Should families avoid hotels with adults-only areas?
Last night I was taking part in a twitter chat about top family travel tips, when one comment got me wondering. Avoid hotels or resorts with adults-only sections, suggested one person, as it means families will be treated as second class.
It makes sense in a way – but it’s the complete opposite of what I’ve always thought. To me, if somewhere has an area that’s adults-only, it’s harder for guests to roll their eyes at children in the rest of the resort – after all, there’s a whole section they can retreat to if it bothers them.
Incidentally, I’m not including mad feral behaviour in the eye-rolling category, but excited shouts, enthusiastic splashing in the pool and children generally enjoying themselves rather than sitting quietly on a sun lounger with a book.
The same goes for planes. I’m all for people being able to pay extra to fly in a separate child-free section if they want – then anyone who doesn’t has lost the option to grumble at babies and toddlers.
I’ve seen it work well on cruises too, including the top-deck Serenity area on some of Carnival’s ships and Royal Caribbean’s equivalent, the Solarium. I even managed to sneak off there for a peaceful half hour one time myself (because who doesn’t fancy a bit of child-free time when you have kids yourself?)
And while I’m not suggesting families should be coralled into a plastic primary-coloured corner or apologise for existing, dedicating different areas seemed like a sensible compromise.
That way, everyone gets to relax – right?
So what do you think? Does having an adults-only section mean those without families will automatically be treated better? Or is it a shortcut to making sure everyone can relax on holiday?
Image courtesy of Depositphotos
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Before I had Monkey I was constantly eye-rolling and now I see children’s noise in a different way. Tbh, if you’re researching a hotel as someone who doesn’t want to be disturbed it would be wise to make sure kids aren’t allowed in the hotel. That said, if it’s an option, I don’t families should avoid hotels with them, they’re definitely a respite for weary parents!
True, I think I’m the same! But I agree – if it’s an option, it’s a nice peaceful escape for anyone who needs it (even for half an hour…)
I’d definitely be put off a holiday with a no kids area, but we’ve made the decision that while our kids our little we’re going to focus on very child centered holidays, so farm stays, children’s festivals that sort of thing, with so much choice I wouldn’t bother taking the risk that somewhere was anti families.
Though I’m now thinking, perhaps when they are a bit older we’ll go somewhere with a kids club, put them in that and make use of the adult only bit ourselves!
That’s definitely a good thought for when they’re little, as it’s such a risk to discover your family holiday isn’t that welcoming for families after all. But there’s definitely a theme with a few parents liking the idea of a peaceful spot too 🙂
Hmmm – interesting debate and I can see both points – I have to say, I am not sure if I would pick a hotel that had an ‘adults only’ section for a family holiday – if I’m travelling with my family I want to be able to use all parts of the hotel (after all I’ll be paying for it). I would always look for a completely family-orientated hotel for our family holiday.
If I was looking for a holiday for just myself and hubby, I wouldn’t look for a family hotel with an adults only section either – I think I would just look for a hotel more suited to grown ups overall.
Where I think the compromise is is in the resorts which are still completely geared towards families and offer fantastic childcare options or kids clubs alongside fantastic activities and areas for the whole family. In this sort of resort I would want to make the most of my child-free time in an adults only area with lots of peace, quiet and relaxation.
Thanks – that’s true. I think perhaps it is the resorts where this works best as there’s still so much room that I don’t think families would feel excluded by one area for adults whereas a smaller hotel might make it more offputting.
Pre kids I probably would have liked the idea. Now I tend to think it’s a bit sad. It does put me off a bit to be honest. For instance, we went cruising and the spa area was off limits to children, but it included the only indoor and heated pool. We went to the caribbean so weather wasn’t really a issue, but if I was doing an Atlantic crossing say, it would have put me off.
Oh that’s really off-putting on the cruise – if there’s a dozen pools and one/two are adults only, I don’t think I’d have a problem, but cutting off specific facilities is no good at all. I’ve started to find that even spas in resorts have a couple of hours when kids can come in/use the pools, often earlier in the morning which seems a nice compromise. I know having my toddler with me would take the edge off post-relaxation!
I tend to stick to family friendly places but I suppose it depends on the place really, I’d hate it if you were made to feel excluded just because you had children with you.
Thanks, and absolutely, feeling unwanted is an instant holiday ruiner. I wonder if adults-only areas are something new as I’ve only really started noticing the adults-only areas cropping up recently. Or perhaps I’m only paying attention now I have a toddler!