Are you dreaming of a family vacation but worried about the cost of accommodations? Fear not! Finding budget-friendly, kid-friendly hotels doesn’t have to be hard. With the right strategies, you can find affordable options that meet your family’s needs.
Key Takeaways
- Explore hotel brands that offer suites and rooms with separate bedrooms for more space and privacy.
- Leverage your hotel loyalty program memberships to unlock perks and discounts.
- Consider extended-stay brands that provide kitchens and complimentary breakfast to save on dining costs.
- Use booking sites strategically to compare prices and find the best deals.
- Don’t be afraid to call the hotel directly to inquire about special rates or upgrades.
Know Your Suite Options
When booking budget hotels for your family’s travel, it’s key to know the suite options. This helps you find the right place that meets your family’s needs and offers great value. Let’s look at some top kid-friendly hotel brands and their suite options.
Marriott’s Residence Inn
The Marriott Residence Inn is a top pick for families wanting affordable accommodation with extra space. They offer one- and two-bedroom suites with separate living and sleeping areas. These suites also have a fully equipped kitchen, perfect for making meals during family travel.
They also provide complimentary breakfast and sometimes host a manager’s reception with refreshments in the evening. This makes the kid-friendly hotels experience even better.
Hilton’s Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites
Hilton’s Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites are great for families. Like Residence Inn, Homewood Suites have one- and two-bedroom suites with separate living and sleeping areas. They also offer complimentary breakfast and an evening reception.
Embassy Suites often have bigger suites, making them ideal for larger families.
IHG’s Staybridge Suites
The Staybridge Suites brand, part of IHG, is another great choice for family travel. They provide one- and two-bedroom suites, complimentary breakfast, and an evening reception on select weeknights. These kid-friendly hotels are designed for families, offering a comfortable and convenient stay.
Knowing the suite options from Marriott, Hilton, and IHG helps you make a smart choice for affordable accommodation for your family’s travel. These kid-friendly hotels offer the space, amenities, and services for a fun and easy family vacation.
Look for Rooms with Separate Bedrooms
When booking budget hotels for your family’s travels, it’s key to look for rooms with separate bedrooms. Some hotels claim to have “suites” but they’re just big living rooms without a real divider. A true bedroom with a door can greatly improve your sleep, especially if your kids go to bed early.
Before you book, make sure to read the room descriptions carefully. Many hotels, like extended-stay brands, offer suites with one or two bedrooms. These give families the privacy and space they need. Some top choices include:
- Marriott’s Residence Inn
- Hilton’s Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites
- IHG’s Staybridge Suites
These hotels have suites with living and sleeping areas, letting parents relax while kids sleep. They also offer free breakfast and evening receptions, which is great for families on a budget.
“Having a kitchen in the hotel room can help families save money by preparing meals, especially when traveling with a larger group.”
Don’t assume a hotel’s “suite” means it has separate bedrooms. Always check the details and call the hotel if you’re unsure. Choosing rooms with real separate bedrooms ensures a comfy and restful trip for your family.
Leverage Your Hotel Elite Status
As a smart family traveler, you can use your hotel elite status to get complimentary upgrades and lounge access for your kid-friendly accommodation. Top hotel brands give big perks to their loyal members. This lets you enjoy affordable accommodation without losing out on comfort or amenities.
Complimentary Upgrades and Lounge Access
Brands like Hilton, Marriott, and IHG often give complimentary room upgrades and executive lounge access to their top members. This could mean bigger suites or rooms with separate bedrooms, great for family travel. Plus, the hotel’s lounges offer free snacks, drinks, and a quiet spot for your kids to chill.
To get the most out of these perks, make sure you know your elite status and what it offers. Programs like Best Western Rewards, Choice Privileges, and World of Hyatt let you match or challenge for higher tiers easily.
“Hilton Honors extends its status challenge program benefits through 2026, requiring stays of eight nights for Gold status extension and 14 nights for Diamond status.”
Using your hotel elite status opens up a world of affordable accommodation that meets your family’s needs. You’ll also get complimentary upgrades and lounge access.
Tips for Booking Budget Hotels with Kids
Planning a family vacation means finding places that are both affordable and welcoming to kids. Luckily, there are ways to get great deals on hotels that are perfect for families. Here are some tips to help you book budget hotels with kids.
