Taking the Family Along
July 2003
New ways to do business with kids in tow

By Nancy Branka

You're planning a business trip to Boston this summer. The city is a living history lesson for young children, so why not bring along the family? At the Ritz Carlton Boston, your "children's suite" includes a special children's bedroom/playroom, decorated by B.B. Kids and FAO Schwartz, complete with kid-sized furniture, an entertainment center, and a video and book of E.B. White's classic, Trumpet of the Swan. (The hotel offers several other programs based on the Trumpet of the Swan theme.) Infant toiletries, strollers and high chairs are available through housekeeping. And your children can even attend classes on ballroom dancing and table manners.

The family-friendly flair at Boston's Ritz Carlton reflects a growing trend. According to a survey by Travel Industry Association of America, the number of kids accompanying parents on overnight business trips increased 21 percent between 1994 and 2001. So it's no surprise that hotels have taken notice and are catering to this growing business-traveler-cum-family market. An increasing number of high-end hotels—traditionally focused on business guests—are designing programs to attract families.

Here are some features to look for when selecting a family-friendly hotel for a business trip.

AN AFFORDABLE SECOND ROOM
Any parent knows a separate room for kids makes all the difference. (Otherwise it's lights out for adults too when the youngsters go to bed.) All-suite hotels are an obvious choice and many (such as Embassy Suites) are kid-friendly. But more traditional business hotels are also joining the trend by offering special deals for road warriors traveling with children.

Loews Hotels is currently test-marketing a program for business travelers with children. When staying as part of a group, they can pay an additional $50 to take advantage of a "Kids Plus" package, which includes two $50 flight credits towards the kids' airfare, a second room at 50% off, one free in-room movie with popcorn, and milk and cookies on arrival. The program should be available nationwide in September. The Gorham Hotel in New York City is also offering special rates to business travelers with their families this summer. Through August 31, business travelers checking in with kids receive a complimentary upgrade to a parlor suite, plus free breakfast for children.

KID-THEMED ROOMS
Like the Ritz Carlton in Boston, an increasing number of hotels are luring families with theme rooms and programs. The Holiday Inn Family Suites Resort, in Lake Buena Vista Florida (Orlando's Disney area), is themed as a 19th century train depot to attract families. When doing business in Orlando, a stay there will enchant kids but also includes adult necessities such as Business Center with computer workstations and fax and copy services.

Howard Johnson has teamed up with Crayola® to offer "Crayola Kids" rooms at many properties. The colorful rooms include crayon lamps and accessories, kid-sized furniture, and an easel with all the tools to create a masterpiece.

CHECK-IN GOODIES
Special hotel promotions put fun in the hands of kids at check-in, sure to start the stay off on the right foot. Homewood Suites is offering a Spy Kids 3D: Game Over promotion for children this summer with a Spy Kids watch and sunglasses at check-in.

When kids check into Omni Hotels, they receive a goodie bag that includes an activity book and games, a card game, a slap band, postcards and a treat. Once settled, they can check out the "suitcase full of fun" from the front desk, stocked with toys and books. The hotels also have a special Web site for kids, with information on the kids' program, coloring and games: www.omnikidsrule.com.

CHILD-SAFE ROOMS
Safety is always an issue on the road, but never so much as with small children in a hotel room. The Starwood's Westin hotels feature "Heavenly Cribs," with four-inch natural baby firm mattresses (nearly double the thickness of typical foam mattresses found in most hotels), an insulator pad, a custom-designed fitted bottom sheet, bumper pads, and teething rails—conforming to the latest safety regulations issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Juvenile Product Manufacturers Association (JPMA). Staff is also trained to minimize risk to infants.

Six Continents Hotels (Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites brands) in the fall announced new crib standards to meet CPSC guidelines. In addition, crib safety tip cards are placed in all cribs at the time of delivery to the room. Staff there, too, is trained on how to properly use cribs and mattresses.

Some hotel properties provide parents with free room-safety kits at check-in. Through Ritz Carlton's POLO (Protect Our Little Ones) program, after checking in, parents are escorted to their room, where safety features such as a nightlight, tub spout cover, and electrical outlet covers are installed and explained by a trained bellman. A first aid kit is also provided. Westin provides a Kids Club Safety Kit upon arrival, which includes outlet covers, a nightlight and bandages.

Visit Safe Stay at www.asafestay.com for information on hotel safety for children, a directory of hotels with special safety programs, and to receive an email newsletter about the latest advancements in safety for kids staying at hotels.

CHEAPER EATS
Kids meals—not covered on the expense account—do add up, so many families look for a "kids eat free" program while on the road. Holiday Inn has the most widely advertised brand-wide program. However, look for some catches. Meals for kids twelve and younger are free when ordering from the "Kid's Menu" and when accompanied by a paying adult who is ordering from the regular menu. Also, room service is not included in the program, with a limit of four children per family.

At the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, room service is the deal. Children under 12 can eat free in the room when ordering from the children's room service menu. (And the Ice Cream Man visits all children and makes a complimentary ice cream sundae while they watch.)

By selecting the right hotel, a business trip with the family along can be a real treat.

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