What to Look For in Baby-Friendly Hotels

*We’ve partnered with Hilton to help ease your next trip with baby.

There’s nothing more relaxing than checking into a hotel after a long flight…unless you’re traveling with your baby. That tiny little person has a great big list of needs, from napping to eating to running wild, so you — and your hotel — had better be ready.

We’ve been there mama, and in fact, we’re still there! During a recent Well Rounded work trip to Los Angeles, we had not one but TWO babies in tow. And after braving a cross-country flight, rental car seats and plane food, they were just about ready to melt down when they strolled into our hotel. Luckily we were staying at the very baby-friendly DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown, so we had just the right amenities to help us make the most of our stay.

Before you head out of town for the holidays, or on your next business trip with your little one, here’s 5 things you keep in mind when booking a baby-friendly hotel.

1. Look for a place where your little one can stretch his legs. When you’re traveling with baby who’s crawling or toddling, you’re going to need to let him loose. Spacious hotel rooms are a plus, but common areas with room to roam are even better. Check out the lobby online, and ask about meeting rooms or outdoor event spaces like the serene rooftop Kyoto Garden (above in photo) at the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown. With lush grass, shady trees and even a waterfall, the Well Rounded babies were able to get their wigglies out.

2. Snacks are everything. There’s only so much that mama can pack into a travel-on, so make sure your hotel has a well-stocked lobby shop, or other kid-friendly food for the taking. We love ourselves a bowl of apples at reception, but DoubleTree’s signature warm chocolate chip cookies, baked fresh daily and handed out at check-in, are even better. We also dined al fresco at the hotel’s high-chair equipped Justice Urban Tavern.

4. Make sure your room is prepped. Instead of lugging a travel crib along with everything else you need for baby, book at a hotel where cribs are available. Call your hotel a few days before arriving to make sure it’s set up when you check in, and ask about a fridge rental if you’re a breast-pumping mama. You may even want to request a room far from the elevator so it’s nice and quiet.

4. Seek out a friendly and informed staff. It truly takes a village, mama, so the right hotel staff is everything. We were so grateful for the helping hands at the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown, from the valet to the bellman to the concierge — no surprise, since the Hilton brand specializes in hospitality.

5. Location, location, location! Even if you’re traveling to visit family or have work obligations during your trip, baby-friendly attractions nearby are clutch for the hours in between. We loved exploring all the kid-friendly sites in Downtown LA, like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Park, the Wells Fargo History Museum and Olvera Street, all of which were easy strolling distance from the DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown.

Photography by Charlene Petitjean-Barkulis.

This post was sponsored by Hilton.