Cots in hotels - in your experience... | ExpatWoman.com
 

Cots in hotels - in your experience...

1403
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 12:13

Hi Mums

In your experience would you/have you preferred to use cots in hotels as opposed to travel cots? We are booked into a couple hotels in August and both have said they'll provide cots. This will be the first time we've needed to rely on a hotel to provide a cot for us. Are they usually too manky and unhygienic or usually pretty good? We plan to take DD's sleeping bag etc. And if you all prefer travel cots, then which brand is the best, most sturdy, most comfy and light for travel? With travel cots I would be worried that if DD (8.5 mnths) stood up and leaned on it that it could tip.

Should I just not stress and go with a hotel cot?

Thanks!

1403
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 15 July 2011 - 17:02
DD is the same, doesn't mind us sitting with her for a few mins but then we leave the room. We are fortunate in that the hotel we booked, the bedroom is separate so she will be in the bedroom while we are in the living area with the door shut, so I probably wont need to use that great idea of pegging towels over the sides to limit her viewing, although, it still might be an idea....need to give it some thought and see how she goes after the first night. When its time for us to go to bed we are thinking we may move her cot into the living room as she is used to sleeping in a separate room than us.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 July 2011 - 15:33
Marion, my DS is the same, cannot sleep when he sees others in the room. When travelling we normally have to "hide" until he is asleep. One of us spends some time in the bathroom and the other reads a book on the balcony or something. Later at night when we are asleep we don't bother him as it is dark and he cannot see anything. I am pretty sure that cloth covering the cot sides would not fool my DS and he would probably be unable to get any rest until he has yanked it off or stood up to see what he is missing out on! So if your DD is still small and not yet pulling up keep in mind that this trick may not work forever! Happy travelling :)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 July 2011 - 14:26
I would also suggest taking some big chunky clothes pegs with you! The sides of the travel cots tend to be see through mesh and our little one wouldnt sleep because she could see us in the room and just wanted to talk and play. She was used to going to bed in her own room awake and settling herself. We found that asking for a few extra towels and draping them across the outside of the cot and attached at the top with pegs helped her settle. The ones you get for attaching your towel to sun loungers work great :) <em>edited by Maid Marion on 15/07/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 00:22
Babyshop is in Mall of the Emirates inside Centrepoint (all the way at one end on the ground floor sort of next to Carrefour).
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 12:38
Just FYI - Baby shop just got a shipment of Maclaren strollers in yesterday in case anyone is looking for one. I am not familiar with the different types but DH has gone there now to pick up a travel stroller as we are leaving tonight. Hopefully we will find the right one! Silly question but where is the Baby shop located? I've been on the hunt for a Maclaren and can't seem to find the one I'm looking for.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 11:37
Just FYI - Baby shop just got a shipment of Maclaren strollers in yesterday in case anyone is looking for one. I am not familiar with the different types but DH has gone there now to pick up a travel stroller as we are leaving tonight. Hopefully we will find the right one!
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 07:43
Hi Plumie - thanks for the tips :) How is your little one doing? I did call Mothercare in Debenhams and they don't have the Fizz - the only Silver Cross they have is about 8kgs. The Fizz does sound great for travel - have you or anyone else seen it anywhere else in Dubai? I just ordered some things for DD from John Lewis through Shop & Ship and had I known earlier, I could have ordered the stroller too but now we travel in 3 days so it's too late :( I am definitely carrying loads of bottles and pouches for food, but will also take the hand mill and am hoping to be able to give one or two fresh meals a day, but if not, the bottles will do just fine! Have never used the Milton tablets, but maybe I'll take those along as well!
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 19:07
Ahh I would have not thought of dishwashing liquid! ;) As most hotels have double sinks in the bathrooms - it's normally, wash up in one and sterilize in the other ;)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 18:52
Ahh I would have not thought of dishwashing liquid! ;)
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EW GURU
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 18:16
Re: strollers - I would highly recommend the Silver Cross Fizz! I bought one for our travels and absolutely love it! Only weighs 4.5kg, sturdy and reclines for naps :) I bought mine at John Lewis in the UK, however I think Mothercare in Debenhams also sells them! Re food: it's jars and pouches for our little Madame when we travel! I have asked hotels on many occasions to steam veggies for me, but they always seem to get it wrong! So I have cut out the hassle and have come not to rely on the kitchens in hotels! Even though I travel with our Wean Machine, the veggies always come to the room "el dente" :/: Re cots: I have found that hotels mainly stock the travel dot, where the mattress is flat on the base! This does notwork for us, as DH has a bad back and by the time I am laying DD down, I almost drop her as it is so low! I now always call up and check if they have the cots with the adjustable mattress/base! I also always travel with at least 1 fitted sheets and a matters protector for any spillages. Washing up liquid and Milton sterilizing tabs are also a travel must :) <em>edited by plumie on 10/07/2011</em>
