That 鈥渁hh鈥 moment of keying into your hotel room always feels a bit magical as you peek into your novel quarters.
For kids, that wonder-filled moment is magnified.
Ahead, hotel rooms where kids will have oh-so-suite dreams.
Everything is groovy down the shore.
Especially so at the Asbury Hotel, a chic yet family-friendly property in Asbury Park, NJ, just two blocks from the iconic boardwalk.
The Asbury Adventure Camp suite gives kids a taste of camping sans bug bites. Kids will be greeted with a tent (cozy blankets and pillows within), a s鈥檓ores kit, a planetarium projector for ceiling stargazing and a selection of books and games.
This package can be set up in any room type, and there is no additional cost.
Guests can also enjoy a rooftop movie or a dip in the outdoor pool. Year-round, lace up for family bowling night at the property鈥檚 Asbury Lanes, which also hosts live music.
From $260 per night. The Asbury Hotel, 210 Fifth Ave., Asbury Park, NJ
Don鈥檛 make your kids wait for a bar mitzvah invite to visit the Plaza in Midtown. Instead, delight them with an overnight stay in the Eloise Suite.
Designed by fashion royalty Betsey Johnson, the fanciful suite gets its inspiration from Kay Thompson鈥檚 famed 1955 tome, 鈥淓loise,鈥 about a girl who resides at the Plaza hotel.
Guests will enter a world of pink and white, complete with a neon sign above the bed, a welcome letter from the titular character herself, some sweet treats and pink lemonade. Guests can also read books from the 鈥淓loise鈥 series, play with themed dolls and sport Eloise-inspired clothing, including a gift bag containing an 鈥淓loise鈥 tote and sweatshirt.
From $1,895 per night. The Plaza, 768 Fifth Ave.
Brick house
Head northwest from NYC about 90 minutes and you鈥檒l arrive at Legoland, Orange County鈥檚 crown jewel for kids. The theme park has a heck of a hotel on its grounds too. Rooms for a family of four come inclusive of Legoland park tickets and free breakfast, but youngsters may not even want to leave the room thanks to a designated sleeping area for kids with an entertainment center, bunk bed and pull-out trundle, Lego bricks and an in-room treasure hunt activity.
Each room has a special Lego theme that visitors can select at booking 鈥 Kingdom, Pirate, Lego, Ninjago or Lego Friends.
The hotel also has a seasonal resort-style pool and nightly kids entertainment.
From $546 per night. Legoland New York Resort, 1 Legoland Blvd., Goshen, NY
Nights on Broadway
Post up Simba-style at 鈥淭he Lion King鈥檚鈥 Royal Suite at the Hilton in Times Square and enjoy a slice of Pride Rock in the concrete jungle. The one-bedroom deluxe suite is brimming with nods to 鈥淭he Lion King鈥 on Broadway, such as large woven basket art, plants reminiscent of Africa鈥檚 plains and hand-painted Rafiki-inspired patterns on furnishings.
鈥淎laddin鈥 aficionado? Book the 鈥淎laddin鈥 suite for a chance to experience your very own Agrabah.
Both suites sleep up to four with a king bed and pullout sofa, and in either one you鈥檒l be a stone鈥檚 throw away from the two famed Broadway shows to complete your Disney-themed jaunt.
From $399 per night. Hilton New York Times Square, 234 W. 42nd St.
Find your pack
Great Wolf Lodge鈥檚 eagerly anticipated outpost in Mashantucket, Conn., just opened, so now is the time to snag a stay for you and yours at this year-round indoor water park that鈥檚 kid-friendly in every way.
The Wolf Den sleeps up to six guests, with a queen bed, full sofa sleeper and a decorated 鈥淲olf Den,鈥 where the kiddos can find R&R before the next day鈥檚 activities.
Or, opt for a KidCabin Suite, which sleeps up to seven people, with a designated clubhouse sleeping area with sporty decor.
At the Lodge, on top of the 91,000-square-foot water park, there鈥檚 also an indoor ropes course, mini golf and an arcade, plus culinary options running the gamut from pizza and burgers to ice cream and sweet delights.
From $199 per night. Great Wolf Lodge, 201 Rainmaker Drive, Mashantucket, Conn.