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If you’ve ever tried booking a hotel with more than two kids, you know the pain. You plug in “2 adults, 3 kids” and the site cheerfully replies with:
❌ “Please book two rooms” or ❌ “Max occupancy: 4.”
Sometimes it even shows “no availability” when you know rooms exist, it just won’t tell you that you need a suite or a second room.
That’s why I quietly love IHG for family travel. Not because it’s flashy or influencer-trendy, but because it’s practical. Think suite-style brands with kitchens (Staybridge Suites, some Candlewood, and Holiday Inn Club Vacations), free-breakfast workhorses (Holiday Inn Express), and a wide spread of midscale to luxury options (Hotel Indigo, voco, Kimpton, InterContinental) so you can match the right property to your trip and budget.
In this guide, I’ll help you cut through the “Max 4” confusion and zero in on what actually fits a family of five (or more), which brands typically need a 1–2 bedroom suite, when a sofa bed + rollaway/crib will work, and where strict city fire codes mean you should book a family room or connecting rooms from the start. I’ll also flag the little things that make big differences for parents—free breakfast, kitchenettes, laundry, and on-site parking—plus notes for booking with points or certificates when that’s on your radar.
This is a mom-tested roadmap to picking the best IHG hotel for your family’s needs. Start with the “How to Fit Five” tips, then dive into our region-by-region picks with clear occupancy guidance so you can book once and sleep well.
If you’re new to using points with IHG, my Beginner’s Guide walks through how families can get started, and my IHG Points 101 breakdown explains how to redeem for free nights without stress.
IHG Brand Guide for Families (Beginner-Friendly)
| Tier | Best For | Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Budget / Practical Family Value | Free breakfast, easy road trip stops | Holiday Inn Express, Holiday Inn |
| Suite-Style (Best for 5+) Sleeps 5+ | Kitchens and space to spread out | Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations |
| Midscale / Stylish | Fun decor and walkable locations | Hotel Indigo, Voco |
| Premium | Nicer amenities and pools | Crowne Plaza, Kimpton |
| Luxury Special Trip | Special trips | InterContinental, Regent, Six Senses |
If you’re traveling with multiple kids, start your search in Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, or Candlewood Suites. And I will tell you, I stayed at a Holiday Inn in an out-of-the-way location once, and I swear the bed was softer than at some of the luxury properties I’ve stayed at.
Best IHG Hotels for Families — Organized by Region
Family-Friendly IHG Picks by Region
Tap a region to expand. Cards are clickable and mobile-friendly. Print or save as PDF for trip planning.
- Target suite brands (Staybridge, some HICV) and pick 1–2 BR or “family” units that explicitly list 5+ guests.
- Read occupancy on the booking page (not just bed count). Fire codes often cap standard rooms at 4.
- Confirm sleep surfaces: sofa bed size (full vs. queen), number of queens, and whether rollaway/crib is allowed in that room type.
- Ask for connecting rooms if a suite isn’t available; request it in writing—some hotels will guarantee connecting for families.
- Big-city caution: NYC/Boston/Europe frequently enforce stricter caps (often 2–3/4). Book a family room or suite there.
- Email the hotel with your names/ages and room type to confirm occupancy & extra-bed policies; save the reply.
- On points? Verify if suites are bookable with points/certificates and whether any resort fees apply.
West Tap to toggle
Most standard rooms sleep 4. For 5, book a suite or confirm rollaway/crib is allowed.
Staybridge often has 1–2 BR options; 1-BR may list 4–5, 2-BR often 6–8. Candlewood varies (studios often 2–4). HICV has condo-style units.
Boutique rooms typically sleep 2–4; plan on suites or two rooms for 5.
Most standard rooms list 2–4. For 5, book a suite that clearly lists 5+ or add a permitted extra bed.
Standard categories often cap at 2–4. Look for 1-BR/2-BR suites or “family” units for 5+.
Midwest Tap to toggle
Typical HIE/HI standard rooms = 4. Suites or specific room types may fit 5+.
Staybridge 1–2 BR often fits 5–6+. Candlewood studios/1-BR commonly 2–4 (check listing).
Expect 2–4 in most standard rooms; suites may be limited depending on the property.
Standard rooms = 2–4; select a named suite for 5+ where available.
Most standard rooms cap at 2–4; confirm a 1–2 BR suite or family room for 5+.
South Tap to toggle
Standard = 4. Some suite categories may fit 5+; confirm rollaway/crib rules.
Staybridge 1–2 BR commonly 5–6+. HICV 1-BR ≈ 4 and 2-BR ≈ 6 (book 2-BR for 5+).
Plan on 2–4 in standard rooms; suites may be limited by property.
Most standard rooms = 2–4; choose a suite that lists 5+ for families of five.
Standard categories often 2–4; look for family rooms or suites for 5+.
Northeast Tap to toggle
Standard = 4. NYC/Boston properties are especially strict; confirm any extra bed policy.
NYC Staybridge/Candlewood may still cap some categories at 4—book a suite that explicitly lists 5+.
Boutique rooms typically 2–4; families of five usually need a suite or second room.
Standard = 2–4. Suites/family categories are best bets for 5.
Standard often 2–4. NYC/Boston frequently require suites for 5+.
International Tap to toggle
Standard rooms often 2–3/4 in Europe; verify family categories for 5.
Suite brands abroad can vary—confirm a 1–2 BR that lists 5+ guests.
Boutique city rooms skew smaller (2–3/4). Suites or connecting rooms are safer for 5.
Standard = 2–3/4; confirm suites or family units for 5+.
Luxury standards often cap at 2–3/4; many families will need a suite or 2-BR.
Final Thought: IHG Isn’t Always Flashy, But It Works for Real Families
I’ll always love a beautiful luxury stay, but when I’ve got multiple kids, a suitcase full of snacks, and a 7:00 a.m. wake-up call, I’m just not going to care about the fancy chandeliers.
I’m looking for:
- Value and ease
- Breakfast that buys me 45 minutes of peace and protects the budget
- A kitchen so we’re not trapped eating out every meal
That’s what IHG does really well.
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