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Finding a Child-friendly Hotel
By Shel Franco
A concierge is a staff member of a hotel or apartment complex who assists guests or residents, as by handling the storage of luggage, taking and delivering messages and making reservations for tours, according to the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.
"Before I ever made a reservation, I would definitely want to talk with a concierge," says Lisa Robinson, director of public relations at The Monarch Hotel in Washington, D.C. "The concierge can provide you with information about child-friendly amenities such as high chairs, roll-in cribs and child menus." Robinson also points out that most concierge belong to organizations and associations that have regular meetings where information about the city and its activities are explained and introduced. This is a very valuable resource to tap into when you are traveling with children.
"It's nice to actually speak with a person who can provide information specific to your circumstances, like traveling with a 2-year-old and a 7-year-old," says Kitt Vidnovic, chief concierge at The Monarch Hotel.
Besides offering an overabundance of personal services, upscale hotels boast larger rooms. When traveling with children, the added space can be a salvation for more than one family member. As one child takes a much needed afternoon nap, the others can easily watch television in the room's comfortable sitting area.
All of this sounds great, but how can you be certain that the upscale hotel you had in mind is child-friendly? Robinson and Vidnovic suggest that you call the hotel and ask the following questions:
- What servics and amenities does your hotel provide for parents traveling with children? Look for answers like 24-hour room service with a children's menu, swimming pools and the availability of portable baby furniture.