Walking into the Hotel Felix in Chicago I was immediately drawn into an inviting lobby with soft couches, modern decor and a spanning gas fireplace. I was hesitant to check in because I felt like lounging for a while after a long day of travel. After a smooth check in I was up to the room to see how it fared. I’m always excited to see how a non-chain hotel compares to its cookie cutter competition. Unique items started adding up… a spa-like bathroom, modern art, soft linens, a large flatscreen television, and a high rise view definitely set it apart.

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We just got back from a recent trip to Denver, Colorado. Reid has been there a few times but this was my first time ever-stepping foot in the state that is just neighboring the one I currently reside in. While gallivanting in the colorful state capitol, we were able to stay in some pretty amazing hotels in downtown Denver. One of those is The Oxford Hotel located right in the LoDo district of Denver (lower downtown historic district). A beautiful boutique hotel that is classic in all the right ways.

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During our latest trip to St. Cloud, Minnesota we stayed at the Homewood Suites. Homewood Suites is an extended stay brand owned by Hilton. I had stayed there before a couple years earlier but had never stayed there with a baby before. In an earlier post I mentioned I wanted to explore and seek out hotels to see if they were family friendly and what caused them to be so.

First off, as we were packing for our trip up North we called the hotel to see if we needed to cart our pack n play with us and check it on the plane. We were crossing our fingers we wouldn’t need to do so but you really never know. The hotel was very friendly and informed us they had new cribs and upon arrival it would be set up in our room. This was a major plus to us as a) we didn’t have to bring and check the pack n play and b) we wouldn’t have to set it up.

When we got there the staff was friendly and kind. We had booked a one room suite which was absolutely perfect. The baby crib was set up and cute and they even had rubber duckies for bath time (BabyTravels is a little young for bath time toys but it is the thought that counts). We opted for a one-room suite instead of a studio which we could have done with our small family, because we were able to put the baby in bed at night and close the door and go into the living area and watch some TV and hang out without disturbing the little one’s sleep. I loved that the hotel room had two big flat screen TV’s.

Even though BabyTravels is too little I did take mental note that the breakfast had kid-friendly options and the pool was spacious and even open late. All in all I think that the Homewood Suites is a great family friendly hotel that can accommodate even larger families with the option of getting a two-room suite.

When choosing a hotel the amenities that mattered to me were simple. Location, price and rating were what determined whether or not if I would choose to book a room. A posh and chic hotel located downtown was always on my wish list. But due to recent events in my life, priorities have changed. The transition from couple to family has changed my perspective on vacations and traveling and what’s important when I am choosing a hotel.

So what exactly makes a family friendly hotel? Is it just offering cribs and free breakfast to children under 12? Perhaps it’s more. Perhaps it involves the overall attitude of the hotel. There are definitely hotels built for romantic getaways or hotels that are built to be five star extravagances catering to the rich and famous. Maybe family friendly hotels are built from the ground up with an attitude of fun and adventure. Maybe it’s more than just a checklist of a few amenities.

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Who doesn’t like to stay in a sexy boutique hotel where the accommodations are contemporary, unique and stylish? Unfortunately, it’s not always an option when you are looking for affordability and a place to house your children. Or perhaps you love the idea of modern but prefer the ease of a chain? Choice Hotels new brand Cambria Suites allows you to get the both of best worlds. It’s affordable, convenient yet sleek and modern. It’s a hotel chain where you will feel comfortable bringing your family on vacation or bringing your loved one for a quick romantic getaway. It’s a great choice too for those health conscious travelers because they offer organic and healthy options at their cafes and have healthy freshly prepared snacks to grab.

We were invited to stay at Cambria Suites on our recent trip to San Antonio. We loved the close proximity to the airport- yet it didn’t feel like an airport hotel at all. The room was modern and chic. When I stay at a hotel I really notice the little things. I think little things can make a hotel room feel luxurious over cheap. This hotel nailed it from the Bath & Body Works bathroom products all the way down to the Wolf Gang Puck coffee and organic tea. I’m serious, I know those are small in the large picture but a hotel that pays attention to detail makes a really big difference in your quality of stay. We definitely did not feel we were sleeping at the Super 8 Motel.

I also loved that there was an LCD TV in every room. We had a two-room suite so there was three! That’s one more TV then we have in our house. The rooms were large, spacious and the most important thing- the beds were super comfortable. Look at how it’s decorated, isn’t it fun? There are 15 locations across the country and more in the works. Definitely recommended for my budget-minded traveler friends who still like the life of luxury (that’s me).