Which platform? 👵👴 For your parents → Booking.com hotels (simple, daily service, free-cancellation rates). 🧳 For you, Emma & Leo → Airbnb / aparthotels (2 bedrooms, kitchen, laundry, room for Leo to nap). ⏰ July is peak — book the Helsingborg cabin and Swiss hotel early.
👵👴 Parents — affordable central hotels
ibis Styles Madrid Prado — 8 min walk to the Prado, kids stay free, breakfast included. Or browse everything around Paseo del Prado.
AlmaLusa Baixa/Chiado — boutique hotel in the heart of Baixa, walk to everything incl. Tram 28. Or compare other Baixa hotels.
Switzerland · Lucerne
~$200–260 / night
ibis budget Lucerne City — central, near the station, free city transit pass. Switzerland is pricey — staying in Kriens/Horw (just outside) saves a lot.
London · 2 nights (Dad + Mom)
~£110–160 / night
A simple, cheap, reliable base near the family. Premier Inn is the easy pick; or compare central London hotels.
🧳 You + Emma + Leo — apartments & a cabin
London — 2-bedroom apartment · 5 nights
~£200–350 / night
Best areas with a baby: South Kensington (next to the kid-friendly museums) or South Bank / Covent Garden. Aparthotels give you a kitchen + free cots; Airbnb gives more space & character.
Helsingborg — a beautiful cabin · 5 nights
~€130–220 / night
The dreamy option is up at Mölle / Kullaberg (~30–40 min away) — sea views, forest, sauna, 2 bedrooms. Or stay in Helsingborg town to be near Emma's family and car-free.
⚠️ Mölle/Kullaberg cabins are rural — you'll likely want a rental car. Want car-free? Pick a place in Helsingborg town.
Paris — 2-bedroom apartment · 4 nights
~€180–320 / night
Family-friendly areas: Le Marais (3rd/4th), the 7th around Rue Cler, or Saint-Germain (6th, by the Luxembourg gardens). Filter for crib + highchair.
📌 Before booking: prices are typical ranges (not live quotes for your July dates) · July is peak — book early · on Airbnb filter for 2 bedrooms + crib/highchair · for the parents, choose free-cancellation rates for flexibility.