Best Practices for Hotel Stays with Infants and Toddlers

Since having children, our family has accrued more frequent flyer miles than I ever thought possible, and I frequently receive the following question: How do you manage a hotel stay with a baby and toddler? The reality? It is completely feasible. Furthermore, it can be fantastic. Yes, exhausting. However, it is enchanting in a manner that only traveling with small people can be.

This guide is full of practical tips and easy tricks to help your next hotel stay with a newborn and toddler. It seems less like crisis management and more like creating a family experience, from bottle prep to sleep struggles.

First things first: Calling it chaos is acceptable.

Let us face it, diaper blowouts and nap time discussions are not intended for hotel rooms. However, they can definitely function with a little preparation (and perhaps a mini-fridge). The secret? Do not strive for excellence. The goal should be functional quiet, with just enough order to prevent chaos.

Parents' Top Concerns About Hotel Life with Young Children

Where are they all going to sleep? (Spoiler alert: Sometimes it is not where you expected.)

Must we go to bed at the same time as the baby?

What if the toddler is awakened by the baby?

How to Book Hotel Rooms with Infants and Young Children Work

Select a Hotel That Attracts Families

You do not want to discover that a hotel is not baby-friendly after checking in.

What to search for:

Separate sleeping and living spaces in rooms (suites or adjacent rooms = gold)

Features geared toward families, such as high chairs, cribs, and blackout curtains

Kid-friendly on-site dining options

A microwave and mini-fridge (a game-changer)

Access to laundry

Parks, playgrounds, or restaurants that are close by

Positive feedback left by other parents (filtered by "family stay")

2. Things to Bring for a More Comfortable Stay

Yes, you will require onesies, wipes, and diapers. However, take note of these:

If you know, you know, says SlumberPod. Blackout slumber cave in an instant.

Put an end to grumpy siblings, elevator dings, and hall noise with a portable sound machine.

In times of need, friends, use rubbish bags and tape or travel blackout curtains.

A baby monitor is particularly useful in suite-style accommodations.

Think about little toys and books that are non-rolling, open-ended, and silent.

Bottle brush and dish soap

Portable nightlight: It can be challenging to do midnight feeds in complete darkness.

Medicine kit: Make sure you have baby Tylenol on hand at two in the morning.

A reusable placemat for toddler meals is also included.

3. Sleep Configuration: The Skill of Dividing Areas in a Single Room

What has worked for us—and dozens of other families who travel—is as follows:

For a pack 'n play, use bathrooms or closets (with ventilation!).

A SlumberPod can be set up for blackout magic.

Especially when the infant is napping, keep a portable sound machine close by.

Maintain regular nighttime rituals as much as you can.

If someone ends up in your bed, do not freak out. It occurs. Accept it.

And no, just because your kid goes to bed at 7 p.m. does not mean you have to. Make use of that other room, the balcony, or simply a comfortable nook with a book and headphones.

Organizing Wake-Ups and Nap Time in a Common Area

Preserve one quality nap each day, even if it takes place in a stroller.

Use a blackout tent, blanket, or curtain to darken a portion of the space.

Bring home comforts like your favorite nighttime reading, white noise, and sleep sack.

Plan ahead for the middle of the night by keeping diaper supplies organized, bottles available, and a pacifier close at hand.