10 Hotels Where Kids Stay Free & How to Maximize Your Rewards at Each

The memories you make on family vacations are priceless — but the cost certainly isn’t. The good news? Many hotels offer “kids stay free” promotions that make traveling with little ones a whole lot easier on your wallet. Better yet, pair those deals with the right travel rewards credit card, and you could rack up points to score an even sweeter deal — maybe even a free stay!

By choosing the right hotels with family-friendly promotions, you can unlock significant savings for your family vacation. In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the best kids-stay-free options, along with which rewards travel credit card rewards that can make your trip even more affordable.

Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn properties are designed specifically for families, offering comfortable accommodations, kid-friendly dining options, and family-oriented amenities like pools and game rooms. Many locations also offer complimentary breakfast buffets that even our picky eaters love.

Kids Stay Free Perk: Up to two children stay free when sharing a room with up to two adults at participating locations.

Best Credit Card for Holiday Inn

Holiday Inn hotels are part of the IHG family, making the IHG One Rewards Premier card a top choice for maximizing points at Holiday Inn properties. Here’s how you can maximize your earnings:

• 10x Points: Earned on eligible IHG purchases with the IHG One Rewards Premier card
• Up to 10x Points: Additional points are earned through IHG One Rewards membership benefits
• Up to 6x Points: Platinum Elite status benefits, automatically included with this card

With the IHG One Rewards Premier card, you’ll also receive Platinum Elite status, unlocking perks like room upgrades and late checkout. Plus, the card’s annual Free Night Award can be redeemed at Holiday Inn and other IHG properties, adding even more value your family. Points can be earned from your stays or be used to pay for stays.

Dreams Resorts & Spas

Spacious suites, beach-front properties, multiple pools, and family-focused entertainment make Dreams Resorts & Spas ideal for both relaxing vacations and fun-filled family adventures. On-site activities like beach games, movie nights, and kid-friendly shows mean there’s never a dull moment.

Kids Stay Free Perk: One free child per paying adult, up to two free kids per room for stays between August 18, 2025, and October 31, 2025.

Best Credit Card for Dreams Resorts & Spas

If you’re heading to a Dreams Resort & Spa, the World of Hyatt card is an excellent choice to earn points during your stay or use points you’ve previously earned to cover the stay in full.

• 4x Points: Earned through the World of Hyatt card on Hyatt purchases, including stays at Dreams Resorts & Spas
• 5x Points: As a World of Hyatt member, you can stack these earnings with your membership, for a total of 9 points per $1 on eligible Hyatt-related expenses
• Annual Free Night: Receive a Free Night Award each year after your card renewal, which can be redeemed at Hyatt properties, including Dreams Resorts & Spas

The World of Hyatt Credit Card also provides 5 tier-qualifying night credits each year and automatic Discoverist status, helping you reach elite status faster. This status unlocks perks like room upgrades and late check-out.

Hilton All-Inclusive Resorts

Hilton’s all-inclusive properties offer expansive suites, water parks, and on-site kid-centric activities like dance parties, scavenger hunts, and more. Plus, with dining included, parents can relax without stressing over the bill.

Kids Stay Free Perk: Kids and teens (17 and under) stay and eat free at select all-inclusive properties in the Caribbean and Mexico during specific promotional periods.

Best Credit Card for Hilton All-Inclusive Resorts

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card is an excellent choice for maximizing your rewards if you’re planning a stay at a Hilton All-Inclusive Resort.

• 14x Points: On eligible purchases at Hilton properties, including all-inclusive resorts
• 7x Points: On flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel
• 5x Points: On prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel

Additionally, the card provides Hilton Honors Diamond status, which comes with benefits such as room upgrades and late check-out. It also offers a $400 annual Hilton Resort credit, which can be used for eligible purchases at Hilton resorts, including all-inclusive properties.

Iberostar Hotels & Resorts

Iberostar properties are known for their family-friendly amenities, including kids’ clubs, splash parks, and organized activities for many age groups. Plus, Iberostar often features beachfront locations with plenty of entertainment for parents, too, making it a win for the whole family.

Kids Stay Free Perk: Kids stay free at select ocean resorts during certain times of the year.

Best Credit Card for Iberostar Resorts

If you’re planning a stay at an Iberostar Beachfront Resort, the IHG One Rewards Premier card is one of the best options for earning or redeeming points. Just as with Holiday Inn properties, you can earn points from your bookings, enjoy special rates and enjoy exclusive benefits, or redeem your points to book your room.

Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels are perfect for road trips and budget-conscious families. Brands range from the luxury Ascend Hotel Collection and Cambria Hotels to Comfort Inn and Quality Inn that provide more affordable stays, often with free breakfast included — making it easy to stretch your vacation budget even further.

Kids Stay Free Perk: Children 18 and younger stay free when sharing a room with their parents or grandparents.

