1. Check the clock’s time in your room when you first arrive and also check to see if the alarm clock has been set. (Unless you like an early alarm that you weren’t expecting…)
2. Use the top door lock at bedtime to prevent accidental nighttime exploration. (You don’t want your child to assume he’s opening the bathroom door and then get locked in the hall.)
3. Bring a nightlight or battery operated tealight to leave on at night and indicate where the bathroom is.
4. Hang the do not disturb sign before you go to to bed to discourage early morning visits from housekeeping.
5.When booking, consider booking concierge level or selecting a hotel that offers afternoon/ evening snacks. Embassy Suites and Drury Inns often offer generous hot snacks in the evenings. Concierge level rooms at Sheraton, Ritz Carlton and many Disney hotels include hot snacks, hot breakfasts, cocktails and a designated lounge area included in the price. There are other hotels not listed that also offer these perks.
6. If there is a pool, pack bathing suits... just in case.
7. Keep minibar temptations and tummy rumbles at bay. Bring or buy snacks at a store near the hotel to keep in the room. I almost always buy a case of water or request a pitcher of water and glasses every night.
8. Take full advantage of the black out curtains… You might be surprised how late your kids sleep in the dark!
9. Use the hallway. Sometimes small children need to be in a separate room to go to sleep. If that is the case, put the kids to sleep, be sure you have a room key and slip out into the hallway where you and your spouse (or older kids) can continue to visit after an earlier bedtime.
I also use the hotel hallway in the mornings before my kids rise for my devotional time. When I do that, I slip the safety lock between the door and frame so they know where to find me and I can hear them if they stir.
Miss any days or want to know what’s ahead? Here are all 12 Days of Christmas Travel Tips on MomsTravelTales:
- Day 1: One pep talk about family travel
- Day 2: The two best ways to manage a time zone change
- Day 3: Three reasons to consider a hotel staycation in December
- Day 4: Four ways to minimize stress on travel days
- Day 5: Five ways to be a gracious overnight houseguest
- Day 6: Six ideas for pampering overnight guests
- Day 7: Seven people to tip when traveling (and how much)
- Day 8: Eight tips for international travel
- Day 9: Nine secrets for a great hotel stay with kids
- Day 10: Ten things to keep in mind when flying with children
- Day 11: Eleven tried and true ways to beat boredom while waiting
- Day 12: Twelve things I’ve learned about travel with kids
Want to know more than just travel?
Swing by any of the other 7 sites during the 12 Days of Christmas and here’s what you’ll learn: (And these girls know their stuff!)
- Christmas Homeschool Fun: 1+1+1=1
- Christmas Decorations: Songbird
- Tips for a Healthy Holiday: The Thrifty Mama
- Saving Money: Surviving the Stores
- Christmas Recipes: Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures
- Christmas Family Fun: Life as Mom
- Homemade Christmas Gifts: The Happy Housewife
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