A day at our family hotel in the Bavarian Forest

A day at the Sonnenhotel Bayerischer Hof: from 8 a.m. breakfast to 8 p.m. wine on the balcony. Hour by hour.

Why a daily routine in a family hotel feels so relaxed

A holiday with kids can sometimes feel like work. Sorting out breakfast, planning the programme, finding lunch, keeping the children busy, cooking dinner. At home that is everyday life. In a family hotel in the Bavarian Forest it looks different.

At the Sonnenhotel Bayerischer Hof in Waldmünchen the day almost runs by itself. Everything is there when you need it. And when you do not need anything, that is fine too. All Inclusive here means more than food and drinks. It means you do not have to plan, coordinate or pay for anything. Just be there.

So you can picture what such a day looks like, we will take you with us. Hour by hour. From morning to night.

7:30 a.m.: Waking up without an alarm

The sun shines through the curtains. The kids slowly start to stir. No alarm clock, no school bus, no stress. Roll over again if you like. Or get up and enjoy the quiet before the day really begins.

Most of the 136 rooms have a balcony or terrace. If you want, sip your first coffee outside and look out over the Bavarian Forest. The air smells of forest and of holiday.

8:00 a.m.: Breakfast buffet for everyone

The breakfast buffet is generous and made for families. Bread rolls, muesli, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, cold cuts, cheese, jam. For the children there is hot chocolate, juice and everything a kid wants in the morning.

Take your time. Nobody is rushing anyone here. The kids grab their third cocoa, you sip your coffee in peace. That is how a good holiday day starts.

Tip: Make a few sandwiches for the road if you are planning a day out. There is plenty at the buffet.

9:30 a.m.: Sonnenwolfi kids club opens

At half past nine the Sonnenwolfi kids club opens. Children aged 3 to 12 are looked after here. Crafts, games, running around, adventures. The team has a full programme.

For your kids this is the highlight of the day. New friends, new games, new ground. And for you free time begins.

What parents can do now

Walk through Waldmünchen together
Have a quiet coffee on the terrace
Read a book without being interrupted every three minutes
Set off on a hike, just the two of you

No guilty conscience needed. The children are having their own kind of fun.

10:00 a.m.: Out into nature or into the water

Now you have a choice. And both options are good.

Option 1: Walk to Lake Perlsee

Lake Perlsee is just a kilometre from the hotel. Five minutes on foot. In summer you can swim, take a pedal boat or simply sit on the shore and watch the ducks. In spring and autumn the loop around the lake is a lovely walk. Not too long, not too short.

If you want more: the trails around Waldmünchen are varied and well signposted. You will find more ideas for trips and tours in our Bavarian Forest Guide.

Option 2: Pool and whirlpool

The in-house indoor pool (10 by 4 metres) is heated and open all year. There is also a whirlpool. In the morning it is usually quiet here. Perfect for swimming a few laps in peace or just floating in the warm water.

12:00 noon: Lunch without searching

No "Where do we go to eat?", no Googling for kid-friendly restaurants. Lunch is part of All Inclusive. You simply walk into the restaurant.

Dishes change daily, with options the children like. If you come back from a trip, you will be full. If you have been at the pool, the same. And the kids from the kids club either eat together or join you.

1:00 p.m.: The golden midday break

Every family with small children knows it: after lunch someone needs a break. Usually everyone.

Back to the room. The little ones nap. The older ones play quietly or look out of the window. You stretch out on the bed and close your eyes. No programme, no time pressure.

This hour is priceless. On holiday just as much as at home. Except here you do not have to tidy up, shop or cook afterwards.

2:30 p.m.: Cake and ice cream in the afternoon

The afternoon starts sweet. Every day there is cake and ice cream. Just like that, because that is what All Inclusive means.

The kids love this part of the day. To be honest: the grown-ups too. Sit on the terrace, have a coffee with it and let the afternoon come to you.

3:00 p.m.: Pool and sauna in the afternoon

From 3 p.m. things liven up in the wellness area. The Finnish sauna and the steam bath are now open. When the kids are at the kids club or splashing in the pool, that is your chance for some downtime.

For the children

In the afternoon the pool is the centre of things. The children who met in the kids club in the morning gather here. Splashing, diving, being silly. The water is pleasantly warm and the mood is upbeat.

For the parents

Sauna, steam bath, whirlpool. Or carry on reading your book on the lounger. On holiday you are allowed to think of yourself for a change.

5:00 p.m.: Picking up from the kids club

Around 5 p.m. you collect the children from the kids club. Be ready for: "Can we go again tomorrow?" and detailed reports on new friendships, craft projects and adventures.

The children are usually wired and tired at the same time. A good sign. They have had a full day.

6:00 p.m.: Dinner buffet with the whole family

The dinner buffet changes daily and offers something for every taste. Regional dishes, salads, hot meals, desserts. The children always find something they like.

Drinks are included. Beer, wine, soft drinks, water. No tallying up, no signing for anything. Just enjoy.

Tip: Take a table by the window. The view over Waldmünchen at dusk is beautiful, especially in summer when the sun sets late.

7:30 p.m.: Kids cinema and kids disco

After dinner things continue for the children. Kids cinema or kids disco are on the programme. Supervised, safe and a lot of fun.

The kids love it. And you?

8:30 p.m.: The evening is yours

You are sitting on the balcony. A glass of wine in your hand. The children are happy and looked after. The air is warm (or clear and cool, depending on the season). The sky darkens above the treetops.

No dishes. No lunchboxes for tomorrow. No discussion about bedtime, because after a day like this everyone falls into bed by themselves.

This is the moment when you realise: this is what a family holiday feels like when everything fits.

Every day different, every day relaxed

The routine repeats, but no day is the same. Monday Lake Perlsee, Tuesday the wildlife garden, Wednesday all day at the pool. Thursday a longer hike, Friday lazing about. The structure provides the frame, the freedom comes by itself.

All Inclusive takes the organising off your hands. The kids club gives you space. The hotel gives you a place where everything works.

And the best part: you do not have to think. Not plan. Not calculate. Just be there and enjoy time with your family.

Your day in the Bavarian Forest is waiting

This is how easy a family holiday can be. Breakfast, kids club, nature, pool, cake, dinner, kids cinema, balcony. Day after day. No effort, no stress.

Check the available dates and plan your relaxed family holiday in the Bavarian Forest. Book your family holiday now and enjoy every day.