missing or damaged components.
If the arrangement is unsuitable, contact the hotel promptly and use a safe alternative consistent with trusted guidance. Plan that possibility before the trip rather than improvising a sleep surface in the middle of the night.
A short equipment check belongs beside the room confirmation and travel documents. It helps turn “family-friendly” from a broad description into a specific arrangement you can assess. The destination may change, but the need for a suitable sleep space travels with you.