When you look to book a baby friendly hotel, there are a few features to look out for. Taking a family holiday with a baby is meant to be fun, but it can be daunting. Especially when it’s your first time. And particularly when it’s abroad in another country. One of the most important parts of a successful trip is finding the right hotel that will cater to you and your little one. But what makes a hotel truly baby friendly?
It’s not just ‘travel cots included’, let me tell you that for free! In this guide I will look at 9 things to look for in a truly baby friendly hotel. This is for new parents on their first family break as much as seasoned travellers with young children. My goal is to help you find the perfect stay for your next family escape.
1. Safe and Comfortable Sleeping
The foundation of any baby friendly hotel is safe and comfortable sleeping for babies. Happy, rested babies mean happy rested parents. What’s the perfect formula for that?! It’s important to book hotels that have:
- High quality, clean cribs or pack-n-plays. For example, Sani uses Stokke Sleepi wooden cots, and the Shangri-La chain also provide beautiful and sturdy wooden cribs. It replicates being home as closely as possible, so the baby can sleep in familiar surroundings.
- Hypoallergenic bedding for sensitive baby skin
- Blackout curtains for undisturbed naps and night time sleep
- Soundproofed rooms to reduce disturbances
- Provision of white noise machines, to save you bringing yours from home
Pro tip: Don’t just take crib / cot availability as a given, especially over peak periods. There may be loads of families staying at the hotel who have booked them. It’s worth calling ahead to make sure you have one allocated to your room, and ask about any extra charges.
2. In Room Baby Proofing
When you’re on holiday it’s important to find a baby friendly hotel that understands that babies are curious little explorers. Key baby proofing features include:
- Outlet and plug socket covers
- Window and balcony door latches
- No small choking hazards
- Corner protectors on sharp furniture (or just no sharp edged furniture!)
Some hotels offer free baby proofing kits on request so you don’t have to pack these yourself.
3. Kitchenette or Food Preparation Area
Having food preparation facilities can be a lifesaver when travelling with a baby, especially when they’re just getting into the weaning stage. But finding healthy and nutritious food that is possible for babies to eat is one of the trickiest hurdles I’ve encountered when travelling. Kids menus often feature burgers, fries, pizza, definitely not the healthiest! Or at all suitable for a baby just starting solids. Look for rooms with:
- Mini fridge for storing milk and baby food
- Microwave for warming meals
- Bottle warmers for heating milk
- Bottle steriliser (or sterilising service)
- Sink for washing bottles and utensils
So these make it easy to stick to your baby’s feeding routine even when you’re away from home.
4. Large Bathroom with Baby Friendly Features
A good bathroom can make baby care so much easier. Key features include:
- Bathtub (not just a shower) for safe and easy baby baths
- Non slip mats to prevent accidents
- Step stool for toddlers to reach the sink
- Changing table and / or padded changing mat
Some hotels even offer baby baths and travel potties, a real lifesaving luxury!
5. On Site Laundry
Babies are messy. Toddlers are messy. Easy access to laundry facilities is a must. Especially when you don’t have space to be packing for 3 outfit changes a day! Look for hotels that have:
- Self service laundry rooms
- Same day laundry service
- In room washing machines in suite style rooms
Having clean clothes at your fingertips means you don’t have to overpack and your baby will always be fresh and comfortable.
6. Baby Gear Rental or Loan
Travelling light becomes possible when hotels offer baby gear rentals or loan programs. Top baby friendly hotel features should include:
- Strollers
- High chairs
- Baby carriers
- Bottle warmers
- Baby monitors
- Car seats included for the airport transfers
These will reduce the amount of gear you need to pack and make life SOOO much easier. Having car seats provided by hotels is the biggest one for me, especially when you have multiple kids!
7. Child Friendly Dining
A baby friendly hotel considers the dietary needs of its youngest guests. Look for hotels that have:
- High chairs in all dining areas
- Baby food on the room service menu
- Pureed food on request
- Flexible dining hours to fit baby’s schedule
Many of the family hotels I’ve visited offer baby meals and puree for free. This can be a big cost saver for families, and saves you having to bring a stack of sugary pouches with you!
8. Family Spaces and Activities
While a comfortable room is important, a baby friendly hotel should also have spaces for families to relax and play together. There should be numerous options to keep even the youngest guests entertained. Look for:
- Indoor play areas with baby friendly toys
- Outdoor playgrounds or green spaces
- Shallow swimming pools or splash pads for water play
- Family activities and entertainment
- Kids clubs with programs for babies and toddlers
These will make your stay more fun and give your baby a chance to explore and socialise.
9. Staff who Get It
One of the most important features of a baby friendly hotel is staff who understand and accommodate families with young children. Certainly in the best family resorts I’ve stayed at (Sani, I’m looking at you), the staff have made me feel like no request is too much. It makes the whole trip immensely more relaxing when you know you’re really being looked after. Look for hotels where staff:
- Are trained in infant CPR and first aid, or there is a paediatrician on site
- Can tell you about nearby paediatric care facilities
- Offer flexible check in and check out times for families
- Are patient and understanding of the challenges of travelling with a baby
- Provide professional babysitting services
The best way to find this information out is through either reading reviews from other families (tripadvisor is great for this), and calling the hotel directly to check. Staff that are extremely familiar with young guests can make all the difference to your family’s comfort and enjoyment during your stay. Always ask about the qualifications of the staff and safety protocols in place for these services. If they’re a reputable hotel, the qualifications (like being OFSTED registered) should be clear on their website.
Conclusion: How to Choose the Perfect Baby Friendly Hotel for Your Family
Finding a baby friendly hotel can turn your family holiday from stressFUL to stress FREE. By prioritising these 9 features – from safe sleeping to staff who just get it – you can expect a comfortable and enjoyable stay for your whole family including your littlest traveller. Remember the best baby friendly hotels go beyond just providing a cot; they create an environment where families can relax, play and make memories together.
So use this as your checklist for booking your next family break, and look out for my upcoming blog post on my all-time favourite family resorts. Above all, I’d suggest just making a quick call to the hotels directly to ask about their baby friendly hotel features and services.