How to Book a Shortlet for a Family Trip in Nigeria: 8 Checks
How to Book a Shortlet for a Family Trip in Nigeria: 8 Things to Check Before Paying
Don't book a family shortlet on the advertised guest number alone. Before you pay, check eight things: the real sleeping arrangements, the number of bathrooms, kitchen and laundry, child safety, power and water, access and security, house rules with total cost and cancellation terms, and location. Choose the place that fits how your family actually lives, not the one that merely "sleeps six".
An apartment that sleeps six people isn't necessarily an apartment that works for your family of six.
Picture two parents, two children and two grandparents arriving for a wedding. The listing says "up to 6 guests", and technically it's true. Then you notice the grandparents need a proper bed, the children need somewhere quiet to nap, and one bathroom for six people at 7am is going to be a very long morning.
Families have different needs from solo travellers or couples, and a few minutes of checking before you pay can save the whole trip. This guide covers the eight things worth confirming. For the general booking basics (verified hosts, paying on-platform, spotting suspicious listings), see 3 Things to Check Before Booking a Shortlet in Nigeria, and we won't repeat them here.
Start with your family, not the listing
Different families need different things. Use this table to spot yours:
| Your family situation | What to prioritise |
|---|---|
| Parents with babies | Sleeping space, kitchen, laundry, safe access and a quiet room |
| Family with young children | Bed arrangements, stairs, balconies, bathroom access and space to move |
| Large extended family | Bedrooms, bathrooms, total capacity and shared living space |
| Family attending a wedding | Distance to the venue, guest capacity, check-in time and parking |
| Family staying several weeks | Kitchen, laundry, power, water and total cost |
| Family travelling with elderly relatives | Ground-floor or lift access, bathroom accessibility and minimal stairs |
Write down who is travelling, their ages, and who needs what. Then use that list to judge every listing.
The 8 things to check before paying
1. Real sleeping arrangements, not just "max guests"
Capacity is a ceiling, not a promise of comfort. Ask the host how many beds there are, what sizes they are, whether any sleeping spaces are sofa beds, and whether children would have to share.
A real example of why this matters: at the time of writing, one 3-bedroom Dwelns listing in Abuja allows up to 4 guests, while 3-bedroom listings in Lekki allow up to 6. The same number of bedrooms can mean very different capacity, so read the guest limit alongside the bedroom count.
Ask the host: "Can you list the beds in each bedroom and their sizes?"
2. Enough bathrooms (and hot water)
One bathroom can work for a couple. For a family of six, it becomes a morning queue. Check the bathroom count, whether bedrooms have their own, and whether there's a water heater. On Dwelns listings, bedroom and bathroom counts appear on the listing page, so compare them before you decide.
3. Kitchen and laundry
For families, a working kitchen saves money and makes life easier, especially with babies, fussy eaters or older relatives who prefer home-style meals. Look for a full kitchen, refrigerator, a cooker, and enough dining space. For stays beyond a few days, laundry matters too: check whether there's a washing machine and where clothes can dry. Don't assume a washing machine is included. Only some listings show one.
4. Child safety and suitability
Ordinary listing descriptions rarely cover this, so ask. A verified host badge confirms the host's identity. It doesn't mean an apartment has been childproofed.
- Balconies and their railings or locks
- Staircases (indoors or in the building)
- Window locks and accessible windows
- Pools, gyms and other areas children could reach alone
- Electrical outlets and loose cables
- Hot surfaces and kitchen access
Never assume a residential apartment has been set up for toddlers. If something worries you, ask for a photo or a short video.
5. Power and water
A family uses power and water more than a solo traveller: air conditioning overnight, a fridge full of food, phones, a fan in the nursery. Please don't expect uninterrupted grid electricity anywhere. Instead, get specific answers:
- Is backup power a generator, an inverter or solar?
- How many hours does it run, and what does it support (air conditioning, the whole apartment, or only lights)?
- Who covers fuel, and are there extra charges?
- Is water supply steady, and is there a borehole or storage tank?
Some listings state 24-hour electricity, which is helpful. Still confirm how it's supplied before you pay. You can also browse Lagos shortlets with 24-hour power as a starting point.
6. Access, security and parking
This matters most for elderly relatives and young children. Ask about stairs, lifts, the building entrance, and how far it is from the car to the door. Check whether there's gated estate or compound security and whether parking is free and on-site. If you're travelling with a large group, ask how many vehicles can park.
7. House rules, total cost and cancellation
Three things to settle before payment:
- House rules. Visitors, events, noise and smoking rules are set by each host, not by a platform-wide rule. Families often host relatives, so ask whether extra visitors are allowed. At the time of writing, one 4-bedroom Lekki duplex listing prohibits smoking, partying and get-togethers. See our responsible hosting page for more on how this works.
- Total cost and caution fee. Compare the final price for your dates, not just the nightly rate. Some listings carry a refundable caution fee. At the time of writing, several Lekki listings show ₦100,000. If one applies, check when it's returned and under what conditions. Also check the minimum stay, which can be one or two nights.