Start by looking at extended-stay hotels like Marriott’s Residence Inn, Hilton’s Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites, and IHG’s Staybridge Suites. These places usually have big suites with separate bedrooms and living areas. They also offer free breakfast, making them a great choice for families.
Using your hotel elite status can also help. For example, Marriott Platinum members can get five suite upgrades up to five days before their visit. This means you can get a bigger room for your family. Hyatt hotels also let you use points and cash to upgrade to a suite, giving you more space.
- Search for hotels that are family-friendly, such as Hyatt Places, Hyatt Houses, Springhill Suites, Homewood Suites, Residence Inn, and Staybridge Suites. These places can fit up to six people.
- Think about booking through home-based travel agents. They might have special rates that can save you money, especially if you need a second room.
- Look into points transfer programs, like Wyndham Rewards. You can move points from Capital One or Citi Thank You to book vacation rentals through Vacasa.com. This gives you more room and amenities for your family.
Remember to watch out for the best times to book your hotel stay. Winter and November (except Thanksgiving weekend) are usually when you can find the best deals. Christmas, New Year’s, and the NYC marathon weekend are when prices go up. Also, consider staying in uptown, downtown, or the outer boroughs for cheaper options compared to Midtown.
| Hotel Booking Tip | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Book through online platforms like Priceline.com or Hotwire.com within a week of travel | Extreme discounts |
| Book directly through chain hotel websites | $1 to $50 in discounts |
| Check rates on HotelsCombined.com for the best deals on hotels under $200 | Lower rates compared to other booking sites |
| Look for last-minute price drops as hotels try to fill empty rooms | Varied, depending on hotel occupancy |
Keep these tips in mind to find budget-friendly hotels that are great for families. With a little planning, you can make your travel budget go further and still have a wonderful vacation.
Book Direct or Call the Hotel
When planning a budget-friendly family trip, think about contacting the hotel directly. This approach can lead to room upgrades and loyalty points.
Many hotels, especially those for extended stays, might give free room upgrades to those who book directly. Just a simple call or email can help. Ask about any upgrades or special deals to make your stay better.
Loyalty Programs and Direct Booking Benefits
Booking directly lets you earn loyalty points, which you can use for future stays or other perks. Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) give discounts and special rates to members who book on their sites or apps.
- Hyatt Hotels offer a 10% discount for bookings made directly through Hyatt.com or the Hyatt mobile app for loyalty program members.
- Hilton and Marriott give direct booking discounts to their loyalty program members.
- IHG introduced “Your Rate by IHG Rewards Club” discounts for its loyalty members.
Hotels prefer direct bookings because they save on commission fees for Online Travel Agencies (OTAs). This means better rates, amenities, or upgrades for you and your family.
While OTAs may offer good prices, booking directly with the hotel gives more benefits and a personal touch. Always check your options to see how you can best enjoy your family’s hotel stay.
Check for Discounted Rates
When booking budget hotels for your family’s travel, don’t overlook the potential for discounted hotel rates. Many hotel chains and online booking platforms offer special rates and deals. These can help you save on your affordable accommodation.
Joining membership programs is a good strategy. Even if you’re not a member of organizations like AAA or AARP, joining can give you access to kid-friendly hotels with discounted rates. This can make a big difference in your overall costs.
Also, think about using cash-back sites like Mr. Rebates or Rakuten when booking through major travel sites. These platforms can help you earn extra savings on your family travel accommodations.
“Booking budget hotels with kids can be a challenge, but taking the time to search for discounted rates can really pay off in the long run.”
By exploring these options and being diligent in your tips for booking budget hotels with kids, you can find affordable accommodation that meets your family’s needs and budget.
Explore Extended-Stay Brands
Planning an affordable family vacation? Consider extended-stay hotel brands like Sonesta’s Residence Inn, Hilton’s Homewood Suites, and IHG’s Staybridge Suites. These hotels offer spacious suites with kitchens. This lets you cook meals and cut down on dining costs. Plus, many have free breakfast, which helps save money for families.
