• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • TravelingDad

Traveling Mom

Traveling tips, deals, info from moms and families

  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • ROAD TRIPS ACROSS THE USA
    • ROAD TRIP PLANNER
    • ILLINOIS ROAD TRIPS
    • TEXAS ROAD TRIPS
    • GEORGIA ROAD TRIPS
    • CALIFORNIA ROAD TRIPS
    • NORTHEAST ROAD TRIPS
    • MIDWEST ROAD TRIPS
  • Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
    • US Cities
      • New York City
      • Chicago
      • Los Angeles
      • Orlando
      • San Diego
      • San Francisco
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Outdoors
    • Skiing
    • National Parks
    • RV/Camping
    • Beaches
  • Travel Resources
    • Babies and Toddlers
    • Free Things to Do
    • Packing
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Ticket
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Grandparents
    • Cruising
    • TravelingDad
  • Search
  • COVID-19
  • Road Trips
    • Road Trips Across the USA
    • Road Trip Planner
    • Illinois Road Trips
    • Texas Road Trips
    • Georgia Road Trips
    • California Road Trips
    • Northeast Road Trips
    • Midwest Road Trips
  • US National Parks
  • RV and Camping
  • Beaches
  • Disney
    • Disneyland
    • Walt Disney World
    • Disney Worldwide
    • Disney Cruise
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
  • Cruises
  • Skiing
  • Free Things to Do
  • Traveling with Babies and Toddlers
  • Traveling Grandparents
  • TravelingDad
  • US Destinations
    • Northeast
    • Southeast
    • East Coast
    • Midwest
    • South
    • Southwest
    • Northwest
    • West
  • US Cities
    • NYC
    • Chicago
    • Los Angeles
    • Orlando
    • San Diego
    • San Francisco
  • International
  • Travel Resources
    • Book A Trip
    • Discount Attractions Tickets
    • Discount Disney World Tickets
    • Discount Universal Tickets
    • Packing
  • Contact Us
  • About Us

Mobile Menu

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
You are here: Home / Family Vacation Ideas / Family Vacation Ideas in the Southeast USA / What’s a Sonesta Hotel?
If you've come across the Sonesta brand and are wondering what's a Sonesta hotel, the chain is worth taking a closer look.
Photo credit: Sarah Pittard/ Solo Traveling Mom

What’s a Sonesta Hotel?

September 22, 2016 //  by Sarah Pittard//  Leave a Comment

FacebookTweetPin1LinkedInShare1

Like most parents, TravelingMoms sometimes book last minute via online booking sites like Hotwire and Priceline. Recently, using a blind booking site, this TravelingMom ended up staying at a hotel chain she had never heard of: Sonesta Hotels. Read on to find out exactly what’s a Sonesta Hotel; why the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head was exactly what she needed for a break from the South Carolina heat; and why it may be the perfect fit for your next family vacation.

If you've come across the Sonesta brand and are wondering what's a Sonesta hotel, the chain is worth taking a closer look.
View of the outside of the Sonesta Hotel Philadelphia. Photo Credit: Sonesta Hotels
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

On a recent trip, my sister, a mom of an infant, and myself, a mother of 2 kids under 8, made an epic mistake: We booked a rental house in August in South Carolina with no access to a pool.

For the first few days, we tried to hide the fact that we were literally melting in the 104 degree weather, but the kids quickly caught on to how hot it actually was outside. We did what any quick thinking TravelingMoms would do and hightailed it to the nearest ocean side resort town: Hilton Head, SC.

With no time to lose, we used a booking site to find us the best deal with the only criteria being that the hotel had a pool. Within seconds, we were booked at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. Which brought up a very important question; What’s a Sonesta hotel?

Sonesta Hotels

Until I learned we were staying at one, I had never heard of a Sonesta Hotel. Quick research told me that the chain originated in a tiny seaside town in Massachusetts. Some of the properties once owned by Sonesta include the Plaza Hotel in New York, Whitehall in Palm Beach, the Hotel Cleveland. The chain currently owns 66 properties in 9 countries.

Is a Sonesta Hotel Family-Friendly?

Once I had booked the hotel, I reviewed the photos of a gorgeous hotel pool, beautiful grounds, and modern rooms and wondered if the hotel would be family-friendly?

If you've come across the Sonesta brand and are wondering what's a Sonesta hotel, the chain is worth taking a closer look.
The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Zero Entry Pool is perfect for small children. Photo Credit: Sonesta Hotels

Upon arrival, my worries were squashed as the staff welcomed our kids with smiles and a quick tour of the kid-friendly aspects of the property. Within minutes of our check-in, they also sent a free and in great condition crib to our room, for our youngest family member, 5 month-old Sawyer.

