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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

US (chicago) with 16month old - where is he going to sleep?

13 replies

Bexybear · 13/02/2006 22:19

ive looked at hundreds of US hotels on the web that call themselves family friendly but they dont mention cots for babies...One so called family room just had a king size bed - do Americans families all sleep in the same bed or something? Dont want to lug our heavy and uncomfortable travel cot accross the atlantic. DS sleeps so badly in it anyway. Anyone been to America with young kids and know what the deal is...

In fact has anyone been to chicago? We are looking for a hotel for a couple of nights but the choice is overwhelming...as are most of the prices..

OP posts:
Frizbetheexpansionset · 13/02/2006 22:20

Just ask for a cot when you book the room, in my experience they all have them!

hub2dee · 13/02/2006 22:33

There's a user on here, chicagomum (who possibly is on holiday at the mo) who lived there a while, maybe she has advice ?

But yes, they all have cots. Just ask at the booking, and if they don't have one when you turn up, go balistic and they'll buy one from the nearest baby store for you !

dyzzidi · 13/02/2006 22:38

Beware a lot of hotels charge by the night up tp $30 per night for a cot. When we went to Vegas my sister bought a cot form toysrus over there for $35 and saved a fortune. I suppose it depends how long you are there for. Also email the hotel in advance to find out their charges and tell them you expect the cot to be set up in your room upon arrival.

You may want to put Little one down for a nap asap.

MeerkatsUnite · 14/02/2006 07:21

Have stayed in a Holiday Inn in Chicago (its both a nice and walkable city, the Miracle Mile is worth seeing) and DS used a travel cot there when he was younger. It was provided by the hotel and it's use was free.

Have never been charged anything like the sum dyzzidi has suggested. Would certainly though ensure that the cot is set up asap after your arrival (it may not be in the room on your arrival).

www.tripadvisor.com is great for reviews on hotels and should help you with a choice.

See if there is an Embassy Suites hotel in the city centre - these are specially for families and will give you a dining/sitting area as well. Many of them also offer a complimentary breakfast with both cold foods and hot food cooked to order.

BudaBabe · 14/02/2006 08:20

Also be aware that Americans call cots "cribs"!

To some Americans a cot is single bed!

I seem to remember an American friend of mine having problems a few years ago coming to the UK with an 18 month old. Hotel were offering her a cot and she was horrifed till she realised it was a "crib".

uwila · 14/02/2006 09:25

I am from Chicago. Yes, call it a "crib". If you ask for a cot you will probably get a foldeable adult single bed (on wheels).

My favourite hotel is the Seneca. The rooms are a bit more like apartments w/ a kitchen. But, there are no modern frills (no restaurant) but TONS of restaurants nearby, including the Cheesecake Factory which is great for adults and kids. Yum... oh I'm getting jealous.

I don't know if they will give you a crib. But, the cost of this hotel is usually much better than the big chains. You would save enough to buy one when you are there (which you could do across the street at Water Tower Place -- a shopping mall)

uwila · 14/02/2006 09:29

The neighborhood where the Seneca is is called Streeterville. It is just East of Michigan Avenue on Chestnut Street, near the Hancock building.

If you like pizza, Ginos East is THE place. If you want any more ideas, let me know. Oh, must see Navy Pier (if going in summer).

uwila · 14/02/2006 09:29

EnvyEnvyEnvy

Kidstrack2 · 14/02/2006 09:30

I bought dd a My First Ready bed, and we take it where ever we go its a litle blow up bed in a compact bag with Dora Explorer on it and it has its own blanket stitched on too! Very good if you are worried about little one falling out of bed etc

Original poster
Bexybear · 15/02/2006 23:08

thanks everyone!

that one post was a hundred times more useful than the several futile hours i spent on the internet. I will be asking for a crib and thanks for the advice on where to stay and where to eat Uwila the cheesecake factory sounds wicked! All suggestions very welcome... am slightly nervous as we are going for a family reunion and travelling in a group consisting of me, DH and DS (18 months) plus DHs brother, wife and three children (aged 4 2 and 2 - twin girls) All lovely but still, crossing the atlantic with 4 children under 5 is not my idea of big laugh

OP posts:
MeerkatsUnite · 16/02/2006 07:45

Try to eat early at the Cheesecake factory restaurant - waits of an hour for a table have been seen. I have a feeling also you cannot reserve a table in advance.

uwila · 16/02/2006 09:30

Seneca Hotel

MeerkatsUnite · 16/02/2006 10:05

I would suggest reading www.tripadvisor.com before booking any hotel.

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