Kids and Business Travelers: Two Peas in a Pod?

On a recent Friday night dash up the New York State Thruway for a whirlwind family weekend in Lake Placid we stopped for the night at Hyatt Place near Saratoga, NY.

At first glance the Hyatt Place's signature wine bar and the decor "designed for the 24/7 lifestyle of today’s multi-tasking business traveler, featuring casual hospitality in a well-designed, technology-enabled, contemporary environment," seemed poorly-matched with our toddler's love of pushing his own stroller recklessly around Zen-like spaces. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find that business travelers and toddlers have more in common than one might imagine.

1. No surprises - Weary families and road warriors generally don't appreciate surprises. Hyatt Place's web site goes above and beyond the call of duty to show travelers exactly what to expect when they arrive at the hotel. Actually, the site's unique and super usable virtual tour is one of the best we have seen.
2. Amenities that make sense - Club-level butler service and kids clubs are great when you're a CEO or taking your annual family vacation but budget-conscious business travelers and families know that value on the road really lies with the basics -- laundry service, the convenience of a 24/7 staffed guest kitchen and a yummy complimentary continental breakfast.
3. Cozy corners - Chilling out on the road when the only soft surface in site is a Polyester-clad queen-size bed is a challenge. Hyatt Place's cleverly-designed cozy corner areas feature a sectional couch that converts to a bed. Best of all, an opaque partial wall divides the cozy corner from the room's Polyster-free king-size sleeping area.

Kudos to Hyatt!