Why Kids Eating for Free at Hotels Is a Win for Everyone

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It's not news that going on vacation as a family these days is expensive. In fact, parents admit they’re going into debt just to experience the magic of Disney together. However, there’s one vacation cost that’s getting more attention than others lately: food.

Last month, a family of five’s breakfast at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa in California went viral after a father shared a photo of the nearly $1,000 bill. The princess-themed meal featured three courses and fancy goodies like chia parfaits, mini lobster rolls, and beignets. The price? A cool $142 per person for both adults and children, tax and gratuity not included.

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Let’s just say that despite being a theme park, kids most definitely do not eat free at Disney, and unfortunately, complimentary kids meals have become less common at hotels and resorts across the board. But if you're bringing a picky eater on vacation this summer (aka any toddler on earth), your budget could be in luck.

Omni Invites Kids To Eat for Free This Summer

In efforts to avoid kids with empty stomachs and parents with empty wallets, Omni Hotels & Resorts is reviving its Kids Eat Free program across its 50+ properties this summer. The seasonal offer runs through September 14, 2025, in tandem with the Omni Junior Chefs program, a curated nutritional experience for the brand's youngest guests.

“This summer, we’re focused on creating engaging experiences that help our guests make the most of their time together,” says Michael Innocentin, chief marketing officer at Omni Hotels & Resorts. “Whether it's reconnecting over a scoop of ice cream, indulging in a tropical cocktail, or discovering the local culture, these exclusive offerings make it even easier for guests to step away from the everyday and create meaningful connections.”

When families book, kids 10 and under eat free from the Junior Chefs menu for breakfast and lunch which features kid classics like cheeseburgers and penne pasta, plus a few elevated picks like salmon and caesar salad. Additional meal program perks for kids include 50% off dinner entrées, and a lunch tote full of goodies upon checking-in: a bag of Annie's Organic Bunny Graham Friends Mix, an Honest Kids organic juice box, and a reusable to-go cup.

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Kids will also find a "Say Goodnight to Hunger" postcard inside their Junior Chef tote to color and turn into the front desk to donate a meal to Feeding America, an Omni initiative that aims to teach kids that taking care of others is just as important as taking care of yourself.

The Perks of Free Kids Meals for Parents

Omni’s new summer offer puts a spotlight on the pain points of traveling with picky eaters. But it's not the only brand getting on board. Other hotel and resort chains that offer seasonal kids-eat-free deals include Marriott, DoubleTree by Hilton, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, but only at select locations. Baha Mar also boasts a Kids 5 & Under Eat Free program, and parents who have experienced it can attest just how much the value adds up.

“The best parts of the Baha Mar meal program were the portion sizes, the variety on their kids menus—not just the basic chicken tenders and burgers—and the fact that they offered this program at multiple on-site restaurants, from low-key to higher-end places,” says Leslie Ann Greer, mom of Easton, 8, and Isla, 5, in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I’d say the meal program saved us about $50 a day if we did it for lunch and dinner.”

So, as millennial parents balance booking fun family travel experiences and their budgets, is the option to skip having to pay for fancy dishes (which you’re kid will probably only eat two bites of) becoming the priority? Kid-friendly amenities and conveniences may still take the cake.

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“We don’t put meal programs in our criteria when we search for hotels or resorts since amenities, proximity to off-site attractions, and a kids’ club would be higher on the list of priorities,” Greer says. “But seeing a kids meal program would be a nice bonus and possibly push us to go there if it's between two similar properties.”

The reality is a kids meal program would save families money on vacation, especially ones with multiple kids. Not only that, but if kids can eat free, parents with picky eaters may be less averse to choosing a pricey family-friendly resort since they know they won’t be throwing money down the drain on expensive meals their children won’t touch. Instead, they can simply prioritize planning the best vacation possible. Seems like a win-win for resorts and families to us.

Read the original article on Parents