How to Choose the Best Family-Friendly Hotel

When planning your family vacation, lodging is one of the most significant considerations. After airfare (if you aren't driving), it is often the most expensive part of your vacation. So, you'll want to do plenty of research when choosing where to stay.

This can become especially important when most of your vacation will be spent at the hotel, for example, on a beach vacation or at an all-inclusive resort.

Whether you are looking for a hotel or prefer a family vacation rental, here are the things you should consider when choosing family-friendly lodging. The importance of these items will vary based on the type of vacation, so consider that as well.

How to Choose the Best Family-Friendly Hotel (Or Vacation Rental)

What Type of Hotel Vacation Are You Taking?

First and foremost, you need to consider what type of hotel vacation you are taking. Is it a city trip, where the hotel is primarily a place to sleep at night? Or is it a beach/pool vacation, where the hotel/resort is the primary focus?

For a city trip, the hotel location is important. You'll also want to prioritize transportation options, comfortable rooms, and an included breakfast (so you can get started on your day quickly).

For resort trips, consider amenities (like pools and beach access), activities, on-site food options, and nice rooms.

Considering Location

Location is always a major consideration when choosing a hotel, especially when traveling with kids. Convenience is also important.

If you are visiting a beach location, being right on the beach will be much easier. Or, if visiting a theme park, being on the property can make your transit to and from the park much quicker.

For city vacations, it's nice to be somewhere where you can walk to major attractions. You'll also want to consider safety, noise levels, proximity to restaurants, and parking.

Remember that the best, most convenient locations often have a higher price tag, so you must consider and balance that.

Deals on Your Hotel or Vacation Rental

Price is essential when traveling with kids; if you can get a deal, that is even better. Look for deals like kids travel free or kids eat free.

You'll also want to consider whether the hotel or vacation rental you are staying in offers other ways to save money. For instance, staying at a hotel on a theme park property may mean you don't need to rent a car. Alternatively, staying in a hotel suite or vacation rental may allow you to prepare some meals yourself, saving money on eating out.

If you are staying at a hotel chain, sign up for its loyalty program to start accruing points that can be redeemed for a free stay. You'll also want to look at added fees. The cost of things like WiFi and parking can add up during a vacation. Many resorts also charge resort fees, which can significantly add to the cost of your trip.

When traveling with a family, you should also consider the price difference between a suite and connecting rooms. Often, you can save a lot by just booking a suite rather than connecting rooms, but that isn't always the case.

Hotel Activities

Many hotels offer family-friendly activities that can keep the kids occupied. These include kids' clubs, shows, movie nights, arts and crafts, water parks, beach access, beach activities, fitness classes, magicians, and more.

Depending on your vacation type, these activities may not be as important to you. But if they are, you'll want to research the options offered. See if they require advance reservations - in some cases, you may need to do this before your vacation.

Hotel Room or Vacation Rental Home

When booking a hotel, you'll also need to consider the room type. Multi-room hotel suites can be especially useful when booking a vacation with kids, because the kids will be able to have their own space. When your kids go to bed earlier than you go, this can be essential.

In addition, you'll need to know what's in the room. When traveling with very young kids, be sure you can get a portable crib. You should also check to see if there is a bathtub (rather than only a shower), which can make bathing a toddler much easier.

When booking a vacation rental, look for these elements: room configuration, bed types, kid-friendly amenities (like a crib), and other things that are important to you. Also, look for anything that may be dangerous with younger kids, like lofts or open stairways. Ask questions before booking if you can't find what you need to know online.

Hotel Room Views

When booking a hotel room, you often have the option to choose a specific view type. A better view or room location costs more. Is this worth it?

While a better view may enhance the experience, if you are price-sensitive, you can skip this. This is especially true if you aren't planning to spend too much time in the room.

Hotel Amenities

When booking your family vacation, you should also consider hotel amenities. Some hotels offer fantastic amenities that can help you save money and keep you entertained. You can spend much of your vacation time at the resort with the right amenities. Keep in mind that some of these may cost extra/require reservations.

On-site Restaurant

If you plan to spend most of your time at the resort, you'll want to do some research on the hotel restaurant(s). Make sure they are family-friendly, with kids' menus, high chairs, and everything else you need.

Some hotel restaurants may be a little more formal than typical casual restaurants. If so, you'll want to pack the appropriate attire if you plan to eat there.

Reviews and Recommendations

Personal reviews and recommendations, or online reviews, can be invaluable when choosing a hotel for a family vacation. Ask friends or neighbors who have been to the hotel before for tips and general recommendations. Families with similar families (ages of kids, for instance) can be especially helpful when choosing a hotel or vacation rental.

When reading online reviews, remember that people often leave their worst and best impressions. Look for trends, rather than specific reviews.

Features to Look For By Family Type

Best Hotel Features for Families With Toddlers

• suites with a separate room
• microwaves and refrigerators
• kiddie or zero-entry pools
• onsite dining with kid-friendly options

Best Hotel Features for Families With Teens

• separate sleeping spaces
• walkable locations for shopping, attractions, and food
• multiple pools with fun features like waterslides
• onsite food options with teen-friendly choices

Best for Multigenerational Travel

• connecting rooms
• villa-style layouts or larger suites
• elevators to higher floors
• onsite dining with lots of options

How I Evaluate Hotels for My Family

When I personally look for hotels for my family, I consider several things more than others. For instance, if my plan is to spend a lot of time at the hotel, like at a beach destination, I look for a hotel on a fantastic beach, with chairs and beach service, along with a really nice pool.

For other vacations where the actual hotel isn't the primary focus, I consider several factors. The biggest consideration is typically location. I always want to be as close as possible to the attractions I'm going to see.

I also look for a familiar and comfortable hotel chain. There's always the knowledge that some chains provide a level of consistency that makes me feel more confident in my choice.

When my kids were younger, suite hotels always topped my list. Having that extra space really helps when you have kids. Now that my kids are older, we usually look for connecting rooms.