In the world of family travel, hotels and resorts have recognized the importance of catering to the needs of their youngest guests. From the tiniest tots to curious toddlers, an array of special baby amenities is transforming family vacations into seamless and joyous experiences. Gone are the days of packing cribs, strollers, and baby gear, as these accommodating establishments now offer an array of thoughtful amenities designed with babies and parents in mind. From providing cribs and baby-proofing services to offering baby purees and engaging kids' clubs, these hotels and resorts are creating a haven of comfort and convenience for families. Join us as we explore the delightful world of special baby amenities, ensuring that every family can embark on unforgettable adventures with ease and peace of mind.
Cribs, Pack and Plays, and Roll-Away Beds
As families embark on adventures around the world, the desire for convenience and comfort is at the forefront. Yet, an emerging issue has caught the attention of parents: airlines imposing charges for checking portable cribs. Though many airlines provide additional luggage allowances for strollers and car seats, most do not allow families to check portable cribs or pack n' plays free of charge.
This newfound obstacle poses challenges for parents traveling with infants and toddlers. Portable cribs, which are essential for providing a safe and familiar sleeping environment, have become an indispensable companion for family journeys. However, the added expense of checking these compact yet invaluable cribs can burden families and limit the ease of travel. Before you pay an additional fee with the airline and lugging extra bags through the airport, it is worth looking into the sleeping options your hotel provides.
When it comes to accommodating families with infants, hotels have different policies regarding the provision of cribs. While some hotels guarantee cribs upon reservation, ensuring that families have a comfortable and safe sleeping space for their little ones from the moment they arrive, others may only confirm the availability of cribs upon check-in. This variation in approach can be attributed to factors like the hotel's inventory of cribs, the demand for family accommodations during specific periods, and the need to allocate resources efficiently. For families traveling with babies, it's essential to communicate their crib requirements (and associated fees) in advance, particularly when staying at hotels with a "first-come, first-served" crib policy, to ensure a stress-free experience and secure the necessary amenities for their stay.
If your child is older and you require an extra roll-away bed, the same advice applies with one additional tip. When you book, make sure the room type you select accommodates an extra bed (it should note this when you click to look at room details). If you are not sure, we recommend to contact the hotel directly.
If this isn't an option at your destination, you can utilize a rental service like BabyQuip which allows you to select the crib, pack n' play, bassinet or even a Snoo and have it delivered to your accommodation (if you are staying at a Hyatt make sure to utilize their 10% off code).
Strollers
Gone are the days of lugging around a bulky stroller while traveling, thanks to select hotels that now offer strollers as part of their baby amenities. Hotel chains including Four Seasons, Loews, and Club Med and independent hotels (including sought-after spots like The Breakers in Palm Beach, Garza Blanca Resort and Spa in Cancun, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit, Nickelodeon Punta Cana, Shangri-La Singapore, Sani Resort in Greece) all are eager to attract families and provide strollers free of charge. Other resorts recognize the convenience and offer strollers for rent onsite (including popular hotel chains Beaches and Kimpton).
This thoughtful addition to their service is a game-changer for families with young children. By providing strollers for guest use, these hotels alleviate the burden of packing and transporting one's own stroller, allowing families to travel lighter and with greater convenience. Parents can rest assured that upon arrival, a comfortable and reliable stroller will be readily available for their little one's use, making exploring and navigating the destination a breeze. This baby amenity not only enhances the travel experience but also demonstrates the commitment of these hotels to cater to the needs and comfort of families, ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable stay for all.
Kids' Clubs
Some hotel and resort chains provide set a set age for kids club across their portfolio:
Four Seasons: The Kids for All Seasons is for children aged 5 - 12
St. Regis: The St. Regis Kids Club program is for children aged 4 to 12
Ritz-Carlton: The Ritz Kids program is for children aged 4 - 12
Club Med: Baby Club Med (4 months - 2 years) and Petit Club Med (2 - 4 years) are available for a fee, while 4+ are included in the all-inclusive package
while some vary widely depending on the resort. Typically, accommodations in the Caribbean or other seaside places tend to lean toward having kids programming to some degree. Before you commit to a hotel, it is a good idea to look into the Kids' Club details including age ranges, fees, and hours. Keep it mind, some programs may require you to reserve a space in advance.
