It can be intimidating to leave the comforts of your home, mess up your kid’s routine and sleep somewhere new for awhile. But knowing what to look for can make all the difference.
As a general rule: watch the language the hotel website uses, and who they appear to be targeting. Sleek executive suites and large convention rooms are geared towards business travelers. You’ll have a more positive experience if the hotel staff expects and caters to families- both because it’s fun to see other kids, but also so you won’t feel like you’re putting people out & being too loud during your stay.
With that said, here are a few hotel features we’ve found helpful while traveling with little ones:
1. Crib provided
Don’t take this one for granted. This small addition can mean the difference between sleep and insanity. If your little one is used to a crib at home, then that same safety and security is helpful on the road, too (for little ones AND parents). Check with the hotel staff before you book to confirm that they have cribs or pack & plays on site. Often they cannot guarantee one because they’re handed first-come first-serve; in our experience, if a crib does exist on-site, one will usually be available though.
Mention it to staff right when you check-in because it can take a long time for them to deliver it to your room- and that’s a pain if it’s already past bedtime or nap time. Unfortunately, many hotel cribs are rickety, old, and easier to climb out of than sturdier ones at home. And double-check the bedding/sheets the staff provided at the bottom of the crib to ensure there aren’t any safety hazards.
Cribs are much less common in Asia, where babies often sleep on a padded surface on the floor. You can always bring a pack & play, but they do get heavy and take up quite a bit of space.
2. A Bathroom & Vanity area that works for YOUR family
This is purely functional and will depend on your family. With older kids, or lots of people showering, you’d probably want a large vanity area and sink that’s separate from the toilet and shower.
With babies & toddlers, though, a large bathroom is great. A large bathroom will be the best place to hide out while your older baby or toddler is falling asleep (if they are used to doing this in their own room, alone, then you’ll be a major distraction).
OR, a large bathroom may even fit a crib and be a nice dark space for your little one to sleep in. #harrypotterbabies BUT this does make for interesting maneuvers when other family members need access to the toilet 😉
3. A suite or separate bedroom (if possible)
Even better than you hiding out in a bathroom while your baby falls asleep would be…more SPACE! Once I had children I realized how crucial this is. One massive room, though, is not nearly as appealing as two smaller, separate spaces (commonly a living area and separate bedroom). This gives so much flexibility. In one large bedroom everyone’s bedtime (and wake-up time) is basically the same. Not a great set-up! It’s fine for one night- but for a longer trip this can make a big difference.
Hands down, I’d choose a two-room set up in a hotel with no frills over a much nicer one-room setup. That’s just my personal preference. This wouldn’t be as important when your children are older and their bedtime is similar to yours.
4. A kitchenette
A kitchenette + suite set-up often go hand in hand…and it’s music to my mother ears. Having a few restaurants on-site is great in theory…but often not practical. My children sometimes wake up before 6 AM (4/5 AM with jet lag!) and they are hungry. Being able to make simple foods at odd hours is a huge life saver. We like to bring instant oatmeal packets to have on hand.
Not eating out for every meal and snack obviously saves you a decent amount of money too. With the refrigerator you can also bring home leftovers from restaurants you’d otherwise have to throw away… And then heat them back up in your kitchenette. Luxury, I tell you.
5. Free Breakfast and/or Breakfast Buffet
Whether or not you have a kitchenette in your room, a breakfast buffet is a great hotel feature to have. We’ve often had a small snack in the room very early in the AM for the kiddos, then filled up an hour or two later down at the breakfast buffet. The buffets usually have tons of options that can satisfy every member of the family. And that’s important when traveling because you need all the energy you can get to sightsee all day!
The free (or paid) buffets are much preferable to the sit-down breakfast restaurants in my opinion. Not only are they usually more cost effective, but it’s so much less waiting around. You can each fill up your plate immediately and frequently versus waiting to order, waiting for the food to cook, waiting on your drinks, etc etc etc…time is of the essence! Kids are hangry & we’ve got places to see!
6. Pool
An indoor or outdoor pool is a great feature for a family hotel. As a kid, this felt like the best thing that could ever happen to me. A hotel pool. Do you remember that?? The magic?? It’s such a fun way to let your kids move & play after they’ve been touring or sitting in a car all day. They will think you are utter Royalty. They will kiss the ground you walk on. And if there are waterslides? YES!
Don’t forget to bring swimsuits, swim diapers, goggles, puddle jumpers & gear necessary if you do plan to swim. It’ll be worth all the space the swim gear takes up in your suitcase- promise!
Bonus:
Look for places that come equipped with high chairs, kid toys, and books! This is very rare for hotels, but we’ve stayed at several Airbnbs like this. AWESOME.
cover photo by Nick Lanus via unsplash
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