Have you, at some point in your life, been a designated planner for your family’s next vacation? When you started looking for hotels, were you overwhelmed by the sheer number of accommodations available? Metropolitan areas are, in some cases, home to as many as 500 hotels that vary greatly in location and rate, services offered. It’s good to have a lot of choice, as it allows you to be picky and narrow your choice of hotels based on selected criteria, including the rate and hotel supplies you want or need. It goes without saying that when you’re planning a family vacation, the desired hotel amenities and supplies will be different than those that would be important if you were traveling alone or for work.
Some hotel chains and independent hotels market themselves as family hotels. Hotel supplies on offer often include microwaves, mini-fridges, and rollaway beds. Many also have separate sleeping areas for children. Non-slip bath mats, extra towels, and durable ice buckets are also familiar amenities offered by many hotels. Hotels in some areas of the country cater to children of all ages; They are known for offering children’s hotel supplies and amenities, such as stools and Disney accessories. Kiddie pools and family tub/shower combos are also common amenities at family-focused hotels.
Some hotel supplies and amenities may not matter when you’re traveling solo; however, when you’re traveling with your family, those same hotel necessities and supplies can be a deal breaker. Hotels that offer continental breakfast as part of their room rates can save families more than $100 on food during an average vacation. Business travelers may have little or no interest in the hotel pool; however, if your family is like many others, one of your most important criteria is a pool and amenities like extra towels. Newer hotels, and some hotels undergoing renovations, are adding innovative new hotel supplies to their repertoire, many aimed not at family or business, but at people.
In contrast, if you’re traveling on business, ergonomic workspaces and good lighting are essential hotel elements that may not be necessary for family vacations. Hotel bars, as well as room service, are great conveniences when you’re away for work or enjoying a weekend away with your partner. However, they are probably not necessary or profitable parts of a family trip. Hotels with large bathrooms that are stocked with extra towels, while not useful for business travelers, are universally appreciated by families. When hotels review the hotel amenities and supplies they offer to guests, when catering to a specific clientele such as families, they often tailor what they offer to the common needs and wants of the customer.
Your choice of hotels will ultimately come down to the combination of available accommodations with desired hotel services and amenities which, in turn, will vary depending on the purpose of your trip. As you weed hotels out of your final options because they lack the supplies or hotel amenities you’re looking for, you’ll eventually be stuck with just one hotel. If you’re traveling with your family, you’ve done the prep work and reservations, so now you can enjoy it! You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised at the hotel supplies and services on offer and the accommodations hotels are willing to make to earn your business. They want you to have a great time no matter why you visit, hoping you will recommend them and be a repeat guest as well.
