What kind of cribs do hotels use?
You’re excited about your family vacation, but one worry lingers: where will the baby sleep? Relying on a hotel crib feels like a gamble on safety and cleanliness.
Hotels use commercial-grade cribs that are designed for durability, safety, and easy cleaning. These are typically foldable metal or wooden cribs that meet strict public-use safety standards, which are different from residential models.
This is a topic I discuss often with clients in the hospitality sector. Family travel is a huge market, and the quality of a hotel’s baby gear can make or break a parent’s decision to book. The demand has shifted from just having a crib available to providing one that parents trust instantly. This has elevated the standards for commercial cribs, focusing on visible safety features and robust construction that can withstand constant use. It reflects a bigger trend: modern parents expect the same level of safety for their children whether at home or on the road.
What is a crib in the hotel industry?
You call the hotel to request a crib, but you wonder what you will actually get. Is it just a standard crib, or something different designed for travel and high turnover?
In the hotel industry, a crib is a key guest amenity designed for infant safety and operational efficiency. It’s almost always a heavy-duty, foldable model that housekeeping can easily transport, sanitize, and store.
From a manufacturing perspective, a hotel crib is engineered differently than a crib for a home nursery. While a home crib might prioritize aesthetic design and convertibility, a commercial crib prioritizes durability and safety under constant use. We use steel hardware and reinforcement points that you wouldn’t find on a residential model. The finish needs to withstand daily sanitizing with commercial-grade cleaners without degrading. They also must have features like large, non-marking casters for easy movement without damaging floors. Safety is paramount, so they are certified for commercial use (like ASTM F406 in the US), which involves more rigorous testing than standard home cribs. It’s a piece of industrial equipment that also happens to be a safe sleeping space.
Do Marriott hotels have cribs for babies?
You’re booking with a major hotel chain like Marriott and assume they’ll have everything you need. But you need to be certain before you travel with your baby.
Yes, most major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt offer cribs, usually free of charge. However, availability is almost always on a first-come, first-served basis, so you must request one when you book and call the hotel directly to confirm.
While major brands have standards, the execution can vary by location. Never assume a crib will be waiting for you. My advice to traveling parents is always the same: treat the crib reservation as seriously as your room reservation. When you call the hotel, be specific. Ask what type of crib they provide. Is it a standard crib or a smaller playard-style travel cot? Confirm that they will have one reserved for your specific dates. For my clients who supply hotels, consistency is key. They need to ensure that a family staying at their brand in New York has the same safe, positive experience as one in Paris. This reliability is a core part of building a family-friendly brand reputation.
What is a hotel cot?
You’re reading hotel reviews for a trip to the UK and see people mentioning a "baby cot." This term isn’t familiar, and you’re unsure if it’s the same as a crib.
A "hotel cot" is simply the British and Commonwealth English term for what Americans call a "crib." If you are in Europe, Australia, or many other parts of the world and request a baby cot, you will get a baby bed with high sides.
This language difference is one of the most common points of confusion in the global travel and baby product markets. It’s something my company has to be very clear about in our international sales materials. The product is essentially the same—a safe, enclosed bed for an infant. But the word you use to request it is critical. If an American asks for a "cot" in a London hotel, they might be surprised to get a simple, foldable adult camp bed. Understanding this regional vocabulary is key for both traveling parents and for businesses like mine that operate in a global market. It ensures everyone is speaking the same language, even when we use different words.
What is a cot vs crib?
The terms "cot" and "crib" are used so interchangeably online that you’re totally confused. Is there a real difference, or do they mean the same thing?
The difference is purely geographical. In the United States and Canada, a "crib" is a baby bed. A "cot" is a portable, foldable bed for an adult. In the UK, Australia, and much of the rest of the world, a "cot" is the baby bed.
