Best Value and Room Size, Embassy Suites
The Embassy Suites offer exceptional value, no matter which of the 200 properties you stay in.  Prices are very competitive, especially when you consider what you get with your room rate.  Their hallmark is a free breakfast-buffet each morning and a complimentary cocktail reception every evening. The breakfast is hearty and includes eggs cooked-to-order and fresh fruit, so hungry kids can fill up on healthy options.  In the late afternoon, parents can enjoy wine, beer or a cocktail, while kids sip a soft drink.  Substantial snacks will tide everyone over until suppertime.  The accommodations are all two-room suites, with a separate bedroom and living room.  You can always expect three sinks, a foldout coach, 2 flat screen televisions, a fridge and microwave.  This large space will prove invaluable, whether you are traveling with a sleepy baby or stay-up-late teen.  Cribs, high chairs and other baby gear are available.

Coolest Amenities, Kimpton
The Palomar and Monaco hotels are part of the Kimpton chain.  My kids love staying here, in no small part thanks to the Guppy Love program, which offers guest an in-room goldfish for the duration of their stay.  Little kids may borrow mini-sized animal print terry bathrobes. Other perks include cribs, high chairs, childproofing kits with outlet covers and nightlights, booster seats, hula-hoops in the fitness room and a free evening wine and soft drinks reception with yummy snacks.  Dogs are truly welcomed, with amenities like doggie beds, food and water bowls and treats, with no extra charge or cleaning fee. The Palomar hotels are in the moderate price range, while the Monaco properties are more budget-minded.

Best Caribbean All-Inclusive, Beaches
There are many all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean, and the pay-one-price option offers families the chance to engage in a variety of activities, without experiencing sticker shock when it comes time to pay the bill.  Beaches stands out, thanks to its comprehensive childcare program, included in the price of your stay.  Beaches three resorts in Jamaica and one in Turks and Caicos are all Oceanfront properties with childcare options for infants to teens.  If you are traveling with an infant or toddler, certified nannies mind your little one.  Babies have their own separate, sparkling clean facility, with everything perfectly pint-sized.  The baby-nanny ratio is two-to-one, so your infant will get loads of personal attention.  School-aged kids, tweens and teens have their own age-specific programs, all supervised by pros. Flexible scheduling means you can tailor the service to suit your exact needs.  The prices at Beaches offer competitive value when compared with other all-inclusive resorts, but of course, a Caribbean vacation is not cheap.

Best for Creative Kids, James Hotels
The James Hotels cater to kids with an artistic bent with the Lil’ James program.  This small luxury chain has high-end boutique properties in New York, Miami and Chicago.  They have recently partnered with Kiwi Crate to inspire creative kids while away from home.  Each young guest is presented with a backpack filled with innovative art supplies. The James also provides young guests with kid-sized bikes and helmets, pre-loaded iPads and Kindles with kid friendly books and apps, baby bathtubs, milk and cookies at bedtime, classic board games and much more.  The Miami property has a dedicated indoor/outdoor space designed in partnership with Miami Children’s Museum, filled with kid-sized artist easels, activity tables and sand and water play stations, as well as complimentary snacks and water.

Best for Parents who Travel Light, Loews
Each branch of this mid-sized, mid-priced chain has a full lending library of Fisher-Price gear.  Parents can borrow equipment like potties, playpens, baby swings, toys and more.  Kids are welcomed with a Fisher-Price gift at check-in.  The chain-wide Family Concierge Program assures a trained staff member will be on hand at each Loews hotel to give advice regarding local attractions and resources for families.

Best Meal Deal, Holiday Inn
This ubiquitous, budget-friendly chain always gives kids 12 and under a free children’s meal at the on-site restaurant when an adult orders a meal.  This can prove to be a real money saver and there are always kid-approved choices.  There has been a recent chain-wide makeover that includes high-end bed linens and upgraded bath products at all Holiday Inns.

Best Check-in Amenities, Omni
Kids are treated like special guests from the moment they arrive with the Onmi Sensational Kids program.  When they check-in, children receive a backpack crammed with maps, games, crayons, a magnifying glass and many more treats, all for keeps.  Milk and cookies are delivered to your room on your first night.  Mid-priced Omni locations in San Francisco, Texas, Boston and Mount Washington, New Hampshire all have Kid’s Fantasy Suites.  They feature special kid bedding plus a connecting room for the parents and includes beanbag chairs, an art table, books, games and toys.

Best Resorts to Unplug, Marriott Caribbean & Mexico Resorts
If you and your kids have trouble unplugging from your cell phones, iPads and other electronic gadgets, try a digital detox at one of the luxurious Marriott Caribbean & Mexico Resorts.  These exclusive resorts offer Braincation Zones.  The Braincation zones will operate on the honor system and signs indicating an electronics-free environment will encourage guests to disconnect, relax and enjoy peaceful reading, conversation or other tech-free pursuits. 

Best Extended Stay Hotel, Residence Inn by Marriott
Residence Inn hotels cater to extended stay guests, but many families find these types of accommodations comfortable even for short stays.  Rooms are large and have kitchens with microwaves and full-sized refrigerators.  You can do some serious cooking, as they provide free grocery delivery.  All Residence Inns have free Wi-Fi and hot breakfast each morning.  If you are traveling with an infant or toddler, the Tots Travel Too program is a winner.  You will have access to a travel crib, outlet covers, nightlight, baby toiletries, disposable bibs and bath toys that you may take home, all included in your modest room rate.

Best Budget Motel Chain if you Travel with your Pet, Red Roof Inn
Many hotels and motels allow pets in-room, but there is often a steep cleaning fee involved. At the Red Roof Inn, one pet per room stays absolutely free, unless the location prohibits it by local ordinance.  Nearly all of the 350 properties welcome pets.  Many wallet-friendly Red Roof motels have been recently revamped as part of the NextGen program. New bedding, Wireless Internet, flat screen televisions and rain-flow showerheads have been added to all rooms.  Cribs are available and coffee, tea and hot chocolate are free round-the-clock.