As a parent who loves to travel, the quest for the perfect baby gear is never-ending. Building my baby registry, I was constantly bombarded with premium baby products, always wondering if the hype—and the hefty price tags—were truly justified. Among these coveted items were smart sleepers, designer baby carriers, luxury car seats and strollers, wearable breast pumps, and the seemingly essential Guava Lotus Bassinet and Travel Crib.
Having now tested many of these premium items, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib was one I specifically purchased to see if it lived up to its reputation. Would it become our go-to travel companion? Could it truly outperform a standard hotel crib? Let’s dive into a detailed review to find out.
Why Choose the Guava Lotus Travel Crib?
Guava Lotus crib in Bali
What makes the Guava Lotus stand out from the crowded market of travel cribs? For our first few trips with our son, Felix, starting when he was just two months old, we relied on a foldable portable bassinet. Its compact design allowed us to pack it easily, tucking it into a suitcase corner and even stuffing it with diapers and clothes to save space. 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 became a daily staple until he was about 20 months old! Its genius lies in its compact fold – small enough to be carry-on compliant – its lightweight nature, and its incredibly quick assembly and disassembly in mere seconds.
The quality is undeniable, and the unique side-zip feature proved invaluable for settling my son to sleep. He became so accustomed to it that he even took his naps in the Lotus at home before transitioning to his regular crib around 20 months. Used daily, and accompanying us on over 20 trips across 10 countries, our Guava Lotus still looks brand new, testament to its durability.
Portability and Design: Traveling with the Guava Lotus
The core appeal of the Guava Lotus travel crib is its exceptional portability, designed with traveling families in mind.
Guava Lotus crib in Bali
While fitting it into a suitcase can be a squeeze, it does work in larger checked baggage like our Eagle Creek suitcase. Crucially, it comes with a dedicated backpack carry case that is compact enough to meet carry-on size restrictions for most airlines. For road trips, it occupies minimal space in the trunk. Lightweight and easy to carry, it weighs just 15lbs including the bag and folds down to a manageable 24″ L x 12″ W x 8″ H.
Bassinet Mode Specifications:
- Interior dimensions: 32 inches x 21 inches (81 cm x 53 cm)
- Mattress thickness: 1 inch (2.5 cm)
- Weight: 11 lbs (5 kg)
- Maximum Child weight: 18lbs or until the child can sit up or climb out.
The bassinet mode also offers versatility with stationary and rocking options. Simply detach and flip the bottom leg piece to switch between modes.
Crib Mode Specifications:
- 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 maximum child weight limit as the crib rests directly on the ground.
Notably, the Guava Lotus is GreenGuard Gold certified, setting it apart as the only travel crib on the market with this distinction. This certification assures low chemical emissions, prioritizing your baby’s health and safety.
Shop for the Guava Lotus Travel Crib and Bassinet here
Setup Simplicity: Guava Lotus vs. Hotel Cribs
Setting up the Guava Lotus bassinet
While there was a slight learning curve initially to understand the folding and unfolding mechanism, I can now set up or pack down the Guava Lotus in mere seconds.
This effortless setup is a significant advantage, making it far more appealing than requesting a hotel crib. Bringing our own Guava Lotus ensures a safe and familiar sleep environment for our son. Plus, I have peace of mind knowing the crib sheet is washed in baby-safe detergent, minimizing potential skin irritations.
Key Features We Loved: The Unzipping Side & More
While I appreciated the Guava Lotus in bassinet mode, it truly shone in crib mode.
The standout feature is undoubtedly the unzipping front panel. This was a game-changer during the ten-month period when our son would stir and wake up during the delicate transfer from our arms to the crib for naps. Around 20 months, he grew out of this phase and transitioned to napping independently in his crib, but the side-zip was indispensable during that transitional period.
The zippered opening allowed us to lie down next to him as he drifted off to sleep, then quietly zip it closed, allowing him to finish his nap undisturbed. This simple feature gave me back precious hours in the day!
When traveling, the familiarity of the Guava Lotus was invaluable in helping him settle to sleep easily in unfamiliar environments. I also appreciated the absence of a weight limit in crib mode and the overall safety design, ensuring he was in a secure sleep space without any risk of tipping or limb entrapment.
To create a darker sleep environment at home, I initially used a crib sheet draped over the top. However, Guava Lotus offers a dedicated fun shade accessory designed for more effective light blocking. They also offer a mosquito net, which we found essential during our trips to destinations like Bali, Singapore, and Thailand. As he got older and sharing rooms became more challenging, we paired the Guava Lotus with a Slumberpod for optimal darkness and privacy.
Final Verdict: Is the Guava Lotus Travel Crib Worth It?
Guava Lotus travel crib in living room
I am overwhelmingly happy with our Guava Lotus purchase. It boasts numerous advantages: it’s as travel-friendly as a crib of its size can be, incredibly user-friendly, and offers superior peace of mind compared to questionable hotel cribs.
While I do miss the ultra-compactness of our smaller, foldable bassinet that could nestle into a suitcase, I always knew its lifespan would be limited. Considering alternatives, the Guava Lotus stands out as the lightest option I’ve encountered with such effortless setup and valuable features.
The price point, particularly with the bassinet conversion kit at $409 (non-discounted), is undeniably premium. However, Guava Lotus frequently offers sales, especially around holidays. I purchased mine during a Black Friday sale.
The robust build quality also means that purchasing secondhand is a viable option. Ours remains in excellent condition after nearly two years of consistent use, and I plan to sell it on the secondhand market when we’ve outgrown it, anticipating recouping a significant portion of our initial investment.
Guava Lotus Alternatives
Is the Guava Lotus the only worthwhile travel crib? Not necessarily. The best choice depends on your specific priorities. Here’s a comparison with some popular alternatives:
BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light:
The BabyBjorn Travel Crib Light is another highly-rated option, priced around $279. Similar to the Guava Lotus, it excels in easy setup and takedown and includes a carry case for travel. The BabyBjorn is slightly heavier at 13.4 pounds.
It has a slightly smaller sleeping area (32 x 44 inches) compared to the Guava Lotus (32 x 45 inches). The BabyBjorn also has a lower weight limit of 30 pounds, whereas the Guava Lotus has no weight limit in crib mode. Both prioritize safety with breathable mesh sides, firm mattresses, and are free from harmful chemicals and flame retardants.
For me, the lack of a front zipper like the Guava Lotus and Lumiere was a significant drawback.
Lumiere All-in-One Lightweight Travel Crib:
The Lumiere All-in-One Lightweight Travel Crib is another lightweight contender at 13 pounds – matching the Guava Lotus.
The Lumiere stands out by including a bassinet conversion kit and a white noise machine in the package for a competitive price of around $229. However, its bulkier folded shape makes it less suitable as a carry-on, which was a key requirement for my travel needs.
Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib:
The Nuna Sena Aire Travel Crib represents the luxury end of the spectrum, priced at $350 (or $450 with a changing table attachment). It boasts a sophisticated design and includes a bassinet attachment. The Sena Aire is larger (41.3 x 29.5 inches) but also the heaviest of the four, weighing 22 pounds and has a 30-pound weight limit. Like the others, it features safe materials and construction.
In conclusion, while all these travel cribs are excellent options, the Guava Lotus Travel Crib remains my top pick due to its unique combination of versatility, thanks to the front zipper, carry-on compatibility, lightweight design, and ease of use.
Would I repurchase the Guava Lotus? Absolutely. For our family’s travel needs, I believe it’s the best lotus travel crib on the market. Get your Guava Lotus here.
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