A parent’s guide to comparing hotel kids’ clubs: age ranges, staff ratios, costs, sign-out rules and the questions to ask before you book.

Most standard hotel rooms cap at four guests. Six practical booking strategies for a family of five, with the costs and trade-offs of each option.

What to book, request, pack and inspect for a first hotel stay with a baby, from safe cribs and real fridges to quiet rooms and bedtime setup.