As a parent who loves to travel, finding the right gear that simplifies journeys is always a top priority. When building my baby registry, I was bombarded with premium baby products, and like many parents, I questioned if the splurge was truly justified. Among these coveted items was the Guava Lotus Travel Crib.
Having tested premium items like the SNOO Smart Sleeper, Artipoppe carrier, Nuna and UPPAbaby gear, and Willow breast pumps, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib stood out as something I needed to experience firsthand. Was it truly a travel essential? Would it become our go-to for every trip? Was it significantly better than relying on hotel cribs? Let’s dive into my experience with the Guava Lotus and explore why it might be the perfect travel crib for your family.
Why Choose the Guava Lotus Travel Crib?
guava lotus bassinet
Before discovering the Guava Lotus, our early travels with our son, Felix, involved a foldable portable bassinet. This compact option was convenient for trips when he was just two to five months old. It packed relatively small, allowing us to tuck diapers and clothes around it in our suitcase. However, with Felix consistently in the 97th percentile for height, he quickly outgrew it.
Around four months old, I invested in the Guava Lotus Travel Crib, and it quickly became a daily staple until he was around 20 months old. Its standout features – compact fold for carry-on suitability, lightweight design, and incredibly fast assembly and breakdown – immediately impressed me.
The quality of the Guava Lotus is undeniable. The convenient side zip quickly became invaluable for soothing my son to sleep, so much so that he even used it for naps at home before transitioning to his regular crib around 20 months. This travel crib has accompanied us on over 20 trips to 10 different countries and still looks brand new, a testament to its durability and quality.
Portability and Transport of the Lotus Travel Crib
Portability is at the heart of the Guava Lotus design, making travel with a baby significantly easier.
guava lotus travel crib review
While fitting it inside a suitcase is a tight squeeze, it does fit in larger checked luggage like our Eagle Creek bag. Crucially, it comes with a dedicated backpack carry case that meets carry-on size restrictions for air travel. For road trips, its slim profile means it occupies minimal space in the trunk. Weighing just 15lbs including the carry bag and folding to a compact 24″ L x 12″ W x 8″ H, it’s genuinely light and easy to carry.
Guava Lotus Bassinet Mode Specs:
- Interior Dimensions: 32 inches x 21 inches (81 cm x 53 cm)
- Mattress Thickness: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
- Weight: 11 lbs (5 kg)
- Max Child Weight: 18lbs or until child can sit up or climb out
The bassinet mode also offers versatility with stationary or rocking leg configurations. Simply flip the bottom leg piece to switch between modes.
Guava Lotus Crib Mode Specs:
- Interior Dimensions: 45 inches x 32 inches (114 cm x 81 cm)
- Mattress Thickness: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
- Weight: 15 lbs (6 kg)
- No max child weight as crib rests on the ground.
Notably, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib is GreenGuard Gold certified, setting it apart as a low-emission product, prioritizing your baby’s health and safety.
Shop the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and Bassinet here
Effortless Setup of the Guava Lotus
guava lotus bassinet
Initially, folding and unfolding the Guava Lotus took a couple of attempts to master. However, with a little practice, I can now set it up or pack it down in mere seconds.
This ease of setup is a major advantage, so much so that I prefer using the Guava Lotus over requesting a hotel crib. Bringing our own travel crib gives me peace of mind knowing it’s a safe and familiar sleep environment for my son. Plus, I control the cleanliness of the crib sheet, ensuring it’s washed with baby-safe detergent.
Key Features We Love About the Guava Lotus
While I appreciated the Guava Lotus in bassinet mode, it truly shined once we transitioned to crib mode.
The standout feature is undoubtedly the zippered side panel. This proved invaluable during the challenging phase of transitioning my son from being held to being placed in the crib for naps. For about ten months, this side zip was essential in preventing wake-ups during the transfer. Eventually, around 20 months old, he became more adaptable, but those months would have been significantly harder without this feature.
The zippered opening allowed us to lie down next to him as he fell asleep, then quietly zip it closed once he was asleep, granting me precious hours back each day.
This feature was equally beneficial during travel. Being familiar with his Guava Lotus, my son settled into sleep easily in new environments. I also appreciated the absence of a weight limit in crib mode and the overall safety design, ensuring no tipping hazards or risks of pinched limbs.
To manage light at home, I sometimes used a crib sheet draped over the top, but Guava Family offers dedicated accessories. The fun shade provides a more effective blackout solution, and the mosquito net was indispensable during trips to destinations like Bali, Singapore, and Thailand. As my son grew older and sharing rooms became more common, pairing the Guava Lotus with a Slumberpod further enhanced his sleep environment by providing complete darkness and privacy.
Final Verdict on the Guava Lotus Travel Crib
Investing in the Guava Lotus Travel Crib was undoubtedly a worthwhile decision for our family. Its strengths are numerous: it’s as travel-friendly as a crib of its size can be, incredibly user-friendly, and offers superior quality and peace of mind compared to often-questionable hotel cribs.
While I do miss the ultra-compactness of our previous foldable bassinet, I knew its lifespan would be limited. Considering comparable travel crib options, the Guava Lotus stands out for its lightweight design and exceptionally easy setup.
The price point, especially with the bassinet conversion kit, can be a hurdle at $409 retail. However, Guava Family frequently offers sales, particularly around holidays. I purchased mine during a Black Friday sale.
The Guava Lotus also holds excellent resale value. Ours remains in excellent condition after nearly two years of consistent use. I plan to sell it on the secondhand market when we are finished with it, anticipating recouping a significant portion of our initial investment.
Guava Lotus Travel Crib Alternatives
While the Guava Lotus is fantastic, are there other viable travel crib options? It depends on your specific priorities. Here are a few alternatives to consider:
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light:
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light, priced around $279, is another popular choice. Like the Guava Lotus, it boasts easy setup, breakdown, and comes with a carry bag. The BabyBjorn is slightly heavier at 13.4 pounds and has marginally smaller sleeping dimensions (32 x 44 inches). A key difference is the 30-pound weight limit on the BabyBjorn, while the Guava Lotus has no weight limit in crib mode. Both prioritize safety with breathable mesh and firm mattresses, and are free from harmful chemicals. However, the BabyBjorn lacks a front zipper, which was a crucial feature for us.
Lumiere All-in-One Lightweight Travel Crib:
The Lumiere All-in-One Lightweight Travel Crib is another lightweight contender, matching the Guava Lotus at 13 pounds. Priced at a more accessible $229, it includes a bassinet conversion kit and even a white noise machine. However, its bulkier shape makes it unsuitable as a carry-on, a deal-breaker for travelers prioritizing air travel convenience.
Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib:
For a more luxurious travel crib experience, the Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib, ranging from $350 to $450 with a changing table, is worth considering. It features a sleek, modern design and includes a bassinet attachment. The Sena Aire is larger (41.3 x 29.5 inches) but also the heaviest of these options at 22 pounds and has a 30-pound weight limit. Safety features are comparable, with breathable mesh, a firm mattress, and chemical-free construction.
While all these travel cribs offer compelling features, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib ultimately stood out for its unique combination of versatility with the front zipper, carry-on friendly size and shape, and lightweight design.
Would I repurchase the Guava Lotus? Absolutely. For our family’s travel needs, it remains the best travel crib on the market. You can purchase your Guava Lotus here.
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