Parents (and, more importantly, kids) have come to expect a lot more when traveling, so hotels — small and large — have jumped on the kid-friendly bandwagon and are continually touting new activities and programs for younger guests. These are our favorite hotel chains for families.
Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts
Holiday Inn is a tried-and-true family hotel chain. Holiday Inn makes traveling easy for families by having kids ages 19 and under stay with parents for free. Even better — kids ages 12 and under eat for free! Most locations also offer swimming pools, children’s activities and KidSuites with bunk beds and gaming systems. Another bonus of staying at a Holiday Inn? It’s affordable!
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts appeal to families by offering many activities and amenities for infants, kids and teens. Its most famous offering is Camp Hyatt for ages 3 to 12. The program features cultural offerings unique to each hotel’s destination; for instance, there’s painting pottery in Arizona or taking Hula dance classes in Hawaii. Many resorts have adventurous age-appropriate activities for older kids, such as surf lessons in Southern California, horseback riding in Orlando and zip-lining in Kauai. A partnership with Babies Travel Lite allows parents to pre-order any necessary baby equipment to their guestroom.
Each Hyatt hotel has at least one restaurant and one bar on the premises. Rooms and suites are designed with a contemporary ambience and include comfortable amenities and modern appliances. Larger suites or villas may provide a living room and pullout couch, easily accommodating larger families.
Embassy Suites
Embassy Suites offers a quality family experience at locations throughout the United States, Canada and Latin America. The hotel chain provides a comfortable stay for any family, with spacious, family-friendly suites with mini-fridges or kitchenettes. Properties often feature pools and gaming systems. A true family-friendly hotel chain, Embassy Suites has a pool at every location. The chain also recognizes kids’ affinity towards animals and has unique animal atriums on the properties. Here, kids watch and interact with ducks, turtles and fish in the lush green atmosphere.
Embassy Suites provides daily complimentary breakfasts, priding itself on its cooked-to-order menu featuring omelets and various hot items. Guests also enjoy an evening reception with light fare, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
Comfort Inn & Suites
With locations across the globe, the Comfort Inn and Suites is a reliable family-friendly hotel chain. These budget-friendly hotels provide free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and in most cases, a pool. Many properties are pet-friendly, as well. Guestrooms often feature mini-fridges and microwaves.
Loews Hotels and Resorts
Loews Hotels and Resorts are located in most major cities across the United States and Canada. The luxury hotel chain lives up to its “Loews Loves Kids” motto by providing many kid-friendly extras and add-ons at most locations. In some locations, such as Orlando, the hotels also provide the coolest themed rooms! Many locations have play areas for kids, as well as supervised kids’ clubs. All Loews hotels offer an onsite restaurant and a bar with budget-friendly children’s menus; plus, kids ages 12 and under eat free! Baby-proofing kits are available to ensure youngsters are kept safe.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts offer an upscale family-friendly experience. Wyndham partners with Jet Set Babies — a feature that is very appealing to families. Jet Set Babies allows guests to pre-order baby and toddler supplies, like diapers, formula and playpens, which will then be waiting for them at the hotel. This way, families can travel without bulging luggage or extra airline baggage fees. Jet Set Babies offers a whole line of organic products for health-conscious parents.
Most Wyndham hotel properties have an onsite restaurant of the chain’s own making. Some hotels have more than one restaurant, including unaffiliated eateries like Starbucks, and bars or lounges.
Kimpton Hotels and Resorts
Kimpton is a family-friendly, boutique hotel chain that’s predominantly located in the U.S. It offers an upscale experience for families looking to be in the center of all the action. The hotels offer Kimpton Kids, a program with child-size bathrobes, strollers for rent, in-room safety features and even goldfish to rent! Some Kimpton properties offer other kid-friendly perks, such as kids’ clubs, kids’ activities during the complimentary wine hours for parents, and themed rooms. Kimpton hotels are also pet-friendly!
Residence Inn by Marriott
The Residence Inn hotel chain appeals to families who want spacious accommodations for a great value. Residence Inn offers many amenities that are great for families, including free breakfast and baby-specific items. Most of the hotel’s locations include a swimming pool and whirlpool spa. Also, onsite barbeques and fire pits will entice families to cookout for a dinner. Many locations include a sports court — volleyball, basketball, tennis or all-purpose.
Tots Travel Too is a Marriot-sponsored program that provides families with necessary baby-related equipment. Through this, the hotel provides free travel cribs with slipcovers, cute squirting bathtub toys and disposable bibs. Parents can also request outlet covers and nightlights to baby-proof the rooms. Many items are available, including toiletries.
Homewood Suites by Hilton
Homewood Suites truly provides a home-away-from-home experience for families, making it one of our favorite family-friendly hotel chains. Here, families will find spacious suites, the largest of which sleep up to six guests! All suites are equipped with full kitchens, as well — and if you don’t feel like grocery shopping, no problem. Grocery delivery service is available! Other perks include free breakfast and evening receptions, swimming pools, and outdoor sports courts.
Staybridge Suites
Like Homewood Suites, Staybridge Suites allows families to feel at home when traveling, offering spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens. Other perks include complimentary breakfast, evening receptions, pools and free Wi-Fi.
More From Family Vacation Critic:
The Best Hotels for Families in 2017
Best Kids Stay and Eat Free Hotel Programs
12 Best Kid-Themed Hotel Rooms
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