In crafting a hotel that welcomes families, thoughtful interior design plays a pivotal role. It’s not just about eye-catching decor or plush furnishings; it’s about creating spaces that cater to the needs and comfort of all ages.
Key considerations in family-friendly hotel interior design go beyond aesthetics. They address practicality, safety, and inclusivity, ensuring a stay that’s as relaxing for parents as it is engaging for children.
This blog post delves into these essential elements, highlighting how a hotel can transform into a haven for families seeking memorable experiences together. Through smart design choices, hotels can become spaces where every family member feels valued and at ease, paving the way for cherished moments and lasting bonds.
Why is family friendly design important?
Family-friendly design holds profound importance in the hotel industry for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it sets the tone for an inclusive atmosphere, where families can feel genuinely welcome. This design philosophy acknowledges that parents and children have unique needs during their stay. For parents, it offers peace of mind, knowing that the environment is safe and accommodating for their children. For children, it provides engaging spaces that stimulate their curiosity and creativity, making their experience as a hotel guest a memorable one.
A family-friendly approach can also significantly impact a hotel’s reputation and success. In an era where word-of-mouth and online reviews can shape perceptions, creating positive experiences for families can lead to glowing recommendations and repeat visits. This approach can help to build a loyal customer base that sees your hotel as a preferred choice for family vacations.
The importance of safety and accessibility
Safety and accessibility stand as pillars in the foundation of family-friendly hotel design. Their importance cannot be overstated, as they directly impact the well-being and comfort of all guests, especially those with young children or special needs.
A safe hotel environment reassures parents, allowing them to relax and enjoy their stay. This means ensuring that the hotel’s design eliminates hazards, such as sharp corners, unprotected swimming pools, and unsecured furniture.
Accessibility is equally crucial. It involves designing spaces that everyone, regardless of age or ability, can use and enjoy. This includes features like ramps for strollers and wheelchairs, elevators with low buttons for children or wheelchair users, and rooms adapted for guests with disabilities. Such considerations make a significant difference in making all families feel welcome and valued.
By prioritising safety and accessibility, hotels not only comply with legal requirements but also demonstrate a deep commitment to guest wellbeing.
The role of accommodation and layout
There’s nothing worse than checking into a so-called family room and finding out that one child has to sleep on a sofa while the pram is stuffed into a small corner below the window.
As a hotel, providing safe and comfortable accommodation is your number one job – and so when it comes to creating a family friendly setting, you need to put the spotlight on space, layout, and what you can do to facilitate and maximise comfort.
It’s recommended to have different sized rooms with flexible bedding arrangements, rooms which connect for families with older children, and plenty of storage in each room. Suites are a great option for those with a little more money to spend, as these create communal space away from the bedroom and sleeping area.
Considering your onsite amenities and services
When it comes to building and designing a hotel for families, there are some amenities you need and some that are considered nice-to-have.
In the former category, we have travel cots, high chairs, and toiletries that are safe for kids to use.
In the nice-to-have box, we have extra services designed to enhance the family’s stay; including kids’ clubs, playgrounds and indoor play areas, babysitting services, and more.
The role of entertainment in a family hotel
In the previous section we mentioned playgrounds and play areas, but one thing we haven’t yet talked about is the role of engaging experiences in creating a family hotel. Repeat bookings will come from families who enjoy staying at your hotel, with access to activities for children of all ages spanning both entertainment and light education.
A great example of this is a reading area with books for kids – an inexpensive but effective addition to your hotel. Similarly, a pool with access to kids’ lessons can be a good way to harness a luxury onsite facility for extra family engagement.
Reconsider your family dining options
Offering a dining experience that caters to the diverse tastes and dietary requirements of both adults and children is key. It’s about moving beyond the standard children’s menu, often limited to fries and nuggets, to a more thoughtful selection that is both nutritious and appealing to younger guests.
The dining environment itself also plays a crucial role. Creating a relaxed atmosphere where families feel comfortable dining with children, without the worry of disturbing other guests, makes meals enjoyable for everyone. Consider features such as spacious seating arrangements, kid-friendly cutlery, and engaging activities to keep children entertained at the table.
Flexibility in dining hours can also accommodate the often unpredictable schedules of families on holiday, ensuring they don’t miss out due to nap times or early bedtimes.
Technology and sustainability in hotel design
The expectation of modern hotel guests includes onsite apps for different service requests, a diverse selection of streaming services for in-room entertainment, and access to other integrated technologies which enhance their experience.
Offering Wifi to all guests has become an industry standard, but it’s also important to consider sustainability within this and emphasise local cultures and attractions via the experiences that you offer.
TOP TIP: Why not create a technology-based local guide which includes information about the hotel and your neighbouring destinations and attractions, to promote tourism in the area?
Is it ever possible to please every member of the family when designing a hotel?
It may seem impossible to design a room which appeals to mum, a toddler, a teenager, and other members of the family of different ages – but we believe the right attention to detail and a diverse approach to all the areas listed above can culminate in the perfect family friendly hotel.
As a general rule, focussing on memorable experiences which excite the family, without detracting from comfort and accessibility, is key. Remember that families will come for the standout experiences but will rebook and become repeat guests once they find that your hotel has everything they want and need for a comfortable stay.