With regard to the suggestion that I stay in a library - I was at the Four Seasons SF (the hotel which started this discussion) a few months ago - and it was fine. So apparently however it is implementing its rules - the results are ok (at least they were ok for me on that trip).

As for the whole kids/no-kids "debate" - I don't think it's a debate. Simply a question of Buyer Beware. A property that might be exactly right for a family with young children might be horrible for a couple on their honeymoon. There are certain (smaller) properties I've stayed at that want to preserve a "particular atmosphere" and they do not allow children under 18. On the other hand - if you're staying anywhere near Disney - tons of children are inevitable (and I accept them when I'm going to the Flower Festival at Epcot).

And this goes beyond children. What about the "trendy" hotels whose bars or pool areas cater to celebrities to the neglect (and sometimes exclusion) of their paying guests? Even when the "guest" is an undercover reporter for the Wall Street Journal? Perhaps some people like this kind of treatment at a hotel - but I don't. I don't expect any particular property to cater to exactly what I'm looking for - but I do investigate ahead of time to maximize my chances of finding a "good fit". And I usually succeed. Better than being PO'd because the pool where I saw myself lounging around with a good book and an exotic martini is overrun by screaming children - or inaccessible to me because there's a "celebrity only" cocktail party.

Note that I - like DataPlumber - have stayed at a lot of Four Seasons properties and have never had a problem with children. Then again - I have made a conscious decision never to stay at the Four Seasons Palm Beach (I have read numerous posts to the effect that there are so many unsupervised/undisciplined chldren there that they can ruin a stay at the property). Perhaps there are other Four Seasons properties like that - but I haven't stayed at any. Robyn