Planning family trips shouldn't feel like a part-time job.

Yet here we are — comparing hotel amenities at 11 PM, second-guessing whether that "family suite" actually has space for a pack-n-play, and wondering if we should risk booking that resort with mixed reviews. Sound familiar?

If you've ever thought, "Why would I use a travel agent when I can just book things online?" — we totally get it. We used to think the same thing. But after years of traveling with kids (and helping other families do the same), we've learned that having someone in your corner can transform your entire experience.

The Real Problem: You're Already Maxed Out

Parents have less time and energy. That's not a judgment — it's just reality. Between managing work, kids, school schedules, and everything else, the last thing you need is to become a part-time travel researcher and booking coordinator. We built this site to make it faster and easier for you to find a great hotel to stay at (for those of you who like researching), but the work doesn't stop there.

Here's what we can handle so you don't have to:

• Finding hotels that actually work for your family (if you're not the type that likes to research yourself)
• Booking everything correctly, including all those small details that matter
• Managing communication with the property before and during your stay
• Making sure things go smoothly from the moment you arrive

It's not just about clicking "book" — it's about having someone who knows what questions to ask and what details matter most.

Hotels Can't Read Your Mind (But We Can Help)

Most of us book a hotel and show up hoping it meets our expectations. But hotels are run by humans, and like all other humans, hotel employees can't read minds.

The truth? You should let hotels know in advance what's important to you. But most people either don't think to do this or feel uncomfortable speaking up. Saying things like "We'd really love a great view" or "Please place us away from the elevator" can feel awkward — even though you're the paying guest and completely within your rights.

A travel advisor makes this easy. We advocate for you, we know how to communicate preferences clearly, and we aren't shy about speaking up when something isn't right.

Real-life example: Growing up, my mom would go up to "scout" every hotel room first while the rest of the family waited in the lobby with our bags. More often than not, she'd come back down unimpressed, and we'd all stand there — hungry, tired, and eager to unpack — while she negotiated with the front desk for something better.

Now, as a mom myself, I totally get her concerns. But what a headache for everyone involved. A travel advisor could've saved her (and us) so much stress by getting the right room setup from the start.

The Stuff That Actually Matters for Families

Here are some of the most helpful things we handle for you:

Room setup and logistics:

• Room location, based on your preference (views, noise levels, convenience to amenities)
• Proper crib, rollaway bed, or toddler bed placement
• Mini-fridge stocked with milk, snacks, and kid essentials (or items like alcohol removed)
• Connecting rooms when you need more space

Timing and coordination:

• Housekeeping that works around nap schedules
• Early check-in and late check-out requests
• Freezer access for pumping moms

Upgrades and perks:

• Securing room upgrades when available
• Resort credits and complimentary breakfast
• Priority treatment (advisors get higher priority than online bookings)

When Things Go Sideways

Even the best-planned trips can hit snags. The difference is what happens next:

• The crib never showed up in your room
• Your flight delay messed up your check-in timing
• The "ocean view" room faces a parking lot
• The pool is unexpectedly closed for maintenance

When you book through us, you're never dealing with these problems alone. No standing in front desk lines with cranky kids or making frustrated phone calls while your toddler has a meltdown in the lobby. We handle it so you can focus on actually enjoying your vacation.

The Perks You're Missing Out On If You Book Yourself

When you book through a qualified travel advisor, many hotels offer valuable perks at no extra cost to you:

• Resort credits (typically $100+ per stay)
• Daily breakfast for two
• Priority for room upgrades (and advisors get higher priority than credit card portal bookings)
• Early check-in and late check-out when available
• Occasionally, access to exclusive rates not available online

We also use technology to monitor your reservation for price drops and can rebook you at lower rates if they become available.

Interested? Here's What To Do Next

If you know where you want to go: Fill out our booking form and we'll secure your reservation plus handle all the family-specific details.

If you're still deciding: Complete our planning form and we'll send you personalized recommendations based on your family's specific needs.

After booking: We collect your preferences (nap times, room setup needs, dietary requirements) and communicate everything to the hotel before you arrive.

During your trip: We're your point of contact if anything needs fixing, so you can focus on making memories instead of managing logistics.

Beyond What You See on Our Site

We showcase a carefully curated selection of family-friendly hotels on hotelswithkids.com — but we can book much more than what you see here. We have access to perks at over 5,900 hotels worldwide.

So if you already have a specific property in mind (even if it's not featured on our site), we can book it for you and still secure those valuable extras.

And here's a secret: we book adults-only trips too. We fully believe in mixing parent getaways with family vacations — because sometimes you need a break to come back refreshed and ready for the next adventure.

What About Points and Cost?

If you're using credit card points: We can't help with those bookings since we only provide perks and support for reservations made through our advisor channels. But our site is still an excellent research tool for finding family-friendly options.

Pro tip: Many travel professionals recommend using points for flights and paying for hotels — that way you can take advantage of advisor perks (resort credits, breakfast, upgrades) while still earning more points on your hotel stay.

What this costs you: Nothing extra. Hotels pay travel advisors a commission from their standard margins, not by increasing your rate. This commission structure exists whether you use an advisor or not, so you might as well get the professional service and perks that come with it.

Why Trust Us With Your Family's Trip?

We're not just travel advisors — we're parents of three little kids who understand exactly what you're going through. We built hotelswithkids.com because we believe family travel should be easier, not harder.

Every hotel on our site has been personally vetted for family-friendliness, including details you can't easily find online (like whether cribs actually fit in closets). We're a tech executive turned experienced Fora travel advisor, combining industry expertise with real-world parenting experience.

Even if you don't book through us, our site is free to use and packed with practical information to help your family travel better. We're here because we want to make this easier for everyone.

Ready to Hand This Off?

Let us book your next hotel or tell us what you're looking for and we'll send you personalized recommendations.

Because family trips should be about making memories, not managing logistics.

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