Sonesta extended-stay hotels are great for families. They have pet-friendly rooms, convenience stores, pools, gyms, and places for outdoor fun. These hotels can be up to 50% cheaper than regular hotels. They’re perfect for longer family trips or if you’re moving.
- Sonesta extended-stay hotels offer spacious, pet-friendly suites with fully equipped kitchens, laundry services, on-site convenience stores, conference rooms, swimming pools, gyms, bars/restaurants, and outdoor recreation facilities.
- Extended-stay hotels can be up to 50% cheaper in terms of the nightly rate compared to regular-stay hotels.
- Regular-stay hotels typically accommodate guests for up to 30 days, while extended-stay hotels have much longer stay length limits or no limits at all.
- Sonesta extended-stay hotels are located in every major U.S. city, spanning over 100 locations across almost every state.
- Sonesta’s extended-stay hotels welcome all kinds of travelers, including professionals on long business trips, digital nomads, families on getaways, or individuals in the process of moving.
- Sonesta extended-stay hotels are pet-friendly under the PAWS policy, providing special amenities for pets.
When planning your family vacation, check out extended-stay hotel options in your destination. These hotels offer big rooms, kitchens, and free breakfast. This can really help with your travel budget and make your stay more comfortable.
Use Booking Sites Strategically
Booking budget-friendly hotels for your family trips can be easier with online booking sites. These sites help you find great deals by using them smartly. Hotel prices don’t change much like airfare, but you can still save by using these platforms right.
Begin by checking out comparison sites like Google. They show you the cheapest options from many booking sites. Look for cash-back programs to save more money. And, calling the hotel directly might get you a better deal than what’s online.
Traveling on weekdays can be cheaper than weekends. Booking early can also save you money with early-bird discounts. Hotels start taking bookings a year ahead. Last-minute bookings might also save you money as hotels try to fill empty rooms.
- Use comparison sites to find the best deals across multiple booking platforms
- Look for cash-back programs that can boost your savings
- Call the hotel directly to inquire about matching or bettering online rates
- Be flexible with travel dates to take advantage of lower weekday prices
- Book early to access early-bird discounts and promotional rates
- Consider last-minute bookings for potential discounted hotel stays
By using online booking sites smartly, you can find many affordable places for your family trips. This way, you’ll have a budget-friendly and fun trip.
Conclusion
Finding affordable, family-friendly hotels for your next vacation is easier than you think. Just look at your suite options, use your elite status, and book smartly. You’ll find comfy places that won’t break the bank. Think about separate bedrooms, kitchens, and free extras to save money and make your stay fun for everyone.
Planning a trip, a work trip, or a family getaway? There are many budget-friendly hotels out there for you. Look at Marriott’s Residence Inn, Hilton’s Homewood Suites, and IHG’s Staybridge Suites. They offer big suites with separate bedrooms, kitchenettes, and more. Plus, using your hotel elite status and booking directly can get you better rooms and loyalty points.
With the tips from this article, you’re ready to pick the best budget hotel for your family’s next trip. A bit of planning and smart booking means a comfy, affordable stay. This way, you’ll have more money for the fun stuff that really counts.
FAQ
What are the best hotel brands for families with kids?
Marriott’s Residence Inn, Hilton’s Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites, and IHG’s Staybridge Suites are great for families. They offer suites with separate bedrooms, kitchens, and free breakfast. This makes them perfect for families.
Why is it important to look for hotel rooms with separate bedrooms?
Separate bedrooms with closing doors are key for families with young kids. They let adults relax or work without waking the kids. This makes the whole family’s stay more enjoyable.
How can I leverage my hotel elite status to get better accommodations?
If you have elite status in a hotel loyalty program, you might get free upgrades or access to an executive lounge. These perks can give you bigger rooms and more amenities for your family. Always check your benefits and aim to use them when booking your stay.
What are some tips for finding discounted hotel rates for a family vacation?
Look for discounts through programs like AAA or AARP, even if you’re not a member. Using cashback sites for booking can also save you money. Plus, calling the hotel directly to ask about better rates might get you a deal.
Why are extended-stay hotel brands a good option for families?
Hotels like Residence Inn, Homewood Suites, and Staybridge Suites are great for families. They have suites with kitchens, so you can cook meals and save money. They also offer free breakfast, which helps families save even more.