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 12:16
Glitzi - any luck? I still haven't found a stroller yet so we might end up lugging our big one along :(
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 00:49
Glitzi did you find a lightweight stroller yet? I went to Babyshop MOE today and they're completely out of stock of the Maclarens. Mothercare doesn't have them either :( For the food, I have been trying out various flavors of the organic jars and Ella's Organics packs to ensure DD will eat them if necessary. So far she doesn't seem to mind them. I have a hand mill to grind up food - do you think that will be sufficient or should I pick up a stick blender? Are they normally battery operated or plug-in??
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 22:30
Thanks babe! That all sounds like a good plan!!! Lets talk about it when I see you next. Funny thing is I was thinking about whether to buy one of those prams for our Maldives trip but then I came to the quick realization that M would say no to a 3rd pram! hehe
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EW GURU
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 19:24
Shellly I have a camp cot you are welcome to take along for madam to sleep in. We've found it 50/50 regaurding cots in hotels and the standards havent gone in accordance with the standards of the hotels in our cases. Some of the nicer places have had the most shocking cots. Other travel MUST (for us) have been a lightweight stroller (again, you're welcome to use on of ours) and a stick blender. Blackout blinds...hmm...just ask for extra blankets and put them up over the windows, if you have to, go but some safety pins to fix them to the back of the hotel curtains ;-) Non slip mat for the bath is always a goodie...and doesnt take up much space at all. Take some blankets and a fitted sheet from home, so things feel and smell familiar to them, and a few toys, a bath toy or two (plastic animal/fish/character that doubles as a teether/daytime toy and a fave book.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:56
Shelly, sorry I just realized that I've hijacked your thread completely. Don't be silly! Its all great advice and questions I know I would have asked anyway ;)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:53
Shelly, sorry I just realized that I've hijacked your thread completely.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:50
I'm sure most restaurants could steam/boil you some vegies and cook some rice without salt if you asked, you might want to introduce eggs before you go if you haven't already as it is a much easier way to get some protein in when meat is hard to find/trust. DS accepted some sachets last week bt not the ones with fish/chiken etc, (don't blame him they were awful.) Papaya, mango, melon etc are all fine raw and easily available in places like Thailand.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:49
It's funny I'm going through all the same questions as well. We are going to Thailand in less than 2 weeks and it's a 10 day trip so I was wondering about the crib and hygiene etc. Will definitely take my own sheets and sleeping bag and hope for the best! Also, am planning to take several jars/packs for feeding but am hoping I'll be able to get the hotel to steam carrots/potatoes etc as ideally I would prefer to give 1 if not 2 fresh meals as opposed to packaged. I figure mashed fruit for breakfast is easy enough and then steamed veg for lunch or dinner with one packaged meal in between. But I've decided not to worry about it too much as DD will only be 8 months old when we travel and gets most of her nutrition from bm and it's only a matter of 10 days (puts on brave face :) ) BTW we have decided to take our car seat along as in Dubai, Emirates does not provide car seats in their pick-up cars and in Thailand, we have a one hour drive to the resort in Phuket. Do you ladies normally travel with car seats?? Glitzi - if you find a good lightweight stroller, please do let me know - am debating whether I will realistically need one in Thailand. GQ, I was looking at buying a second hand one. So I've posted a thread here and even a Wanted ad on dubizzle for maclaren triumph or mothercare jive as they have recline and are under 6kgs in weight. Lets see if someone has one, otherwise will try and get one on Dss Sale. Love your tip on asking the hotel to steam carrots-potatoes. Now why dint I think of that! Thanks :)
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:44
yep we take our carseat, ours can clip into the base of our pram which is ideal as DS can fall asleep (hopefully) in the car and we checked the other top part at checkin, dropped the base at the gate and took the carseat on the plane. It fitted in the overhead and depending on the seat/airline you can sit the baby in it if there are any spare seats during the flight. We popped him in asleep on landing at 1 am last night and he slept all the way though the bus to the terminal immigration, to the taxi and was successfully transferred into his cot at home. The amount of paraphernalia you end up lugging with a baby is ridiculous but a pram actually helps as you can load it up and carry the baby in your arms if need be.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:42
In terms of feeding, I have found success with a stick blender (either buying there or taking ours with). They are small and compact, most come with a plastic container to use the blender with and they're affordable enough that I can just leave it if I don't feel like taking it home. We do a lot of room service with the monsters, so I just blend part of my meal for the baby and add a bit of water. Then they get one or two fresh meals a day, meat and veg. I supplement it with the Ella's Organics packs - they are easily packable and they won't break like jars do. HTH.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:41
