Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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For sleeping, a pack-and-play/portacot for infants and/or an inflatable mattress for older
kids can be handy, especially if you're road-tripping or sticking to amenity-poor, budget-
range motels.
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Bring light rain gear and umbrellas; it
will
rain at some point.
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Bring water sandals for the beach, water parks, and play fountains.
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Bring sunscreen (a daily necessity) and mosquito repellent.
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Prepare a simple first-aid kit; the moment an unexpected cut or fever strikes is not the
time to run to the drugstore.
Accommodations
The vast majority of Florida hotels stand ready to aid families with cribs (often pack-and-
plays), rollaway beds (some charge extra), refrigerators, microwaves, adjoining rooms and
suites. Ask about facilities when you book. Large hotels and resorts can go toe-to-toe with
condos for amenities, including partial or full kitchens, laundry facilities, pools and barbe-
cues, and various activities.
While some high-end boutique hotels in Miami Beach and adult-oriented B&Bs in the
Keys may discourage young kids, they aren't allowed to discriminate and ban them. If
you're unsure, ask about their minimum age preference. In general, the best Miami neigh-
borhoods to stay with kids are South Beach (despite the mad party scene, it has the best
hotels in town), North Beach, Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Children should be fine at
most of these places, except for South Beach's priciest hotels - these hotels generally at-
tract a celebrity-party crowd rather than families. Good family-style motels and B&Bs can
be found in the Keys, Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo.
Travel Advice & Baby Gear
If you prefer to pack light, several services offer baby-gear rental (high chairs, strollers,
car seats etc), while others sell infant supplies (diapers, wipes, formula, baby food etc), all
delivered to your hotel; book one to two weeks in advance.
These websites provide family-centered travel advice and services:
Baby's Away
(
http://babysaway.com
)
