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Finding a Child-Friendly Hotel
So what's a parent to do? How can you satisfy your desire for comfort and still end up in a child-friendly hotel?
Chain Hotels
Large chain hotels and motels are often an affordable choice for
traveling families. And it is nice to know that over the years, the
service and decor in some of these establishments has grown to be down
right impressive. Add to this the perks that many hotels and motels
offer to patrons, and you just might have yourself a real deal.
Parents like Mara Berkley of Bristol, R.I. look for hotels that have two
key ingredients: a pool and free breakfasts. It might seem silly to
some, but there is more to this than cooling off and filling up. "[These
hotels] always welcome children," Berkley says.
Vanessa Mullins of Milan, Mich. couldn't agree more. When she's traveling with her family, Mullins takes the availability of activities such as pools and game rooms as a sure sign of child-friendliness.
And there is another advantage to chain hotels and motels: their literal presence all over the map. "If you go to [one of these hotels], in your room they have a brochure that will tell you which of their hotels across the country have what accommodations, for instance game rooms, pools and whether they accept pets," Mullins says. "[This] was very helpful to me when we made the trip from Michigan to Arizona, back north through Montana, and back to Michigan with three kids and one dog."
Upscale Hotels
But wouldn't it be nice, just once, to stay in a place that has room
service and maybe even a bellhop? Before you roll your eyes at the
thought of carting your crew through the lobby of a five-star
establishment, you owe it to yourself to call the hotel's concierge.
A concierge is a staff member of a hotel or apartment complex who
assists guests or residents, as by handling the storage of luggage, taking
and delivering messages and making reservations for tours, according to the
American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.
"Before I ever made a reservation, I would definitely want to talk with a concierge," says Lisa Robinson, director of public relations at The Monarch Hotel in Washington, D.C. "The concierge can provide you with information about child-friendly amenities such as high chairs, roll-in cribs and child menus." Robinson also points out that most concierge belong to organizations and associations that have regular meetings where information about the city and its activities are explained and introduced. This is a very valuable resource to tap into when you are traveling with children.
"It's nice to actually speak with a person who can provide information specific to your circumstances, like traveling with a 2-year-old and a 7-year-old," says Kitt Vidnovic, chief concierge at The Monarch Hotel.
Besides offering an overabundance of personal services, upscale hotels boast larger rooms. When traveling with children, the added space can be a salvation for more than one family member. As one child takes a much needed afternoon nap, the others can easily watch television in the room's comfortable sitting area.
All of this sounds great, but how can you be certain that the upscale hotel you had in mind is child-friendly? Robinson and Vidnovic suggest that you call the hotel and ask the following questions:
- What services and amenities does your hotel provide for parents traveling with children? Look for answers like: 24-hour room service with a children's menu, swimming pools and the availability of portable baby furniture.
- What tour routes and tourist attractions are close by? The best-case scenario would be within a few miles of key children's attractions such as museums, zoos, playgrounds and amusement parks.
- Do you offer babysitting services or have a list of recommended agencies? While you will most likely need to make the final arrangements, the hotel can be a valuable resource.
- How far away are competent medical facilities? You never know what might happen when you're traveling with children.
And if the voice on the other line sounds bored or annoyed with your questions, it's time to move to the next name on your list. "The attitude of the staff is the most important thing [in determining a child-friendly hotel]," Vidnovic says.
In addition to the staff's attitude, remember to keep your child's temperament in mind. With all the excitement and rushing around, it is easy for little ones to meet their tolerance threshold very fast. Not expecting too much too soon can save you many headaches and help your family achieve a truly child-friendly vacation no matter where you stay.
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Want to see more?
- The Plaza Hotel
- Packing 101
- Flying with Babies and Toddlers
- Traveling with Children Discussion Board
About the Author: Shel Franco is an assistant editor for iParenting Media, and the mother of three.
