More hotels learn keeping kids happy keeps you happy

By Licia Jackson
Knight Ridder Newspapers

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It happens in the best of families.

You've planned the perfect vacation, in one of the world's most appealing locations.

But the kids are bored. And, in most families, if the kids aren't happy, nobody's happy.

Never fear: Major hotel groups and resorts stand ready to help. Whether through organized day-camp programs, suites with child-friendly rooms or a welcome packet with new things to do, hotels in all price ranges are paying attention to the child traveler's needs.

"We have to do these things,'' said Vivian Deuschl, vice president for public relations with the upscale Ritz-Carlton hotels and resorts, "because there's a child-friendly vacation explosion. Parents are older, they have young kids — and they want quality for their kids.

One of the newest ideas is for the tiniest children — and their parents. In June, the Ritz-Carlton is rolling out the Itsy, Bitsy, Ritz Kids Room. At its resort in Cancun, Mexico, three rooms are being redesigned to include an alcove for a crib, a changing table over the chest of drawers and a television armoire positioned so parents can watch TV without waking the baby.

And to keep from having to lug hundreds of pounds of baby equipment along, parents can preorder from a menu of products, from strollers to swim diapers, before their arrival.

But back to those older kids who've already learned to say "I'm BOOOORED.''

Many hotel groups in varying price ranges have something to offer for children.

At the priciest resorts, there are organized programs all day that can keep your child busy while you golf, bask in the spa or nap by the pool.
 
HYATT RESORTS

A pioneer in the field is Camp Hyatt, started with a trial program in 1987 at the Hyatt Regency resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"The idea came from looking at visitors,'' said Ann Lane, Camp Hyatt's founder.

"Families arrive and (the adults) go for tennis or golf. The alternative was baby-sitting for the children. We thought there should be more for the kids. We wanted them to have fun, too.''

Now Camp Hyatt is companywide, with daily programs for children ages 3 to 12 at most locations. A child can attend for as little as half a day or as much as all day, every day.

Camp Hyatt is tailored for the destination, Lane said, so that children learn without realizing it. For example, in Scottsdale the focus is on American Indian culture and Arizona wildlife. Elsewhere, campers might learn clogging, go crabbing or visit a butterfly farm.

Costs vary, but an average is $30û for a morning session and $40û for an afternoon session. Reservations can be made when the hotel room is booked.

Also, at Hyatt's hotels and resorts, families can get a second room for the kids at half off, when available. 888-591-1234; www.hyatt.com.

PUTTING ON RITZ

Ritz-Carlton is another major player in organized children's programs, with its Ritz Kids offered at many resorts. Children can learn a language, go on a treasure hunt, take a nature hike or learn etiquette or cooking, de-pending on the location.

In Cancun, the Ritz-Carlton resort plans to hire a teacher to help children with their summer reading, said Vivian Deuschl, the company's vice president for public relations.

The programs average $30 per half day and $40 for a full day. All Ritz Kids workers are bonded, and parents are given pagers so they can be reached if their young ones need them.

Some Ritz-Carlton resorts feature family club floors, with a special concierge to meet children's needs. 800-241-3333; www.ritzcarlton.com.

SUITE LIFE

If being stuffed into a single hotel room with kids doesn't sound like your idea of a vacation, the hotels are right there with you.

Families can book lodging in one of the many all-suite hotels, which offer two rooms, usually with two televisions, and sometimes even a full kitchen. Some of these, such as Embassy Suites, cater to families on weekends (Thursday through Sunday).

At more than 40 Holiday Inn hotels, you can reserve a KidSuite room-within-a-room. The child-friendly space within the parents' room includes bunk beds, a television and video game system, fun phones, activity table and CD player.

By May 2005, the company will open its first Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, in Orlando. The Kid Suites there will have Nickelodeon themes, with amenities including interactive water parks, wake-up calls from Nick's stars, character breakfasts and live nightly entertainment.

At Holiday Inn's 23 SunSpree resorts, children have their own check-in and play areas, themed gateway entrances and planned recreational activities. At all Holiday Inn hotels, kids eat free for up to three meals when dining with a paying adult. 800-465-4329; www.ichotelsgroup.com.

DEALS

Here's a sampling of the pack-ages available this summer:

• Homewood Suites Thunderbirds package: The welcome pack is a tie-in with the Thunderbirds adventure movie from Universal opening July 30. Kidsget a back-pack, two Thunderbirds wrist communicators, a goo gun and a TB-1 squeeze rocket. Family rates of $79 to $109 per night are available at the 130 Homewood Suites, which include a full kitchen, on Thursdays through Sundays. Reserve package in advance. 800-CALL-HOME; www.homewood-suites.com.

• Embassy Suites: This all-suites hotel group has a Spider-Man 2 tie-in with the Sony Pictures movie, available through Sept. 12 at 170 participating hotels. The child receives a reusable camera, plush toy with suction cups, toss and catch game, treasure keeper and puzzle picture cube, all pack-aged in a Spider-Man 2 messenger bag, with — of course — a web lining. Reserve this package in advance; two are allowed per family with extras available for $10.

Embassy Suites also includes a full, hot, cooked-to-order breakfast and an evening manager's reception as part of of its room rates. 800-EMBASSY; www.embassysuites.com.

• Doubletree Suites Berenstain Bears package: This suites hotel offers each child ages 3 and up a Berenstain Bears Kids CAREpak through Labor Day. The pack includes a story book about the well-known bears, a magnetic photo frame and an activity book. 800-222-TREE; www.doubletree.com.

• Hilton Vacation Station: The Hilton gives children a welcome gift of a cooler carrier to take on outings. It's an insulated canvas pack, with drink holder and extra pockets.

The family can order snack pack service from room service at a nominal cost.

The 59 participating hotels also give parents a check-in packet suggesting fun activities in the area, often with a discount for tickets to a local attraction. The Hilton has a complementary toy and game lending desk and supervised children's activities at 12 of its resorts.

Hilton also offers a Family Frolic package, in which the kids eat free at lunch or dinner when the parents order an entree. Reserve these packages in advance. 800-HILTONS; www.hilton.com.