A Remedy for the Hotel Room Cramps -
Traveling with 4 Kids

JUNE 2008 - Does the thought of staying in a cramped hotel room with your entire family (husband and 4 kids) make you think twice about traveling? A friend of mine is looking to go to Vancouver for a few days to visit her working husband. He is currently living with three guys in a one bedroom apartment to cut costs while away from his family. The guys all live in small rural towns and are just in Vancouver to make some money to send home. Six to eight months of hard work can keep their families going for awhile but the kids need to see their dad occasionally too.

“There’s just no room to relax with everyone in one hotel room,” my friend said. “Sleeping in the same room, let alone the same bed with the kids makes the odds of getting a good night's sleep a million to one. Not to mention the fact that you constantly have to quiet the kids so they don’t disturb the neighbouring rooms, stop them from shouting while they’re running up and down the hallways, and having to go out or get take out for every meal. Vacations cost a small fortune these days!”

Being in the travel industry I have to agree. It’s difficult enough to find a hotel room that can sleep six so my friend would most likely have to find two rooms side by side, thereby doubling the price.  With an average nights stay running $189 per night for an economy twin room, that’s $378 for her family per night. Finding adjoining rooms is not always possible either which can create even more challenges.

Most hotels in the larger cites also don’t come with kitchenettes, so going out to eat or ordering takeout would be required. Breakfast, lunch and dinner add up fast for a family of six even if you do buy some snacks at the local grocery store. If you’re staying in a big city downtown, sometimes just finding a grocery store can be a difficult task.

That’s when I suggested taking at look at vacation rentals instead. You can rent an entire house for practically the same or less that those hotel rooms.  On OwnerDirect.com for example, an 1,100 square foot 2 bedroom plus den house in Coquitlam, only 15 minutes from Vancouver’s downtown is going for $210 per night and can sleep 6. It has a full kitchen, living room, laundry, large deck and a yard for the kids to play in too. A much more comfortable solution to staying in cramped hotel rooms.

If they wanted to be right downtown Vancouver, a 2 bedroom apartment that can sleep up to 6 goes a grand total of $864.28 for a 3 nights stay ($285/ night plus tax). It’s got a full kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, and the apartment complex offers a swimming pool, whirlpool and fitness room. Hotel rooms at $300 per night would end up costing $1200 plus tax and most likely wouldn't have a kitchen or living room.

For larger groups or families, vacation rentals offer so much more than small hotel rooms can. There is also the possibility that owners will offer discounts for children under a certain age. Thanks to the Internet, the travel industry is competitive which means better value and lower prices can be found if you know where to look.