Booking a Hotel with a Baby? Ask These 8 Questions First
The right hotel can make a trip with a baby so much easier. A quick call or email before you book can save you a lot of stress later. Here are the questions worth asking.
1. Do you have a crib, and is it guaranteed?
Many hotels offer a crib or pack 'n play, but they can run out on busy weekends. Ask if you can reserve one and whether there's a fee. Ask what kind it is, too, so you know whether to bring your own sheets.
2. Is there a fridge in the room?
You'll want a fridge for breast milk, formula, or snacks. Ask if it's a real fridge or a minibar that's already full.
3. Is there a microwave or somewhere to warm bottles?
Some hotels have a microwave in the room or a shared one in the lobby. If not, a cup of hot water from the coffee maker works in a pinch.
4. Can I get a quiet room?
Ask for a room away from the elevator, ice machine, and street noise. In a city, a higher floor is often quieter.
5. How big is the room?
A bassinet, a stroller, and luggage take up space fast. A suite, or a room with a separate sitting area, lets you stay up after the baby goes to sleep.
6. Is there a bathtub?
Many newer hotel rooms only have showers. If you'll be bathing your baby, ask for a room with a tub.
7. Will you accept a delivery before I arrive?
Most hotels hold packages and deliveries for arriving guests. Ask how they handle it, so anything you've ordered is waiting at the front desk or in your room.
8. What's nearby?
A pharmacy, a grocery store, and a park within walking distance make everything easier. Look for a hotel near a park or waterfront path for easy stroller walks.
Staying in Chicago? Skip a few of these questions.
With Arrive Ready Baby, you don't have to hope your Chicago hotel has a crib or hunt for a pharmacy. We deliver to your hotel or rental before you arrive, with:
A travel bassinet with fitted sheets, bought new
A white noise machine
A compact travel stroller
An odor-sealing diaper pail
Diapers in your baby's size, wipes, and formula in your brand
2 new bottles and 2 new pacifiers to keep
Add in-room setup for $39, where your hotel allows it, and the bassinet will be ready when you walk in. Reserve your baby box and arrive to a room that's ready for your baby.
