Kid Friendly Hotels

Picking the right hotel for your vacation is about much more than finding the best price.

When looking for a hotel, it’s a good idea to consider the kind of vacation you’re taking, who is staying with you, and what kind of hotel amenities are best suited for your unique vacation.

In other words, the best hotel for a romantic getaway may not be the best hotel for a family vacation with two small children.

Kid Friendly Hotels – What Amenities to Look For

1.  Continental Breakfast available on-site.

Small children don’t need an elaborate meal three times a day.  They do, however, need something for breakfast.  The more easily accessible, the better.

While a nicer hotel may have a restaurant that offers a full buffet and omelet bar, I much prefer an inexpensive hotel with a simply stocked continental breakfast when I’m traveling with my kids.  It’s generally a lot easier to set little kids up with a bowl of cereal in a small dining area that accepts footie pajamas as part of their dress code.  Traveling with kids means a lot of time spent in restaurants, and any chance to avoid that stress while still getting a decent meal is worth watching out for.

2. A pool is a plus.  A jacuzzi is completely unnecessary.

Little kids love to swim.  Or, at the very least, they love the idea of swimming – even if the reality is sitting on the pool steps for hours in their swimsuits.  But their expectations are low when it comes to a good hotel pool.

Water?  Great.  Shallow end?  Fantastic.  Clean?  If mom says so.  A jacuzzi and sauna room are less than an afterthought and should, in fact, be avoided by small children if possible.

3.  Extra sleeping area available – pullout couches, cots, massive floor space.

I always underestimate how much sleeping room my children are going to need when we travel.

“Oh, the little one can sleep with us.”

“Hey, the two little ones can bunk together.”

And then the little one is jammed between two big people in a double sized bed and the two big people end up with very little sleep.  Or the two little ones decide that this is the night that they cannot stand anymore of her touching me!

I’m all about giving up a little convenience to save a few bucks, but a good night of sleep when you’re on vacation is much more than a convenience.  Check with the hotel before you book to verify the size of the beds and the availability of cots.

4.  A bathtub.  Not just a shower – an actual bathtub.

If your kids are used to showering at home, than this is a non issue.  But if you’re traveling with a toddler, you may not want to introduce showering and water in the eyes on your oh so perfect family vacation.

Some hotels offer stand up showers only in some rooms, but have regular sized bathtubs in other rooms.  If you book your reservation by phone, ask about a room with a tub.  If you book your room online to save money, call the property you’re staying at after you’ve booked and request a room with a tub.

Ironically, you’ll usually find these amenities in a less expensive hotel.  Luxury is, apaprently, reserved for adults.  But when you’re on a family vacation, the best luxury is being able to stay some place where everyone in the family can feel relaxed and at home.

I love to travel, so I’m usually pretty excited to arrive at any hotel room, even a small and plain one. As long as it is clean and blood-free, I’m happy.

Some people are pickier than I am, and for those people I have good news: German engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering and Organization have created the perfect hotel room.

The scientists used data (it’s a German Institute — of course they did) to figure out the most relaxing characteristics to build into the room. This includes curved walls, because angular rooms are depressing, a bed that rocks from side to side like a baby’s cradle, and a special machine in the bathroom that sends out lemon scented steam.

You really have to see it to get a feel for the magic. Watch this video of Steve Rosenberg from the BBC as he explores all of the (curved) nooks and crannies tries out all of the cool features of this Hotel Room of the Future.

Now we just have to wait for someone to build a hotel using these principles. With all of those amenities, I’m guessing it will be deluxe luxury property, so start saving your pennies now!

It’s a fact of traveling — sometimes you need to pick your hotel to be convenient to the airport. At a major hub like Chicago O’Hare, you have flights arriving and departing at all hours of the day and night. If you find yourself at O’Hare and in need of a place to stay, here are choices that fit any wallet.

Chicago O’Hare InterContinental

InterContinental Hotel O'Hare

The amazingly luxurious standards of the 4-star InterContinental brand, with the convenience of a location five minutes from the airport. The hotel offers every amenity, from suites with deep soaking tubs, original art work in the rooms and high threadcount linens.

InterContinental Hotel O'Hare

There is 24 hour complimentary shuttle service to airport, an art museum on site, and maid service twice a day. All this service starts at the surprisingly affordable rate of $149/night.

Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites

Renaissance Suites O'Hare

For a little less, you can still find spacious and comfortable lodgings. The Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites is located close to the airport, and offers guests free 24 hour shuttle service. This Marriott property prides itself on a warm and friendly atmosphere. The suites have separate sitting and sleeping areas, which is so nice if you’re traveling with your family. Updated amenities include in room refrigerators, two tvs in each suite and wifi. Rates start around $109/night.

The Comfort Inn O’hare

Comfort Inn O'Hare

If you’re looking for something a little more simple (i.e. inexpensive) the consistently reliable Comfort Inn O’hare is located just two miles from the airport. Guests can use the free shuttle service to both O’Hare International Airport and the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Rooms at the Comfort Inn O’hare look pretty utilitarian, but they are roomy and clean. Free of charge, guests also receive a full breakfast, wifi in all rooms, a morning paper, and local calls.  If you have time to kills, there is a workout room and spa, with a whirlpool, or you can do some laundry, which is great if you’re on an extended trip. Rooms start around $80.

Stained hotel mattress

London newspaper The Telegraph recently published an expose of budget hotels that is revolting and scary. A British consumer watchdog group did a survey of the five most popular budget chains, including some familiar names: Travelodge, Premier Inn, Jurys Inn, Ibis and Comfort Inn.

While some of the hotels were simple, free of frills and mercifully clean, others were straight out of a travel horror movie: mold on mattresses, blood stains on the bedding, and feces on toilet seats. This is in addition to your baseline grime and toenails in the carpet.

We can try to write this off as “just something that happens in the U.K.” but the scary truth is that if it happens there, it can happen here, too.

Sure, budget hotels are inexpensive for a reason — they don’t offer the amenities of luxury hotels. But wifi is amenity, clean sheets are a minimum expectation!

Unlike the rest of the travel industry, which is experiencing a slow down along with the global economy, budget hotels are actually seeing business increase. It seems that travelers are willing to cut corners on lodging, but I’m positive that standards will never be so low that filth is acceptable.

This is why it’s so important to do your research before you. Check to see what kind of experience other travelers have had before you book. And if you arrive and your room is in any way unacceptable, call the manager. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets fresh towels!

Photo: kbaird on flickr