BY HANINDER SACHDEVA,
CEO, EIGHT CONTINENTS HOTELS & RESORTS
LONDON | 30 MAY 2025
As temperatures rise and schools shut down for the summer, Indian families are hitting the road in search of memorable getaways. With kids in tow, the hospitality industry across the country has transformed into a playground of possibilities, offering a range of child-friendly experiences that go far beyond traditional sightseeing. From luxury resorts to boutique stays, hoteliers are reimagining vacations to ensure that both children and parents can enjoy a hassle-free, rejuvenating, and engaging holiday.
A Family-Centric Shift in Hospitality:
Hospitality businesses have long understood that family travel isn’t just about accommodating extra beds or offering a kids’ menu. In recent years—especially post-pandemic—there has been a significant shift in how hotels, resorts, and homestays perceive their young guests, especially during summer vacations, which typically spans from April to June.
Hotels have evolved their infrastructure, staff training, and activity calendars to meet the needs of families. The goal is clear: make the experience so immersive for children that the parents can also unwind, knowing their kids are safe, entertained, and cared for.
Dedicated Kids’ Clubs and Activity Zones:
One of the most visible signs of this transformation is the proliferation of kids’ clubs in resorts and hotels. Many resorts and hotels have rolled out dedicated children’s zones equipped with games, crafts, books, and even mini theatres. These spaces are supervised by trained professionals and allow kids to learn and play in structured settings while parents enjoy some well-earned downtime.
Boutique resorts now feature nature trails, treasure hunts, storytelling sessions, and pottery workshops aimed specifically at the children. Meanwhile, beach properties offer supervised sandcastle-building sessions, dolphin-watching cruises, and junior snorkeling lessons.
Learning Through Travel: Edutainment Takes Center Stage:
Parents today are more conscious about the quality of their children’s experiences. To meet this growing demand for edutainment (education + entertainment), several luxury and mid-segment properties have started integrating learning modules into their holiday packages. The idea is to turn every travel destination into a fun classroom—where curiosity leads the way and textbooks are replaced with real-world experiences.
Culinary Adventures for Little Foodies:
The food and beverage departments of hotels have also caught on to the trend, crafting children-friendly menus that are nutritious yet appealing. Instead of basic pizzas and fries, you can now find interactive cooking classes where kids can make their own dosas, cupcakes, or even mocktails.
Safety First: Parents’ Peace of Mind
With children being the focus, safety and hygiene have received extra attention. Resorts have implemented enhanced protocols including child-proofing rooms on request, offering wristbands with GPS tracking in large properties, and ensuring round-the-clock pediatric assistance in-house or on-call.
Additionally, hotel staff are increasingly being trained in basic childcare, first aid, and child psychology, equipping them to interact better with younger guests and handle emergency situations should they arise.
Staycations & Urban Resorts: A Boon for City Dwellers:
Not all families are traveling to far-off destinations. Urban resorts and staycation-friendly hotels within metros are curating summer vacation specials with pool access, magic shows, DIY art corners, and weekend carnivals. For working professionals who are unable to take long leaves, these quick getaways provide the perfect break for their children and often come with flexible check-in/check-out options.
Theme-Based Experiences & Tech Integration:
Summer camps are now finding a new home in luxury resorts, often built around themes such as “Jungle Safari,” “Space Explorers,” “Underwater World,” and “Little Chefs.” These programs last anywhere between a day and a week and offer fun activities like storytelling, theatre, interactive games, and adventure. Tech-savvy hotels have also launched mobile apps where kids can follow interactive treasure hunts, solve puzzles, or win digital badges based on real-world activities completed on the property.
A Win-Win for Hospitality and Families:
By investing in child-centric experiences, properties are not only enhancing customer satisfaction but also ensuring repeat business and stronger brand loyalty. With India’s travel landscape expanding and families increasingly looking for experiential holidays, the hospitality industry is stepping up its game, offering thoughtful, fun-filled, and safe environments for kids during the summer break.
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