Family-friendly resort hotel or romantic hotel for couples? Both can be true!
Few hospitality providers boast the vast portfolio of the or / with their separate brands catering to romance travelers and family vacationers. If you鈥檙e a single property that doesn鈥檛 want to miss out on one target by exclusively courting the other, this blog is for you. We鈥檒l start by breaking down the offerings each audience is looking for, then make recommendations for addressing the disparities.
Family-Friendly Resorts: Must-Haves
Vacationers traveling with kids come with a lot of baggage (in every sense of the word). We鈥檙e talking about age and interest gaps plus all of the gear parents need to take care of their kiddos away from the comfort of home. Here are recommended offerings to encourage families to stay at your resort:
Guestroom Setups & Amenities
Unless we鈥檙e talking about one or two parents with one young child, a standard guest room with one king or two queen beds gets very small, very quickly. To accommodate larger families and/or those with teens/preteens, your property should offer the option of multi-bedroom suites or connecting rooms so everyone has their own space. Other must-have in-room amenities include mini fridges, sleeper sofas and the availability of portable cribs.
Recreation & Entertainment
Family getaways were built for good times and memory-making. So the guestroom will likely only be used for bedtime and (possibly) naptime. Resorts can bring the much-needed fun by offering kids鈥� clubs, playgrounds and other daytime adventures and activities. As the sun sets, evening entertainment such as movie nights or live shows gets a standing ovation from exhausted parents.
Swimming is an absolute necessity for burning off kid-fueled energy. An indoor pool is ideal for off-season travel or bad weather. An outdoor pool becomes THE family hub in tropical zones 鈥� and summertime cannonballing everywhere else. Your resort scores bonus points for pools featuring zero entry, water slides and surrounding splash pads.
Dining Options
No three-year-old is going to sit through a formal three-hour dinner. And no foodie savoring a formal, three-hour dinner will want to hear a three-year-old throwing a temper tantrum. Families with little ones require options for casual, quick-service restaurants that offer dedicated kids鈥� menus and high chairs. Easy access to vending machines throughout your resort is also a huge help for parents dealing with hangry kids between meals.
Stay Packages
As travel becomes more expensive (especially for growing families!), parents are looking to get the most bang for their vacation buck. Your resort can attract these value-seekers by creating packages that bundle overnight accommodations with dining, family-friendly activities and thoughtful welcome amenities that can be as simple as water bottles and pre-packaged snacks.
Good Hotels for Couples: Requirements
Whether traveling for romance or relaxation (or both!), these no-kids-couples are seeking an escape from everyday stresses. Your resort can deliver its serene sanctuary 鈥� here鈥檚 how:
Guestroom Setups & Amenities
It鈥檚 the boudoir as a personal haven! Think: king-bedded suites offering cozy fireplaces and private balconies with tranquil views. Spa-like bathrooms with sumptuous soaking tubs and premium toiletries. And in-room coffee makers for lingering in bed as long as they please.
Recreation & Entertainment
In contrast to the kids鈥� dream pools we described earlier, think of this offering as an oasis with luxe loungers and private cabanas plus light fare and specialty cocktails served poolside for lucrative upsell opportunities. A full-service spa on-site is a utopia for frazzled couples in need of pampering. Barring that, your resort can partner with local, licensed practitioners to offer in-room spa treatments. More grown-ups-only fun can include hands-on culinary classes with your chef, guided tastings of local beer, wine and/or spirits as well as upscale lounges featuring live musicians.
Dining Options
Remember that three-hour formal dinner we introduced earlier? These are the guests who want it! Couples celebrating a special occasion are more than willing to open their wallets for a truly exceptional culinary experience 鈥� up to and including private dining options. And those looking to raise a glass to their romantic getaway love the vibe of a quiet, tucked-away bar for before and after-dinner drinks.
Stay Packages
Everyone enjoys a deal. For couples who want to treat themselves to the full resort experience, bundling overnight accommodations with dining, spa and entertainment offers true appeal. Consider including a complimentary wine and cheese board as a welcome amenity for those booking a stay package.
How To Bring It All Together (or Apart!)
You鈥檙e probably thinking, 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a long list! How can we offer it all under one roof?鈥� Here鈥檚 our take:
- Depending on the size of your property, assign separate wings, floors or towers for guestrooms of those checking in with kids, versus those traveling without them.
- Clearly designate separate family and adults-only pools and have your staff actually enforce the age-based rules (usually 18+ for adults-only).
- Offer restaurants catering to each audience, along with separate public areas such as a family game room and a secluded library.
A Resort Doing It Right
Looking for inspiration? Take a peek at . It鈥檚 a two-resorts-in-one, best-of-both-worlds property that delivers all the intimate privacy couples seek at and the all-ages adventure that鈥檚 the hallmark of the best family-friendly resort hotels with . As you scroll through the websites, you鈥檒l notice the visuals and messaging are tailored to resonate with each audience while still honoring the distinctive Hard Rock brand voice and feel.
For clients that have done a branding exercise with Dana, you know we say, 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 be all things to all people.鈥� But you can customize your offerings and communications to segmented audiences. Our expertise in this arena is one of the reasons Hospitality Business Review named us the . To learn more about what we can do for your property, contact Lynn Kaniper at 609.466.9187 ext. 117 or lkaniper@danacommunications.com today.