I’m curious if anyone has experience with hotel brands that are good for family travel. We are a family of 5 who loves to travel but booking rooms can be tough since we have more than 4 people. We have decided against Four Seasons because they have a lot of restrictions. We enjoy staying at places like Auberge and Rosewood (especially Kona Village) because they are more flexible. We usually play it safe with our accommodations, but I’m interested to hear if there are other brands that are accommodating. I haven’t tried Six Senses, Aman, or Belmond yet and would love to hear any experiences or advice on how others manage.
We have never booked two rooms, but we are open to upgrading to suites.
The experience can really depend on the property and location since many occupancy rules come from fire codes. Some Auberge locations are better for families than others. Many families I work with actually like Four Seasons because they often have good options for connecting rooms. With the brands you mentioned, it varies; some focus more on couples and adults while others are designed with families in mind.
We prefer paying a high rate for a good room at a nice property instead of getting a bigger space at a lesser place. We really enjoy the amenities and spend little time in our room, so that works for us. There are some properties where I know we could fit comfortably, but the rules are really strict (like at San Ysidro Ranch). We are looking for a room or one-bedroom suite in the $1000-2000 range that can fit 5 at a Forbes 5-star level. We have that at Solage in Napa and Rosewood in Hawaii, but I’m hoping to find a brand that is generally flexible.
Unfortunately, the restrictions are often set by local governments and depend on where the property is located. Rosewood usually has more options for larger suites, but those can be in the $3-4k range per night. Are you looking for a property in a specific location? I work with a Forbes-endorsed agency and deal a lot with big families; it really comes down to what works in that area.
You might want to check out COMO, Aman, and smaller boutique hotels. Andaz can be a more budget-friendly choice. Kimpton is usually nice and flexible but doesn’t quite match the luxury of Four Seasons.
I agree that Aman often has suites and villas, some with private pools, which are great for families. We recently stayed at Capella and their service for kids was amazing. My daughter and all the other kids were treated like VIPs and received special little gifts and treats every day.
Have you looked into TAEFER Resort properties? We had a great experience at Garza Blanca in Cancun and also loved Hotel Mousai in Puerto Vallarta; both were fantastic for the price.
Are you looking for options in a specific area or just in general?
I’m surprised you found issues with Four Seasons. I have stayed at a couple of Amans and wouldn’t say they are family-friendly unless they have older facilities. Have you looked into the Miramar in Santa Barbara? I travel with my family a lot and usually get multiple rooms or a villa, but I’m not clear on whether you are looking for a specific chain.
I think it really comes down to specific hotels rather than brands. I know you said you’re avoiding Four Seasons, but places like London Park Lane have deals for preferred partners offering a free connecting room when you book a suite. Rosewood and Auberge are usually solid choices, and Belmond is good too. It might be worth checking out boutique hotels where you could have an even better experience at friendlier prices. Just to let you know, I’m a travel advisor with a lot of experience booking these places for families. Feel free to message me if you have specific locations or questions!