As our glorious 24 hour Sonesta hotel stay passed, I learned exactly how kid-friendly the Sonesta was. Expect a lot of smiles, tons of healthy and delicious kid-food options, and for your kids to be treated with the utmost kindness. I also loved that the staff was constantly joking around with my kids. This made the hotel feel like a home away from home for them.

Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island

I wanted to share a little more about the actual Sonesta we visited: the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island. Tucked away in a private community along the ocean shore, the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head is perfect for a seaside escape from the heat.  Just off the Cross Island Parkway near the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront resort, it is quick to access even on the days where the infamous Hilton Head traffic is backed up along the main roads.

The hotel has two pools and beach access. The larger pool has a beach-entry with playful fountains perfect for smaller children. Take advantage of numerous sun chairs with pull-down shades at no extra cost. Unlike other beach hotels, we had no issues finding chairs, and our littlest traveler was able to nap on a comfortable circular sun-bed with a pull-down shade.

If you've come across the Sonesta brand and are wondering what's a Sonesta hotel, the chain is worth taking a closer look.
Photo credit: Sarah Pittard 

The second pool is actually a shade pool, which as a mother of a red-head, I truly appreciated. Completely out of the sun, the pool doesn’t heat up too much in the summer heat. By mid-day, most kids head over to continue swimming without worrying about sunscreen.

The grounds are well-kept with an adorable pond filled with friendly turtles.

If you've come across the Sonesta brand and are wondering what's a Sonesta hotel, the chain is worth taking a closer look.
Photo credit: Sarah Pittard 

The ocean is steps away and the hotel provides towels and sells wake boards and fun flotation toys for a day at the beach.

The Sonesta Hotel Rooms

A normal guest room provided plenty of space for our group even with a crib in the room. The rooms were well soundproofed. We actually choose to have dinner in the room since it was so comfortable. There was a large shower and bathroom area and a fridge big enough to store breakfast food and snacks.

If you've come across the Sonesta brand and are wondering what's a Sonesta hotel, the chain is worth taking a closer look.
The Sonesta Resort Hilton Head’s large rooms leave a lot of space for families to stretch out. Photo Credit: Sonesta Hotels

Hotel Activities

We found plenty of things do to at the hotel during our stay. We attended a turtle feeding during the day. At sunset, we watched a “Dive-In” showing of Aladdin while floating on rafts in the pool. We even hung out in the lobby enjoying snacks and listening to a talented singer who invited all the kids to dance in front of the stage.

Finding More Sonesta Properties

As we drove North on our way home from our time in South Carolina, I funnily came across another Sonesta in Philadelphia. It was not a search engine that lead me to the hotel but a visit to the popular rooftop attraction, the One Liberty Observation Deck. From up high, I spotted a gorgeous rooftop pool with bright umbrellas and what looked like tables for chilling champagne. I asked a guide what hotel it was and smiled as he casually said “the Sonesta”.

If you come across the name and like I was are asking yourself “What’s a Sonesta?” take it from me, the Sonesta chain is definitely worth checking out.

whatsasonestahotel

FacebookTweetPin1LinkedInShare1

Category: Family Vacation Ideas in the Southeast USA

You May Also Like

  • Things to do in Southwest DC with family - taek in the view at sunset
    Canopy by Hilton Review: Hip, New Lifestyle Hotel in Washington DC
  • Find out why this castle-themed hotel near Disneyland in Anaheim is perfect for your Disney vacation!
    Hotel Review: Anaheim Majestic Garden Hotel Near Disneyland
  • Expecting average and finding stylish excellence in a hotel boosts travel experiences exponentially. The Springfield Missouri Hotel Vandivort does just so.
    Hotel Review: Expect SOHO-style Chic Hotel Vandivort, Springfield, Missouri
  • If you like to feel like royalty, choose a Westminster luxury hotel. The Conrad London St. James, a scone's throw from Buckingham Palace, is just right.
    Westminster Luxury Hotel Stay: Conrad London St. James
  • Illuminated headboard in the Magic Wizard themed room at the LEGOLAND Castle Hotel
    LEGOLAND Castle Hotel: Everything You NEED to Know
  • hotel lobby coworking space hyatt house austin texas
    Hotel Business Travel: Best Hotel Tips and Habits of Business Travelers
Previous Post: «Lime Kiln State Park for kids, San Juan Island for families, family-friendly Washington Getaways, San Juan Island: Washington Getaway for Families
Next Post: 24 hours on Chincoteague Island- trust the locals The leader of the group leading his herd back into the woods on Chincoteague Island.»

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Ask Us!
  • Privacy & Terms
  • Manage Push Notifications
  • Site Admin

Copyright © 2021 Traveling Mom ยท All Rights Reserved