Top Reasons Why You Need to Consider Staying in Family Hotels
Traveling with your family can both be fun and stressful at the same time. Of course it is fun because you get to spend some quality time with the ones you love, in a different place outside of your normal routines. At the same time it can be stressful, especially if you have little kids in tow. Aside from looking for kid appropriate bathrooms with diaper changing stations, you will frequently be hushed in a plane, or in a gallery, as soon as the little one throws a tantrum. It goes without saying that traveling with kids in tow is never easy. But it can be made more bearable with family hotels that are kid-friendly. Hence, here are some reasons why you need to consider staying in family hotels.
Activities for the Whole Family
You might have a different idea of fun compared to your spouse and kids. While you may value your time relaxing under a shade beside the pool, your spouse may opt for a cold beer while watching a sports game. In addition to this, your older children might search for more physical activities such as a game of beach volleyball or a Jet Ski ride, while your younger children might just enjoy a swim in the pool. Family hotels offer a wide variety of activities that can benefit every member of your family.
You might be surprised that even Las Vegas, which is famous for casinos that are typically for an adult audience, have family hotels that offer tons of activities for you and your children. Some of the child-friendly hotels listed in www.familydestinationsguide.com/best-vegas-hotels-kids/ have features like indoor roller coasters, a bowling alley, a movie theatre, water parks and various themed child-friendly pools. While it is almost sure that you and your spouse will have a great time in Vegas, even your kids will definitely have a memorable experience.
Other hotels offer activities that are appropriate for adults and kids alike, such as themed dinners and treasure hunt games, alongside with different live events, shows and performances. Some performances may even include a circus show. Most pools in family hotels are also supervised, with some even offering poolside drinks for adults.
Kid Clubs, Camps, Spa and Nanny Services
While you may be charged for an additional fee, family hotels boast kid clubs and activity centers that your children will surely love. Some even feature a spa that is appropriate for children. Other family hotels encourage your kids to spend more time outdoors by coming up with a kid’s camp run by experienced counselors. For parents who want to lounge around for a while and have a relaxing time by themselves, there are also family hotels that offer nanny services. For a certain fee, you can leave your children for a certain duration of time and be guaranteed that they will be taken care of with professionals watching over them.
Free Accommodation
Most family hotels offer great benefits to parents by allowing their kids under a certain age with a free-stay. Some family hotels may offer kids under 7 to stay for free as long as they will require no extra bed. Likewise, toddlers and babies can also take advantage of the free-stay so long as no extra bed cots will be needed. Still for some other family hotels, older children, but under the age of 18 can room in with their parents or be allotted an adjacent room for only a small fee.
Special Amenities
Apart from the regular amenities that hotels offer such as Wi-Fi connections, smart TVs, room service and free parking, family hotels offer even more, specially catered to suit the needs of your family. For one, the restaurants of most family hotels have kid-friendly menu. Depending on the age of your children, sometimes, kids can even eat for free. Still, some family hotels even offer complimentary cookies and milk in the evenings. The in-room TV programming also includes a kid’s channel and other family-friendly entertainment.
Additionally, while most hotels already have kiddie pools, family hotels even take this a step further by incorporating mini playground in their common amenity area and even game rooms. Some even provide gaming consoles inside the hotel room, which your older kids will surely love. Furthermore, there are rooms in family hotels which are also specifically designed for big families comprised of young and old children.
Other family hotels take it a step further by loaning you baby gear, such that you don’t necessarily have to pack everything in your suitcase. There are instances wherein you can even ship a box of diapers to the hotel in advance and they will gladly safe-keep it for you. You might even find a toy library around the area where your kids can loan toys that they can play with. Sometimes, the toy library may be limited to board games, but there are other instances wherein pool toys and other toys appropriate for the beach are available. This is especially an advantage if you somehow forgot to pack their favorite stuff, or if you just opt to pack light.
All-inclusive Benefits
It is rather easier to plan a travel getaway with an itinerary that is already all-inclusive. This eliminates the hassle of looking for a place to eat in an unfamiliar place, as well as searching for the best possible transportation to get you to different tourist attractions from your hotel. Family hotels often have all-inclusive packages that offer meals to get you through the day that include kid-friendly menu. Furthermore, while most hotels provide a complimentary breakfast for two, most family hotels offer a complimentary breakfast for your whole family. Although some may be limited to waffle and juices, others offer a buffet of warm meals. These hotels also offer a shuttle service that can fit everyone inside, of course with the appropriate car seats as required, as long as you coordinate with them all your special requests upon booking.
