At some time in their life, most parents will have to stay in a hotel with their children. It might be for a wedding, a visit to relatives, or a pre-flight stopover at the airport. As a mom, I’ve encountered a variety of issues and hardships that may have been prevented. It is my manifesto for families with children who are away from home. Are you listening, hotels?
Channels dedicated to children
We would be content if hotels provided only one. We are not requesting Nick Jr., Cartoon Network, CBeebies, or Disney HD; instead, we ask for a single channel accessible throughout the day to accommodate late or early arrivals. When this is not an electronic babysitter, it might be challenging to occupy children while unloading large luggage, preparing a meal, or nursing.
Highchairs that are clean and safe
Restaurants must provide clean and abundant high chairs. Our parents are sick of food-stained harnesses and soiled high chair trays. It’s your establishment; why should I be responsible for cleaning the table?
A compact refrigerator for feeds and food
Frequently, parents choose to cook their infant’s meals themselves, whether it’s spaghetti, vegetable purees, or even simple finger sandwiches. A little refrigerator would be pretty handy and would prevent us from discarding heated food and expired milk.
A family room that is large enough to accommodate a family
Who established the definition of a family as two adults and two children? What are five- and six-person families to do when their children are too little to have their room? Certain hotels are beginning to embrace this concept. If you are a family of five, you may want to check out the website Sleeps5.com.
Numerous lifts that operate
I stayed at a hotel once with 123 people and just one modest four-person elevator (or 2-person if you had a pushchair). On the day of departure, it took me 30 minutes to descend three levels. Individuals traveling with bags need lifts as well, so why do some hotels provide one? Why do damaged elevators persist in their damaged state for days on end?
Meals suitable for children
May I state categorically that not all youngsters like chicken nuggets? What is wrong with children’s menus on adult menus? Specific menus include Annabel Karmel dishes yet charge almost twice the price of the less expensive options. Something in the range of rubbish to extortionate would suffice. Is there, in fact, a middle ground?
Rental of clean travel cots
I’m not going to look at the filth on the mesh before putting my beautiful baby to sleep. Additionally, I believe that after two years of usage, a travel cot has probably served its purpose.
Facilities for warming bottles
All too often these days, signs indicate that bottle warming is no longer available due to health and safety concerns. How about placing a basin of hot water on the counter to support the bottle? Or providing a secure bottle warmer for the parent to use (that is cleaned regularly? It’s less than fifteen pounds and may result in recurring business.
Restaurants that are breastfeeding-friendly
Certain ladies, like myself, are too fearful of nursing in public after receiving one too many ugly stares in the past. Hotel restaurants should display a notice indicating that they are breastfeeding-friendly. It would not only make nursing moms feel more comfortable, but it would also make the establishment’s attitude clear to any potential complainants.
Finally, there is a nightlight.
A nightlight is relatively inexpensive and may make a significant impact in a hotel room. How many times have we all been perplexed by a hotel’s cockpit of switches? One panel illuminates the bathroom and reading lights; another controller completely darkens the space. It seems as if there is only one option: complete blackness or migraine-inducing light. Often, a simple nightlight plugged in to provide illumination can enough to deter parents from stomping on a piece of Lego without shouting (voice of experience).
