Tots In Tow: The Best Hotels For Babies, Toddlers & Kids

As the overbooked moms of SJF well know: traveling with tots can be tricky. Forget the good old days of throwing together a quick carry-on, grabbing your Kindle, and hitting the road. Now that we’re the proud parents of busy toddlers, we’ve become pros at lugging car seats*, baby-proofing hotel rooms, and scouring the internet for the coolest family-centric travel activities. So to make your next family adventure a little easier, we’ve rounded up the kid-friendliest hotel chains — teddy bears and warm cookies included.

The Ritz Carlton

Ahh, the Ritz. When you’re ready to splurge, these guys are the masters of catering to your every need. All rooms are pre-baby-proofed, complete with cribs, so both you and Jr. can rest a little easier. Amenities include a “Nanny Pack” full of ideas for outings, snacks and water, kid-sized robes and stuffed animals, plus a “Scavenger Hunt Pack” which sends the kiddos on a trek around the surrounding area. Staff will gladly accommodate any food allergy issues, offering dairy and gluten-free meals. Prepare yourself for a relaxing, indulgent stay, because as we all know, happy kids mean happy parents.

Marriott Hotels

Bravo to Marriott Hotels for introducing a new program specifically designed to simplify travel for families with young children.“Tots Travel Too” provides pint-sized guests with free travel cribs and a toy to make bath-time a little more fun. Forget a few essentials? Not to worry – just contact the front desk for complimentary items like outlet covers, nightlights, baby shampoo and lotion. The hotel also offers disposable bibs for your little “traveler-in-training.” We’re sold!

Four Seasons

The Four Seasons pulls out all the stops to make families with small children feel very, very welcome. Kids are greeted in room with cookies and their own mini robes to cuddle up in, and at check-in children receive a stuffed animal and newsletter highlighting the best family activities around the city. For toddlers, the hotel provides a host of amenities including diapers, lotions, bottle warmers, strollers and even teddy bears! The hotel also runs activities for kids aged five to twelve, including crafts and nature walks. Families will find separate kids' pools and play areas, and a concierge who can suggest fun outings or arrange for babysitters.

Club Med

For over 40 years, Club Med has been the mother of all hotel chains when it comes to showing young travelers a fab time. They provide all the baby care equipment you could possibly require, including cots and nappy-changing mats, baby baths and pushchairs for walks. The baby-care rooms (open 24-hours a day) provide all the equipment necessary for preparing babies' meals. Should you want a special evening just for mom and dad, the Pyjamas Club (at extra cost) provides babysitting service for children four months and up and the Petit Club Med dishes up a variable buffet of activities and entertainment, like games, meals, watersports, and even a baby gym! Give your children (and your sanity) a treat this summer, and let the little ones loose for a vacation they won’t ever forget.

**Jane Tip: A note about lugging carseats and all the extra gear. Um… why bother? Instead, ship the stuff you need directly to your hotel room ahead of time via services like http://www.babiestravellite.com/ or http://www.jetsetbabies.com/. Rest easy travel mama.