Why Now Is the Best Time Ever to Be a Kid Hotel Guest

UP UNTIL QUITE RECENTLY, most hotels stubbornly focused on catering to two groups: couples, and solo business travellers. Most anyone that fell outside these narrow confines would be accommodated much like a square peg in a round hole—an awkward and slightly uncomfortable fit. 

Operators seemed to forget that a lot of families travel together several times a year, and, statistically, that the decision-maker booking accommodation is often the matriarch. Among her top priorities: a little peace and quiet, space to be alone (with her partner, or with her thoughts), and—both in aid of these goals and in line with modern parenting attitudes—plenty of stimulating pastimes to keep the children occupied. 

In past, hoteliers were like, “Nah, fam.” Typical nuclear families often had to shack up dormitory style (remember how the younger brother slept in the butler’s pantry in White Lotus season one?), or book two or three rooms, at significant expense. Kids’ activities were frequently restricted to watching on-demand movies in the room at 10 bucks a pop, ordering in from a costly and limited children’s room- service menu. (“Will it be the nuggets, burger or Bolognese for you, young sir?”) 

Over the last 15 years, however—a period, perhaps not coincidentally, running in parallel with the ascent of Airbnb—hotels have rapidly picked up their game insofar as catering to families goes. Many now offer categories of accommodation with more than one bedroom, or a living room with the ability to smoothly transform into a kids’ sleeping space of an evening. Major hotel groups including Marriott, Mandarin Oriental, Oetker, and Jumeirah are starting to offer multi-bedroom, family-friendly residences, and not just in Asia, where villas have long been widely available. 

The array of diversions under-18s have to choose from has also expanded enormously over the past decade and a half. With the advent of streaming, we’ve witnessed the disappearance of on-demand movies (and, sadly for hotel operators, the rich revenue stream that came with them), so hoteliers have had to come up with more creative solutions to keeping their young guests entertained, literally thinking outside the box. 

BEYOND THE KIDS’ CLUB

Youth yoga? That’s standard stuff these days. Half-hour macrame classes? Pfft… As we’ve detailed elsewhere, we’re seeing hotels like AYANA in Bali begin to provide children with full-day learning, allowing ‘digital nomad’ parents to work remotely nine-to-five—and book extended stays of perhaps months at a time—while their offspring are schooled by organisations such as Montessori or Balinese sustainability-focused learning institution, the Green School. 

Forget fingerpainting. Contemporary hotels are devising quite extraordinary activities for young patrons. The Roku Kyoto, for example, gives children and their parents the chance to explore classic Japanese arts and crafts, including tutorials in traditional kyo-karakami paper-printing as well as washi paper–making, conducted in the waters of the Tenjin River, which run through the hotel grounds, exactly where this practice originated more than a thousand years ago. The hotel also offers back-of-house tours, exclusively for children, showing kids what goes into running a bustling hotel—and perhaps inspiring a new generation of hospitality professionals. 

There’s a delicate balance hoteliers need to strike, reminding young guests, many of whom come from affluent backgrounds and wealthy countries, that they have a duty to “give back” to the less fortunate and protect our environment, while still allowing them to enjoy their vacation. “We take a ‘this is how we do it,’ rather than ‘this is how you should do it’ approach,” says Philippa Roe, Six Senses’ global group manager of regenerative impacts. 

Rather than adopt a lecturing tone, she explains, the resorts seamlessly display how they are tackling issues like waste, energy, sustainable food, and environmental impact. At Six Senses Laamu, for example, where Roe was instrumental in developing the Junior Marine Biologist program for kids six to 16, the back of the menu explains that the fish are sourced through a program created by the hotel in partnership with Maldives Resilient Reefs NGO. “That assures the fish is caught sustainably and responsibly,” Roe says, “and the fishers receive benefits, such as ‘safety at sea’ packages or higher than market rate for their catch, for committing to follow responsible fishing practices.” 

These subtle touchpoints, Roe says, “add to the guests’ experience in knowing they’re supporting the local communities’ livelihoods, and also encourage them to think more about their own purchasing habits,” which can have a knock-on effect when they return home. “Explaining why we choose to do things a particular way, or take certain decisions, often triggers positive and transformative conversations.” 

Hotels’ in-house restaurants are a great venue for engaging guests, and culinary activities like cooking classes are an obvious offering for kids. At the new Hilton Orchard Road in Singapore, for instance, young guests are handed aprons and miniature toques to learn pasta-making at the Southeast Asian outpost of acclaimed American chef Nancy Silverton’s Michelin-starred L.A. restaurant, Osteria Mozza. Parents standing by are offered a refreshing prosecco and tasty canapés (made by grown-ups, fortunately). 

