Many resorts strive to be family-friendly – a goal that involves careful planning, thoughtful design, and intentional operations. While parents may find luxurious amenities and young children have access to basic play areas, one critical group is frequently overlooked: teenagers. Teens are at a delicate stage of development and are often challenging to connect with. Without dedicated spaces or engaging activities, teens often feel disconnected, leaving families struggling to balance individual needs during their vacation. As family travel expands, with multigenerational trips rising and families booking longer stays, resorts that fail to adapt risk losing out. By designing spaces that cater to all age groups – children, teens, and parents alike – resorts can transform into true family destinations, fostering memorable experiences that keep guests returning year after year.
Families travel more frequently and to farther destinations, often turning business trips into leisure stays. Studies indicate that family travelers tend to stay longer, require more space, and spend more on amenities and services. Family travelers make up 30% of global tourism, and the U.S. family travel market alone is valued at approximately $160 billion annually. Looking ahead to 2025, according to Hilton’s annual report, 37% of travelers are planning multigenerational trips, speaking to the need for resorts to cater to all ages.
Despite this trend, many resorts fall short of providing comprehensive family-inclusive design. While activities for young children are common, spaces and programming for teenagers are often nonexistent, leaving them with few options beyond tagging along with parents or retreating to their rooms. As a design practice, we increasingly see resort clients interested in capturing this audience and implementing thoughtful, age-appropriate solutions to enhance guest experiences and gain a competitive edge.
"Family travel to resort and hotels is increasing and operators are responding to maximize the guest experience. At OZ, we are implementing thoughtful design strategies for spaces tailored to specific age groups or for spaces with multi-generational activities."
Chris Vandall, Associate Principal | OZ Architecture
Each stage of childhood and adolescence presents unique needs, and resorts that cater to these developmental milestones create richer, more fulfilling experiences for young guests while allowing parents the freedom to relax. Infants and toddlers benefit from sensory-friendly play areas with soft textures and contrasting colors, while preschoolers thrive in interactive learning zones and exploratory play spaces. Younger children enjoy movement-based activities and beginner sports areas, while preteens seek collaborative gaming spaces or skill-building activities such as crafting or STEM challenges. As they grow older, children and teens crave independence and social interaction. Dedicated teen lounges with gaming zones, maker spaces, and outdoor adventure opportunities can provide an environment where they can engage with peers while maintaining a sense of autonomy.
To design these truly family-friendly resorts, thinking beyond traditional playrooms is essential. Resorts can integrate a mix of open and enclosed spaces that serve different functions, such as multi-functional lounges with corners for youth of all ages, specialty rooms for gaming or art, flexible family suites with adaptable sleeping arrangements, and outdoor adventure zones for exploration and community-driven projects.
Implementing small but impactful design features makes a big difference in how families and finicky teens experience their stay, such as:
Providing engaging and well-designed spaces for kids and teens benefits everyone at the resort. Youth develop a love for travel, parents enjoy both family bonding and relaxation, other guests experience a more enjoyable atmosphere, and resort staff benefit from smoother operations.
By integrating these design and programming strategies, resorts can enhance guest satisfaction, foster brand loyalty, and create long-lasting memories for families. As family travel continues to grow, embracing child- and teen-friendly design is an essential investment in the future of hospitality.
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303-861-5704
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