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Top family-friendly accommodation trends
Unique and quirky accommodation
What kid doesn’t want to stay in a room where they can pretend to be a princess or astronaut or be immersed in their favourite animated film? More and more hotels are granting their wishes. Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, for example, has five themed family suites, including safari, treetop, castle, underwater and space.
And in the era of private home rentals, the trend is also expanding to include houses. Fans of The Addams Family can even book to stay in a house in New York inspired by the movie.
Zoo and safari stays such as those offered at Jamala Wildlife Lodge in Canberra, Wildlife Retreat at Taronga in Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, and Slumber Safari at Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria are also in demand.
Retro motels
Maybe we can blame it on Mum and Dad bingeing Schitt’s Creek – the hilarious Canadian sitcom set in an old-school motel – but retro motels are back, baby! There seems to be a newly refurbished motel opening every five minutes, with family-friendly options such as Blue Water Motel at Kingscliff, The Sunseeker in Byron Bay and Blueys Motel at Blueys Beach on the NSW North Coast. For a bit of novelty nostalgia, kids will especially love Kyneton Springs Hotel in Victoria, which has even gone so far as reviving the breakfast hatch!
Self-contained accommodation
As well as self-contained accommodation such as holiday houses, apartment hotels are more attractive than ever before. TFE Hotels spokeswoman Jodi Clark says Adina Apartment Hotels offer all the facilities families need for a self-sufficient and cost-effective getaway – plenty of room to spread out and play, a kitchen where they can cook and eat all their meals rather than spending money in restaurants, and laundry facilities to do their own washing as and when they need.
Extended families staying together
It’s been a growing trend for a while, and taking holidays with grandparents is more valued than ever. “There is strong interest in multi-generational and family travel,” UTracks general manager Kate Baker says. “Families are wishing to spend quality time together.”
Crown group chief operating officer Pierre Abrahamse says togetherness was emerging as the biggest trend. “Guests are calling to ask if they can book co-joining apartments so that they can enjoy a holiday with their kids and the grandparents in the one place, or so they can have friends who live in regional areas finally able to join them in the city for restaurant or gallery outings.”
Grandparents are also taking their grandkids away without their parents. Sometimes, the parents tag along – but stay in a hotel next door so they are still nearby if needed. The MarBella Collection is one hotel company noticing the trend since opening the adults-only MarBella Nido beside the family-friendly MarBella Corfu on the Greek Island.
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Opening image: BIG4 St Helens in Tasmania