Having Children Alters Every Aspect of Life, Including Travel
Becoming a parent impacts many areas of life, and travel is certainly one of them. Prior to parenthood, I believed I was adept at maneuvering through airlines and accommodations. Nevertheless, once children came along, I felt like a beginner again. The times of showing up at the airport 45 minutes before takeoff with only a carry-on and spending the flight either unwinding or working are behind me.
In this piece, I intend to share how my viewpoint on hotels has changed over the years, especially as our eldest son, Miles, nears his fourth birthday—a charming yet tiring stage.
For Parents, Happy Children Ensure an Enjoyable Hotel Experience
Without kids, various hotel amenities might not even cross your mind, such as family pools, play areas, kids clubs, and special features designed to entertain children. In fact, when traveling without kids, a hotel overly accommodating to children could be off-putting, as many couples prefer a getaway absent the cacophony of energetic kids.
When our oldest son was less than two years old, I didn’t pay much attention to how child-friendly hotels were. We simply sought a place that had the essentials without making us feel uncomfortable, but our son was more fascinated by playing with outlets and light switches than by amenities aimed at children.
Now that Miles has matured, his interests have evolved. He now chats endlessly, inquires about everything, and enjoys activities that go beyond just fiddling with outlets. As a result, my understanding of hotel stays is increasingly shaped by his experiences:
– Miles delights in receiving a welcome amenity or “surprise,” as he refers to it. Even before we arrive, he queries, “Are they going to have a surprise for me?”
– A fantastic kids club is priceless. Although he’s not quite old enough to attend without a parent, I’ve spent many hours engaging with him in kids clubs, which simplifies things for me.
– An exhilarating, kid-friendly pool is crucial. If a hotel possesses a fun pool complete with toys, a waterslide, waterfalls, or a lazy river, Miles is ecstatic and can spend hours enjoying himself.
– While I may not appreciate bathtubs, Miles enjoys a nice one for his evening bath, where he can engage in playful imaginative activities for around 30 minutes.
Our latest trip included amazing, kid-friendly hotels, but our stay at the Ritz-Carlton Geneva underscored how much kids recognize the finer details:
– There was no welcome amenity, and Miles expressed, “I’m sad, there’s no surprise for me.”
– The hotel featured a “kids corner,” yet Miles commented, “Papa, this isn’t a kids club.”
– He also questioned, “Papa, why doesn’t the hotel have a pool?”
This short visit made me realize the importance of these minor details in keeping children entertained.
Although the world doesn’t solely revolve around kids, hotels need to find a balance ensuring that child-friendly options do not detract from adult enjoyment. Some hotels advertise themselves as kid-friendly but lack sufficient separation between family and adult zones, resulting in frustration for non-family guests. Ideally, accommodations should provide separate pools for adults and families to cater to both demographics comfortably.
The Way I Research Hotels Has Also Evolved
My process for researching hotels has changed depending on whether I am traveling solo, as a couple, or with children. Pools are of little significance when I’m not with Miles, but they become crucial when he is. I now meticulously examine hotel websites for images of kids clubs, pools, and other amenities.
Miles isn’t old enough to swim independently and desires to remain in pools indefinitely, which can be tiring for me. I am continually searching for hotels with splash areas for children where he can enjoy himself independently, allowing me a well-deserved breather.
In Conclusion
It’s no shock that views on hotels vary based on whether you’re traveling with kids or not. This serves as a reminder that hotel experiences can leave remarkably different impressions depending on personal requirements and anticipations.
Before I became a parent, I didn’t fully grasp how essential kid-friendly features are for a successful hotel experience. Unhappy children breed unhappy parents, revealing a facet of the hospitality industry I had not considered until having kids.
To my fellow parents, how has your approach to selecting hotels and your perception of properties changed since having children?