Markets, of course, are a typical aspect of your hotel culinary experience in Asia, and this extends to kids—at Shinta Mani Angkor & Bensley Collection Pool Villas in Siem Reap, Cambodia, take a tuk-tuk to the local market to learn the differences among flavoursome ingredients such as ginger and galangal (and along the way, get an eek-inducing look at exotic fare such as fresh frogs), then transform the produce into Khmer cuisine in a purpose-built educational space connected to the hotel’s noted restaurant, Kroya by Chef Chanrith. At the Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, family cooking classes are preceded by a visit to the bay’s famed fishermen’s markets to see where the seafood served at the resort is sourced. But what of the steps that come before commerce? Away in the hills of Ubud at sibling property Four Seasons Sayan (whose kids’ club has daily culinary workshops), the whole family can try to cultivate rice with farmers at the on-site paddies. 

Children who’ve made the trek to the new &Beyond Punakha River Lodge in Bhutan receive a truly hands-on immersion into ingredient-sourcing when they participate in cow-milking sessions at the village neighbouring the resort. They’re also able to forage for mushrooms and indigenous vegetables with the chef, before learning how to make the signature local momos (dumplings) in the hotel’s traditional Bhutanese kitchen. 

OF PROVENANCE AND PROGENY

Getting a real sense of the provenance of the produce used in a hotel’s cooking has become an exciting element in kids’ culinary experiences, especially when a property has its own on-site farm. Soneva Jani in the Maldives, for example, boasts sizeable organic plantings—the island of Medhufaru served as a farm for a decade before the resort was built here, and extensive plots remain, supplying fruit, vegetables and herbs to the property’s numerous restaurants. 

If they can drag themselves away from the activities in Soneva Jani’s kids’ club, The Den—the largest such facility in a hotel in Asia, featuring separate areas for under-12s and teens, a skate ramp, band room, DJ booth, giant waterslide and zip-line—young guests are encouraged to explore the farm at the heart of the island. Operated according to permaculture biodynamic farming principles, the farm is fertilised with compost created from the resort’s food scraps and irrigated using water from the onsite wastewater treatment plant. Open-air kids’ cooking classes, utilising produce from the organic farm, are held at The Gathering, the three-level overwater complex that is the resort’s F&B epicentre. 

At Soneva Jani’s So Wild restaurant, no less than 90 percent of the menu is based on plants grown organically at the property. Extensive plant-based culinary options are provided to encourage healthier, eco-friendly dining—and servers and chefs are happy to explain why eating greens makes a difference. 

Ducks, chickens, geese, rabbits, goats, guinea fowl, turkeys and peacocks are among the animals roaming about the onsite farm at The Anam Cam Ranh, on Vietnam’s central coast. Kids can get up close to this menagerie as well as explore the 8,500 square metres of this 12-hectare beachfront plot that’s dedicated to the cultivation of the organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and free-range eggs that go into meals for guests and staff. 

Those attending farm tours are given advice for growing their own organic produce at home and are also shown how to look after chickens and ducks if they’re considering taking their agricultural dalliance to the next level. Meanwhile, locally grown ingredients such as morning glory, spinach, cucumber and basil are used at the resort’s restaurants, and of course in Vietnamese cuisine cooking classes. 

MINI MASSAGE AND MORE

Kids’ spa treatments are becoming ever more popular, with hotels recognising that it’s not simply a matter of reduced-duration versions of their existing treatments. Shorter times are preferred, with many kids considering anything beyond a half-hour like, sooo totally boring, omg, but spas have had to entirely rethink their offerings for children’s sensibilities.

Children’s needs are just different—where adults tend to prefer deep, therapeutic massages, children find soft, soothing touch more relaxing. When it comes to fragrances, rather than the spicy herbal scents adults are inclined towards, for kids, sweet and fresh are the orders of the day. And as any of us with daughters will know, as far as nail adornment goes, children are generally much more adventurous than their parents.

Not far from The Anam, Alma Resort’s Le Spa launched a new menu last year, specifically for guests aged six to 11. Choices of 30-minute treatments include rather self-explanatory offerings such as Soft Tootsies, Princess Hands and Supreme Facial Ritual, each delivered with a gentle touch and fruity potions perfect for little folk. There are also treatments for adolescents up to 17, offered in the same room as a parent, providing an opportunity for mums and daughters to pause their incessant feuding (or is that just my family?) and enjoy some much-needed bonding.

