A New York vacation with the kids. The concept may sound intimidating, but we assure you, it’s the next best thing to a four night stay in Puerto Vallarta, especially now that we’ve got little vacationers in tow. Luckily, Manhattan is rife with opportunity for an awesome family summer vaca, complete with pampering treatments for the parents and fun activities for your munchkins. And you can do it all without ever leaving your hotel. That’s because we’ve rounded up four decidedly family-friendly hotels that we’ve personally checked out ourselves. So when it’s time for your next vacation (or staycation if you’re a NYC mama), book it at one of these hotels, where you won’t experience even the slightest roll-of-the-eye at check-in.
Where sleep is pretty much guaranteed
At The Benjamin, known for its Sleep ‘Concierge,’ your kid is going to dream of sleep from the moment you check in and she gets to join the Winks’ Kidzzz Club. Led by Winks the Owl, this complimentary program includes the use of an organic wool-filled Toddler Pillow, a kid-sized robe to snuggle in, a lending library of family favorite bedtime books and a Winks Owl to take home. That, along with the Sleep Certificate awarded upon checkout, will ensure that your child will want to return for yet another overnight stay and you will too, thanks to the in-room pillow menu with over 12 types of pillows to choose from.
The Benjamin
125 East 50th St. (at Lexington Ave.)
Midtown East
212-715-2500
thebenjamin.com
The snacks options are unparalleled
One of the biggest annoyances of family travel is planning out not just meals but snacks. At the Hotel Giraffe, located just steps from Madison Square Park, the management seems to know just what little kids need by way of treats, with cookies and milk served every evening in the lobby, free breakfast daily with kid-pleasers like cereal, oatmeal and hot chocolate and, lest we forget, daily wine and cheese for you—a perfect thing to look forward to after a long day of exploring.
Hotel Giraffe
365 Park Avenue South (at 26th St.)
Flatiron
212-685-7700
hotelgiraffe.com
Worth the splurge
The check-in couldn’t be friendlier at The Peninsula, the most uber-luxe of hotels on Fifth Avenue. Upon arrival, your little one joins the ‘Pen Kids’ club and a night here is nothing short of magical, with a tray of New York City-themed treats awaiting in your opulent room, a junior-sized bathrobe and slippers at the ready and wonder of wonders for Midtown, a heated pool to swim in up on the roof. Just call the concierge and a wide variety of board games, Playstations, Wii, and other video games can be delivered. Room service menus feature mac & cheese and grilled cheese (natch) and the concierge can even arrange for a babysitter if you want to plan a night out on the town.
The Peninsula
700 Fifth Avenue (at 55th St.)
Midtown
212-956-2888
peninsula.com
Fido can check-in, too
Who would have thought a place as hip as the Soho Grand would not only welcome, but actually want kids to stay here? They go all the way, offering complimentary cribs, protective bumpers and outlet protectors, not to mention strollers, high chairs, and diaper pails if you need them. But the thing that will tickle your kid’s fancy most: The signature goldfish adoption program, in which every child is offered a pet goldfish at check-in for the duration of their stay (complete with bowl and fish food, of course). Your cat or dog is welcome to join in the fun, which times nicely with the new dog park opening near the hotel in April.
Soho Grand
310 West Broadway (at Canal St.)
SoHo
212-965-3000
sohogrand.com
What was your stay like at any of these family-friendly NY hotels?
–Lambeth Hochwald
photo credit: The Benjamin facebook page, Hotel Giraffe facebook page, The Peninsula facebook page, Soho Grand Hotel facebook page
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