Suites with kitchens | See Jane Fly

Shangri-La

1301 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica; 877-999-1301; www.shangrila-hotel.com

Recently renovated, this whitewashed art-deco beauty has plenty of spacious one-bedroom suites with ocean views and kitchens for the family. Kids can crash on the couch pullout and or roll-aways. They will love the new mod pool and Jacuzzi area, iPod docks, and inputs to play video games on flat screens. Most importantly, you’re a stone’s throw from the Third Street kid zone.

Archstone Citrus Suites

1915 Ocean Way, Santa Monica; 866-236-9279; Archstone Santa Monica Website

Lovely beachfront corporate living featuring studio, one- and two-bedroom, fully-loaded apartments for business travelers with visiting families. Overlooking the beach and bike path, these colorful contemporary digs require a month minimum but offer incredible Santa Monica living with all the business bells and whistles.

Hotel Del Coronado

Coronado | 1500 Orange Avenue, San Diego; 800-468-3533; www.hoteldel.com

Celebrities and royalty have been flocking to the Victorian-style Hotel Del for over 100 years—and with good reason. The recently remodeled rooms are stylish and have a bright, contemporary décor. Kids will swoon when they discover they are outfitted with Nintendo Game Cube video game systems. Located on the island of Coronado, there are plenty of restaurants and shops to walk to—not to mention miles of pristine white sandy beach Use the hotel’s babysitting services for date night.

Best Western Hacienda Hotel

Airport Area - Old Town | 4041 Harney Street, San Diego; 619-298-4707; www.haciendahotel.com

It may surprise you that this open and airy Hacienda-style hotel is a Best Western. Located in Old Town, it’s central without being in the throbbing chaos of downtown’s Gaslamp District. And it’s an easy walk to shops, historical sites, and some of San Diego’s best Mexican restaurants. It’s also two miles from Mission Bay Park, Balboa Park and Sea World. Rooms are plain, but you have the essentials, plus a refrigerator and microwave. Kids will love the outdoor heated pool.

Se San Diego Hotel

Downtown - Gaslamp | 1047 Fifth Avenue, San Diego; 619-515-3000; sesandiego.com

There is not a hair out of place at this Gaslamp District hotel, where dark wood and Zen-inspired elegance create a sleek ambiance. Spacious guestrooms have Plasma televisions, ipod/mp3 docking stations and Wi-Fi. The business center has all the usual bells and whistles, as well as laptops available on request. Bringing the family? Book one of the swish collection condominiums, complete with kitchen. Whatever you do, don’t miss the chance to go for a swim in the infinity-edged pool.

La Costa Resort & Spa

Beaches - Carlsbad | 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, San Dieog; 800-854-5000; www.lacosta.com

A 400-acre Spanish-style resort in Carlsbad, La Costa Resort and Spa is a destination in and of itself. Parents can enjoy swimming, golf, or tennis, while kids wear themselves out on water slides and in day camps. Choose a villa to have access to a gourmet kitchen. You’ll never even have to get in the car. Now that’s beginning to sound like a vacation.

Park Manor Suites

Uptown - Balboa Park | 525 Spruce Street, San Diego; 800-874-2649; www.parkmanorsuites.com

If you’re looking for comfortable, old-style charm, the Park Manor Suites is the answer. The bright, spacious rooms are equipped with full kitchens, so you don’t have to eat out every meal. But if you do want to go out, it’s just a short walk to Hillcrest, an area chock-full of restaurants. It’s also directly across the street from one of San Diego’s greatest attractions—Balboa Park (though, it is a fair walk to the center of the park, where the museums are).

Homewood Suites San Diego Airport - Liberty Station

Aiirport Area - Point Loma | 2576 Laning Road, San Diego; 619-222-0500 ; www.homewoodSD.com

Located on Point Loma’s waterfront, this may not be the sexiest hotel in town, but it has the kinds of amenities parents swoon over—complimentary cribs and high chairs, full kitchens, free breakfast buffets, a pool—even beautiful bay views. All this adds up to one seriously convenient, budget-friendly, and versatile home base for your stay.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

401 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago; 877-458-7867; www.trumpchicagohotel.com

The Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago has created the Trump Kids program to make little ones feel right at home. PlayStation and Xbox systems, MP3 players and an indoor pool are only a few of the enticements. In fact, the perks are so great you’ll be hard-pressed to get them to leave the premises. Traveling with an infant? Ask about cribs, bed rails, baby listening monitors and nanny services. And when it comes to pampering harried parents, don’t worry: Your wish is their command.

Embassy Suites Chicago

Downtown | 600 North State Street, Chicago; 312-943-3800; www.embassysuiteschicago.com

With American Girl Place and Build-a-Bear travel packages, the Embassy Suites knows how to win the hearts of kids. And with sprawling accommodations (complete with separate living and sleeping areas and a kitchenette), complimentary breakfast buffets and a nightly managers' wine reception, it's clear that parents’ needs are taken into consideration as well.