If you don't plan to utilize the Kids Club, you can ask the hotel if you are allowed to utilize the facilities with your child separate from the programming.
Nannies and Babysitting
From on-request babysitting services to dedicated nannies, some establishments go above and beyond to ensure that parents and children alike have an unforgettable experience. Embrace the freedom to explore and relax, knowing that your little ones are in capable hands. Whether you seek a few hours of personal time with on-request babysitters or desire a more comprehensive childcare experience with dedicated nannies, these hotels and resorts are committed to creating cherished memories for the entire family. Discover a haven of comfort, convenience, and personalized care, as your little adventurers embark on a journey of their own under the watchful eye of caring professionals.
If you are looking for a little assistance in the water, Baha Mar's Baha Buddies program might be just what you need. Baha Buddies are experienced CPR and first aid certified childcare professionals who accompany families to Kids’ Island for supervised pool play. If you are looking to take a short dip sans kids, Sani Resort offers free 30 minute sessions of childcare at 5 different beachside locations. Enjoy a swim while your kids build a sandcastle and play games.
A romantic dinner is a possibility with resorts that provide an evening kids' club such as Atlantis Bahamas, Baha Mar, The Nantucket Hotel + Resort, and Walt Disney World Resorts. Alternatively, many more hotels and resorts are more than happy to arrange in-room childcare for you to have your date night. A quick email to your accommodation can confirm if this option is available.
If you are looking for a more complete childcare option, dedicated nannies are included in your stay at some of these amazing locations: Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji and Bluefields Bay Jamaica.
Diapers and Wipes
Though not common, some hotels do commit to providing diapers (swim and regular) and wipes for any children included in your reservation. We put this to the test at several Four Seasons resorts and found that while they do provide them, the sizing isn't always compatible for your child so it may be worth packing a few extra supplies to buy you time to get the right supplies brought to your room.
If your next destination doesn't provide them, you have a few options:
Ship them to your hotel (check with your hotel that they allow this)
Utilize a same-delivery service (Shipt for Target, Grocery Store Deliveries, etc.)
Schedule a curbside pick-up if you have a rental car or if you negotiate a short detour with a driver
Check your hotel's gift shop
Pack them in your luggage (more room for souvenirs on the way home!)
Nighttime Treats
Indulge your little ones in the sweetest of surprises at select hotels that provide delightful nighttime treats for kids. At the Ritz-Carlton, children can look forward to the "Ritz Kids Night Safari," where they receive a special in-room camping experience complete with a mini-tent, a nightlight, and a constellation guide for stargazing. Also providing a nighttime camping experience for your child are the Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, select Peninsula hotels with their "Camp Peninsula" program and select Westin hotels which include the teepee and a themed stuffed animal. If your child is a fan of buried treasure, Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island even provides a pirate-themed in-suite camping experience.
A "Milk and Cookie" turndown service has also been delighting children in resorts across the world. Some participating properties include Omni Parker House in Boston, Paradisus Cancun, The Balmoral in Edinburgh, and Park Royal Collection in Kuala Lumpur.
Other Extras
If you are in search for even more extras for your family's next vacation, some other amenities to look out for include guaranteed connecting rooms (Hilton portfolio), toddler spa treatments (Finest Punta Cana), fresh-made baby purees and other baby food (Martinhal Sagres in Portugal, Hotel Serena in Italy, Finest Playa Mujeres), diaper genies (Sea Island Resort), complimentary beach toys (Disney Aulani), and special welcome gifts (Four Seasons resorts).
To learn more about the family-friendly offerings at your favorite hotel chains, visit their websites, linked below:
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