HoJo Kids Suites:: What do YOU want?

[LTBaby]

What I would like to see are:
- step stool in bathroom
- non-slip bathtub and bathroom flooring

Chereya

Chereya,
I really love the ideas above... the step stool in kids bathroom and non-slip bathtub & flooring...
GREAT ideas!

[M8E2MOM]

All of the suggestions are really great. I would only add that a full-sized refrigerator with freezer (for gallons of milk, bottles of water, snacks, ice bags, etc...) and a counter area with chairs/stools for preparing snacks and feeding the kids would be great! You could always mount the microwave and a few open storage shelves (for dry goods) above the counter area to maximize the space.

I really can't see the need for dvd's or game consoles since most people will spend the majority of their time across the street in DL or down at the new Pirate water play area and jacuzzi. I agree with a previous poster that it may be more effort to keep track of those items not wandering away than it would be good to have them. Maybe the giftshop could "rent" them to a room, if needed? My kids would be happy just to watch a little disneychannel in the morning before leaving for the parks.

[Gidget]

I'm REALLY excited to hear that Ho Jo are introducing kids Suites.

I have 3 children, currently aged 12, 7 and 6 and we're planning a Disney Vacation for January 2010. Ho Jo already have a great location and many great amenities and activities but I've been reluctant to book here because other hotels have kids suites and complimentary breakfasts.

Firstly, I love the idea of a King bed in the parents room and a bathroom in each room!

Things I'd like to see
[*]Disney themed kids room ... pirate themes are great but when you've got young girls in the party, they're not over enthusiastic, whereas both girls and boys (and Mums and Dads) love Mickey and friends.
[*]Kids table and chairs in the kids room ... have an area for them to sit at and draw or entertain themselves. Beanbags (saves room compared to sofas) to sit on and watch TV.
[*]TV set in both rooms ... Disney channel should be all that the kids need to entertain themselves if you're spending most of your time at the parks. DVD, playstations and Wii's could be available for hire at the concierge or set up a kids arcade room with games etc to entertain them, rather than having them in each individual room. If you want to put some activities into the kids room, how about colouring books/pencils, pack of cards, kids books or some simple board games.
[*]Decent sized fridge, microwave and toaster with a dining table with 6 chairs and a set of basic plates, cups, bowls and cutlery. Since Ho Jo don't offer a complimentary breakfast, having the equipment in the Kids Suite would enable us to have a simple breakfast before we leave which would save on costs.
[*]Bathrooms - non-slip bath in the kids bathroom but the parents need only a shower. Either a low-style basin in the kids bathroom or as previously suggested a step-stool so kids can reach the basin when brushing their teeth. Kids bathroom could have an Ariel theme.

Do you expect the Kids Suites to be finished in the next 15 months?

Aussie Mum

[JadeDarkStar]

i agree that a full size fridge would be grate id plan two week trip and stay there and ya i could live with that hehe save money on food for sure
PS. I would need a bath in each bathroom lol i love my bubble baths.

[3crazycats]

I haven't yet been to your hotel, but I have heard so many wonderful things about it that I am considering it for a fall/winter 2009 visit. I can tell you that having a reasonably-priced kids suite would definately cause me to use your hotel!

I have one quick suggestion - I really like how the DLR hotels have a pack'n'play standard in each room. My kid are too big now, but for someone traveling via plane with an infant... what a great feature!

[munchkinsmom]

We’ve been staying at the HOJO since early 2004. We love being in the King Suite when it's available (a special shout-out to Esther from Housekeeping on the 7th floor). Unfortunately for us (but fantastic for the hotel) we’ve haven’t been able to book the suite because of its popularity, so we are absolutely THRILLED to hear that you will be adding more suites to your hotel.

Our children are ages 7 and 5 now.

I love the king bed/bunk bed/sofa bed idea with two bedrooms. Here are some amenities to consider for the rooms:

Enough closet space and drawers to accommodate the six people staying in the room.
High quality, sturdy sofa bed (Paradise Pier’s suite at the DLR has a really nice one)
Microwave
Fridge
Sink (outside of bathroom, ideally near the microwave and fridge)
Small storage area for food (similar to King Suite but not as big)
Eating area (dining table)
More electrical outlets w/ easier accessibility (using kid-safe electrical outlet covers)
Built-in potty seat on toilet for little ones
TV in each room (DVD optional, but not necessary)
More elbow room in the bathrooms (especially when bathing children in the tub)
Bigger shower space for adults in the “adult bathroom”
Bigger towel rugs for the bathroom floor
Desk for computer/internet access
More TV channel options to choose from for the kids (we can only watch so much of the video of Walt Disney introducing Miss Tencentenial around the park, LOL)

Thoughts regarding room theme: Not all kids are into pirates, princesses, or cartoon characters. If the hotel wants the rooms to appeal to all who stay there, the rooms should be more neutral in its theme and based its design on the room color palate and furniture style. If a theme HAD to be chosen, I’d say the retro vibe/feel that the hotel is promoting in its marketing would be a good option to carry into the kid suites.

Thanks for asking for our input! We can’t wait to see what you have in store!

[JadeDarkStar]

maybe like 10 rooms pirates,10 mickey and Minnie, and then the other 13 (i think you said 33 lol) be nutral for ppl not in to pirates? (hay its just an idea so every one gets what they want or something?

[Katprint]

With regard to themes, some Princesses might be good. Some boys like princesses better than pirates, including my 5 year old son who is pretty much in love with several of the princesses but is kind of frightened by pirates (unlike his younger 3 year old brother.) Maybe you could offer various room themes i.e. Mickey, Minnie, Pirates, Princesses, Tinkerbell, plus several neutral rooms. People could express their preference.

I vote in favor of having a DVD player in the room. When my kids are over-excited after a day at Disneyland, watching a familiar movie on TV (particularly while lying in bed) helps them calm down and relax so they can fall asleep. If HoJo had a DVD rental kiosk in the gift shop, like http://www.redbox.com/home.aspx for example, but definitely something heavy on Disney movies, that would be perfect.

[Gidget]

Just another thought regarding the kids Bunk beds. To have a double bed on the bottom and a single on the top would alleviate the need for a pull-out twin sleeper. The bunk bed would then accommodate 3 children.

AussieMum

[Jenn1116]

I'm doin' a pirate boogie right now in my work cubie

I do hope the rooms are done by October 09!

I think the nightlight in the kids bathroom is a great idea! Maybe some glow-in the dark stars along the border of the ceiling in the kids room?

And I'm all for neutral adult room, and bright kid's room. Will they have their own tv in their room?