Some hotel chains have discounts up to 50% on the second room if you are travelling with children.
I have looked closely at these, especially with Accor and Marriot, and how to obtain them.
They are often difficult to find, complicated and confusing to book.
Are they worth the effort?
Accor Group
Applicable at certain hotels in some chains: Sofitel. Sofitel Legend, MGallery, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Ibis, Ibis Styles, Movenpick, Pullman, Rixos Family holidays | all.accor.com
50% off second room for children in the second room - age limitations that vary by hotel. The discount additionally applies to breakfast. Discount is applied to the flexible rate. Benefit can apply to up to 6 rooms.
No guarantee that the rooms are connecting, adjoining or nearby.
Difficult to see availability online as not possible to request rooms without adults and hotels often unsure.
Marriot
Applicable to 720 properties in Europe, Middle East and Africa - search page here: Get 50% off your second room - Marriott Bonvoyâ„¢ EMEA
Second room must be occupied by children under 16 and must be an accompanying adult on the reservation. No guarantee rooms are connecting.
Promotional code is ZJ5. The offer is visible without under Deals and Packages. Using ZJ5 can help find out if the hotel might offer that rate on different dates to which you are searching. Can apply to up to 10 rooms.
Need to book at the full flexible rate, and the confirmation will show the non-discounted rate. The hotel then applies the discount at check-in once checked there are children in the party. This really decreases confidence in the booking process that you have to turn up to a hotel with a confirmation that says something else. I'd recommend calling ahead, or emailing the hotel so they are clear in advance of your arrival to save any check-in complications.
How could these offers be better?
Other hotel chains also dip into this type of offer - it has been seen on a limited basis with Hyatt and Hilton. This is definitely a case of calling a few hotels on your shortlist to talk through if you are unsure.
These hotel offers are hard to request availability online, have really varied applications so hard to see the benefits, and only apply against flexible rates so the discount may be small or even cost more versus using other offer rates.
The user-friendly online solution would be to introduce average room rates on the initial search depending on the total adult/child combination, but this looks beyond the scope of IT systems or will currently.