Haha Glitzi, it sure is a whole new experience traveling with a baby!!! So much to think about. My next thought process is her food and formula... stock up for our whole trip or chance it and hope I can find some there? Oh how i wish they came with a little manual :D .The stroller and cots are still ok, but I am in complete panic code regarding the food. DS is formula fed and on Aptamil 2 so I am guessing that should be easy to find in most countries.. just in case, I'll carry a large tin. But the food is really a concern as until now I've only given him fresh purees and he has never had any packaged food. Hopefully by next month, if he is weaning stays on track, I'll be able to start him on some real food. That way we can order in restaurants and let him have some..but then I am wondering about the salt intake :(
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:33
yes do buy the blackout blind, we just stayed somewhere with very thin curtains and it was a big factor with an 11pm sunset we needed one for us too, at the very least take a roll of tinfoil and some tape. The cot should be clean, you can always take some dettol wipes and wipe the sides if you are worried but viruses etc can aonly live around 24 hours on a surface anyway so should be fine, much cleaner than taking your baby to softplay areas etc. We just stayed at a self catering apartment which was much easier than a hotel room as far as food etc but if we had gone the route of the hotel I was planning on taking my ricecooker which has a a steamer attachment so I could cook rice, vegies and possibly even steam a little fish in the room. I BF, but would probably suggest taking formula with you if you use it, as I have had friends whose babies had upset tummies with a sudden switch in brands. Fresh fruit and vegies are usually easy to come by. We contemplated buying a little umbrella stroller but ended up taking our big 3 wheeler and am glad we did as the cobbled streets in Copenhagen and steps into shops getting on off the metro etc would have been a nightmare with anything smaller.
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:17
It's funny I'm going through all the same questions as well. We are going to Thailand in less than 2 weeks and it's a 10 day trip so I was wondering about the crib and hygiene etc. Will definitely take my own sheets and sleeping bag and hope for the best! Also, am planning to take several jars/packs for feeding but am hoping I'll be able to get the hotel to steam carrots/potatoes etc as ideally I would prefer to give 1 if not 2 fresh meals as opposed to packaged. I figure mashed fruit for breakfast is easy enough and then steamed veg for lunch or dinner with one packaged meal in between. But I've decided not to worry about it too much as DD will only be 8 months old when we travel and gets most of her nutrition from bm and it's only a matter of 10 days (puts on brave face :) ) BTW we have decided to take our car seat along as in Dubai, Emirates does not provide car seats in their pick-up cars and in Thailand, we have a one hour drive to the resort in Phuket. Do you ladies normally travel with car seats?? Glitzi - if you find a good lightweight stroller, please do let me know - am debating whether I will realistically need one in Thailand.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:12
Thanks granola ;)
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:10
I've done it in a bunch of cities/countries and all of the places have provided pretty good beds - either a cot or a travel cot. I ALWAYS bring my own sheet and blanket - not that they've ever been bad, but sometimes the laundry soap is stronger than mine and I worry about skin allergies. I only bring my travel cot if I drive somewhere and it's still more of a hassle than letting them set something up for you, IMO. Have fun on your holiday!
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:09
Haha Glitzi, it sure is a whole new experience traveling with a baby!!! So much to think about. My next thought process is her food and formula... stock up for our whole trip or chance it and hope I can find some there?
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:06
Shelly, I've got the same problem. We have a short trip to europe planned in August and having difficulty deciding whether we should carry our graco travel cot or not (I think its around 11 kgs) for 8 months old DS. I have checked with the hotel and they are providing a travel cot but was wondering the same hygiene issue. But after reading most replies here, I think it should be fine...i'll probably not carry mine now and just take some bedding. The planning to be done when travelling with a baby is unbelievable- never ending list! I'm also looking into buying a light weight stroller which will be easy to travel with and yes the travel blinds are a must..considering the sunsets can be very late.
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 13:16
Great idea, kiwispiers ;) Thanks! As for the darkness I think I am going to invest in one of those portable black out blinds I've seen in Just Kidding. Can't remember what they're called, but anything will help as DD is used to a very dark room.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 13:14
Ask for a coupe of extra blankets which you can fold up and put on top of the mattress under the sheet as the biggest problem with a portacot is because of the fabric they make a bit more noise when your baby moves around, the first time we used one my then 4 month old kept whacking his feet on the matress just to make the noise :(. The darker the room is the less they will notice the different bed/room, especially with their own sheet and sleeping bag. A white noise app on the iphone never hurts too ;)
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 13:09
Thanks Novice, both places have great reviews (from what I can read on Trip Advisor) and in nice cities/places so it should be fine, like you said. One thing I think I was stressing over too was they say they provide a cot but for some paranoid reason I'm scared to arrive and see a cradle. I have told them DD will be 10 months at the time.
 
 

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