Hotel Stays with Little Ones

If traveling with young kids or babies, a home is always a great choice. Airbnb, VRBO or using a home rental company is always nice for the convenience of multiple bedrooms or bathrooms, a kitchen, more space, etc. But this option isn't always going to work if traveling, depending on where you are headed. An example of this is NYC which made it next to impossible to find a short stay vacation rental using services such as Airbnb due to new laws/regulations. Also, if you go with a home rental you can miss out on some of the perks of staying in a hotel such as room service, restaurants, amenities like a pool or gym, 24 hr staff, housekeeping services and availabity of extra needs for kids like a crib or roll away bed. Hotels tend to have a bit more flexibility if you need to cancel or change your plans. And if you stick with a hotel chain over time, they offer loyalty programs allowing you to build up points to put towards future stays. For example, we have been a part of the Marriott/Ritz Carlton program for years and our accumulation of points has led to free stays at various properties! We have done a bit of both home rentals and hotels since having children so I'm going to pass along a few tips/tricks that work well if going the hotel route!

• Look for extended stay hotels. These generally function as apartments by offering a seperate bedroom and living area space. They also tend to have a small kitchen and fridge which is great for storing or prepping food.

• Book two adjoining hotel rooms. Obviously this may be dependent on cost and availability, but it enables you to basically have two seperate rooms with a door between to allow for quiet during naps or bedtime.

• Go for the suite. The cost may be a bit higher but it's essentially like having a one bedroom apartment. You generally have a seperate bedroom and living area. If your kids are still napping it gives you space to relax/hang out without sitting in a dark room. Or in the evenings you can have two seperate bedroom spaces. For example, if we stay in a suite, our kids sleep on the pull out couch and/or pack and play while we are sleeping in the main bedroom. (Do your research and make sure there is a door that seperates the area otherwise you don't have the seperated spaces.)

• Use a slumberpod. By the time I discovered this (courtesy of my younger sister) my youngest was almost one so I felt that it was too late give it a try. This is a game changer if you are all staying in one room because it essentially blacks out all light and noise.

• Reserve the crib. Many hotels have cribs available for your stays if booked in advance. If you're a parent of little ones, not having to bring that pack and play or travel crib can be a major bonus!

If you have any questions/comments, please let me know! Happy Travels!