Hotel Kids Policy: What You Need to Know Before Booking

When you book a hotel kids policy, the rules a hotel sets for children staying on the property. Also known as child accommodation guidelines, it determines whether your kids can sleep in your room, use the pool, eat at the restaurant, or even just walk through the lobby without extra fees. This isn’t just fine print—it’s the difference between a smooth family trip and a stressful surprise at check-in.

Some hotels treat kids like an afterthought. Others build entire experiences around them. The family-friendly hotels, properties designed with children in mind, offering cribs, kid menus, and play areas often include free stays for kids under 12. But many budget or boutique places charge per extra person, even if the child is sleeping on a fold-out chair. Then there are hotel age restrictions, rules that limit which ages can stay without an adult or ban kids entirely—common in luxury resorts, quiet city hotels, or places with spas and bars. You might think a hotel is perfect until you realize kids under 16 aren’t allowed past the lobby after 8 p.m.

Don’t assume policies are the same across chains. A Holiday Inn might let your 10-year-old eat breakfast for free, but the sister property down the road could charge for every plate. Some places require you to declare kids at booking. Others don’t care until you show up with three kids and a stroller. And don’t forget the quiet hours. One hotel might let kids run in the hallways until 10 p.m., while another fines you for noise at 7 p.m. It’s not about being strict—it’s about matching your travel style to their rules.

Look beyond the website’s generic "family-friendly" label. Call the front desk. Ask: "Do you charge for kids under 12?" "Is there a pool or playroom?" "Can we get a crib or high chair?" "Are there any quiet zones we should avoid?" The answers will save you from last-minute panic. And if you’re bringing a pet, remember: pet-friendly hotels, places that allow animals, often have separate rules from those for children. Some let dogs but ban kids. Others do the opposite. One rule doesn’t mean the other.

Below, you’ll find real stories and breakdowns from travelers who’ve been burned—or saved—by hotel kids policies. Some posts reveal hidden fees others miss. Others show which UK cottages and hotels actually go out of their way for families. No fluff. No marketing spin. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what to ask before you pay.