Traveling with young kids is an adventure in itself—but staying in a hotel with them? That can feel like the wildest part of the trip. Between unfamiliar sleep environments, cramped quarters, and disrupted routines, it’s no wonder families often struggle to get quality rest on vacation.
As a pediatric sleep consultant and mom, I’ve learned how to make hotel stays smoother (and sleep-filled) through experience, trial and error, and a whole lot of creativity. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, these hotel sleep tips for kids will help your whole family rest well while away from home.
Why Sleep Matters on Vacation
Let’s be honest—vacations with little kids aren’t relaxing if no one is sleeping. Lack of sleep leads to cranky toddlers, stressed-out parents, and fun plans that quickly spiral into chaos. Prioritizing your child’s sleep on vacation helps everyone stay happier, healthier, and able to enjoy the adventure.
Best Hotel Room Setups for Families
When it comes to traveling with kids, not all hotel rooms are created equal. Here's how to choose the right setup for your family:
🛏️ Rental Homes (Best Option)
Whenever possible, I recommend renting a house or apartment through Airbnb or Vrbo. Separate sleep spaces, quiet nap zones, and a living area to relax in after bedtime make this the ideal setup for traveling families.
🚪 Adjoining Rooms
If your budget allows, adjoining hotel rooms are the next best thing. Kids get their own space, and you get to unwind without tiptoeing around in the dark. Bonus: you can enjoy some screen time, a book, or even a glass of wine without fear of waking anyone up.
🛋️ Hotel Suites
Suites typically offer a bit of separation between beds and a small sitting area. It’s not total privacy, but it’s better than everyone piled into one space.
🛌 Standard Hotel Rooms
When you're in a standard room with two beds, you can still make it work—it just takes a little planning and flexibility.
Sleep Tips for Standard Hotel Rooms
If you're staying in a single-room setup, here’s how to help your baby or toddler sleep well in a hotel:
Stick to the bedtime routine. Even if you’re in a new place, consistency is key. Follow the same steps in the same order (bath, books, song, sleep) to signal that it’s time for bed.
Create separation. Use a SlumberPod, portable blackout shades, or even a makeshift room divider (think a strategically placed sheet or bathroom curtain) to give your child their own sleep space.
Use a balcony or hallway. If your room has a balcony, take advantage of it! If not, bring your monitor and sneak away to the bathroom or hallway to relax while your kids fall asleep.
White noise is your best friend. A portable sound machine drowns out unfamiliar noises and helps recreate your child’s home sleep environment.
Avoid overtiredness. Stick to your child’s normal nap and bedtime schedule as much as possible to avoid the dreaded overtired meltdown.
What to Pack for Better Sleep
Don’t leave home without these travel sleep essentials for babies and toddlers:
SlumberPod – Blocks out light and provides a private sleep space. Use code ANDIMETZLERSLEEPCONSULTING for $20 off.
White noise machine
Portable blackout curtains – Try Sleepout shades or DIY with black trash bags and painter’s tape.
Comfort items – Bring their favorite lovey, stuffed animal, or blanket.
Sleepsack or wearable blanket
Toddler clock or Hatch light – Especially helpful for older toddlers and preschoolers.
Bonus Tip: Sleep Train Before You Travel
If your little one already struggles with bedtime battles, night wakings, or early mornings, I highly recommend addressing those issues before your trip. A well-rested child is much more adaptable to new environments and travel.
✨ Want help teaching your baby or toddler to sleep through the night? Book a free discovery call with me and I’ll walk you through how we can get them sleeping well—before vacation even begins.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with kids doesn’t have to mean sacrificing sleep. With the right hotel setup, a few smart sleep strategies, and a little preparation, your vacation can be restful and fun.
Let sleep be one less thing you have to stress about on your next family trip.
P.S. Don’t forget to pack the sleep essentials—and if you need help getting your child’s sleep on track before your trip, schedule a discovery call today!