family hotel - Pitstops for Kids

Boston with kids: Royal Sonesta Boston review

September 19, 2019 By Amy Hagstrom

See and explore Boston from a new perspective, and stay on the Cambridge side! We recently checked out the Royal Sonesta Boston, which offers fantastic Charles River and Boston downtown views while being just a quick car, Uber or T ride from everything you want to do with kids in Boston, from Duck Boats to the Museum of Science to the Boston Children’s Museum!

Royal Sonesta Boston review:

What makes the Royal Sonesta Boston so great for families? First up, it’s located right on the Charles River, and you can step outside and be immediately on a pedestrian path to glimpse the boats and city views. You’re near the red line of the T, too, and there’s plenty of local dining.

Secondly, the pool! The Royal Sonesta has one of the best indoor atrium pools in the city, with views and a bright interior. I love that it’s covered because even in summer, Boston can be temperamental weather-wise. I do wish they also had a hot tub by the pool, but they do have a well-stocked fitness room.

Thirdly, there are plenty of on-site dining choices for when you’ve had a long day in Boston and are ready to stay in. There’s a grab-and-go style cafe and coffee shop serving Starbucks, and in-room dining. There are two full-service restaurants as well. The patio at Royal Sonesta’s Art Bar is our pick…it’s the perfect place to end the day. Their indoor seating has a sleek, modern vibe and is fun, too. At the Art Bar, you have to try the crab cakes and the scallops, and they make wonderful cocktails for the grown-ups.

Lastly, room rates at the Royal Sonesta start at under $200 per night. You can’t do much better even at an airport hotel! You’re getting $400-$600/night views for a family-friendly price in Cambridge.

Rooms:

We stayed in a 450-square-foot suite, which had a large living space, table and chairs, and divided bedroom area with amazing city views, but downgrading to a regular room is still roomy at as much as 250 square feet, and you get to keep the views (and pick from two queens or one king). WiFi was fast and free and easy to log into, and the bathroom amenities were high end. All in all, I felt I was getting a great value for the price (and even coming out ahead) at the Royal Sonesta.

You’re in walking distance of the T, you can easily access Harvard Square, and the river views are amazing. Kids will love watching the Duck Boats go by on the hour! Don’t forget about that indoor pool!

Check out more things to do in Boston!

Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

October 17, 2012 By Amy Hagstrom

From the outside, the Ramkota Hotel, a Best Western Plus property, looks like just about any other large-scale interstate-adjacent motor inn. Once inside, visitors immediately know there’s more to it: the Ramkota delivers big on the extras travelers with kids need, such as a full-scale restaurant (and bar, just saying) and large year-round indoor water park facility and seasonal outdoor pool.

Let’s get right to the good part: Ramkota’s water park sits in the center of the hotel’s ‘H’ shaped wings in a large indoor space that–amazingly–does not smell strongly or chlorine. You get a large free-form pool with a zero-depth entry, small water slide, and fun lilly-pad crossing, a hot tub, and a deeper pool with a water basketball hoop and much larger tube slide. Best of all, families can reserve a room (on either the first or second floor) that opens right out on the the water park. Parents can easily sit and watch older kids from near their doorway, and it’s a very short walk back to the room for families with younger children. The facility is not on a grand scale by any means, but is a huge jump up from your average indoor pool. If you’re planning to stop along I-90 in or near Sioux Falls with kids in any season, the Ramkota’s water features make it the obvious choice (and in the dead of winter, it’s especially a no-brainer).

Note: There is no lifeguard on duty at the pool. Please be sure to supervise your children.

Other amenities: You can’t sleep in the pool, but Ramkota’s standard rooms are spacious, comfortable, and clean, which is all you need when road tripping with kids. Each guest room does feature a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave, making it easy to make and keep food fresh. Suites are available as well, with full kitchenettes in either one or two bedroom layouts. Extended stay rooms are also on-property.

The Ramkota has a business center and a very helpful front desk staff, as well as complimentary wifi so you can get some work done if needed (or set the kids up with Netflix on your computer while waiting to swim in the mornings). There’s also an adequate, yet small, exercise facility adjacent to the indoor water park. The Ramkota lacks a free breakfast, but does have a kid-friendly restaurant. (If you read Pit Stops for Kids’ hotel reviews regularly, you know that a road trip-friendly hotel without a free breakfast is often a deal-breaker for me, but in this case, the indoor water park trumps all.)

If you plan to stay a day or two in the area, there are several family-friendly attractions within minutes of the hotel, including a nice selection of free things to do in Sioux Falls. If you need to get back on the road, you’d better wait until at least check-out time to let your kids fully enjoy the pools!

Date last visited:

August 2012

Distance from the interstate:

Right off I-90.

Room rates:

Rates for a standard room at the time of my visit started at . This is a Best Western Plus, so consider becoming a member of Best Western Rewards, and also ask for AAA discounts. Roll-away beds are available (and the rooms are spacious enough that you won’t be tripping on it if you ask for one). The Ramkota also has a nice kids’ club to make return visits more fun.

Directions:

The Ramkota is located at 3200 West Maple Street, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Parking is free, and an airport shuttle service is available.

As I disclose whenever applicable, I experienced the Ramkota on a hosted stay. While the Ramkota’s hospitality is appreciated, it came with no expectations of a positive review.