Big Hotel Rooms for Family Travel: Tips To Book Better (And Save Money)

Traveling with family requires finding accommodations that meet everyone's needs, from space to amenities. Whether you're trying to accommodate a big family or simply want some breathing room, booking larger hotel rooms or suites can transform your trip.

Now sure, many groups just opt for vacation rentals. After all, home sharing websites like Airbnb can reasonably take a lot of credit for popularizing the idea of large, multi-family or multigenerational getaways. But the shine of vacation rentals like Airbnb has dulled under scrutiny over unreasonably high fees, local bans and unreliable hosts.

Luckily, lots of hotel brands offer rooms and suites with multiple bedrooms that are perfect for families. Some even have full kitchens where you can prepare meals to save on dining out.

If you’re a member of one of the big hotel loyalty programs, you can enjoy perks or earn points while you stretch out in all that extra space. With elite status, you might get upgraded to a bigger room — and not even have to pay for it.

Here's your ultimate guide to finding great hotels for family trips — helping you find hotels that are not only large enough, but that have amenities that people of all ages will enjoy.

Understand room sizes and layouts

Before you book, understand what kind of space you’ll get. Standard hotel rooms typically measure 300–450 square feet and include one bed, a small bathroom and minimal seating. This setup might work for solo travelers or couples, but families might prefer larger suites with separate living areas, multiple bedrooms, or kitchenettes.

Booking a single room for a group

Generally, a single room (and a single bathroom) will be cheaper than booking a multi-room unit in the same building. But while most hotels cap you at four adults per room (and some even charge you extra for any number of adults beyond two) there are some gems out there.

Among them is the Courtyard Marriott Oahu North Shore. Even in a queen room, you can comfortably fit six people given you get two queen beds plus a sofa bed.

They also have the option of what's called a 'family room,' which situates one king bed in a room that also has two sets of bunk beds, again accommodating six.

Booking a multi-room hotel

Paying a little extra for a suite or larger room can potentially save you money when compared with booking two rooms. Not to mention that if you're traveling with young kids, booking a separate hotel room may not even be a realistic option.

Some of these can also save you money in other areas. Often multi-room spaces include at least a kitchenette, which can help you cut back on dining out.

Take, for example, the Valley View two bedroom with kitchenette at Big Cedar Lodge (one of those Midwest's most family-friendly resorts). Rooms almost feel like you're staying in an apartment, as they have two bedrooms (each with a queen-size bed and full bathroom), plus a full-size sleeper sofa and a kitchenette space.

Booking a "vacation home" within a hotel

These days, the latest trend combines the best of both worlds: multi-room properties homes with the comforts of a private stay yet the professionalism of a hotel — and none of the chaos and uncertainty associated with Airbnb.

Exemplifying this new hotel strategy is Hilton Hotels & Resorts, which in January 2025 launched a partnership involving its Hilton Honors loyalty program and Evermore Orlando Resort.

Evermore Orlando Resort opened in January 2024 as a sprawling, 1,100-acre luxury vacation rental complex consisting of 69 houses, 206 flats and 41 villas that range in size from two-bedroom apartments to 11-bedroom homes.

Units have features you wouldn’t find in a normal home, like bunk rooms and — in the biggest ones — slides. Homes sit behind a gated entrance amidst resort amenities including an artificial tropical beach complex, golf courses, restaurants and a gym.

And just like any hotel, there's a 24/7 check-in desk, plus staff available at all times. And no, you won't have to take out the trash at the end of your stay.

2. Target family-focused brands

Some of those properties, like Big Cedar and Evermore, are specific to that location. They're great if you're traveling to Missouri or Orlando, respectively, but what about elsewhere in the world?

Certain hotel brands cater specifically to families with spacious suites and kid-friendly amenities. Book these for better odds of a good experience when traveling with kids and groups. Among the standouts, broken down by company:

Best Marriott brand for families

Residence Inn is the best Marriott brand for family travel, known for one- and two-bedroom suites with full kitchens, complimentary breakfast, and evening receptions.

The quality of these receptions varies by hotel, with some offering appetizers and drinks, and others providing a full dinner. If you stay in a two-bedroom suite at a Residence Inn with a party of eight, that could be 16 meals per day that are covered as part of your rate.

Eearn Marriott Bonvoy® points by staying at participating hotels, transferring points from your Chase Ultimate Rewards® or American Express Membership Rewards accounts, or applying for a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, like the ones listed below.

• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card.

• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card.

• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card.

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

Terms apply.