Strategic Locations
When family hotels are put up, considerations regarding family safety and security are often one of the top priorities. This is the reason why family hotels are built at strategic locations, or if not, man-made structures compensate. For instance, some family hotels may offer a pleasant man-made shade to protect you and your kids from the extreme heat of the summer sun. Others may utilize the existing natural elements in the area such as mighty old trees, to keep you and your kids safe from sunburn.
Most family hotels are also at a good distance away from the highway and other major roads. Others that are at a certain distance from these roads incorporate the use of durable and sturdy fences. Thus, the beach, and all other amenities can be accessed without worries that your kids may need to cross busy roads. Aside from that, there are many attractions and theme parks your kids can enjoy. Places like Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa are just minutes away from Walt Disney World Resort and Seaworld Orlando. Considering every member's desire will surely turn your family getaway into a memorable experience.
Superb Interiors
While most hotels take great pride in the theme of their hotel interiors, family hotels also do the same, but with a twist. Family hotels often have an area dedicated to the young travelers that are oftentimes themed with popular cartoon characters or visually engaging pieces. Apart from this, notice that family hotels even have plug ducts to ensure the safety and security of the little ones roaming around the area.
The restaurants of family hotels are often furnished in bright and visually engaging colors that is considered as a feast to the eye. To keep everyone busy while waiting for the food to be served, there are often shelves where toys for the little ones or books for all ages can be borrowed.
Pet-friendly
True enough that pets are also part of the family so don’t fret if you opt to take your pets with you during your vacation. There are family hotels, which are pet friendly too. They just have one policy for pets and that is if your pets can enter the door, then they are welcome to stay. Nevertheless, these hotels have programs designed specifically for the accommodation of your furry friends. At the very least, these family hotels will provide water bowls, treats, pet beds, toys, and clean up bags. Depending on your booking scheme, these might be complementary or may come with a fee. Some even offer your dogs and your cats a gourmet menu and grooming services.
While these are all the top reasons on why you should consider staying in family hotels, choosing the one that is perfect for your getaway can be overwhelming. Hence, here are some tips in helping you decide on which family hotel to book.
1. Swimming pool
While most hotels already have pools, family hotels go a step further. The pools in most family hotels are customized to be kid-friendly with some equipped with water slides and splash pads. Nevertheless, if the pool is one of the amenities that you love, then check whether the family hotel has their kiddie pool supervised by a lifeguard. There is a great chance that your kids will be spending most of their time in the hotel pool anyway. Additionally, if the family hotel boasts a water park, then the safety and security of the guests using the pools should be of utmost priority.
2. Room Amenities
While family hotels offer several amenities outdoors and indoors in the common areas, give the room amenities a good assessment depending on your needs. Do you need a personal refrigerator to store milk and other medicines? Do you need a percolator for any hot drinks? Do you need a water heater in the shower for your little ones? While most family hotels offer these services already, there are instances wherein these room amenities are only available upon request, or with an additional fee.
3. Beds
Family hotels typically offer family rooms that are spacious enough for all the members of your family. However, the beds, their size, and how these are arranged may greatly matter. For instance, if you are co-sleeping with an infant or a toddler, then you may opt to go for a king-sized bed. On the other hand, if you already have teens, then perhaps bunk beds in the adjoining room are the best option. Additionally, check whether the family hotel has a provision of adding a bed in your room to let all your children sleep with you or you need to book a bigger room.
4. Wi-Fi
Sometimes, Internet connection is necessary when you travel because apart from doing your travel research, the electronic gadgets connected to the Internet tames the little ones. Check whether the family hotel you are eyeing offers a stable and reliable internet connection not only on the common areas of the hotel, but more particularly in your own room. For sure you would not prefer to go to a common area with a toddler throwing a tantrum just to connect to the internet.
5. Laundry
If you will be on vacation for a couple of weeks, it is best to verify whether the family hotel offers guest laundry services. For sure you will not be able to pack a couple of weeks’ worth of clothes, especially if you are travelling with kids who need to change every time they are drenched in sweat. Most family hotels offer self-service coin-operated washers and dryers but there are also those that offer to take your laundry for you. Before packing, check for the laundry services because this is one hotel amenity you may not want to miss, especially if your goal is to travel light, even with kids.
You don’t have to be discouraged in pursuing your travel plans with your family. While it can really be a challenge, travelling with your children is actually an enriching experience, both for you and for them. You will be able to build your resilience and test your temperament, while your kids will be able to practice being flexible and nonchalant to change. Nevertheless, the proper planning for your trip, which includes staying in family hotels, can greatly make a positive impact on how your travel experience will go.
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