Hi,

I found the perfect hotel for our family vacation to New Orleans! The problem is we have three children and the hotel's max. per room is four. I picked a double queen room and we'd get a rollaway bed and the rooms are oversized, so I don't see what the problem is with five people.

Should I just say there are only 2 adults and 2 children so we can stay at this hotel? The alternative is to get two rooms, which is expensive and pointless. Also, there is no charge for children under 17 (all our children are under 17) so we wouldn't be ripping off the hotel by doing this -- we just really want to stay there! I've encountered this with other hotels in the past and I've always just found another place to stay.

I'd really like to hear some opinions -- thank you!

I'd call the hotel and be honest with the reservations manager. I'd hate for you to arrive and then have them tell you there's a "no rollaway" policy in certain rooms. I've had that happen before!

Definitely call the hotel. I was having trouble booking a room on the internet at a hotel in Hawaii because I was putting two adults and two kids in a room. When I called the hotel directly she said it was no problem, especially after asking me the ages of my kids.

If it's still a no go, perhaps you could consider one of the suite hotels. Most hotels don't charge for kids under 17, so don't let that restrict you.

It may be against the law, that might be the reason. I think there can be occupancy standards for a size and/or something to do with fire regulations.

Should you just lie because you want to do whatever you want regardless of hotel policy and/or regulations? Is that really a difficult decision for you to make? Obviously you can't get a rollaway bed if you lie, anyway, but I think we learned that back in first grade as to whether it is acceptable to lie whenever you want.

Thanks, Jeff and Susan. I called the hotel and it is not against the hotel's policy to have five people in this room. The hotel will let me book the room for two adults and three children, it's the discount hotel websites (expedia, orbitz, etc.) that won't let me book a room (any room -- even a suite with one king and two queen beds) for two adults and three children. If I book directly through the hotel, the room is an extra $130 per night. The idea isn't to "sneak" in the third child -- I just want the computer to "let" me make the reservation. Just wondering if any families with more than two kids have encountered this.