The Sleep Dilemma: How to Choose the Perfect Hotel for Family Adventures episode artwork

EPISODE · May 31, 2026 · 27 MIN

The Sleep Dilemma: How to Choose the Perfect Hotel for Family Adventures

from Designed for Adventure: Family travel, parenting, and practical life stories · host Ellie Sewell

In this episode of Designed for Adventure, we dive deep into the one area where we never compromise: sleep. Drawing from "bad experiences" —where toddlers escaped their beds and parents were forced to hide in bathrooms to nurse infants—we explain why the layout of your lodging can make or break a vacation. We share our transition from cramped standard rooms to prioritizing one-bedroom suites and Airbnbs to ensure everyone gets the rest they need to enjoy the adventure.Key Highlights:The Residence Inn Obsession: Why Jesse and Ellie look for Residence Inns first, citing the one-bedroom suites, free breakfast, and indoor pools as essential family perks.Airbnb Pros and Cons: A look at the benefits of having a kitchen and more space versus the "insane" cleaning fees and the unpredictability of property layouts.The Slumber Pod Strategy: Ellie discusses the "game-changing" benefits of using a blackout tent over a pack-and-play to create a private, dark sleeping environment that prevents kids from seeing their parents in the same room.The Knock-off Slumber Pod I prefer: https://amzn.to/3PGfSL5 (affiliate link)The Slumber Pod: https://amzn.to/4wVgwFd (affiliate link)Creative Hotel Hacks: Tips for finding "nooks and crannies" for cribs, utilizing long curtains to darken a sleeping corner, and why balconies are the ultimate "after-hours" sanctuary for parents once the kids are down.The Transfer Method: A step-by-step breakdown of their bedtime routine in a suite, including how they use the parents' bed as a temporary landing zone before transferring a sleeping toddler to the pull-out couch.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure:Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for AdventurePinterest: Designed For AdventureE-mail: [email protected]: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

In this episode of Designed for Adventure, we dive deep into the one area where we never compromise: sleep. Drawing from "bad experiences" —where toddlers escaped their beds and parents were forced to hide in bathrooms to nurse infants—we explain why the layout of your lodging can make or break a vacation. We share our transition from cramped standard rooms to prioritizing one-bedroom suites and Airbnbs to ensure everyone gets the rest they need to enjoy the adventure.Key Highlights:The Residence Inn Obsession: Why Jesse and Ellie look for Residence Inns first, citing the one-bedroom suites, free breakfast, and indoor pools as essential family perks.Airbnb Pros and Cons: A look at the benefits of having a kitchen and more space versus the "insane" cleaning fees and the unpredictability of property layouts.The Slumber Pod Strategy: Ellie discusses the "game-changing" benefits of using a blackout tent over a pack-and-play to create a private, dark sleeping environment that prevents kids from seeing their parents in the same room.The Knock-off Slumber Pod I prefer: https://amzn.to/3PGfSL5 (affiliate link)The Slumber Pod: https://amzn.to/4wVgwFd (affiliate link)Creative Hotel Hacks: Tips for finding "nooks and crannies" for cribs, utilizing long curtains to darken a sleeping corner, and why balconies are the ultimate "after-hours" sanctuary for parents once the kids are down.The Transfer Method: A step-by-step breakdown of their bedtime routine in a suite, including how they use the parents' bed as a temporary landing zone before transferring a sleeping toddler to the pull-out couch.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Design for Adventure:Instagram: @DesignedForAdventurePodFacebook: Designed for AdventurePinterest: Designed For AdventureE-mail: [email protected]: Follow us for more tips on making family adventures work in real life!

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The Sleep Dilemma: How to Choose the Perfect Hotel for Family Adventures

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This episode was published on May 31, 2026.

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In this episode of Designed for Adventure, we dive deep into the one area where we never compromise: sleep. Drawing from "bad experiences" —where toddlers escaped their beds and parents were forced to hide in bathrooms to nurse infants—we explain...

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