As I start planning and picturing my next trip with the kids, it always plays out like a perfectly curated memory in my head. But let’s be honest, what we imagine as our most magical family moments can sometimes look very different in reality.
Sometimes that reality hits before you’ve even left home. Maybe your baby suddenly decides to go through a sleep regression the night before travel. The kids start bickering before you even board the plane. Someone inevitably needs the bathroom at the worst possible moment. And, of course, there’s the classic “I’m bored.” And the list goes on.
As parents, family travel is such a great chance to really connect with our kids and introduce them to new experiences. It’s also precious time away from work and a well-deserved break from the daily grind. As kids, they just want to have fun and be engaged.
How do we achieve a happy balance? The answer lies in finding a hotel with a great kids’ program.
The Advantages of Hotel Kids’ Programs
To cater to a growing number of family travellers, many hotels and resorts now offer kids’ programs or clubs with the sole purpose of ensuring kids and parents both have a good time on vacation.
They provide activities and supervision to keep kids entertained with the goal of taking some stress off parents. It really can be a win-win situation and help you achieve that balance of having family time and some much-deserved “me” time.
Making use of a hotel’s children’s program has allowed my husband and I to enjoy a peaceful meal together, go tour a city in a day, and check out attractions that are not so kid-friendly (ie. old cobblestone roads not suitable for strollers, crowded medinas, etc.)
The great thing about children’s programs is that you can use them as much or as little as you choose, so there’s no need to feel guilty about dropping off the kids for a few hours. As a matter of fact, with a good program, you may find your kids not wanting to leave! There are hotels we stayed in several years ago that my kids continue to rave about.
Even better news for us in the Miles & Points community is that all hotels are technically bookable with the right type of points. Even hotels under our popular Marriott and Hilton brands are possible, so what better way to sweeten a points redemption than get your elite benefits and childcare too!
Important Considerations for Kids’ Programs
Kids’ programs are usually property-specific, rather than brand-specific, and can be a mixed bag.
Unfortunately, many hotels don’t publicize their kids’ program in great detail on their websites, so it requires a bit of research or calling the hotel directly to get more information. Just like looking for the right daycare, it’s important to research about a kids’ program beforehand. Address any concerns or questions you may prior to arrival to ensure the program will suit your needs.
Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing a children’s program:
- When the program is offered. Some hotels only hold their children’s programs during peak travel times like March Break or summer holidays, while others will be year-round.
- Hours of operation. Some programs offer activities and supervision all-day, while others only at certain times on specific days. If you’re planning on taking a day tour without the kids, it is important to ask about drop-off and pick-up times and how strict they are with them. A hotel once made an exception for us and opened 30 minutes earlier so we could make our tour.
- Pre-registration. Most programs will ask that you pre-register at least 24 hours beforehand to ensure adequate staffing numbers. Registration is often first-come, first-served. Although some programs can accommodate last minute drop-offs, don’t assume it’s the norm.
- Fees. Some programs are complimentary and included in your room rate, while others will charge sessional or hourly fees. Don’t forget to ask about sibling discounts as well.
- Age restrictions. While some programs accept infants and toddlers, most usually take children aged 4 to 5 and up. If you have more than one child, you will also want to inquire as to whether they have programming geared towards their specific age groups.
- Parental supervision. Some programs offer drop-off options, while others require that you be present with your child or at least remain on-site at the hotel. Programs that have age restrictions will sometimes allow a younger child to participate if their parent remains with them during the activities.
- Activities. Some hotels provide structured programs like nature walks, cooking classes, scavenger hunts, and art classes. What about older kids? Well, they can enjoy time in a games room, snorkelling, archery, or photography sessions. Some programs allow free play and operate more like a babysitting service. Others offer a mix of both.
- Meals. Some programs provide snacks and meals, while others do not. This is particularly important if your child has a food allergy or dietary restriction. You will want to know about their food handling policies and if staff are trained to handle any reaction.
- Other safety concerns. Depending on your comfort level, you may also have questions regarding their staff (child-to-staff ratios, background checks, qualifications, first aid and CPR training, etc.), cleanliness, or other emergency measures and plans.
How to Find Kids’ Programs
Most family-friendly destinations offer hotels with dedicated children’s programs. These programs are more commonly found at family all-inclusives or higher-end properties, though not exclusively. A quick AI search for “hotels with kids’ programs” will surface some options, but many of the true hidden gems still slip through the cracks. In my experience, word of mouth remains the most reliable way to find the best ones.
