A: Over the years, I have shared many hotel rooms with my children. I have had some good experiences and some bad experiences. Now, I have my set criteria on what the hotel must have for me to even go. I will seriously stay home and not attempt it if we can't meet my criteria. May seem selfish- but honestly- why go on a vacation if it is going to be miserable and no one is going to sleep.
Here are my criteria and some tips for making it work for you:
- Get a suite or two adjoining rooms- splurge or go to a hotel where all the rooms are suites. This is necessary unless you want to go to sleep when your kids do. Use the extra room to watch a movie, invite friends over, or just hang out in after the kids go to sleep.
- Use the bathroom as an extra bedroom- I have found that most bathrooms fit a pack n play if you go in, close the door and set it up. You can also unscrew the light bulb so just the fan stays on and you have a built-in white noise machine. Another added benefit of the bathroom is that they are dark!
- If you don't use the bathroom you can use the little hallway that leads to the entrance. Make sure you put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door whenever anyone is sleeping. I also like to use the extra lock feature for added safety.
- Decide if you want to bring a pack n play or if you are going to use a hotel crib- love the convenience of the hotel crib but many times they don't have bumpers and my kids legs end up getting caught in the bars. If they are used to their pack n play it may be an easier transition to sleep as well.
- Have older kids practice sleeping in the same room a few times before you kiss them goodnight.
- Try to keep things as similar to home as possible: same sound spa, same favorite blanket or stuffed animal, same bedtime routine if possible (it is vacation so things will vary- but try).
- Close the big curtains- hotel rooms are made to be nice and dark which is a huge benefit!
- Get a room on the first floor- in front of the pool if possible. This makes it easy to lug your luggage in, easy for room access, you can leave your stuff out there if it is nap time, you can sit on the patio and still enjoy being outside and around people during nap time or in the evening.
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1 comment:
Great tips! We have found that renting a vacation house is the best bet, as it offers all the conveniences of home, plus you don't have to worry about other hotel guest when the baby crying in the middle of the night (or before sleep). It's also either comparable to getting a hotel suite, or even less expensive - but a lot more comfortable.
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