One of the most common requests from families when
planning their vacation is connecting rooms. It’s often because they are a family of 5 or
more that can’t be accommodated in a standard hotel room. But sometimes even smaller families just want extra
space and privacy. And suites with a
separate bedroom are often more expensive than two standard rooms.
Most hotels and resorts will not guarantee connecting rooms,
they will simply note it as a request. They
do give preference to families with young children. But it’s still stressful for parents
if they won’t know until check-in if they will even have adjacent, much less
connecting, rooms. (Important note: “Adjoining” does not necessarily mean
connecting.)
Here’s what I do when connecting rooms are a “must have” for
a client.
Recommend a hotel that offers connecting rooms as a specific
room category. Several all-inclusive
brands, such Karisma, AMResorts, and Club Med actually list connecting rooms as
an option to book (may be referred to as a 2 room suite), and often for less
than the cost of 2 rooms. These are
usually located in the “family section” of a resort, so it’s not recommended as a way
for 2 couples to shave costs while traveling together.
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| Azul Sensatori, Riviera Maya |
Recommend a hotel that will block connecting rooms for
families at the time the reservation is made.
In Hawaii, the Grand Wailea will guarantee connecting rooms for a $50
per night fee. Hyatt Resorts worldwide has
a policy of blocking connecting rooms for families with children age 12 and
under for no fee, if they are available.
If kids are older, then connecting rooms are “on request” only.
 |
| Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa, Kauai |
Reach out to a supplier who
has personal contacts in my client’s destination. This might be an independent sales rep, a
wholesaler, a tour operator, maybe a
small local company with whom my agency has developed a strong relationship. (Some
are so small they don’t even show up on TripAdvisor, so you have to be “in the know." And some only work with travel agencies.) I network at trade shows with sales reps and hotel managers, and some offer to personally block rooms for my clients.
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| Hotel Hassler Roma |
This route works particularly well when booking hotels
outside the US. I actually find it
easier to book rooms for large families in Europe than in the States! And I have learned that some hotels don’t
even show “family rooms” on their websites, you have to contact the hotel
directly. And that assumes you even know
this particular room type exists.
 |
| Rubens at the Palace, London |
Recommend a Virtuoso property or other luxury brand where we have preferred agency status. Nothing beats the
relationships we have with Virtuoso properties, or brands such as Ritz-Carlton,
Four Seasons, Rosewood, Mandarin Oriental, etc. If connecting rooms are available, they
almost always block them for my clients.
And as a bonus, my clients
receive extra amenities such as complimentary breakfast and
resort, dining, or spa credits.
 |
| Four Seasons Costa Rica |
 |
The Ritz Carlton Lake Tahoe - All 1 bedroom suites
connect to a double queen room |
Sometimes despite my best efforts, a hotel will not confirm connecting rooms in
advance. In that case, I offer a
different guarantee to my clients. I
will leave no stone unturned in finding the most influential person at the
hotel who can personally review my client’s reservation, and do
everything possible to honor their request.
And I also guarantee no travel website will make that offer.
 |
| Atlantis The Palm, Dubai - 95% of the rooms are connecting |
