PHILADELPHIA— The Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing has several “childproof” rooms available to help families traveling with children feel secure and is looking to add more as business grows. In October 2001, the 350-room hotel arranged with a local company, Safe At Home, to do a survey of its guestrooms and make any alterations necessary in order to make the accommodations as safe as possible for guests traveling with young children. Ten guestrooms were outfitted with childproof materials including sliding outlet covers, toilet locks, tethers on all standing lamps and hanging wires, and corner protectors on all furniture. Additionally, non-slip bath mats and spout protectors were installed. Swinging gates with childproof locks are available for doorways. Feedback on the childproof rooms, which are geared toward parents with children up to 8-years old, has been very favorable, according to David Adelson, director/sales and marketing at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia. “Families feel comfortable and safe in the rooms, especially those who have kids who are crawling and can get tangled up in electrical cords or reach outlets that are not protected,” Adelson said. The hotel hosts many families on weekends when its business is about 80% leisure-oriented, Adelson said. “Families are drawn here by the [Delaware River] waterfront, the aquarium and nearby historic sites like the Liberty Bell and Betsy Ross House,” he said. “As the waterfront becomes more developed and family-friendly, we are likely to have even more demand for the childproof rooms and may offer more than the 10 rooms we now have,” Adelson said. The cost to childproof a guestroom is approximately $400, he added. Along with the safety equipment, the hotel takes several measures to ensure the comfort of its young guests. It uses cribs that meet the latest safety standards and washes crib bedding separately in a “pediatrician-recommended” detergent. In addition, in-room VCRs, a library of children’s videos and mini refrigerators are available. The childproof rooms, which can be requested when guests are making room reservations, are available at no extra charge. When checking in, guests and children receive a childproof room “goodie bag” that includes crayons, a coloring book and information on events of interest to children throughout the city. Additionally, the goodie bag contains a Hyatt Regency Philadelphia bib for children 2 years old and under. For those guests in need of supplies, there is a baby toiletry bag available with Baby Magic shampoo, lotion, powder, a comb, a brush and a diaper. There is no charge for the baby toiletry bag. Adelson noted that the hotel’s restaurant also caters to children with special menu offerings. And, as part of the Camp Hyatt program for children, young guests who have stayed at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia are sent birthday cards and are offered a complimentary dessert at a Hyatt restaurant.
