Pre-kids, you may have relished trendy hotels that were off the beaten path or a shoebox-sized room at a boutique hotel in the city center. Now that you’ve got youngsters — and their massive amounts of stuff — your accommodation needs look slightly different.
Where to start when planning? We turned to Cleveland-area dad and blogger Kevin Payne, who writes about fatherhood, finance and travel at Family Money Adventure, for his hotel must-haves when traveling with four kids.
According to Payne: “From decor and room configuration to the type of amenities they offer, some hotels are simply more welcoming to families than others.”
For each of his tips below, you’ll find a few hotels in The Land that fit the bill.
1. Free Wi-Fi
According to Payne, “Make sure your hotel has complimentary Wi-Fi. We have four kids, all with electronic devices. This is big.”
Get connected at these hotels, all of which offer free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms, regardless of loyalty program membership.
2. Complimentary Breakfast
“Take time to see if the hotel offers a complimentary breakfast. If possible, do your homework to see what they have. Not all hotel breakfasts are the same quality (or quantity),” says Payne.
These hotels offer hearty breakfast buffets that are sure to hit the spot for bottomless-pit teens, mid-growth spurt toddlers and every kid in between.
3. Know the Non-Negotiables
Payne recommends figuring out your non-negotiables before you start searching for a hotel room. “Does your family need a certain number of beds? How important is a swimming pool?”
Indoor Swimming Pools
Make a splash year-round — even when Cleveland’s weather is more polar vortex than mild-mannered — at these hotels with indoor pools.
Suite Spots
With so much to see and do in CLE, your home away from home will likely be just a place to crash at night — but you want everyone sleeping comfortably to keep crankiness at bay. If your family is in need of more beds and more space, check out the following suite options.
4. Proximity to Fun
“Find hotels in the vicinity of family-friendly attractions,” says Payne. “Convenience is one of the keys to successful family travel, so finding a hotel near things you want to see and do is a must.”
Some of the best family-friendly attractions are a short walk or drive from Downtown Cleveland and University Circle. Check out these collections of hotels near all the action.
5. Loyalty Reward Programs
“Join hotel loyalty programs, even if you think you’ll never stay at their resorts. You never know when you will need it. You may not even need to build up tons of rewards to see the benefit,” he says.
“We signed up for a rewards program the day before one of our trips and when we checked in, we got upgraded to a larger suite. The programs are free to sign up, so why not?”
The CLE has a bevy of hotels that are included under various loyalty programs. Save a few bucks in Cleveland at these hotels: