When you’re planning a family vacation or getaway to Chicago, searching for kid-friendly hotels will be an essential step. Basic kid-friendly features, such as playgrounds and/or pools onsite, are provided by several places, yet many Chicago hotels have special amenities just for kids.
Take, for example, Swissotel Chicago, which offers kid-friendly suites. The themed children’s room is separate from the adults’ space, allowing you some privacy, but it’s adjoined for safety. The kids’ room features child-sized tables and chairs, stuffed animals, coloring books, DVDs and video games. You also get four museum tickets with the cost of the suite, thereby saving some money.
The James on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile has the Lil’ James Family Adventurer, providing four tickets to the interactive exhibits at the Chicago Children’s Museum. But that’s just the start of the kid-friendly amenities. Upon arrival, kids receive a backpack with a Kiwi Crate, filled with materials and instructions for kids to create crafts and explore science. Kids can also enjoy DVDs, books and classic board games. The dining menu includes foods even picky eaters will like. And the adults will be jealous of the kids’ turndown service with milk and cookies.
Babysitting service is one of the parent-friendly amenities offered by Four Seasons in Chicago. Just provide 24 hours’ notice. Parents will also appreciate that the hotel provides Radio Flyer wagons for you to take the kids for a ride in as you explore the Windy City. The hotel also ensures items within the room are childproof and provides a doctor on call. From the time the kids arrive, Four Seasons caters to them, too, starting with a welcome amenity. You just provide a list of the kids’ names and ages before you arrive so they can have the welcome amenities ready. The hotel has child-size bathrobes, a children’s menu for in-room dining, complimentary toiletries for babies and children, coloring books and crayons, balloons, videos, board games and toys. But the kids will remember the Ice Cream Man, who’ll dish up sundaes, and the Bedtime Stories Butler who comes to the room with a collection of storybooks — presented on a silver tray – and reads to them.
Kimpton Hotels, which includes Hotel Allegro, Hotel Burnham, Hotel Monaco and Hotel Palomar in Chicago, has the Kimpton Kids program. Like the Four Seasons, it offers items to childproof a room, child-friendly menus with healthy choices, and accredited babysitting; however, it can also help you get a rental car with child safety seats and the concierge can obtain a stroller, bouncy seat and other equipment to rent. No need to pack and travel with all the heavy gear.
For a special touch, a goldfish will be delivered to your room, keeping your kids from missing their pets at home. Speaking of pets, if you need a Chicago hotel that’s kid- and pet-friendly, Kimpton is a great option. It welcomes any pet, regardless of size, weight or breed – and for no additional fees or deposits. The Kimpton Hotels even have directors of pet relations. You’ll find pet beds to use during your stay, along with food and water bowls, fresh water and snacks, and a list of pet-friendly attractions and businesses in the area.
Kid-friendly no longer means just a rollaway cot. With just a little searching, you can find a hotel with all the amenities you need for your children.