Let’s break this down very clearly, as it’s a critical distinction. As a manufacturer for a global market, we often label products with both terms to avoid confusion. For traveling parents, knowing the local term is essential to getting what you need. A misunderstanding can be more than just inconvenient; it can be a safety issue if you end up without a proper sleeping space for your baby.
| Term | In the United States | In the United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Crib | A baby bed with high, slatted sides. | Not a common term. They would say "American-style cot." |
| Cot | A lightweight, portable, foldable bed for an adult. Also called a camp bed. | The standard term for a baby bed with high, slatted sides. |
| Playard | A portable, mesh-sided space for sleep or play. | Often called a "travel cot." |
Do hotels offer baby cots?
You are planning a trip outside of North America and need to secure a safe sleeping space for your baby. You want to know if hotels will understand your request.
Yes, hotels worldwide offer baby beds. If you are traveling in Europe, Australia, or many parts of Asia and Africa, you should specifically ask for a "baby cot" or a "travel cot" to ensure you get what you need.
Hotels that cater to international travelers are very accustomed to this request. The "baby cot" they provide will be a safe, enclosed sleeping space that meets their country’s specific safety standards, which are often similar to US crib standards in terms of slat spacing and structural integrity. Many international hotels will provide a "travel cot," which is the local term for what Americans call a playard or pack-n-play. These are mesh-sided, portable units that are very popular for hotel use due to their light weight and compact storage. If you have a preference for a traditional wooden cot over a mesh travel cot, you should specify that when you call the hotel to confirm your reservation.
Do Americans say cot or crib?
You’re trying to communicate clearly with family, friends, or retailers in the United States. You want to make sure you’re using the right word to avoid any confusion.
Americans exclusively use the word "crib" to describe a baby bed with high, slatted sides. The word "cot" in the US refers only to a portable, temporary bed for an adult, like for camping or an extra guest.
This is an absolute distinction in American English. There is no overlap. If you walk into a baby store in the U.S. and ask for a cot, they will look at you with confusion or direct you to a camping supply store. The standard baby bed is a crib. The portable, mesh-sided version is a playard, pack-n-play, or playpen. I always emphasize this with my European brand partners who are entering the U.S. market. All of their marketing, packaging, and product listings must use the word "crib" to be understood by the American consumer. Using the term "cot" would make a product essentially invisible in search results and completely misunderstand the target audience.
Should I buy a cot or cotbed?
You’re at home preparing your nursery. You see options for a standard "cot" and a "cotbed" and wonder what the difference is and which is a better investment for your family.
You should buy a cotbed if you value long-term use. A "cot" (or crib) is a standard baby bed. A "cotbed" is a convertible model that transforms from a cot into a toddler bed, saving you the cost of buying a new bed later.
In the UK and European markets, the term "cotbed" is a fantastic piece of marketing clarity. It tells you its dual function right in the name. This is the same product as what Americans call a "convertible crib." From a manufacturing standpoint, a cotbed requires very precise engineering. The design must be equally safe and stable in both configurations. We include all the extra parts and clear instructions to make the conversion easy for parents. For a family, the higher initial cost of a cotbed is often a smart investment. It creates a seamless transition for the child, who gets to stay in their familiar bed, and it aligns with modern values of sustainability and getting more value out of a single purchase.
A few final questions you asked me.
Why is a cot safer than a bassinet?
A cot (crib) is safer for long-term and unsupervised sleep because it has a deeper mattress base, preventing a baby from falling out once they can sit or stand. Bassinets are for newborns and have a short-term use limit for this reason.
How long can a baby stay in a cot?
A baby can stay in a cot (crib) until they are about 35 inches tall or start trying to climb out. At that point, for safety, they must be moved to a toddler bed.
Is a cot comfortable to sleep on?
For a baby, "comfortable" means "safe." A firm, flat mattress in a cot is the safest surface and is very comfortable for them. It should not be soft like an adult mattress.
Which type of cot is best?
The "best" cot depends on your needs. A standard cotbed is best for home use and long-term value. A travel cot (playard) is best for portability and travel.
Conclusion
Hotel cribs are safe, commercial-grade products. But for guaranteed comfort and peace of mind on the road, many families now prefer to bring their own trusted portable travel cot.