Some hotel brands have a children’s program across the whole brand, such as Ritz Kids by Ritz-Carlton, Kids for All Seasons by Four Seasons, and Westin Family Kids Club by Westin, but what is actually offered by each program will vary by property. It is best to go to the hotel’s official website for more information.
Good Kids’ Programs Around the World
Over the past few years, these are some kids’ programs that have really stood out for us, including many hotels that we booked using our rewards points.
If you find yourself short on points and need to book a cash rate, be sure to get in touch with our travel agency, Prince Collection, for a quote. Many of these properties participate in our preferred partner programs and are eligible for additional perks such as complimentary breakfast, a $100 USD resort credit, and more, all at no additional cost to you.
Penha Longa Resort, Ritz-Carlton
(just outside Lisbon, Portugal)
- Pay by session, supervision provided, for ages 4 to 12 years old
- Pros: Daily full-day programming with sports, games, crafts, and educational sessions; extensive indoor and outdoor facilities for kids
- Cons: Higher cost, parents must remain on the property while kids are in the program (there is plenty to do onsite though); if you wish to go off-site, there is a third party babysitting service that can provide a sitter to attend the program with the kids
- Booking strategy: As a participant of the Marriott Bonvoy program, point redemptions start at 39,000 Bonvoy points. There aren’t many Ritz-Carltons that can be booked using a 35K free night award (with a top-up) which makes this place a great redemption option.
Holding a Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Card or the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® Card will give you one of these free night awards annually. Standard rooms can accommodate up to two adults and one child; for bigger families, book two rooms and request that they be interconnecting or book a suite.
This property participates in the Marriott STARS program, so if you’re booking a cash rate, be sure to get in touch with our travel agency, Prince Collection, for a quote.
Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel
(Rome, Italy)
- Available July & August only, complimentary with some activities requiring an additional charge, supervision provided, for ages 4 to 11 years old
- Pros: Unlimited complimentary snacks including a Nutella bar
- Cons: Limited programming and certain activities require additional fees, hotel located 10-15 minute drive from main attractions
- Booking strategy: As a participant of the Hilton Honors program, standard room rewards require 105,000 Hilton Honors points per night and can accommodate up to three guests. Interconnecting rooms are available for bigger families.
The best way to score big here is getting into the US credit card game. Any of four US Amex Hilton-branded credit cards will grab you enough points for a free night here. The Hilton Aspire Card also comes with an annual free night reward that can be redeemed here. Gold or Diamond status will also score you free breakfast (kids included, when we visited!)
This property participates in the Hilton for Luxury program, so if you’re booking a cash rate, be sure to get in touch with our travel agency, Prince Collection, for a quote.
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
(Orlando, Florida, USA)
- Pay by session, supervision provided, for ages 5 to 12 years old, with separate areas for different ages
- Pros: Great outdoor pool system with lazy river, slides, and more
- Cons: Expensive for one child but additional kids are discounted, indoor space was relatively small and congested
- Booking strategy: As a participant of the Hilton Honors program, standard room rewards require 100,000 Hilton Honors points per night and can accommodate up to 4 guests. If you aren’t into the US game, consider the American Express Platinum Card. It will give you Hilton Honors Gold status, which comes with complimentary breakfast for you and a guest (complimentary for kids 5 and under).
This property participates in the Hilton for Luxury program, so if you’re booking a cash rate, be sure to get in touch with our travel agency, Prince Collection, for a quote.
- Earn 80,000 MR points upon spending $10,000 in the first three months
- Plus, earn 30,000 MR points upon making a purchase in months 15–17 as a cardholder
- Earn 2x MR points on all dining and travel purchases
- Receive an annual $200 travel credit
- Receive an annual $200 dining credit
- Transfer MR points to Aeroplan, The British Airways Club, Flying Blue, and other frequent flyer programs for premium flights
- Unlimited airport lounge access for you and one guest at Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Centurion, and other lounges
- Credits and rebates for daily expenses throughout the year with Amex Offers
- Bonus MR points for referring family and friends
- Annual fee: $799
Four Seasons Orlando
(Orlando, Florida, USA)
- Complimentary, supervision provided, for ages 4 to 12 years old
- Pros: Great indoor and outdoor facilities for kids including a massive 5-acre water oasis with lazy river, slides and more, a games room and outdoor playground
- Cons: High cost of accommodation in exchange for top-notch service and amenities
- Booking strategy: The best strategy here is to use a fixed-value points currency to redeem for a stay, like TD Rewards points or Scene+ points. This property participates in Virtuoso, so if you’re booking a cash rate, be sure to get in touch with our travel agency, Prince Collection, for a quote.
