Kid-Friendly Hotels Getting Friendlierby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 12 May 2008 12:02 PM Toys and goldfish delivered to your room, goodie bags at check-in, kid suites, and baby sitting services---now that's my kind of hotel. Hotel chains such as Embassy Suites and Omni, which consistently rate well with business travelers, are stepping up efforts to please pint-sized guests--just in time for the busy summer travel season. In fact, Embassy Suites (which is a Hilton-owned chain) recently launched a children-only website - embassykids.com - where kids can build their own online drinks and omelets and print out packing lists and coloring sheets. Meanwhile, Omni Hotels has started giving out free backpacks with small toys to children at check-in. The property also has milk and cookies delivered to the room each night at no extra charge. This summer, Kimpton Hotels will start handing out tote bags with yo-yos and bath sponges to its young guests. The lodging also provides goldfish in some rooms for kids who have to leave their pets at home while they are on vacation. Loews Hotels is also jumping on the kid-friendly bandwagon. It just partnered with Fisher-Price so guests can now borrow the toy maker's electronic "Smart Cycle," to keep kids busy while their parents relax on the couch. Personally, I applaud Omni Hotels for its clever (and practical) idea to connect two rooms and convert them into kid suites with bunk/twin beds, beanbag chairs and denim couches. The suites are currently available at just a handful of properties and are converted back into regular rooms when they not being occupied by families. If you don't have to worry too much about your family's budget you could opt to stay at Swissotel Chicago. The luxurious hotel recently introduced suites with aquatic, dinosaur and planetarium themes. The downfall: each suite starts at about $800 a night. If you have the cash your kids can kick back in the hotel's aquatic room, which is filled with toy whales, a child-size table and DVDs/books about fish and the environment. The suite also comes with four tickets to local museums (which is about a $100 value). Then there is Marriott International, which leads the pack by taking the kid-friendly concept to new heights. The chain is partnering with Nickelodeon to create hotels designed specifically for families with children. Its first hotel will feature a 100,000-square-foot water park, and is scheduled to open in San Diego in 2011. The resort will also feature Nickelodeon-themed amenities, including live shows starring Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants and children's suites decorated with popular Nick characters. Related Articles: Got Kids? Even More Ways to Save Money on the Road Got Kids? Saving Money on the Road Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation---Free Meals Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation: Spending Less in California More Ways to Save Money on Your Summer Vacation Saving Money on Your Summer Vacation Traveling Abroad with a Weak Dollar Even More Ways to Save Money on Vacation Family Travel-Kid-Friendly Restaurants More Ways to Save Money on Vacation Ways to Save Money on Vacation More Ways To Save Money On Vacation Traveling With Young Children: Dos and Don'ts Traveling With Children-Learn From My Mistakes Flying with Children: Layover or Not? Tips To Remember When Traveling With Children Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments  QueenAngie Central Illinois, USA (60081) 12 May 2008 08:40 PMDon't think we'll be staying at the $800/night hotel, but am certain some other family with a bigger vacation budget will do so. The older that our children became, the more difficult it is to squeeze into one room w/ one bathroom. The connected rooms or family suites really make it easier. Have to say, that I am getting selfish w/ having to share the bathroom too. Thank you for sharing!  Michele Cheplic |
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