LESSONS IN SUSTAINABILITY

In addition to experiences that are custom-tailored to their tastes and interests, today’s youngsters also expect the hospitality industry to live up to its corporate social responsibility and ecological commitments. Raised to be conscious of the need to reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse, rethink and repair (a.k.a. “the Six Rs”), Gen Z and Generation Alpha are using pester power to encourage their parents—many of whom, being Generation X or Millennials, are nearly as eco-conscious as their offspring anyway—to choose more sustainable hotels where environmentally friendly practices and community outreach programs are in place.

“Younger travellers, we find, are increasingly aware of sustainability and they are demanding that the hotels where they stay behave sustainably,” says Thomas Weber, general manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “They’re educated and concerned. Teenagers in particular challenge us with questions about environmental impact and are conscious of the unique ecological challenges faced somewhere like this. People say the Maldives could disappear in the next 50 years, and young people ask us why.”

According to the brand’s cofounder, Mark Edelson, Alila’s core philosophies have always been “sustainability, culture, community and nature.” Weber says these values are reflected in the way the Maldives property was built, with minimal disruption to nature; in the modern, energy-efficient design; in the way it supports local staff’s efforts to maintain their traditional culture; and in its approach to limiting waste. Glass bottles, for example, are crushed and reconstituted as building blocks, while food scraps—which at many Maldivian resorts are simply dumped in the ocean—are turned into compost for a nearby farmer, who in turn supplies the resort’s kitchens with produce.

Weber says young guests learn about these initiatives while taking part in nature-focused activities at the resort. “We don’t have anything in our kids’ club that involves screens; we try to get kids to explore nature and to learn about the marine habitat,” he says. “Through diving and snorkelling experiences, interaction with our marine biologists, we educate kids about the ocean’s ecosystem and how they can help conserve marine life and play their part in protecting the environment.”

At the eco-friendly Nikoi Island resort, off the east coast of Bintan, Indonesia, accommodations are constructed from “green” bamboo, savvy design eliminates the need for air conditioning, and measures are taken to reduce waste to a minimum (for example, all guests dine from a daily set menu, which is variable according to dietary restrictions and individual tastes, of course). But these and other initiatives aren’t explicitly highlighted. Instead, says cofounder Andrew Dixon, young guests are given a natural introduction to environmentalism, seamlessly integrated into their holiday.

“What’s impressive is that the children often outshine their parents on their knowledge and interest” in matters of an ecological nature, Dixon says. For those new to the idea of locavore, farm- to-table dining, “we have a permaculture garden on Nikoi and collecting eggs or fruit from it are great activities that introduce these concepts at an early age.”

Rather than eco-warrior awakenings, “we have always tried to think about our kids’ activities as more of a self-discovery in nature,” says Dixon. He says daily treasure hunts are consistent winners, with older
kids engaged in helping set these up. “Activities like jumping off the jetty, zip-lining and climbing coconut trees are also very popular,” he says, “but for many kids these can be frightening—it’s our goal to help them build their confidence to take part.”

LASTING IMPACT

Rosewood hotels strive to “help our younger guests cultivate an understanding of the world and our place in it, and responsibilities to maintain it,” says the group’s vice president of social impact, Mehvesh Mumtaz Ahmed, who previously held roles with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme. Ahmed says the programs at Rosewood are about empowerment, showing kids they can make a difference, rather than guilting them into action.

Rosewood Phuket’s Garden Explorers program, for example, invites young guests to pick produce at the onsite farm to make their own fresh juice or plant-based meal, learning about the health benefits of herbs and vegetables along the way. On an Eco Discovery Walk, meanwhile, children are given first- hand insights into the resort’s sustainable practices, such as conserving water, using clean energy like solar power, and utilising sustainable building materials.

At Rosewood Phnom Penh, creatively minded families can book a tour of the city’s thriving graffiti scene with leading local street artist, Fonki, who’ll explain how his own epic aerosol work is influenced by traditional Khmer art dating back more than a thousand years. “Forging a meaningful connection and sense of belonging with a place one visits is the first step towards making a real impact on a community. To us, this is what travel is all about,” Ahmed says.

Parents appreciate the provision of these activities on multiple levels, Ahmed suggests. “We know they’re seeking more enriching and educational experiences for their kids that get them off their devices,” she explains. “They value cultural immersion and environmental awareness and are grateful for the opportunity to expose their children to local culture while fostering a global perspective.”