Best Credit Card for Choice Hotels

If you’re planning a stay at a Choice Hotels property, the Barclays Choice Privileges® Visa Signature® card will help you maximize your points. This card is designed specifically for Choice Privileges members, making it easier to earn and redeem points for stays at Choice Hotels properties.

• 5x Points: On eligible Choice Hotels purchases
• 2x Points: On gas stations, which helps if you’re roadtripping, and grocery stores, which helps if you plan to cook your own meals Choice Hotel’s Suburban Studios, which often feature in-room kitchens or kitchenettes

Cardholders also get automatic Gold Elite status, giving you early check-in, late checkout, and bonus points on stays. Plus, each year you renew your card, you’ll receive 8,000 bonus points—enough for a free night at select Choice Hotels.

Extended Stay America

Extended Stay America properties provide roomy suites with full kitchens, making them a budget-friendly option for families on longer vacations. Located across the US, including in Alaska, the home-like amenities help make longer or shorter stays comfortable and convenient for families. Despite their name, there is no minimum stay requirement, but they do offer special rates for stays of seven nights or more.

Kids Stay Free Perk: Children under 17 stay free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Maximizing Rewards at Extended Stay America

You can maximize your rewards using a flexible-points-earning credit card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® card. This card is well-loved among rewards travelers, especially for beginners, for its flexibility. Cardholders earn 3x points on on dining, including takeout, and 3x points on online grocery purchases, which is perfect for cooking your own meals in Extended Stay America’s full-sized kitchens.

Alexandra Resort

Located in the beautiful island of Turks and Caicos, Alexandra Resort is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort featuring large beachfront suites, kid-friendly menus, and supervised activities to keep little ones entertained.

Kids Stay Free Perk: Children ages 12 and under stay, eat, and play for free.

Maximizing Rewards at Alexandra Resort

Alexandra Resort doesn’t have its own loyalty program, so flexible points cards, like the Capital One Venture Rewards card, are the best option for maximizing rewards on your stay. The Capital One Venture Rewards card’s 2x miles rate applies to every purchase, allowing you to earn extra miles from booking your stay at Alexandra Resort using that card.

Additionally, this card offers you the ability to “erase” travel purchases with miles. All you have to do after you’ve made a travel purchase on the card is log into your Capital One account and choose the purchase you want to cover with your miles. This makes it a great option for covering your resort getaway, giving you flexibility when planning your trip.

Villa del Palmar Cancun

Villa del Palmar Cancun offers ample space to spread out in their suites, beachfront views, and fun family amenities like splash pads, pool games, and family dining options—a great choice for families seeking a tropical getaway.

Kids Stay Free Perk: Up to two kids under 12 stay and eat free in One Bedroom suites with a minimum three-night stay.

Maximizing Rewards at Villa del Palmar Cancun

While Villa del Palmar Cancun does offer an all-inclusive dining option, guests have the option to dine a la carte and enjoy the resort’s restaurants and bars, paying for your meals and drinks as you go. For this reason, the Bilt Mastercard® is a great option. It earns 3x points on dining for those who want to go al la carte, and 2x points on travel for those who choose the all-inclusive meal package, which will be added to your room bill and show up on your credit card statement as travel instead of dining. Bilt points are flexible and transfer 1:1 to major airline and hotel partners, making it a versatile choice.

Club Med

Club Med resorts are known for their all-inclusive experiences designed for families with kids of all ages. Their family-friendly amenities include child care services, circus school activities, and teen clubs.

Kids Stay Free Perk: Kids under 4 stay free at all Club Med all-inclusive resorts.

Maximizing Rewards at Club Med

Club Med also doesn’t have its own loyalty program, so flexible points cards, like the Citi Strata Premier® card, are the best option for maximizing rewards on your stay. The Citi Strata Premier® card’s 3x points rate applies not only to traditional hotels but also to resorts, meaning you would earn extra points for booking all-inclusive stays like Club Med. Additionally, Citi ThankYou® points are highly flexible, allowing you to transfer them to airline partners to get you to your Club Med stay.

Palace Resorts

Palace Resorts is known for their luxurious rooms, top-notch dining options, and organized activities tailored for kids. Think kid-friendly buffets, game rooms, and even mini golf courses — all included in your stay.

Kids Stay Free Perk: Kids and teens stay free when sharing a room with at least one adult.

Maximizing Rewards at Palace Resorts

Since Palace Resorts doesn’t have its own loyalty program, a flexible rewards card like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card can offer a smart choice for earning on your stay. With 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases, plus 3% cash back on dining and 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, you can rack up rewards quickly.

Final Thoughts

Family travel doesn’t have to break the bank. By combining “kids stay free” promotions with credit card rewards, you can unlock amazing vacations without overspending. Hotels and resorts offer incredible value when you know where to look, and with the right credit card strategy, you could enjoy those magical family moments for next to nothing.

Take the time to research, book early, and maximize your points for unforgettable family adventures.

Feel free to email me or send a message on Instagram if you need further advice—I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help you travel.