Rasa Sentosa Resort & Spa, Shangri-La
(Sentosa, Singapore)
- Payment required but may be complimentary with certain room packages, supervision provided, for ages 5 to 12 years old with separate areas for different ages
- Pros: Large indoor and outdoor facilities for kids, great kid-friendly amenities on-site including pools with slides, climbing structures, beachfront access, a kids buffet section, and complimentary baby food
- Cons: Resort located on Sentosa Island, requires a 15-minute shuttle ride to get to the mainland
- Booking strategy: Shangri-La has its own loyalty program, the Shangri-La Circle program, but unfortunately, because their footprint is mainly in Asia, not many are heavily invested in their program. This property also participates in Shangri-La Luxury Circle, so if you’re booking a cash rate, be sure to get in touch with our travel agency, Prince Collection, for a quote.
Domes Zeen Chania, a Luxury Collection Resort
(Chania, Crete, Greece)
- Complimentary for ages 4 to 12 years old, supervision provided
- Pros: Daily full-day programming with sports, games, baking, eco-friendly crafts and activities; indoor and outdoor facilities for kids, including an outdoor pool and playground
- Cons: Closed on Sundays
- Booking strategy: As a participant of the Marriott Bonvoy program, point redemptions start at 59,000 Bonvoy points during the shoulder season for a bungalow that can accommodate two. It could represent a great use of an 85K free night award from the US Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
This property participates in the Marriott STARS program, so if you’re booking a cash rate, be sure to get in touch with our travel agency, Prince Collection, for a quote.
You can read a a full review of the property here.
Alternatives to Kids’ Programs
Kids’ programs aren’t for everyone. Some feel anxious leaving their kids under the care of strangers, while others find they may not fit their needs or are worth the extra cost.
If any of these apply to you, here are some other options to consider.
- Use a babysitting service. Most hotels have a company or list of trusted contacts that they frequently use for babysitting services. In Orlando, many hotels have recommended babysitters available upon request Kid’s Nite Out. If you’re going to use a babysitter, make sure to hire one that’s part of a reputable company and check their reviews.
- Go on a cruise. Most family-friendly cruise lines offer complimentary children’s programs, with an additional cost only for meal-time supervision or late night fees. Great deals can be had when booking cruises during big promotions (i.e., kids sail free and 60% off second guest with Royal Caribbean). Even better, book through Costco or a trusted travel agency for extra perks.
- Go to an all-inclusive resort. All-inclusives such as Hyatt Ziva, Dreams Resorts, Beaches Resorts, and Moon Palace are just a few examples of family-friendly brands offering excellent children’s programs, with many catering to kids as young as infants. To save on these stays, consider using fixed-value points currencies or redeeming WestJet Dollars through WestJet Vacations.
- Take trips with grandparents or another family. It’s always nice to have an extra pair of hands to help, or other kids to keep yours entertained. You can even take turns babysitting each other’s kids for an evening. Offer to book their rooms and rack up some extra points as well.
- Take a trip without the kids. My husband and I make it a point to take one or two trips a year just for ourselves. It gives us a chance to recharge, reconnect, and enjoy our own adventures, so that when we travel with the kids, we can fully focus on them and the experiences they enjoy most.
Conclusion
Kids’ programs at hotels are great for bridging the gap between your travel goals and providing a positive experience for your kids. Whether you just need a bit peace and tranquility or want to go on an arduous excursion, children’s programs ensure that your kids are well cared for and have fun too, with the flexibility to use them only when you need to.
Before you book a hotel with a children’s program, though, always consider whether the program being offered will meet those needs. Most hotels that offer a program tend to cost more than those that don’t, and there’s no point in paying for something you cannot fully take advantage of.
The post The Wonderful World of Hotel Kids’ Programs appeared first on Prince of Travel by Amy Tung.
This story originally appeared on princeoftravel
