This is tough for us because we're in Europe.

Last weekend in the South of France, we got a sort of duplex. The kids had three beds below and we had a queen on the level above. Two bathrooms and it was nice.

We have a terrible time getting adjoining rooms. There are never enough! Often we have to split with an adult and one or two kids in each room.

I got totally flamed for this on another travel forum but one solution was getting a handicapped room. There were no adjoining rooms left so that's all they could propose. There were a ton of handicapped rooms available. We were last-minuters so it's sure no handicapped person was denied a room (part of the reason we had trouble getting connecting rooms). I honestly don't see staying in a handicapped room a sin if there are no other rooms available (as a Flight Attendant, I often got them because that was all they had left) and the extra space is appreciated.

If you get two separate rooms, be sure to get doubles of all the keys so no one gets locked out.

A few times we've booked "Junior Suites" over the net and then we showed up and they've upgraded us. I wouldn't count on it but it happened in Lyon last weekend and it was nice having the extra room.

If you opt to lie, be aware that this only can work at a big, chain hotel where they don't really notice you coming in and out. Any mom & pop establishment will take note and it could get sticky. Some friends did this in Paris in one of those sky-scraper type hotels. They didn't notice but many of you know how tiny Paris hotel rooms are... one son had to sleep in the bathtub!