Best Hilton brands for families

Hilton has two brands that cater especially well to families and large groups: Homewood Suites and Embassy Suites.

Homewood Suites is similar to Marriott's Residence Inn, with one- and two-bedroom suites at many hotels, complimentary breakfast and an evening reception. Embassy Suites often has larger suites. With Hilton, you can book larger hotel rooms with points, but if you try to book online, it will often cost a huge amount of points. You may have better luck contacting the hotel directly for an upgrade.

Transfer American Express points to Hilton Honors points, or apply for one of these credit cards for a big welcome bonus:

• Hilton Honors American Express Card.

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card.

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.

• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: Hilton credit cards: Which one should you get?

Best IHG brand for families

The best IHG chain with large hotel suites is Staybridge Suites. Like Homewood Suites and Residence Inn, Staybridge Suites offers one- and two-bedroom suites, complimentary breakfast and an evening reception some weeknights.

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points 1:1 to IHG or earn IHG points with one of these credit cards:

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.

• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card.

• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card.

Best Hyatt brand for families

Hyatt House hotels are strong contenders as some of the the best hotels for families since they come with a kitchen, which can help cut down on meal costs.

Hyatt doesn't have a designated brand offering multi-bedroom units, though many Hyatt properties do offer suites. Globalist elite members have access to confirmed suite upgrade awards, where you can confirm an upgrade without having to worry whether you'll get one when you check in. By the way, Globalists also get free breakfast for two adults and two children or complimentary access to lounges.

You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points 1:1 to Hyatt, or get World of Hyatt points with their co-branded hotel credit card, the World of Hyatt Credit Card.

3. Use loyalty points strategically

Many hotel loyalty programs only allow points bookings for standard rooms, which can limit your options for larger accommodations. But, if you're willing to gamble a bit, then consider booking a standard room with points and contacting the property directly to request an upgrade.

Travelers with elite status often have better chances of securing these upgrades. And often, you don't need to frequently stay at a hotel just to earn elite status (that's where holding a hotel's co-branded credit card can help).

Additionally, most hotel rooms booked on books are refundable, so you could cancel and rebook in cash if you don't get the upgrade you need (as long as your program does, indeed, let you cancel for a full refund).

» Learn more: IHG Rewards: More value for the frugal traveler

4. Prioritize free breakfast or kitchens

When traveling with family, meals can quickly become one of the biggest expenses. That’s why choosing a hotel that includes free breakfast or features in-room kitchens can significantly reduce your travel budget.

Hotels like Residence Inn by Marriott and Staybridge Suites by IHG include complimentary hot breakfasts in their rates, allowing families to fuel up before a day of adventure without spending extra at a restaurant. For larger families, free breakfasts can easily save $50–$100 per day.

At Drury Plaza Hotels, free food is a standout perk beyond just the free, hot breakfast every morning — which in itself features tasty options like scrambled eggs and fresh fruit (and Mickey Mouse waffles at its Orlando outpost). In the evenings, Drury Plaza offers its signature 5:30 Kickback, a reception that includes hot appetizers, soups, salads, and even a selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks for adults.

Even if your room doesn't have free food or a kitchen, a mini fridge might be enough — especially if the property also has communal outdoor grilling areas. That can be an experience in itself; enjoy al fresco dining after a trip to the nearby farmers market.

5. Don't overlook other key property features for families

Beyond big hotel rooms and free foods, prioritize other aspects of the hotel. After all, family-friendly amenities can turn a good stay into a great one. Look for properties that go the extra mile to offer engaging activities and recreational facilities designed with families in mind.

The aforementioned Courtyard Marriott Oahu North Shore shines with its complimentary cultural programming like hula lessons, ukulele workshops and lei-making classes, often led by the beloved “Aunty Kela.”

For active families, the hotel offers an outdoor pool with a separate shallow children’s pool for little swimmers, as well as a basketball half court and courts for volleyball and pickleball.

And going back to the Ozarks, Big Cedar Lodge boasts paved trails perfect for family bike rides or strolls, a playground with monkey bars, and a whimsical fish-themed mini golf course — all included with your stay.

For those seeking even more adventure, Big Cedar’s Fun Mountain offers an array of paid activities like an arcade, laser tag, and climbing walls (though that incurs an additional fee).

If you travel with a big family …

Airbnbs and other vacation rentals aren't your only option. These days, increasinly more hotels offer large suites, family-friendly amenities and cost-saving perks that rival private rentals. Plus, loyalty programs let you book with points and potentially score upgrades, especially if you have elite status.