It was the one thing I didn't want to have happen on our trip. And sure enough, 24 hours before our flight to Maui last month, our then-6-month-old, Niko, started sounding stuffed up. To say I lost it a little bit amid all the packing and prepping stress was putting it mildly.
Judging from my reaction, you would have thought Niko was coming down with something much more serious than a cold.
Alas, the anxiety I was feeling as we got ready for Niko's first big trip is a reason a lot of people just don't feel comfortable traveling with a baby. But we were undeterred.
Since his parents are journalists, Niko is destined for a life on the road, and it was somehow fitting that his first trip would be booked to help report a story about traveling with a baby. While brainstorming possible destinations a month earlier, my husband, Jonathan, and I pretty quickly zeroed in on Hawaii. Jonathan had never been there, there are good flight connections from the Bay Area and it seemed like a worry-free locale in terms of health and hygiene.
I immediately contacted Classic Vacations, knowing they have a wealth of knowledge and resources in the destination, and they could not have been more helpful, setting us up with a four-night stay in the recently renovated, family-friendly residential suites at the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua on Maui.
The author and Niko at Kukui’ula’s farm, where guests can pick fresh produce to cook in their vacation homes. Photo Credit: Provided by Michelle Baran
That would be coupled with a three-night stay at Kukui'ula on Kauai, a private club where a portion of the residences are let as vacation rentals.
In preparation for the trip, I reached out to other traveling parents for tips and advice. Travel Weekly news editor Johanna Jainchill, herself the traveling mother of a 3½-year-old, gave me some of the best advice of all. "Most important thing is not to worry too much," she texted me. "He will be fine."
Armed with renewed confidence thanks to Johanna's guidance, we headed out with our slightly stuffed-up baby. We decided to drive and park at the airport so as not to have to deal with installing the car seat in a taxi or car service. Plus, with a coupon for Park SFO, an off-airport lot, it would be cheaper to park than to use roundtrip car service.
At the airport, we opted to check in the stroller and car seat and just carry Niko through security and to the gate in an Ergo baby carrier, which was a pretty seamless experience. In his carry-on, we packed saline spray and a NoseFrieda to help clear him out before and during the flight and had several books and toys to entertain him.
I tried to feed him during takeoff and landing to help relieve his ears due to the changing cabin pressure. Since Niko was flying as a lap child, it helped to have at least two seats side by side to juggle him between. All four flights were relatively without incident. Niko was easygoing and aside from eating my boarding pass for one of the connections (something the gate agent did not find funny -- how is that not funny?), we didn't have too many hiccups.
The poolside cabana suites at the Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua provided Niko ample shade and wind protection. Photo Credit: Provided by Michelle Baran
We rented a car on both Maui and Kauai, which proved an invaluable resource in terms of the ease of getting around. We brought our car seat and car-seat base (a frame that easily clicks into most newer cars) and could throw the stroller in the back whenever we needed to go somewhere. Getting to and from the car rental lot on the shuttle was a bit of a juggle with all the gear, but with two of us, we managed.
The Ritz-Carlton in Kapalua had several amenities that made staying there with a baby a delight. We booked a one-bedroom residential suite, which meant we had a separate living room (with a door that closed). That was great for when we needed him to sleep in a separate room. It also had a kitchen, which was ideal for easy dining in.
The property provided a travel crib (a slightly smaller crib with an actual crib mattress) and a complimentary laundry room, which is crucial for parents. We had a cabana suite by the pool, a tented area with couches and a fridge that guests can rent out daily. The cabana provided ample shade and protection from the wind so that Niko could take comfortable naps poolside.
The Ritz-Carlton’s residential suite. Photo Credit: Provided by Michelle Baran
At Kukui'ula on Kauai, we stayed in a two-bedroom cottage that also had a detached, one-bedroom guest cottage, and we were provided with a Pack 'n Play portable crib. The residential community has a central clubhouse where breakfast, lunch and dinner are served. There is also a pool, a golf course with views of the ocean, an activity center where guests can book everything from surf lessons to guided hikes, a full gym with multiple fitness and yoga classes each day and a full-service, sprawling spa complex, all of which guests staying in the vacation rental homes have access to, as well.
The vibe at Kukui'ula was much more quiet and intimate. I could see how for some families staying in a luxury vacation rental such as this, with a full kitchen, plenty of space and privacy, would be preferable. And I could also see the advantage of staying at a resort such as the Ritz-Carlton with tons of services and amenities. This is where you get into the personal preferences of each family.
All told, we had a really positive experience traveling with our 6-month-old. There were some challenges with his cold and not always sleeping very well because of it (I felt bad for our neighbors at the Ritz during one particularly challenging night), but we would have been dealing with the same situation at home, and this way, we still got to explore new sites and have a family adventure.
It's true that Niko will never remember this trip. We will have to show him the photos when he grows up. But his father and I always will remember it, and that alone makes it worth the extra effort, at least for us.