Traveling with all the kid gear is tough enough.  Finding a quick, affordable solution to jet-lagged hunger - especially with multiple appetites - is added misery.  Instead of late-night room service, or a plastic packet of blah, we've found another solution that has worked for us everywhere we've been so far: if possible, find a hotel room or apartment with a small, ensuite kitchen. 

What it (sometimes) removes from the charm, a kitchen adds in peace-of-mind, as well as savings.  Real Simple recently noted, "Even if you have to pay a bit more for the accommodations, you’ll easily save money by not taking your family out for breakfast ($5 a person), lunch ($10), and dinner ($15)."

The Hotel Henri IV in Paris was one of my favorites - its closet kitchen was amazing in terms of how much was packed into a small space.  We were able to warm up a snack, store drinks (many rooms have [...]More