- Cancellation. Family plans change: a child gets sick, flights move, the wedding date shifts. Each host chooses a Flexible, Moderate or Strict policy, shown before you pay. Flexible gives a full refund 24 hours or more before check-in; Moderate gives one 5 days or more before; Strict gives a full refund only within 48 hours of booking if check-in is 14 or more days away. If a host cancels, you get a full refund, and the Dwelns service fee is non-refundable when a guest cancels. Full details are on the cancellation and refund policy page.
8. Location and getting around
Think about where your family will actually spend its days: the wedding venue, relatives' homes, a school or the airport. In Lagos especially, a short distance on the map can mean a long drive in traffic. Also count the cost of moving a large group: airport transfers, a car or driver, and trips for groceries. For ideas beyond the city, see our guide to weekend getaways near Lagos.
One big apartment or two smaller ones?
For larger families, a second option is booking two apartments in the same area. Compare them honestly:
- Cost. Don't assume either is cheaper. At the time of writing, a 3-bedroom Lekki listing was ₦190,000 a night, while a 2-bedroom listing was ₦155,000, so two of those would be ₦310,000. Add caution fees and any extras before comparing.
- Privacy. Two apartments give grandparents, couples or teenagers more space.
- Coordination. One apartment keeps everyone together, with one set of check-in details and one host to deal with.
- Bathrooms and beds. Count them in both options, not just the bedrooms.
Verified shortlets to start with
These listings were live at the time of writing (31 October 2026). Prices are nightly and can change by date, so check the listing for your dates. Each has a verified host.
Furnished 3 bedroom apartment, LSDPC Estate, Lekki Phase 1: ₦190,000/night. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, up to 6 guests. Listed amenities include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a full kitchen, refrigerator, gas cooker, free parking, 24-hour electricity, constant running water and a gated estate. Minimum stay 2 nights, with a ₦100,000 caution fee. Washing machine not shown, so ask. View this listing.
Stunning 3 Bedroom Semi Detached House, Oral Estate, Lekki: ₦180,000/night. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, up to 6 guests. Listed amenities include air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a water heater, full kitchen, refrigerator, gas cooker, free parking, inverter or battery backup and 24-hour electricity. Minimum stay 1 night. View this listing.
Spacious & lovely 4 Bedroom Duplex, Lekki: ₦300,000/night. 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, up to 8 guests. Listed amenities include a washing machine, a fully equipped kitchen with dining area, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, backup generator, inverter, free parking and estate security. Smoking, partying and get-togethers are not allowed, and the caution fee is ₦100,000. View this listing.
Abuja Luxury 3 Bed Room Apartment, Wuye: ₦180,000/night. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, up to 4 guests. Listed amenities include a full kitchen, refrigerator, microwave, electric kettle, washing machine, bathtub, balcony and Wi-Fi. Ask about the balcony if you have small children. View this listing.
Want more options? Browse all shortlets in Lekki, where you can narrow results by bedrooms and amenities, explore shortlets in Abuja, or see shortlet apartments across Nigeria.
Your family shortlet checklist (screenshot this)
Before you pay, confirm each line:
- I know who is travelling, their ages and any mobility needs
- The bedrooms and bed sizes work for everyone, not just the guest count
- There are enough bathrooms, with hot water
- The kitchen suits how we eat, and I know whether laundry is available
- I've asked about balconies, stairs, windows and other child-safety points
- I know the backup power arrangement, its hours and who pays for fuel
- Access works for elderly relatives and small children, and parking is confirmed
- I've read the house rules, including visitors and noise
- I know the total price, any caution fee, the minimum stay and the cancellation policy
- The location works for our plans, and I've counted transport costs
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a shortlet for a large family in Nigeria?
Start with the number of beds, bathrooms and the type of access each person needs, not just the guest limit. Then check the kitchen, power, house rules and total cost, and compare a single large property with two smaller ones.
Does "max guests" mean everyone will sleep comfortably?
Not necessarily. It tells you the host's maximum, not how comfortable the beds are. Ask for the bed sizes in each room and check that children, grandparents and couples each have a suitable place to sleep.
Are shortlets child-safe?
Don't assume so. A verified host badge confirms the host's identity, not that the property is childproofed. Ask about balconies, stairs, window locks, pools, electrical outlets and the kitchen, and request photos if you're unsure.
Can I bring extra relatives or hold a family gathering?
That depends on the host. Rules on visitors, events and noise are set by each host in the house rules, and there is no platform-wide rule. Check the listing and ask before booking, especially for celebrations.
What is a caution fee, and will I get it back?
A caution fee is a refundable deposit some hosts require to cover possible damage. Not every listing has one. If it applies, check the amount, when it is returned and under what conditions before you pay.
Is it better to book one big apartment or two smaller ones?
Neither is automatically cheaper. One apartment keeps everyone together, while two give more privacy. Compare total nightly cost, caution fees, bathrooms and bed arrangements for your dates before you decide.
What if our family plans change after we book?
Check the listing's cancellation policy before paying. Flexible, Moderate and Strict policies each have different refund deadlines, and the one that applies is shown before payment. A host cancellation is refunded in full.
Final thoughts
The best family shortlet isn't the biggest or the cheapest. It's the one that works for the youngest and the oldest person in your group, from the first night to the last. Count the beds, check the bathrooms, ask the safety questions and read the rules, and your family can spend its time together instead of solving problems.
Ready to compare? Browse shortlets in Lekki, look at options in Abuja, and choose the stay that fits everyone.