Many resorts actively encourage their young guests to participate in the community outreach programs they support. For kids from comfortable backgrounds, these hotel-organised activities can serve as a poignant reminder of just how fortunate and indeed, how privileged they are. As hotelier and designer Bill Bensley puts it, “I really get a kick out of rich Americans or Europeans bringing their children over and having them spend a day in the local schools, so they can understand that not every seven-year-old has an iPhone.”

At Nihi Sumba hotel on the Indonesian island of Sumba, kids are offered the opportunity to take part in fun activities such as riding ponies down the beach, watching turtle hatchlings, enjoying bespoke kids’ spa treatments, and chocolate-making classes. But they’re also invited to help out in community programs run by the resort’s Sumba Foundation, which provides medicine, water, economic aid and education to the Sumbanese people, who are among Indonesia’s most impoverished.

According to Rainy Octora, general manager of the Sumba Foundation, Nihi’s young visitors thoroughly enjoy and benefit from the experience of visiting local schools and lending a
hand. “They actively engage with the local kids, answering their questions, and distributing food during school lunch,” she says. “Many of these young guests express gratitude for their own lives after the experience, pledging to refrain from complaining about trivial annoyances. Some even vow not to waste food, finding the encounter to be truly eye-opening.”

A considerable number of returning guests’ children revisit the local school every year, Octora says. “They spend time with me at the nutrition project and English class, and some return as volunteers at the foundation for weeks.” She says these young people find it a profound experience. “They often share that working with the Sumba Foundation has been transformative, altering their perspective on life,” she says.

Octora put T+L Asia in touch with a 10-year-old guest from Europe—for the sake of privacy, let’s call her Chloe—who’s been coming to Nihi for much of her young life. “The first time I gave the kids lunch, I was three years old and then did not know how special it was,” Chloe says. “But now I do, because I get to do something I like and also make a huge difference to the children. It was very special to see kids my age with a totally different life. Although they have very little, they looked so happy, and it made me happy that I could help them with such a small thing as a lunch.”

Chloe has formed a bond with many of the local kids. “We often go swimming in the sea or playing on the beach. We don’t speak the same language, but we do play the same games— sometimes we even teach each other new games,” she says. “I have so many friends in Sumba.”

Chloe and her brother have taken the initiative of raising money back home at their own school for the Sumba Foundation, which Octora says is not uncommon among Nihi’s young, engaged guests. “I’ve known some of these children since they were babies, and each of them holds a special place in my heart,” Octora says. “Witnessing their ongoing passion for helping others is truly remarkable. Their dedication to making a positive impact is awe inspiring.”

If examples like this hold true on a broader basis, not only is the future of travel in good hands—maybe the future of our world is, too.

The Details

Some Great Hotels That Offer Innovative Kids Activities and a Future-Forward Attitude

&Beyond Punakha River Lodge, Bhutan
andbeyond.com; starting rate for double occupancy with full board US$1,130

Alila Kothaifaru Maldives
alilahotels.com; starting rate for double occupancy US$945

Alma Resort Bai Dai Beach, Cam Ranh, Vietnam
alma-resort.com; starting rate for double occupancy US$180

The Anam Cam Ranh, Vietnam
theanam.com; starting rate for double occupancy US$221

Ayana Resort, Bali, Indonesia
ayana.com; starting rate for double occupancy US$300

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
fourseasons.com; starting rate for double occupancy US$698

Four Seasons Bali at Sayan
fourseasons.com; starting rate for double occupancy US$1,130

Hilton Orchard Road, Singapore
hilton.com; starting rate for double occupancy SG$379

Nihi Sumba, Indonesia
nihi.com/sumba; starting rate for double occupancy in private pool villa with full board US$1,995

Nikoi Island, Bintan, Indonesia
nikoi.com; starting rate for a three-day, two-night stay for two adults and two children, inclusive of daily board and return transfers from Bintan Ferry Terminal SG$1,914 for midweek

Roku Kyoto, Japan
hilton.com; starting rate for double occupancy US$997

Rosewood Phnom Penh, Cambodia
rosewoodhotels.com; starting rate for double occupancy US$395

Rosewood Phuket, Thailand
rosewoodhotels.com; starting rate for double occupancy Bt26,250

Shinta Mani Angkor & Bensley Collection Pool Villas, Siem Reap, Cambodia
shintamani.com; starting rate for double occupancy including breakfast US$550

Six Senses Laamu, Maldives
sixsenses.com; starting rate for double occupancy, including breakfast US$1,372

Soneva Jani Maldives
soneva.com; starting rate for double occupancy US$3,650

Lede and hero images courtesy of Rosewood.

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