HOTELS IN EUROPE CONSIDERATIONS

Your family has decided a trip to Europe is in your future. You plan to be out touring most of the day and your hotel is "just a place to sleep".... But... as a Mom of a 3 and 5 year old, I know how valuable sleep is. Here's what to consider when booking your hotel...

Guest Count

Unlike in the USA, Europe has strict guidelines on how many guests can be in a room. Rooms by default aren't 2 Double Beds (think of a Marriott Hotels). Instead rooms are "Single" or "Double", etc - and the sleeping arrangements directly relate to that.

You will not be able to "squeeze in" your child to a "Double" room. This is not permitted, and you will be unable to stay with that many people in that room.

If you're a family of 4, you'll need multiple rooms or a Family/Quad room for your stay.

Amenities

While we may be skipping a "spa day" while we're in Rome, we probably want a Front Desk. We want a Luggage Drop option. We want to have a level of security to enter our hotel. It can be very helpful to ask for support, directions, assistance with a taxi or even if something goes wrong while during your trip.

If you are in need of a Doctor or an emergency occurs, you can utilize your Front Desk at a hotel to get you what you need. Typically they speak the native language and a few others.

My favorite bonus of an amenity? A rooftop bar/restaurant or breakfast inclusion at my hotel.

Location. Location. Location.

This is the hardest part of any hotel choosing! The neighborhood that's perfect for me is different from that for you to that from your best friend. Some people want to be "in the action", some want to be on a quiet piazza & others want to be around a neighborhood feel.

When choosing location it's important to understand what that area "feels" like - and think about what your family wants when you walk out of the hotel. Do you want to walk out and be at the foot of the Eiffel Tower? Or would you rather walk out and run into cafes with so many locals sitting around sipping their coffee.

Of course the safety and security is the most important part of your location. If you are unsure about this, consider asking a local - or my hack? Go into Google Maps and drop your self into the spot - and start "walking around".

More Than "Just a Bed"

I have stayed in hotels with shared bathrooms. Meaning your individual room does not have a bathroom & you must go down the hall to a "shared bathroom" to use with other guests.

I have stayed in hotels with little to no air conditioning or fans. Meaning it gets hot, you open the windows & you hope the noise on the street stays quiet enough.

I have stayed in places with the smallest bathrooms, tiny showers & the smallest bath towels I have ever seen.

I have stayed in places with thin walls. You can hear every little thing and are up all hours of the night listening to neighbors come home from dinner or get up to work early in the morning.

Make sure when heading to Europe that you know your hotel is more than "Just a Bed". It's where you will get that much needed rest, relax & clean yourself up. When looking at your hotel - check the photos! Visit Google to look at recent guest photos that are shared.

Time & time again what makes me different is that I have made these mistakes. My family has done these trips, and we know where it's worth investing a little bit more in your experience. So while we know that it's "just a bed" - we know that there are a few things to make "must haves" on your next Europe stay.

If you're ready to start planning, check out my inquiry form HERE